Author: shamyr

Mishpatim (משפטים – laws)
^{Exodus 21:1-24:18 and Jeremiah 34:8-22 & 33:25-26.}

In Parashat Mishpatim, The Lord, through the voice of Moses, conveys a set of laws governing civil life and reaffirms His covenant with Israel. In the Haftarah, the prophet Jeremiah reproaches the people for not upholding these laws, announces exile, and reminds them of the permanence of the divine covenant.

Exodus 23:6
לֹא תַטֶּה מִשְׁפַּט אֶבְיֹנְךָ, בְּרִיבוֹ.
You shall not pervert the judgment of your needy in his dispute.

In Judaism, sacredness applies both to the court and the synagogue. The Sages teach that one who desires to be pious must strictly observe civil laws (Bava Kamma 30a). The Rabbinical Courts⁽¹⁾, integrated into the Israeli judicial system, handle matters of personal status (marriage, divorce, wills, and inheritances). Supervised by the Ministry of Religious Services, judges are appointed by a selection committee⁽²⁾. Israel has 12 regional Rabbinical Courts⁽³⁾, including the Rabbinical Court of Jerusalem, which also serves as an appellate court. A few years ago, this court moved into a new building located in the Givat Shaul neighborhood, west of the city.

⁽¹⁾ The Supreme Court has limited their power in financial disputes, favoring civil courts.
⁽²⁾ The selection committee is responsible for appointing judges to all rabbinical courts, including regional courts and the Rabbinical Beth Din of Jerusalem. It consists of: the Minister of Justice (or their representative), a Supreme Court judge, two Knesset members, a rabbi representing both Chief Rabbis of Israel, and a representative from each Ashkenazi and Sephardic community. These representatives are appointed by the Chief Rabbi of their respective community. They are distinguished figures, often influential rabbis or respected religious leaders. Their role in the committee is to ensure the traditions of their respective communities.
⁽³⁾ The 12 regional courts are located in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Be’er Sheva, Rishon LeZion, Ashkelon, Petah Tikva, Netanya, Afula, Kiryat Shmona, Tiberias, and Beit She’an. The Grand Rabbinical Beth Din of Jerusalem serves as the supreme judicial authority and appellate court.

Yitro (יִתְרוֹ‎ – Jethro)
^{Exodus 18:1-20:23 and Isaiah 6:1-7:6 and 9:5-6}

In the parasha, the children of Israel arrive at the foot of Mount Sinai, where God reveals Himself and proclaims the Ten Commandments. In the haftara, the prophet Isaiah highlights the divine revelation and the covenant between God and Israel.

Exodus 19:5
וְעַתָּה, אִם-שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ בְּקֹלִי,
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם, אֶת-בְּרִיתִי–וִהְיִיתֶם לִי סְגֻלָּה מִכָּל-הָעַמִּים,
כִּי-לִי כָּל-הָאָרֶץ.
Now, if you will indeed listen to My voice
and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me
above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin⁽¹⁾ draws a parallel⁽²⁾ between the Jewish marriage contract (Ketubah) and the Ten Commandments. These two texts express, one of the divine and human covenant, and the other of the matrimonial covenant. The seventh blessing of the Sheva Brachot⁽³⁾ associates the joy “Qol Sasson” and the happiness “Qol Simha” of marriage with that of the restoration of Israel and Jerusalem.

Knesset Eliyahoo, founded in 1884 by Jacob Elias Sassoon⁽⁴⁾, is a Sephardic synagogue in Mumbai. It is connected to the history of David Sassoon, who fled Baghdad in 1832 to settle in Bombay. The synagogue, designed by the architectural firm Gostling & Morris, reflects the influence of Indian and English styles. It is built of stone and brick, and its turquoise facade gives it a distinctive identity. It is maintained by the Jacob Sassoon Trust⁽⁵⁾.

⁽¹⁾ Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, born in 1940 in Brooklyn, is an American-Israeli Orthodox rabbi. He founded the Lincoln Square Synagogue in New York and the city of Efrat in Israel. He also created the Ohr Torah Stone organization, a network of high schools and universities in Israel and the United States.
⁽²⁾ See also Covenant & Conversation: A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible, by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020), Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth (1991-2013), English philosopher and theologian, and the Commentary on the Ketubah by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried (1804-1886), posek halakha, author of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.
⁽³⁾ The blessing of the seventh berakhah of the Sheva Brachot: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has created joy and gladness, groom and bride, exultation, song, delight and rejoicing, love and harmony, peace and companionship. Quickly, Lord our God, may there be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride (Jeremiah 33:10-11), the voice of the jubilant groom from under their wedding canopy, and the voice of the youths from their feasts of song. Blessed are You, Lord, who gladdens the groom with the bride.
⁽⁴⁾ Kol Sasson: Jacob Elias Sassoon, son of Eliyahoo David Sassoon and grandson of David Sassoon.
⁽⁵⁾ The Jacob Sassoon Trust is a charitable organization founded by the Sassoon family in Mumbai. It manages synagogues, schools, and provides kosher meals and various services to the Jewish community.

Beshalach (בשלח – when he let them go)
Shabbat Shira (שבת שירה – Shabbat of Song)
^{Exodus 13:17–17:16 and Judges 4:4–5:31}

The sea parts to let the Bnei Israel pass through before closing on the Egyptians. In gratitude, Moses sings the Song of the Sea, followed by Miriam and the women who sing in turn. In the Haftarah, Deborah and Barak⁽¹⁾ praise God for their victory over their oppressors.

Judges 5:1
וַתָּשַׁר דְּבוֹרָה וּבָרָק בֶּן־אֲבִינֹעַם בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לֵאמֹר׃
Deborah and Barak, son of Abinoam, sang on that day, saying:

In the 19th century, synagogues with choirs were called choral synagogues. The Kiev Choral Synagogue, also known as the Podil Synagogue⁽²⁾ or the Rozenberg Synagogue, was built in 1895 in the Moorish style by local architect Nikolay Gardenin and financed by merchant Gabriel Yakob Rozenberg.
In 1915, it was remodeled under the direction of the renowned Ukrainian architect Valerian Mykytovych Rykov (1874–1942), with funding from Vladimir Ginzburg, Rozenberg’s nephew.
Active until 1929, it was then closed by Soviet authorities and transformed into a club. During the German occupation, it was converted into stables. In 1945, it regained its religious function.
In 1990, the Chief Rabbi of Kiev and Ukraine, Yaakov Dov Bleich⁽³⁾, initiated restoration work including the opening of a yeshiva and schools for boys and girls. In 1992, the synagogue was officially returned to the Jewish community.

⁽¹⁾ Deborah, prophetess and judge, leads the Bnei-Israel, under the command of Barak, to victory against the Canaanites. After their defeat at Mount Tabor, their leader Sisera tries to flee but is killed by Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite (tribe of Jethro).
⁽²⁾ Podil is one of the oldest districts of Kiev. Its name means “low land,” reflecting its position by the Dnieper River.
⁽³⁾ Yaakov Dov Bleich (born in Brooklyn in 1964) has been the Chief Rabbi of Kiev and Ukraine since 1990. He studied at the Karlin-Stolin Yeshiva, a Hasidic dynasty that emphasizes music and singing in its religious practices. He founded the Union of Religious Organizations of Ukraine and holds significant positions within the World Jewish Congress.

Bo (בא – Go)
^{Exodus 10:1–13:16 and Jeremiah 46:13–28}

The last three plagues strike Egypt, forcing Pharaoh to release the Hebrews. In the haftarah, the prophet Jeremiah delivers a message of hope: God promises to save His people, bring them back to their land, and restore their prosperity.

Exodus 10:21
נְטֵה יָדְךָ עַל-הַשָּׁמַיִם, וִיהִי חֹשֶׁךְ
Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread.

A total darkness fell over the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, during the solar eclipse of 2019. Unlike the darkness in Egypt, which lasted three days, this darkness only lasted a few minutes. However, it left a strong impression due to its intensity.

The Jewish community in Guayaquil, one of the smallest in Ecuador, was formed with the arrival of Ashkenazi Jews in 1940, fleeing Nazi persecution. Initially established in an apartment, it moved several times. In 2012, the community inaugurated its new center with modern architectural design in the Urdesa citadel. The complex features green spaces, a synagogue, a kindergarten, and a mikveh for men and women, as well as a large social area with natural gardens and a pool for hosting events and activities.

Vaera (וארא – And I Appeared)
^{Exodus 6:2–9:35 and Ezekiel 28:25–29:21}

This Torah portion tells the story of the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh and describes the first seven plagues inflicted upon Egypt⁽¹⁾. In the haftarah, the prophet Ezekiel announces the gathering of Israel and the judgment of Egypt⁽¹⁾ for its arrogance.

Exodus 9:23
וַה’ נָתַן קֹלֹת וּבָרָד, וַתִּהֲלַךְ אֵשׁ אָרְצָה; וַיַּמְטֵר ה’ בָּרָד
And Hashem sent thunder and hail,
and fire ran along the ground; and Hashem caused hail to fall.

In 2022, the new Australian Prime Minister⁽²⁾ overturned the decision of his predecessor⁽³⁾, who had recognized West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Since then, the government has started using the term “Occupied Palestinian Territories” to refer to Judea and Samaria, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, and an increase in antisemitic incidents has been noted. Since 2022, Australia has experienced several extreme weather events, including violent cyclones, hailstorms, especially in Brisbane⁽⁴⁾, floods, and large-scale fires.

The Brisbane Synagogue, located in the city center, was inaugurated in 1886. Designed by architect Richard Gailey, it is the oldest active synagogue in Queensland. Its neo-Romanesque style is distinguished by a stone façade and round arches. The stained glass windows were made by the famous Mayer of Munich factory⁽⁵⁾. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register⁽⁶⁾ due to its historical and architectural significance.

⁽¹⁾ Egypt symbolizes oppression, idolatry, tyranny, and the arrogance of forces opposed to the divine will.
⁽²⁾ Anthony Albanese, leader of the Australian Labor Party, elected in 2022, with the next elections scheduled for 2025.
⁽³⁾ Scott Morrison, an evangelical Pentecostal Christian, member of the Liberal Party of Australia, served as Minister for Finance from 2015 to 2018 and Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022.
⁽⁴⁾ In Brisbane, in 2022, tennis ball-sized hailstones caused significant damage.
⁽⁵⁾ Founded in 1847 in Munich, Germany, the Mayer of Munich factory is recognized worldwide for the exceptional quality of its handmade stained glass windows.
⁽⁶⁾ This listing recognizes the building as a key element of the region’s historical and cultural heritage and prohibits any alterations to the building that would affect its architectural integrity.

Shemot (שְׁמוֹת – The Names)
^{Exodus 1:1–6:1 and Isaiah 27:6–28:13; 29:22–23}

A new Pharaoh subjects the Hebrews to harsher servitude and orders the drowning of the male firstborns. Moses, saved from the water by Pharaoh’s daughter, is raised in the royal court. As an adult, he kills an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew and flees to Midian. There, God appears to him in a burning bush and commands him to return to Egypt to free the Hebrews. In the Haftarah, Isaiah prophesies the redemption of Israel, announcing the end of exile and the spiritual restoration of the nation.

Exodus 2:10
וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ מֹשֶׁה וַתֹּאמֶר כִּי מִן-הַמַּיִם מְשִׁיתִהוּ
She called him Moses, saying, I drew him out of the water.

The Scola Levantina, erected in 1541 by Levantine Jews⁽¹⁾, is one of the five historical synagogues in the ghetto⁽²⁾ of Venice. All these synagogues are built on upper floors to limit the effects of acqua alta⁽³⁾. Its interior, in baroque style, is dominated by red tones. The ceiling adorned with geometric patterns supports bronze chandeliers, while the windows, formed of glass discs, resemble boat buoys. The Holy Ark and the bimah, richly decorated, are surrounded by carved wooden benches, and the women’s gallery, adorned with an elegant balustrade, overlooks the prayer space.

⁽¹⁾ Levantine Jews are from the eastern Mediterranean regions under Ottoman rule, particularly Greece and Turkey.
⁽²⁾ The Venice Ghetto was created in 1516. It is the world’s first Jewish ghetto. Jews were confined there at night and monitored by Christian guards. The word “ghetto” derives from the Italian ghèto, meaning “foundry,” referencing the industrial site where this neighborhood was established.
⁽³⁾ Acqua alta is an Italian term meaning “high waters,” referring to the exceptional tides that regularly flood Venice and affect all its buildings.

Vaye’hi (ויחי – And he lived)
^{Genesis 47:28–50:26 and I Kings 2:1–12}

Both texts reflect the transmission of a spiritual and moral legacy. Aware of his imminent death, Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh, then gathers his sons to give them blessings and warnings. After his passing, his sons bury him in Machpelah. The parasha concludes with Joseph’s death, during which he reaffirms God’s promise to the Children of Israel to return to the land of Israel (Canaan). In the haftarah, David, sensing his end is near, blesses Solomon and imparts instructions for his reign.

Genesis 49:9 ⁽¹⁾
גּוּר אַרְיֵה יְהוּדָה, מִטֶּרֶף בְּנִי עָלִיתָ; כָּרַע רָבַץ כְּאַרְיֵה וּכְלָבִיא, מִי יְקִימֶנּוּ.
Judah is a young lion. You have risen above the prey, my son. You crouched, you lay down like a lion or like a leopard. Who would dare awaken you?

Kibbutz Lavi ⁽²⁾, founded in 1949 by Shoah survivors ⁽³⁾, is a religious kibbutz located in Lower Galilee. It operates a world-renowned factory, Lavi Furniture Industries, which produces custom-made liturgical furniture ⁽⁴⁾ for more than 6,000 synagogues in 70 countries. Over the years, Lavi has developed a luxury hotel and various agricultural branches, including field crops, orchards, a dairy farm, a cattle herd, and poultry farming. The synagogue, built in 1956, is distinguished by its high-quality furniture, crafted by the kibbutz’s carpentry factory.

⁽¹⁾ Commentary: Judah, a young king, embodies exemplary self-control, rising above predatory instincts. His tranquil sovereignty, ready to assert itself when needed, poses the question: who would dare challenge him?
⁽²⁾ Lavi (לָבִיא = leopard) is the name of an inn located along the road from Tzippori to Tiberias, dating from the 2nd to the 6th century. Remains of the inn have been discovered near the kibbutz.
⁽³⁾ Notably from the Kindertransport operation, a humanitarian mission carried out by Britain between 1938 and 1940, which saved children, mainly Jewish, from Nazi persecution by evacuating them to the United Kingdom. Around 10,000 children were hosted by British foster families, saving their lives, though many lost their parents during the Shoah.
⁽⁴⁾ In 2015, Lavi Furniture Industries completed a reconstruction of the Polish synagogue destroyed by the Nazis in 1939. This work was commissioned for the Forest Hill Jewish Centre in Toronto.

Vayigash (ויגש – Then he approached)
^{Genesis 44:18–47:27 and Ezekiel 37:15–28}

Joseph gathers his family in Egypt and settles them in the land of Goshen(1), ensuring their survival. The prophet Ezekiel foretells the reunification of the tribes of Israel—two narratives celebrating the unity of the Jewish people.

Genesis 45:10
Joseph sends an invitation to his father through his brothers:
וְיָשַׁבְתָּ בְאֶרֶץ-גֹּשֶׁן
You shall dwell in the land of Goshen.

Founded in the 9th century, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, located in Cairo, is one of Egypt’s oldest. Restored multiple times over the centuries, it stands as a testament to the continuity and prosperity of the Jewish community in Egypt. The current structure, built in 1850, elegantly blends Jewish and Islamic architectural influences. Its interior, adorned with carved wood and geometric patterns, showcases the remarkable craftsmanship of the era. The synagogue houses the famous Genizah⁽²⁾, where valuable ancient documents were discovered, providing an invaluable resource for Jewish history.

⁽¹⁾ The region of Goshen is located in the eastern Nile Delta, near modern-day Ismailia, approximately 100 kilometers east-northeast of Cairo.
⁽²⁾ A Genizah is a storage place for worn or damaged religious items that cannot be destroyed. The Cairo Genizah revealed documents dating from the 9th to the 19th century, including biblical fragments, correspondence, commercial records, and other writings essential to Jewish history.

Miqets (מִקֵּץ = At the end of) and Hanukkah (חֲנוּכָּה = Dedication)
^{Genesis 41:1 – 44:17, Zechariah 2:14-4:7, Numbers 7:1-8:4, and Psalms 113 to 118}

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, earning Pharaoh’s favor. He becomes viceroy, saves Egypt from famine, and reunites with his brothers without revealing his identity. In the haftarah, connected to Hanukkah, the prophet Zechariah describes the vision of a menorah during the inauguration of the Temple.

Zechariah 4:2
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי, מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה; וָאֹמַר רָאִיתִי וְהִנֵּה מְנוֹרַת זָהָב כֻּלָּהּ
He said to me: “What do you see?” I replied: “I see a completely gold lampstand.

The world’s largest Hanukkiah, made of golden steel, stands approximately 11 meters⁽¹⁾ tall. Created in 1987 by Israeli artist Yaacov Agam⁽²⁾, it has become an iconic Hanukkah symbol in Manhattan. This year, its public lighting will take place on December 25th on Fifth Avenue, near Central Park, accompanied by songs and festivities.

⁽¹⁾ According to Jewish law, Hanukkah lights should not be placed higher than 20 cubits (amot) above the ground, which is approximately 11 meters. This restriction ensures that the lights are clearly visible to proclaim the miracle of Hanukkah.
⁽²⁾ Yaacov Agam (born 1928) is an internationally renowned Israeli artist, a pioneer in kinetic and optical art.

Vayeshev (וַיֵּשֶׁב = And he settled)
^{Genesis 37:1 – 40:23 and Amos 2:6-3:8}

Jacob settles in Canaan, where family tensions reach their climax when Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers. Taken to Egypt, he becomes Potiphar’s servant. Harassed by Potiphar’s wife and after resisting her advances, he is falsely accused and imprisoned. While in captivity, Joseph reveals his extraordinary gift for interpreting dreams. The parasha also recounts the story of Judah and Tamar, highlighting ^{_{(Genesis 38:29)}} the birth of Perez, an ancestor of King David. In the haftarah, the prophet Amos denounces injustice, betrayal, and abuse of power.

Amos 3:3
הֲיֵלְכוּ שְׁנַיִם, יַחְדָּו, בִּלְתִּי, אִם-נוֹעָדוּ.
Do two men walk together unless they have agreed to meet?

President Santiago Peña reaffirmed, at the Knesset and during the inauguration of the Paraguayan embassy in Jerusalem, his commitment to the fight against the injustice of antisemitism. This position had already been expressed in Asunción, his capital, renowned for its historical buildings, green spaces, and rich cultural diversity.
The city is also home to the Hebrew Union of Paraguay⁽¹⁾. This dynamic Jewish community undertook the restoration of its former building by submitting a proposal in an international competition. The Arquitectura⁽²⁾ team won the contest. The renovation combines modernity and tradition, using concrete and rusted metal on the exterior and wood on the interior. Skylights in the ceiling create a play of shadows and light. The synagogue was inaugurated in May 2019.

⁽¹⁾ Hebraic Union of Paraguay: Founded in 1939, it is one of the main Jewish organizations in Paraguay.
⁽²⁾ Equipo de Arquitectura is a studio based in Asunción, Paraguay, founded by Leonardo Méndez, Horacio Cherniavsky, Viviana Pozzoli, Diego Soto, and Jonathan Sosky. Recognized for its innovative approach, the group favors the use of local and sustainable materials and strives to design harmonious and minimalist spaces. Their work has been internationally acclaimed for its refined aesthetics and respectful integration into the environment.