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As a result of the observance of Passover for seven days in Israel, and eight days outside of Israel, the Jewish community in Israel and in the Diaspora, have not been reading the same Torah portions since the conclusion of Passover.  However, this week, as we read the double portion of Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, we have finally caught up to the Torah readings – and Israel is also reading Parashat Kedoshim. 

Parashat Kedoshim, which means holy, is like a mini Ten commandments, teaching us how we need to behave, and how one should lead a holy life. I still have my pocket size Tanach, Bible, which I used during my study for the Chidon Tanach test, the National Bible contest,  with my principal, teacher, inspiration, and guide, Morah Miriam Vatkin, at my Solomon Schechter Day School in Brooklyn, New York, the Bialik School. We would study with Morah Miriam during lunch for the Chidon Tanach test, and she would say, if this Pasuk, verse is on the test, I will give you all a pizza pie contest, and we would underline the verse in our Tanach, and I would put a pizza pie symbol on the side, to show that she promised a pizza part if that pasuk was indeed on the test. To this day, my verse favorite page of the Tanach is the page of Leviticus, chapter 19, the beginning of Parashat Kedoshim, because nearly every pasuk, Morah Miriam had us underline, to memorize, for she predicted it would be on the Chidon Tanach test. I honestly cannot tell you if all the verses were on the Chidon Tanach test, but they have served me well in the test of life!  “You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” (19:2) I try to live my life that way, and teach my children and students that all we do, we should do, to bring holiness into God’s world. “You shall each revere his mother and his father and keep My Sabbaths.” (19:3)  My first Hebrew teacher was my mother; my love of Judaism and the state of Israel comes from my parents. I love Shabbat because of the home life my parents gave me, and continue to give our family today. In Parashat Kedoshim, we are taught to not have idols; to leave part of our fields and harvests for the poor; we are taught to help those in need; we are taught to pay your workers their salaries on the day of service, and in a timely fashion; we are not to deal deceitfully or falsely with others; we are not to use God’s name in vain.  We are taught not to defraud our fellow person, and not to put stumbling blocks to the deaf or blind. We are not to mix breed animals, and so overwork them. The Golden Rule is brought forth in this Torah portion – “V’ahavta l’reacha Ka’mocha” “Love thy neighbor as thyself” (19:18).   How fitting that the overall name of the Torah Portion – Kedoshim – holiness – truly summarizes what I see as the ultimate goal of life – and of Judaism – to bring holiness into this world – to love our fellow person –  and to be partners with God, to bring holiness into this world. Holiness surrounds us always, however, one place where God’s holiness manifests itself even more, is in our State of Israel. Join ITC soon, to see God’s holiness in the State of Israel ! Shabbat Shalom !

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Happy 70th Birthday to Israel !  I am so envious of all those lucky people who are in Israel now, celebrating Israel’s 70th birthday – many of which I know are touring on an ITC, Israel Tour Connection tour. As we celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day, and marvel at the many incredible things our favorite 70 year old has accomplished, I wanted to make a list of 70 of my favorite things related to Israel. This list is in no particular order – I am just listing them 1-70, so I can keep track, because I truly cannot give a number to my favorite things about Israel – the number is infinite! So I will stick to 70 !   I have come up with a few categories, since it is so hard to only have 70 favorites. But for this year, I have stuck to 70! Why not come up with your own 70 favorites related to Israel and share with your family and friends. Happy Birthday Israel!

1 – History – The State of Israel has such a rich history, dating back to the Bible.   One can travel the State of Israel, with the Bible in hand, visiting the locations mentioned in the Bible. It is like no other place in the world.

Places – the next list of favorites are some of this blogger’s favorite places to see in Israel – in no particular order: (and there are so many other places that I did not get to list here.)

2 – The Dead Sea – Personally, it is my favorite place to go. When in life we often feel like we may be sinking with the pressures around us, at the Dead Sea, we always can stay afloat, and our skin can get magically soft and smooth with the salt of the Dead Sea. (Just make sure you have no open wounds.)

3 – Masada – A place of history;  a location to show that the people of Israel will not be defeated.

4 – The Western Wall – A connection to the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.

5 -10 –  Great shopping, in places like Machane Yehuda,Carmel Market, Mamilla Mall, Midrechov and Ben Yehudah Street in Jerusalem, Cardo in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Mahla Mall, or basically every city has a mall now in Israel!

11- Golan Heights – Gorgeous views

12 – Old City of Jerusalem – Home to some many religions.

13 – Sea of Galilee – Beauty; history; to some magical

14 – Tzippori – Mona Lisa of the Galilee

15 – Hadassah Hospital and Chagall Windows

16 – 20  Museums, such as the Israel Museum, the Diaspora Museum, the Shrine of the Book, the Hebrew Music Museum in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, and so many more

21 – Tiberias

22 – Caseara

23 – Safed

24 –  Eilat

25 – Mount Hermon – there is skiing in Israel ?? Yep !

26-27  – Kibbutzim and Moshavim

28 – 33 – Higher education – Universities – Yeshivot – Hebrew University; Tel Aviv University; Bar Ilan University; Technion, just to name a few.

34 – Har Hertzl

35 – Ammunition Hill

36-37 – Amazing Architecture – such as the Knesset and the Supreme Court

38 – Tel Aviv

39 – The Beaches all over Israel

40 – Yaffo

41 – Beer Sheva

42 – Ashdod

43 – Haifa – Bahai Shrine and Gardens

44 – Kfar Saba

45 – Hod HaSharon

46 – Rechovot

47 – Germachin Center in Beit Shean

48 – 50 – Visit Elite Chocolate Factory;  Wineries; Naot Shoe outlet.

51 – 52 – Ride a camel; Eat and Sleep in a Beudoin Tent.

53 – 54 Personalities – No two people are the same; or have the same opinion.  There is such diversity. It is amazing! And of course, need to mention Wonder Woman – Gal Gadot ! 

55 – 66 – Israel has had twelve Nobel Prize Laureates from the State of Israel since 1966:  6 Israelis won Nobel Prize in Chemistry –   Aaron Ciechanover (2004);  Avram Hershko (2004) ; Ada E. Yonath (2009); Dan Shechtman (2011); Arieh Warshel(2013); Michael Levitt (2013);  2 Israelis won Nobel Prize in Economics – Daniel Kahneman (2002);  Robert Yisrael Aumann (2005); 3 Israelis won Nobel Peace Prize – Menachem Begin (1978); Yitzhak Rabin (1994);  Shimon Peres (1994); 1 Israeli has won the Nobel Prize in Literature – Shmuel Yosef Agnon (1966)

66 – 70 +  –  Inventions, Innovation and Technology – Israel is the best when it comes to security, technology and innovation. Waze; Cell Phones; Iron Dome rocket interception system;  Drip Irrigation; rooftop solar hot water systems; world’s smallest video cameron designed to fit in a tiny endoscope; first Capsule endoscopy solution to record images of the digestive tract;  Azilect, a drug for Parkinson’s disease; drugs for MS; world’s smallest DNA computing machine system; USB flash drive; Intel 8088, the first PC CPU from IBM; Quicktionary Electronic dictionary;  Laser keyboard; Voice over the internet protocol; Instant Messaging; Viber; GetTaxi; Mobileye; OrCam MyEye; WeCU; Wix.com; Uzi submachine gun; Python; Desert Eagle; David’s Sling; Bamba; Limonana;  Rummikub; Taki; Mastermind; Guess Who?; Hidato; Krav Maga, and basically there are 70 inventions, plus that have been created in Israel, but this blog needs to come to an end at some point.

I have not even gotten to the amazing Music, Literature, Sports, and other Cultural activities that come from Israel, that we all love. There are so many more than 70 things to love about Israel. But here are some 70 plus.  Make your own. Make a list of places and things you want to do in Israel, and start planning your next ITC trip to Israel! Happy Yom HaAtzmaut!

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What are the reasons behind the Jewish laws of eating Kosher, the dietary laws? As all  those who have ever tried to be on any sort of diet or eating plan, it takes much discipline. Personally one of the only eating plans that I am able to fully follow, are the laws of Kashrut, perhaps because my entire life I have kept Kosher. It takes quite a bit of discipline for example to say I will never again eat any sugar, or only eat between the hours of 11 am and 6 pm, unless perhaps if it is for a medical condition.

Adhering to the laws of Kashrut, teaches us that we need to think about what we put into our mouths.  We cannot just eat everything that we see- animals must be raised and fed in a certain way, and then slaughtered in a particular way, and then the food must be prepared in a particular manner in order to be appropriate for consumption. The laws in the Torah are very simplistic as to what is being said – we are not told how to raise the animals, how to slaughter them, or how to prepare them and how many hour

s to wait between eating meat and milk – none of these laws and customs are found in the Torah portion. That all comes later from Rabbinic traditions.

The laws of keeping Kosher teach us that we need to think before we put anything into our mouths.  We are taught in Judaism that we need to thank God for our food, and therefore, we express our gratitude to God for our food by blessing our food before eating and expressing gratitude to God after we eat with the recitation of the Birkat HaMazon, Grace after Meals, after we eat.

There is no better place to practice the laws of Kashrut than in the State of Israel – where every type of cuisine can be found Kosher – even fake shrimp, or bacon. And not all food in Israel is Kosher, so when traveling in Israel, you do still need to check, if you want to follow the Jewish dietary laws.  Some foods not hekshered – certified Kosher – outside of Israel – are able to Found Kosher in Israel – such as my son’s favorite – the Kosher McDonalds. I remember in the mid90s at least once a week my friend and I would venture to the Kosher Burger King in Jerusalem. But everyone has different taste buds – so take a culinary tour of Israel. Just because my daughter and I – and many people I know – think the best chocolate rugalech are at Marzipan – don’t take our word for it – try it ! Find for yourself the best falafel in each city ! And by the way – many places will give out samples!  Sample the shwarma before you commit – but remember – if you keep Kosher – that sample makes you meat ! Try some hummus ! Have some hot pita ! Try some limonata! And of course – don’t forget your breakfast buffet ! Israel is the best place to eat ! Ask your ITC tour guide for suggestions! You will thank them ! And remember to thank God also – before and after you eat – even if you are not observant or religious – because eating in Israel – you are bound to be thankful! B’tayavon ! Bon apetit !

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Coming in at first out of ten, Tel Aviv ranks highest on Marie France Asia’s list of top vegan-friendly destinations in the world. “Listed by Lonely Planet as the ‘vegan nation’, Israel has the most number of vegans per capita. This simply means that almost 15% of Israelis are vegetarians while another 5% are vegans. Or in other words, at least 1 in 20 people here are vegans. The reason why this concept has gained so much popularity in the country has to do with its kosher diet. And at the heart of all this is Tel Aviv. Home to more than 400 vegan restaurants, this bustling city is truly a heaven for the herbivores. If you love splurging on food, head to the fancier ones. Otherwise, there’s so much pure vegetarian, dairy-free food on the streets too! Be sure to try out their falafels, pizza, shawarma, hummus, and of course, dosas with an Israeli touch. Our restaurant picks: Nanuchka, Zakaim and Dosa Bar.”

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Parashat Vayikra – Shabbat HaChodesh – Rosh Chodesh Nisan 5778

This week we begin a new book of the Torah, the book of Leviticus,  Safer Vayikra.  This Shabbat is called Shabbat HaChodesh, which is one of the special Shabbatot before Passover, which is either the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Nisan, or as it is this year, the actual day of Rosh Chodesh Nisan, the day we begin the new month of Nissan.  If we begin Nisan this Shabbat, that means that Passover is just two weeks away, which is very exciting! So get all your spring cleaning done now! Many people dread both the beginning of the month of Nisan, and also reading the book of Leviticus. Personally I love both. Passover is my favorite holiday of the year – with so many childhood memories of Passover seders at my parents’ house.  Many people do not like Passover, because of all the cleaning, and matzah may not be everyone’s favorite cuisine – but there are many new ways to spice up matzah, to not taste so bad. (And if you are lucky enough to be in Israel, and some parts of New York and other places in the United States, there are Kosher for Passover restaurants. You still have two weeks to book your flight to Israel!)

But why do people sometimes not find the Torah readings in the book of Leviticus, Vayikra their top favorites?  The book of Vayikra is known as Torat Kohanim, the book, or instructions, of the Priests, because it includes the laws of the sacrifices, called in Hebrew, karbanot.  Some people do not like reading the portions in the Torah about the sacrifices, because it is not relevant today. The Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, and so we have no place to offer sacrifices. Therefore, why read about the sacrifices that used to be brought, that clearly can no longer be brought today? In addition, there are many amongst us who are vegetarians, and do not want to hear about animals being killed, and sacrificed.  

How can we make the concept of sacrifices relevant to our lives today, in 2018?  One way to bring the relevance of ancient sacrifices to our lives today, is to investigate the reasons why there were sacrifices in the first place.  There were a few types of sacrifices: the burnt /Olah offering, the grain offering, the peace / zevach shelamim offering, the sin/ chatat  offering, the guilt  asham offering and the trespass offering. Each of these sacrifices involved certain elements, either animal or fruit of the field, and had a specific purpose. Most of the sacrifices were split into two or three portions – God’s portion, the portion for the Levites or priests, and if there was a third, a portion kept by the person offering the sacrifice. Some sacrifices were voluntary, and some were mandatory sacrifices.

There were sacrifices for when someone made an error and wanted forgiveness.  There were sacrifices for times of gratitude times, when people wanted to praise God, and times when people wanted to ask for forgiveness.  Once the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed, sacrifices could no longer be offered, and so the rabbis had to find ways to offer gratitude, praise and thanksgiving. Therefore, prayer was created, instead of sacrifice. We now have additional prayers, the Musaf prayers, when sacrifices used to be offered.  Reading the Torah portions in the book of Leviticus which discuss the sacrifices, remind us that today when we no longer have the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, we now have developed alternative ways to show our devotion to God, and methods to express our gratitude, and praise to God for the wonders and blessings in our lives.

During my rabbinic training, we spent a year studying in Israel. One of the highlights of that year, was Shabbat, when we would spend time at each others homes, all across Jerusalem, experiencing different prayer services, and walking the streets of Jerusalem, walking off the many calories consumed during our Shabbat meals.  We would often remark how the streets of Jerusalem would smell very differently, if there was still the Beit HaMikdash, if the Holy Temple still existed, and sacrifices were still being brought. Wow! Would the city smell of burnt meat! How different it would be! Honestly, it would smell horrible! I very much appreciated the sounds of prayer coming out of the windows of the different synagogues, as we often verbally imagined what the street aroma would be if the sacrificial altars still existed. We especially had these thoughts, when we walked through the empty streets of Machane Yehuda, when the gates were pulled shut on a Shabbat afternoon, desolate, and empty – a stark difference than the scene just the day before, when everyone was running to get their fresh challah, and pita, hummas, and Marzipan rugalach, and fresh fruits and vegetables.  When I walked through the empty streets of Machane Yehuda in 1995, the gates when pulled down, were empty, not the artistic museum they have now become. And so this year, when I read about the sacrifices, I will think about Jerusalem in 2018, how the streets do not have the smell of sacrifices on the altars in the Holy Temple, but rather I will think about the beauty of the smells that emanate from the spices that are sold in the marketplace of Machane Yehuda, and the serenity of that same location, when the gates are drawn closed at night, and each Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom and a Gutten Chodesh to all !

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Shabbat Parah – Birkat HaChodesh

This week we have the double Torah portions of Parashat Vayakhel and Parashat Pekudei and we conclude the Book of Exodus, Sefer Shemot.  With the conclusion of Sefer Shemot, we see the conclusion of the building of the Mishkan, the movable Tabernacle that the Children of Israel, B’nai Yisrael, built while wandering in the desert. It always fascinates me that the Children of Israel had all the supplies they needed to build the magnificent embellishments for the Mishkan, yet they did not have time for the dough to rise  and we wind up eating matzah for the days of Passover. What lesson does this teach us? When it comes to items that are needed to worship God, or items needed for a holy purpose, we are always able to obtain what we need. The Children of Israel were able to bring so many items for the building of the Tabernacle,  and there were so many gifts for the Mishkan, that eventually Moses had to tell B’nai Israel to stop bringing gifts; they had enough items to build the Tabernacle. And they could stop bringing all the gifts. Their lesson for us is that when it’s for a higher purpose, a holier purpose, we should do our best to make sure that we can provide for the highest cause.  For example when it’s a special birthday we make sure that we can get a special gift. We’re getting ready for a special trip we make sure that we clean well, we save up for that special trip. What is one of the most magnificent times in one’s life? One of the most magnificent trips that one can take? Of course since I’m writing about Israel, and from ITC, Israel Tour Connection, a trip to Israel is the most wonderful time –  a time to save up all of our money, to make the special memories together; to travel to Israel – to bring our special gifts together; to go to the Holy Land together – with our family and friends; to visit the holiest place in the world – the land of Israel; the state of Israel – to celebrate our homeland. As we conclude the book of Exodus, and say, Hazak, Hazak V’nitzchazek, the words that mean – may we all strengthen each other, we also mark one of the special Shabbatot before Passover, Shabbat Parah. On  Shabbat Parah,  the maftir  Torah reading discusses the burning of the red heifer, whose ashes were used to purify oneself.  Furthermore, this Shabbat, we also recite the blessing for the new month of Nisan, praying for a month of health, happiness,and prosperity;  a month of peace, sustenance, and renewal for all. May we be blessed with many gifts in our lives, and see blessings of holiness each and every day. Shabbat Shalom!

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However, Purim is not just a children’s holiday. There are many important messages for people of all ages, especially adults.  It is important for people of all ages to have fun, to give money to the poor, and to exchange gifts of food, Mishloach Manot.  The practice of alcoholic beverage consumption on Purim should only be observed by adults!  The idea of wearing a costume on Purim comes directly from what was done by Esther, the protagonist, and the true hero of the Purim story.  Queen Esther hid her Jewish identity from King Achashverosh, and did not tell him that she was Jewish. She revealed her hidden identity, and told the King she was Jewish, in order to save the Jewish people from being destroyed by the evil Haman. As a reminder of Queen Esther hiding her Jewish identity, and taking on another identity, in order to help the Jewish people, we today wear costumes, hiding our usual identities. On Purim, we have the opportunity to put on a disguise, and dress up as someone else, in order to remember how one of the bravest Jewish women, disguised her Jewish identity, to save the Jewish people.

Today, we are very grateful that Queen Esther’s hidden Jewish identity saved the Jewish people, and we can proudly show our Jewish identity.  We are thankful that there are many places in the world, where we can proudly wear and show our Jewish identity, most especially in our state of Israel. What a great feeling to walk on the streets of Jerusalem, or anywhere in the country, and hear Hebrew spoken, see Hebrew on the signs, wish each other a Chag Purim Sameach, or a Shabbat Shalom – even if not the most observant, because the Sabbath is a day of rest. Our State of Israel is a place where we do not have to disguise our Jewish identity, but rather wear it proudly. But for today, the streets of Israel will be seen with people in disguise wearing their colorful, festive Purim costumes, eating delicious hamantashen.  Enjoy your Purim here this year, and next year, why not in Israel?!  Plan a trip with ITC to Israel ! Chag Purim Sameach !

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Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, Vice President, Congregation Engagement, ITC

Shabbat Shekalim 5778 – Save Your Spare Change For Your Trip

During the month or so before Passover, there are four special Shabbatot, which are characterized by special maftir readings, called the Arba Parshiyot, four Torah portions, which thematically relate to the festival of Purim or Passover. This Shabbat is the first of the four special Shabbatot, Shabbat Shekalim, the type of money used in ancient Israel, as well as today.  The Shabbat before Purim is referred to as Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat of remembrance.   The next special Shabbat is Shabbat Parah, which means cow, when the special additional reading is about using the ashes of a red heifer to purify oneself before Passover and the final of the four special Shabbatot is Shabbat HaChodesh, the Shabbat of the month, which is either the Shabbat before the new month (Rosh Chodesh) of Nisan, or actually falls directly on Rosh Chodesh Nisan when Rosh Chodesh coincides with Shabbat.  Shabbat HaGadol, the great Shabbat, the Shabbat right before Passover,is actually a fifth additional special Shabbat and used to be one of two Shabbatot (the other time being Shabbat Shuvah, the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) when rabbis would give a very long sermon, because large assemblies of people would be gathered at that time, in preparation for Passover.

This Shabbat, Shabbat Shekalim, takes place the Shabbat prior to Rosh Chodesh for the month of Adar or on Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Adar itself – is named for the final Torah reading, called the maftir portion, which will be read on Shabbat, from the book of Exodus, chapter 30, beginning with verse 11.  This portion of the Torah reading describes a census requiring every Israelite man to contribute a half shekel to support communal sacrifices in the portable tent of meeting, the Mishkan, or Tabernacle, and later at the Temple. The egalitarian nature of this contribution is emphasized –“the rich shall not pay more, and the poor shall not pay less than half a shekel.” The requirement that all individuals contribute equally to the community helped develop a sense of unity crucial to the new nation created by the Exodus.

In the special prophetic reading this Shabbat, the special Haftarah from the Second Book of Kings ( II Kings 11:17 – 12:17) King Yehoash commanded that all money brought to the Temple be used for its repairs and renovations, both the required contributions and the free-will offerings. Shabbat Shekalim occurs approximately a month before Passover as a reminder that the due date for the half-shekel contributions was approaching, on the first of Nisan, a month later.  Some people contribute to an institution of Jewish learning in remembrance of the half shekel.  

It is a custom for many, that right before one lights the Shabbat candles, some money is put into a pushka, a container for Tzedakah, or Charity.  My suggestion is to have multiple piggy banks – some pushkas,  set aside for specific organizations to help perpetuate Jewish education, Jewish identity, and the state of Israel. And then have a piggy bank – for your own personal savings – to empty your spare change – to save for your own Jewish identity, education, continuity, and travel.  Spare change adds up!  Daily and weekly savings of your change you receive here and there, can be set aside to help save for your next trip to Israel.   But travelling can cost a great deal of money – but it is worth every shekel saved, and every shekel spent.  Here is a story to ponder, as you set aside your shekalim this Shabbat, both for charity, and for future travel, for when you set aside your shekalim,  see who you can help, and also see how you can create a meaningful experience and memories with the ones you love and cherish, as you plan your next ITC vacation.  The following story truly awakens us to how we spend our time and money.  

Daughter: “Daddy, may I ask you a question?

Dad: “Yes sure, what is it?”

Daughter: “How much do you earn an hour?”

Dad: “That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?”

Daughter: “I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?”

Dad: “If you must know, I make $100 an hour.”

Daughter: “Daddy, may I please borrow $50?”

The father was furious and said, “If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard every day for my money.”

The little girl quietly went to her room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little girl’s questions. How dare she ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something she really needed to buy with that $ 50 and she really did not ask for money very often.

The man went to the door of the little girl’s room, and opened the door and asked his daughter if she was awake and the girl said that she was.

Dad: “I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier. It’s been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here’s the $50 you asked for.”

The little girl sat straight up, smiling, and said, “Oh, thank you daddy!”

Then, reaching under her pillow the girl pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the girl already had money, started to get angry again. As the little girl slowly counted out her money, her father asked, “Why do you want more money if you already have some?”

Daughter: “Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do. Daddy, I have $100 now; can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.”

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little daughter, and he begged for her forgiveness.  The dad then began to really rethink his priorities, and realized that if he was working so much, he needed to use those shekalim  to spend time with his family, and spend time going to a place which he loved, with the people he loved – so he booked a tour with ITC!   

Shabbat Shalom !

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