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by Yehuda HaKohen. Sculpture by Phillip Ratner. Throughout history, leadership has played an essential role in the life of the Hebrew Nation. While Israel has at many times been blessed with great shepherds who have brought our people to fantastic heights, poor leadership has too often resulted in disaster. VAYAKHEL offers a glimpse of improper Jewish leadership from which we can discern the attributes a true leader of Israel should possess.

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by  Ariel Ben Avraham – Safed, Northern Galilee, Israel Art by Phillip Ratner “When you count (ki tisa) the head (the total sum) of the children of Israel according to their numbers, let each one give to the Lord an atonement for his soul when they are counted; then there will be no plague among them when they are counted.” (Exodus 30:12). Our Sages teach that this new census of the Israelites is related to the events that occurred in this portion of the Torah, and those are the final instructions of the assembly of the Sanctuary, the sin of the golden calf, and the Divine attributes of mercy.

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by  Ariel Ben Avraham – Safed, Northern Galilee, Israel Art by Phillip Ratner “And you shall command (tetzaveh) the children of Israel, and they shall take to you pure olive oil, crushed for lighting, to kindle the lamps continually. (…) an everlasting statute for their generations, from the children of Israel.” (Exodus 27:20-21). The first Commandment in this portion is intended as a permanent ongoing and continuous action, and it encompasses the duties of our constant connection with Divine Love.

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Imagine hearing a frightening siren blaring “Code Red, Code Red” and having 15 seconds to run for cover. – http://www.rocketsintoroses.com/lifes…

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by  Ariel Ben Avraham – Safed, Northern Galilee, Israel Art by Phillip Ratner “Now Moses’ father in law, Yitro, the priest of Midian, heard all that G-d had done for Moses and for Israel, His people that the Lord had taken Israel out of Egypt.” (18:1). Our Sages reflect on why this portion is named Yitro, considering that in it the Ten Commandments were presented along with the Torah for the children of Israel; and they point out, among other things, that the Torah had to be given to Israel and the converts who joined them, including Yitro who said: “Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the deities, for with the thing that they plotted (Pharaoh and the Egyptians), (the Lord came) upon them.” (18:11). In this context, Yitro is considered the epitome of the idolatrous consciousness who later recognized the Oneness of G-d.

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