Friday, January 31, 2014

Parshat Terumah- Golden Menorah

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Terumah we learn about the building of the Mishkan. Hashem asks Bnei Yisroel to come together and contribute different materials for the Mishkan, its incredible to see the achdus that Bnei Yisroel has while contributing these materials. On the outer chamber of the Mishkan stood the Menorah. I chose to make Menorah cupcakes this week because it had such intrinsic detail that went into making the 7 branch menorah. There were 3 types of decorations added to the branches, a gavia (a cup), a kaftor (a knob), and a perech (flower). One cupcake is a regular seven branch menorah and the other one I put some flowers. Just like Bnei Yisroel came together as one to contribute things to the Mishkan, the menorah was made out of one solid piece of gold.

May we all be able to have Achdus with each other and be able to appreciate the little intrinsic details of our everyday lives.

Good Shabbos and Chodesh Tov- Happy Adar!!


Friday, January 24, 2014

Parshat Mishpatim- These are the Laws!

It's been a while since I've posted, between being in the Ukraine and being sick I had to go on hiatus. But Parsha cupcakes are back! This weeks Parsha is Parshat Mishpatim. The Parsha opens with Bnei Yisroel still fascinated by the Aseret Hadibrot. Hashem teaches Moshe new laws, and these set of laws are meant to help Bnei Yisroel get along with one another and love each other. Moshe doesn't just simply teach the laws straight to Bnei Yisroel, he first teaches them to Aharon, then he teaches them to Aharons sons Elazar and Itamar while Aharon listens, next to the 70 zekainim as Aharon and his sons listens. Then finally Bnei Yisroel is assembeled and they are taught the mitzvot 4 times. First by Moshe, then by Aharon, then by Elazar and Itamar, and then by the 70 zekainim. After that its up to the zekainim to deal with the disputes that come up.

What are these laws you ask, The first set is in regard to the treatment of your Jewish servant,  Murder- the 4 types of death penalties- Skila, Sraifa, Hereg, and Chenek (stoning, burning, decaptulation, and strangulation), damaged persons, if a Jew damages another Jew, animal damages, stealing, care taking soemones property, kindness- Hashem wants us to be nice to 3 kinds of people, ger, an orphan, and a widow, The Beit Din has to have 3 judges, you cant mix milk and meat together, fruits and veggies from the vine have to be put aside for Hashem, if an animal is found torn apart in the field its treif, Shmita, Shabbat you cant do any work, Shalos Regalim.

Its a lot to take in for one Parsha. I decided to make law cupcakes with the scale to represent all the laws in this weeks Parsha.

May we all be able to do the best we can in following the laws and serving Hashem.

Good Shabbos!


Friday, January 3, 2014

Parshat BO- Last 3 Makot

Shalom from the Holy Land!
In this weeks Parsha, Parshat BO we learn about the last 3 Makot. Arbe- (locusts), Choshech (darkness), and Makat Bachorot (death of the firstborn). After all of these plagues Pharoah finally lets his people go!
Just like Pharoah finally let Bnei Yisorel go we all should be able to be free from our galus.

Shabbat Shalom

Arbe- Locusts


Choshech- Darkness (the yellow is the light that the Jews had)


Makat Bechorot- Death of the firstborn (Door post with blood around it)


Last 3 Makot


All 10 Makot