Month: March 2025

Pekudei (פקודי – Inventories) and Shabbat HaChodesh (החודש – Of Renewal)
^{Exodus 38:21–40:38, Exodus 12:1–20, and Ezekiel 45:16–46:18}

The Torah provides an inventory of the materials used for the Mishkan (Tabernacle), where the Divine Presence resides. It also outlines instructions for preparing for Pesach (Passover) and the sanctification⁽¹⁾ of the month of Nissan. The Haftarah for Shabbat HaChodesh discusses laws related to the Third Temple.

Exodus 39:6
 וַיַּעֲשׂוּ אֶת-אַבְנֵי הַשֹּׁהַם, מֻסַבֹּת מִשְׁבְּצֹת זָהָב, מְפֻתָּחֹת פִּתּוּחֵי חוֹתָם, עַל-שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל
They prepared the onyx stones, set in gold mounts, engraved as seals are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel.

The Edmond Safra⁽²⁾ Complex (קרית אדמונד ספרא – Kiryat Edmond Safra) in Shoham (שֹׁהַם – Onyx) is home to various shops and services, including several synagogues representing Sephardic, Ashkenazi, Chabad, and Yemenite traditions. It is situated in a neighborhood where streets bear the names of the stones⁽³⁾ from the Hoshen Mishpat (חֹשֶׁן מִשְׁפָּט – Breastplate of Judgment): Odem (אֹדֶם – Ruby), Pitdah (פִּטְדָה – Topaz), Bareket (ברקת – Emerald), Sapir (סַפִּיר – Sapphire), Yahalom (יהלום – Diamond), Leshem (לֶשֶׁם – Opal), and Tarshish (תַּרְשִׁישׁ – Beryl). This toponymic choice reflects an intentional effort to connect spiritual heritage to modern living spaces.

⁽¹⁾ Four New Years are mentioned in the Mishnah (Rosh Hashanah 1:1):
– The 15^th of Shevat (Tu BiShevat), the New Year for Trees, determines the agricultural year for fruits. This date is significant for applying laws regarding tithes and offerings.
– The 1^st of Nissan, the New Year for Kings and Festivals, marks the beginning of the month cycle in the Jewish calendar. It is associated with the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:2, Shabbat HaChodesh).
– The 1st of Elul, the New Year for Cattle, is the time to calculate tithes for cattle to be offered as sacrifices at the Temple.
– The 1^st of Tishrei (Rosh Hashanah), the Universal New Year, marks the start of the civil year. It is the day when the world is judged by Lord.
(2) Edmond Jacob Safra (1932–1999), a Lebanese-Brazilian-Monégasque banker and philanthropist from a Sephardic family, founded several prestigious financial institutions. He is remembered for his support of humanitarian, educational, and cultural causes. His legacy continues through the Edmond J. Safra Foundation.
(3) Exodus 36:11-14: At first glance, the stones Nofekh (נֹפֶךְ – Malachite), Shevo (שְׁבוֹ – Agate), Ahlamah (אַחְלָמָה – Amethyst), and Yashfeh (יָשְׁפֵה – Jasper) do not appear to be represented in this neighborhood.
The translation of the names of fine and precious stones remains uncertain

Vayaqhel (ויקהל – And he gathered) and Para Aduma (פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה – Red Heifer)
^{Exodus 35:1–38:20 and Numbers 19:1-22, and Ezekiel 36:16-38}

Inspired by G-d, Bezalel, Oholiab, Hiram, and other exceptional craftsmen transformed materials into sacred works of rare finesse.

Exodus 35:31
וַיְמַלֵּא אֹתוֹ, רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים, בְּחָכְמָה בִּתְבוּנָה וּבְדַעַת, וּבְכָל-מְלָאכָה.
He filled him with the spirit of G-d, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all craftsmanship.

Founded in 1906 in Jerusalem by Boris Schatz⁽¹⁾, the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design is Israel’s oldest institution of higher education. Since 1969, it has been supported by the State and embodies a symbol of cultural and spiritual elevation. In 2023, the Academy relocated to a modern campus designed by the architectural firm SANAA⁽²⁾. This new space reflects the Academy’s commitment to innovation and creativity, standing in stark contrast to the darkness imposed by the terrorists⁽³⁾ controlling Sanaa.

⁽¹⁾ Boris Schatz (1862–1932) was a pioneer of modern Jewish art, educator, and entrepreneur. A visionary, he created an institution where Jewish art is rooted in tradition.
⁽²⁾ SANAA (Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates, named after its founders Kazuyo Sejima (born 1956) and Ryue Nishizawa (born 1966)) is a Japanese architectural firm renowned for its luminous, minimalist, and innovative designs. Their work has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 2010.
⁽³⁾ The Houthis, a Shiite terrorist group backed by Iran, took control of Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, in 2014.

Ta’anit Esther (תַּעֲנִית אֶסְתֵּר – Fast of Esther), Purim (פּוּרִים – Lots)
^{Exodus 32:11–14, Exodus 34:1–10, Isaiah 55:6–56:8, Megillah}
Ki Tissa (כִּי תִשָּׂא – When You Elevate), Parah Adumah (פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה – The Red Heifer)
^{Exodus 30:11–34:35, Numbers 19:1–22, and Ezekiel 36:16–38.}

Divine mercy is revealed through the renewal of the covenant with Israel. Humanity is called to become aware of its transgressions, to rely on the power of prayer, and to recognize the necessity of spiritual purification. Finally, The Lord promises redemption to His people.

Ezekiel 36:25:
וְזָרַקְתִּי עֲלֵיכֶם מַיִם טְהוֹרִים וּטְהַרְתֶּם מִכָּל־טֻמְאוֹתֵיכֶם וּמִכָּל־גִּלּוּלֵיכֶם אֲטַהֵר אֶתְכֶם
I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you will be clean; from all your impurities and from all your idols, I will cleanse you.

Choni HaMa’agel⁽¹⁾ (Choni the Circle Maker) was a sage of Israel in the 1^st century, renowned for his ability to have his prayers for rain answered (Taanit Tractate 23a⁽²⁾. When God did not send rain upon Israel, Choni HaMa’agel was asked to pray for rain. He prayed, but no rain fell. Then he drew a circle, stood in the middle, and said: “Master of the Universe! Your children have turned to me. I swear by Your Great Name that I will not move from here until You have mercy on Your children.” It started to rain lightly, then with intensity. He then prayed for rains of blessing, and beneficial rains fell.

⁽¹⁾ ע.ג.ל. Same Hebrew root for “calf” (עגל) and “circle” (מעגל).
⁽²⁾ The Taanit Tractate (Fast) mainly discusses practices and prayers related to prophetic and rabbinical fasts.

Tetzaveh (תצוה – you shall command) – Zakhor (זכור – remember)
^{Exodus 27:20 – 30:10, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, and Samuel I 15:2-34}

The Parasha Tetzaveh describes the sacred objects and rituals of the sanctuary. The Torah reading for Zakhor recounts the attack of the Amalekites against Israel upon their exit from Egypt, and the Haftarah Zakhor tells the story of King Saul and the battle against the Amalekites.

Deuteronomy 25:17
זָכוֹר, אֵת אֲשֶׁר-עָשָׂה לְךָ עֲמָלֵק, בַּדֶּרֶךְ, בְּצֵאתְכֶם מִמִּצְרָיִם.
Remember what Amalek did to you on the journey, when you came out of Egypt.

The IDF intervened in the Gaza Strip following pogroms perpetrated by terrorist groups⁽¹⁾, “innocent” civilians, and members of UNRWA. On November 8, 2023, for the first time in decades, IDF soldiers prayed in the synagogue ⁽²⁾, dating back to the 6th century, near the port of Gaza. A few days later, they converted a building in northern Gaza into a synagogue. This synagogue, named Heikhal Avraham (היכל אברהם – Temple of Abraham), displays at the entrance a board, updated daily, indicating the prayer times.

⁽¹⁾ Notably Hamas (חמאס), a Palestinian terrorist organization founded in 1987, which aims to destroy the State of Israel. It is responsible for numerous attacks against civilians and Israeli soldiers. Its name is an acronym and a homophone of the Hebrew word ‘hamas (חָמַס), which means “to take by force,” “to harm,” “to oppress,” or “to act violently.
⁽²⁾ See the article from HebdoSyna, May 2023.