Parshat Chukat- Holy Cow!

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Chukat, we learn about the Parah Adumah (red cow). After the rebellion of Korah in last weeks Parsha, Hashem rewards the winners (Shevet Levi) with a present. However only pure Kohanim can partake in this gift. What if a Kohein or any person touches a dead person and becomes tamay, how does one become pure again? Enter the Parah Adumah. Hashem says that any tamay person can not enter the house of the Shechinah for seven days. On the third and seventh day a Kohain has to sprinkle the tamay with ashes from a Parah Adumah.Why a Parah Adumah? That is Hashems secret. A mitzvah that has no explanation is called a Chok. These mitzvot may not make sense to us but have a great meaning to Hashem. We keep these Mitzvot purely for our love for Hashem.

I chose to make Parah Adumah cupcakes to remind us how we always blindly trust Hashem and he always knows what is best for us.

Good Shabbos

Parshat Korach- Flower Power

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Korach it begins with the story of Korach. Korah is Moshes first cousin, it is his job to carry the Aron. He isnt happy with his position  so her starts a rebellion. Hashem is not happy with this so he burns him with the rest of his rebellion in a fire. Meanwhile Bnei Yisroel is not convinced that only Kohanim and Levyim can serve in the Mishkan, Hashem wants to prove that only Shevet Levi can serve. He commands Moshe to take 12 dry wooden sticks and engrave the names of the 12 nesiyim on them. on Levi's stick he engraves Aharon's name on it. Moshe places them in the Kodesh Hakodoshim overnight. In the morning all the sticks remain dry except for Levi's which has blossomed with flowers and almonds and the 4 letter name of Hashem has also been engraved on it. Moshe brings the sticks to the nesiyim and they bring it to their Shevatim and Bnei Yisroel is now convinced that Shevet Levi is the one and only Shevet to serve in the Mishkan.

I chose to make cupcakes with Aharon's stick with the flowers blossoming to show the true power of Hashem.

Good Shabbos

PS. Here is an adorable picture of my niece who I get to spend Shabbos with!!

Parshat Shelach- I Spy

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Shelach, Hashem was preparing Bnei Yisroel to enter into Eretz Yisroel. Bnei Yisroel didn't trust to go in right away so they asked Moshe to send in Miraglim to check out the land. Hashem was not happy with this but allowed them to go. They went into spy on the land and did not come back with a wonderful report that Moshe hoped for. They spoke loshen hara about the land and Bnei Yisroel was sent back into the dessert for 40 years. I chose to make Miraglim cupcakes with a magnifying glass to represent the Miraglim that went into spy the land. Its a reminder for us to not speak  loshon hara, and to watch what we say.

Good Shabbos