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

Parshat Naso- Don't Drink the Wine!

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Naso it talks about a Nazir. A Nazir has to stay away from wine, vinegar, grape juice and grape products. Also a Nazir is not allowed to cut his hair. Why is a Nazir not allowed to eat grape products or cut his hair? The Nazir is supposed to look past his physical appearance and desires, so he can keep away from sin. He has to concentrate on Teshuvah and Torah thoughts. A person who takes it upon himself to become a Nazir is as Kadosh as a Kohen Gadol. If one becomes a Nazir and doesn't set a time frame its set at thirty days. If a Nazir accidentally becomes tamay during that time, the Nazir waits seven days, offers korbanot on the eighth day, and then starts the count all over again. After that period he cuts off all his hair and offers Korbanot to Hashem, his hair is burned with the Korbanot. There was a room in the Beit Hamikdash called "Lishkat Hanezirim" the room for the Nazir's. Once the Nazir finished his time he went to the room to get his hair cut off, which then was a painful experience. He would remember this for a long time.

I chose to make cupcakes with a no wine sign to represent the wine the Nazir was not allowed to drink.

Good Shabbos

Lauren

Parshat Bamidbar- Wave Your Flag

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Bamidbar, Bnei Yisroel enters a new stage of their relationship with Hashem. They have been forgiven for the Eigel Hazahav incident and the Mishkan is complete. Then they begin counting Bnei Yisroel, each male from the ages of 20-60 has to give a half a shekel. Then they are divided into three camps, The Camp of the Shechina, The camp of the Leviyim, and the camp of Machane Yisroel. At Har Sinai Bnei Yisroel watched as 22,000  chariots of Malachim accompanied the Shechina descending from the mountain. These Malachim were divided into 4 divisions and each division had a flag. Watching this heavenly army, Bnei Yisorel wished they could be the army of Hashem surrounded by the Shechina, so Hashem granted them their wish. Moshe told Bnei Yisroel that they now would be divided under four banners: The Yehuda division, which also includes Yissachar and Zevulun; the Ephraim division, which also includes Menashe and Binyamin; the Reuven division, which also includes Shimon and Gad; and the Dan division, which also includes Asher and Naftali. Each flag would have a mascot and words embroidered on it.

I chose to make flag cupcakes to represent the flags of the four divisions.

Good Shabbos

Parshat Bechukotai- Let The Rain Fall Down

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Bechukotai, Hashem wants Bnei Yisroel to dedicate their hearts and minds to learning Torah and doing Mitzvot. Hashem promise them 5 Brachot one being RAIN. Hashem promises to give rain to Eretz Yisroel at the right time. Ran isn't as simple as we think, when we daven we want to ask for just the right amount because too little or too much can devastate the land. Hashem promises that the rain will freshen the water supply and keep Bnei Yisroel, their children and the animals healthy. I chose to make rain drop cupcakes to represent the rain Hashem promised to Bnei Yisroel to keep them healthy.

Enjoy this RAINY shabbos!

Good Shabbos

Parshat Behar- Shmita- Dontcha Wanna Eata!

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Behar, it talks about Shmita. Beginning on Rosh Hashana of the seventh year, the Shmita year begins. What is Shmita you ask? For the entire your farmers do not plant, sow, plow or work the field. The only work he can do is water it to keep things alive. The fruit that grows during the Shmita year cannot be sold, therefore it is free for everyone. The owner of the farm has to leave his gates unlocked so people can come in and take. The fruit is also considered holy, so you cant just throw it on the peels and core on the ground, you have to let them return to the soil naturally. As for vegetables its a different story, basically you cant eat them because they don't usually grow on their own. At the end of the Shmita year all loans are forgiven This Mitzvah applies to produce from Israel.

I chose to make apple cupcakes to represent the fruit during Shmita!

Good Shabbos!

Parshat Emor- Good Yom Tov!

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Emor, it continues to discuss the holy nation Bnei Yisroel. What Kohanim can and cant do. And then it goes into talking about all the Yom Tovs, Pesach, Shavuos, Succos, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. I chose to make Yom Tov cupcakes to represent all the Yomim Tovim.

I chose to use pink and purple colors in honor of my new niece Ayelet!

Have a Good Shabbos

Lauren