Parshat Pikudei- The Sky's the Limit

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Pikudei Bnei Yisroel finished the building of the Mishkan. So its now time for the Shechina to move to the Kodesh Hakodoshim. Big clouds come down from the sky and surround the Mishkan from all sides. Inside the Mishkan a thick cloud settles in. This is the cloud where the Shechina will rest.

I chose to make cloud cupcakes to represent the cloud that the Shechina rested in. May we always feel the presence of Hashem surrounding us.

Good Shabbos

Parshat Vayakel- See the Pretty Candles Flickering

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Vayakel, Hashem forgives Bnei Yisroel for the chayet haeigel, and he has decided that he will permanently dwell among his people. But a special home for the Shechina must be built. That is the Mishkan. In order to build the Mishkan, Bnei Yisroel has to perform 39 different types of work. These 39 types of work are forbidden to do on Shabbos. In 8th grade I was taught a song to remember all 39 Melachot by a very special teacher Morah Shoshana Hayman A'H, she was a victim in the Sbarro's bombing in 2001. Thanks to her wonderful teaching skills I will never forget that song.

I chose to make this weeks cupcakes Shabbos candles, so we can remember the sanctity of Shabbos and to remember my wonderful Morah. May we all have a special, meaningful Shabbos

Good Shabbos

Parshat Ki Tisa- Golden Cupcakes

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Ki Tisa it begins with Hashem teaching Moshe how to count the Jews. After Matan Torah, Moshe told Bnei Yisroel that he would be back after 40 days. When that time comes and passes Bnei Yisroel starts to freak out. What if he's dead, there is no food up there on and on and Bnei Yisroel needs a leader. After experiencing the awesome presence of hashem, they need a physical object to be the go between, between Hashem and them. That used to be Moshe, now it will be the Golden Calf. The Eirav Rav pressured Aaron to do something to get the calf made, and they intended to worship the calf, Bnei Yisroel did not have that same intention. so Aaron (who was trying to stall) told Bnei Yisroel to go home and ask their wives for their gold jewelry. Just as Aaron predicted the wives refuse to give their gold. So the men give their own earrings, only the entire Shevet Levi did not give in their gold. They continued to make the calf and the Eirav Rav start making a celebration. Hashem sees whats going no and wants to destroy Bnei Yisroel for idol worship but Moshe begs Hashem for forgiveness of his people. He finally comes down and is greeted by Yehoshua who doesnt know whats going on in the camp because he has been waiting for Moshe. They both go to the camp, Moshe is carrying the Luchot. They see the Eirav Rav and a group of Jews dancing around the golden calf. Moshe throws down the Luchot and yells at the Jews. The next day he burns the calf.

I chose to make golden cupcakes as a reminder for us who is the creator and controls everything and not to let this happen again.

Shabbat Shalom

Parshat Tetzaveh- The Choshen Mishpat

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Tetzaveh, we take a look at the Kohanim. There are many important things that are talked about in the Parsha, but I chose to focus on the Choshen Mishpat- It is the holiest of all the Bigdei Kehunah. It is a square piece of material that has been folded over to make a pocket. In this pocket Moshe will place the Urim Vetumim. Then 12 precious stones are placed on top of this square that reperesent the 12 Shevtaim.  The chocolate M & M like candies on top of the cupcake represent the 12 Shevatim.

Shabbat Shalom

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!!

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!

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