613.org
( Thanking Hashem
for his kindness) announces:
Class 26 of 5769 Lecture
Series
PURIM:
LIVING THE SECRET
March
1, 2009/Adar 5, 5769
Class by Shira Smiles
Dedicated in Loving Memory of R. Moshe ben Mordachi
Halavi z'l by his son Dr. Ido Lavi
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Short
Summary
Summarized
by Channie Koplowitz Stein
PARSHAT TETZAVEH – THE SILENT PAIR
Shira Smiles shiur – March 1, 2009 - Adar 5, 5769
Channie Koplowitz Stein – Summary
The priestly garment described in Parshat Tezaveh present a model for the lives of the individual and of Klal Yisroel. The duality of the stones on the shoulders of the ephod and the stones on the breastplate offer insights into the character of our nation as a whole and of the individual tribes, and indeed people, who make up the whole.
The two stones on the shoulders represent the totality and unity of Am Yisroel, with the names of six tribes engraved on each shoulder, while the breastplate had twelve individual stones, a different one for each of the twelve tribes. The entire nation must face upward, toward Hakodosh boruch Hu, as the stones on the shoulders. But that goal can only be achieved by recognizing the individual, unique characteristics of each tribe and each person and how he can contribute to the beautiful mosaic that completes service to Hashem.
We live in a physical world, but we aspire to create spirituality. The ephod, facing upward and outward, represents this physical world within which we must work to create a spiritual home worthy of the Divine Presence, the inner world of the breastplate, resting against the heart. Together they form the simplest social unit necessary for building a “mikdosh me’at”, a spiritual home. The apronlike structure of the ephod represents the role of the woman. It is her responsibility to see that the home remains pure and clean, to create an environment of spirituality, while the husband must then come and elevate the home, discussing Torah with each child according to its ability, and bringing the spiritual ritual of Torah to the home.
Just as it takes every member of the family to create and maintain the proper atmosphere in the home, so too does it take all the different tribes together to reach the goal of making the entire earth a place of holiness. Each stone on the breastplate was different, for each tribe was different, and each contributed its own unique character toward the total goal. So the silence of Binyamin could be paired with the speech of Reuben. Each could bring his own salvation in the appropriate time. Reuben would do teshuva for sins, would save Joseph with his power of speech, while Binyamin’s descendent, Esther, would save Bnei Yisroel with her silence, never revealing that she was the descendent of King Saul. But even she was told there is a time for silence and a time to speak to bring salvation to her people.
We need the speech of Moshe teaching Torah paired with the controlled silence of Aharon. We need to operate in the outer, physical world of the ephod while maintaining the integrity of the inner world of the choshen. We need to value each individual, but understand that our strength lies in our unity and in working together for our national mission. May we be zocheh ( merit ) soon to see the return of the kohain in his vestments performing the service in the Beis Hamikdosh.
Class History –
This class was broadcast live powered
by TCN on Adar 5,
5769 ( 30 second delay ) to
1.
Clanton Park Synagogue
11 Lowesmoor Avenue Downsview,
Ontario ( Toronto ) 10 am
2.
Yeshiva
Beth Yehuda 15751
W Lincoln rd,
3.
Providence,
Rhode Island - Providence Hebrew Day School 450 Elmgrove
Ave , Providence, RI 02906
4.
5.
6.
Young
7.
8.
9.
Young
10.
Young
11.
Bnai
12.
Young
13.
Congregation Shaaray
Tefila in
14.
Westmount Shul
and Learning Centre
Estimated 100 to 200 people watched it live.
This class was given in
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Next Class – 28- Conduit of Holiness -|| download audio || sources || short summary