Parasha Ki-Tissa Shabbat 10 March 2012 16 Adar 5772 News from New York

have received a nice email from Maksym Gordiienko, the pastor of the Jewish Adventist congregation in New York. He had a very original event: We are happy to share with the readers of this newsletter a very interesting and special worship we organized in our Beith Shalom Congregation in New York. It was an Ethiopian Shabbat on March 3. We have invited the director of North America Beta Israel, Mrs Beejhy Barhany to give a lecture about Ethiopian Jews, their history, theology and experience. After the diving worship Mrs Barhany gave her lecture and led a time of questions and answers.

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Website: www.jewishadventist.org Web Ministers: www.jewishadventistministers.com

denominations. Our friends from the Reformed Jewish Temple Beth Am came for this Ethiopian Shabbat, we had a total of 60 people. What result have we got? New friends, new opportunities and new plans. On March 16, we are going to have a JewishAdventist dialogue in Temple Beth-Am about Pesach and Easter. We are happy that Alexander Bolotnikov will join us for the celebration of Pesach (Passover).

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hope that each one of you has prepared his Purim sermon answering the questions I asked last week. I would like to introduce you to a very nice way to present a quick summary of the story of Purim on YouTube.

Purim Sameach

Newsletter n 467

All our visitors were able to taste Ethiopian food and after lunch we watched a movie about Ethiopian Jews in Israel. We invited many friends from the Seventh-day Adventist congregations and other Christians and Jews from different

It is a presentation called Purim Animated and has been prepared by Aish.com. Watch the Purim story come alive at http://www. yout ube.com /watch?feat ure=player_ embedded&v=UG7UeaKE_dc

Overview
Ki-Tissa

Exodus 30:11 - 34:35

oshe conducts a census by counting each silver half-shekel donated by all men age twenty and over. Moshe is commanded to make a copper laver for the Mishkan. The women donate the necessary metal. The formula of the anointing oil is specified, and G-d instructs Moshe to use this oil only for dedicating the Mishkan, its vessels, Aharon and his sons. G-d selects Bezalel and Oholiav as master craftsmen for the Mishkan and its vessels. The people of Israel are commanded to keep the Sabbath as an eternal sign that G-d made the world. Moshe receives the two Tablets of Testimony on which are written the Ten Commandments. The mixed multitude who left Egypt with the Jewish People panic when Moshes descent seems delayed, and force Aharon to make a golden calf for them to worship. Aharon stalls, trying to delay them. G-d tells Moshe to return to the people immediately, threatening to destroy everyone and build a new nation from Moshe. When Moshe sees the camp of idol-worship he smashes the tablets and destroys the golden calf. The sons of Levi volunteer to punish the transgressors, executing 3,000 men. Moshe ascends the mountain to pray for forgiveness for the people, and G-d accepts his prayer. Moshe sets up the Mishkan and G-ds cloud of glory returns. Moshe asks G-d to show him the rules by which he conducts the world, but is granted only a small portion of this request. G-d tells Moshe to hew new tablets and reveals to him the text of the prayer that will invoke Divine mercy. Idol worship, intermarriage and the combination of milk and meat are prohibited. The laws of Pesach, the first-born, the first-fruits, Shabbat, Shavuot and Succot are taught. When Moshe descends with the second set of tablets, his face is luminous as a result of contact with the Divine.

n the beginning of this weeks Parsha, Ki Tisa, G-d tells Moshe that when counting the people of Israel, instead of counting them directly, each one should contribute a half Shekel. By counting the amount they contributed, Moshe would have the exact count of the Jewish people. According to this biblical practice it is forbidden to count the people of Israel directly. When King David once counted his soldiers directly, a plague broke out and many died. Thus, Jews are careful to be counted in a non-direct way. For example, in synagogue, when we want to see if there are ten Jews in attendance for a Minyan (quorum), we use the following verse of Psalms: Hoshia et amecha uvarech et nachlatecha uraim vnasaim ad haolam. (Psa. 28:9) Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. The verse has ten words in it. By assigning a word to each person, we can learn the number of people present. n this weeks Parsha, Ki Tisa, we read about one of the gravest sins committed by the people of Israel, the sin of the Golden Calf. The Torah tells us, And the people saw that Moshe delayed coming down from the mountain, so the people gathered around Aaron and they said to him, rise up and make for us gods that shall go before us; for as for Moshe, the man that brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him. (Ex 32:1) The Jewish people consider that Aaron was completely innocent of this sin. They give this explanation for what happened: Aaron knew that Moshe would descend from the mountain, so to delay them, he said, Go and bring the golden rings which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons and your daughters and bring to me. Aaron figured that the women will refuse to give their jewelry and this would delay them until Moshe came down from the mountain. However, when the women didnt give their jewelry, the men took their own golden jewelry and brought it to Aaron. Aaron knew that if the people built an idol, they would complete it quickly. Therefore, he took charge and tried to postpone it until Moshe returned. Aaron took the gold and threw it in fire, but out came the Golden Calf!

How To Count Minyan?

Parasha 2 Newsletter

The Golden Calf

In fact in the Bible, the full tribe of the Levites came to support Moses when he came back. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, Whoever is for the L-rd, come to me. And all the Levites rallied to him. (Ex 32:26.) Why does the Torah add the seemingly extra word all? It would have been sufficient to just write and the descendants of Levi gathered unto him. The Chatam Sofer, Rabbi Moshe Schreiber, a renowned 18th century Hungarian rabbi, tells us that all comes to include even Korach and those Levites who later rebelled against Moshe. Though they were greatly displeased with Moshe, when it came to the honor of the Almighty, they joined him to fight for the Almighty. Rabbi Zelig Pliskin said: We should put aside personal prejudice and philosophical differences if we are called upon to take action for the Almighty, for Israel or any righteous cause. ne of the most beautiful text of the Torah is in this parasha, when in spite of the golden calf sin, G-d shows his love to Moses and Israel. Of course for some people, it was really cruel to kill the 3,000 people who were guilty of this sin. Today we would call that crime against humanity But even in difficult times like this one we must keep our faith and trust in the L-rd. Moses loved so much the people of Israel that he interceded for them Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written. (Ex. 32:31, 32.) Moses was ready to give his life for the people of Israel. G-d answers to Moses that he will not count the innocent for guilty, each one is responsible for his own sin Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. (Ex 32:33.) And G-d sends again his angel to lead Israel and my angel will go before you (Ex 32:34.) Then in the next chapter this angel has another name, it is called the face of G-d My Presence (Panay in Hebrew which means my face) will go with you, and I will give you rest. Then Moses said to him, If your Presence (panecha your face) does not go with us, do not send us up from here. (Ex. 33:14-15.) This angel, or presence, or face, is the one with whom Moses spoke in the wilderness. In the same chapter, a few verses before it is written how Moses spoke to G-d The L-rd would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his

Now show me your glory.

friend. (Ex 33:11) In Hebrew it is said Panim-lePanim Face-to-face exactly the same word used to describe the angel in the verse 14 and 15. It is not the first time we meet this angel, in the chapter 23 See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. (20-21.) That is a special angel. He is the special angel of Israel. He lead Israel in his trip to Canaan. Israel is invited to listen carefully to him. This angel has the power to forgive sins and rebellion. More than anything, the name of G-d is in him. Now in the chapter 33 this angel is called Panim the face or the presence. This angel is very special, He is the guide and the savior of Israel, in fact he is the Messiah of Israel which pre-exist his coming. in the prophet Micah it is written, But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. (5:2.) This ruler is the Mashiach ben David, he is from Judah and has to be born in Bethlehem, the very city of David. This Messiah is older that just his age, because the text adds that his origins are from of old, from ancient times (Hebrew: mimay olam) from the days of eternity. It was just after hearing G-d speaking about this angel, that Moses made an incredible request Now show me your glory. (Ex 33:18.) G-d was clear with Moses he repeated what we already know you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live. (20) but G-d is ready to do something that he has never done before. I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the L-rd, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (19) the glory of the Lord is his goodness and compassion. What a wonderful G-d we have
Sources: These comments of the parasha are based on comments published by Rabbi Zalmen Pakouz, Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, Rabbi Ozer Alport, Rabbi Ari Kahn, Rabbi Noson Weisz, By Rabbi Naftali Reich, Rabbi Berel Wein and Rabbi Yochanan Zweig, Rabbi Yissocher Frand, by Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair from Ohr Somayach, by Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky. and Rabbi Zalmen Marozov.

Parasha 3 Newsletter

abbi Yitschak Elchanan Spector, Rabbi of Kovno, was once collecting charity to provide food and wood for heating for the poor. He came to the home of one of the wealthy people in his community, who was also a Torah scholar. Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan told him the reason for his coming and asked for his contribution. The wealthy man gave a small donation. When the rabbi remarked how small the sum was compared to what he could afford to give, the wealthy man replied, As you know I spent much of my time studying Torah. This is my contribution to our community. Let other wealthy people, who dont study Torah, help fulfill this community mitzvah. The rabbi, showing his disappointment, replied, Your answer reminds me of the following story; During the Russian-Japanese war, every Russian citizen was called to contribute a minimum of ten rubles to the war chest. Officers of the Czar came to collect money from the citizens of one of the villages. Everyone gathered in the town hall and the officers told them how important it was to take part and contribute a minimum of ten rubles. One after the other the peasants announced their contributions of ten rubles. One poor peasant, however, got up and announced that he is giving 100 rubles! Everyone was shocked. How can you manage to give such a large sum? he was asked. The peasant explained, A while ago I was brought before a judge and fined ten rubles. When I told the judge that I didnt have the money, he sentenced me to a month in jail. Now, I figured if a month in jail is worth 10 rubles, then 10 months in jail should be worth 100 rubles! Im ready to sit 10 months in jail which should count as my contribution of 100 rubles to the Russian army! Upon hearing this everyone in the room burst out laughing. The same is with you, concluded Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan. Your studying Torah will help the poor of our city like that peasants sitting in jail will help the Russian army!

How To Count Israel?

True, studying Torah is very important, but it will not make one needy person less hungry or warmer during the winter. One cannot excuse himself from giving charity by opening a Chumash (Torah). One must open his pockets and give! This is also the lesson from our Parasha, continued the rabbi. When it came to count the Jewish people G-d told them to give a half-Shekel coin. This teaches us that in order for a Jew to be counted one must give and contribute!

Parasha 4 Newsletter

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vraham established an inn where he cared for his guests in every conceivable way. He influenced the world to believe in G-d, not by logical proofs or lectures but by demonstrating through his own example that G-ds kindness extends down through all the worlds to this, the lowliest. abbi Zeera said, A person who has a friend who beseeches him with his needs and pleas continuously may come to dislike him and avoid him. But, with G-d, it is not so. The more one pleads with G-d for his needs the more G-d loves him. ----------abbi Yochanan and Rabbi Elazar said, Even when the sharp side of the sword is on a mans neck, he should not refrain from praying for Gods mercy!

Demonstrating Kindness

G-ds Love and Compassion

EDITOR

A newsletter published by the World Jewish Adventist Friendship Center Under the umbrella of the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission Richard-Amram Elofer 4, Abraham Lincoln 94186 Jerusalem Israel Tel. +972 2625 1547 Fax +972 2625 1319 email: richard@elofer.com web: jewishadventist.org

srael experienced a great apostasy in the time of Moses. Ex. 32:4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt. (Exodus 32:4). in the aftarah Israel Experienced a great apostasy In the time of the prophet Elijah: So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. O Baal, answer us! they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. (1Kings 18:26) The people of Israel is under the domination of Jezebel, an evil queen and Ahab, a weak king. Jezebel kills many prophets of God while some of them are protected by Obadiah the governor. Elijah decides to challenge the king Ahab: Elijah said, As the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today. (1Kings 18:15). What is strange in this story is that the one who is faithful, Elijah, is accused by the king to make trouble in Israel: When he saw Elijah, he said to him, Is that you, you troubler of Israel? (1Kings 18:17) Ahab is the one who brought idolatry to Israel, but he is so blind that he does not see anymore where is the problem. Elijah does not hesitate to say the truth to the king But you and your fathers family have. You have abandoned the LORDs commands and have followed the Baals. (1Kings 18:17) Elijah is a courageous man, even if later he will be afraid to be killed by Jezebel, it is this sort of man and woman the world needs. Would that every minister (Pastor or Rabbi) might realize the sacredness of his office and the holiness of his work, and show the courage that Elijah showed! As divinely appointed messengers, ministers are in a position of awful responsibility. (PK 149).

1 Kings 18:1 - 39

Haftara

Brit Hachadasha

cts 7 is a special chapter of the book of Acts where the history of the people of Israel is told. It is an interesting speech because it was pronounced by Stephen in the first century, few years after the death and resurrection of Yeshua. That means we have a Jewish narration which was not transformed by the medieval Jewish tradition. The verses 20 to 44 are about the story of Moses. The full story given by Stephen is in 51 verses. We can see that the character of Moses was so crucial for the people of Israel that in the full story more than half of the full story is dedicated to Moses. Our story of the Golden Calf is in the verse 40 to 42.
They told Aaron, Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt we dont know what has happened to him! That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration in honor of what their hands had made. But God turned away and gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?

Acts 7:20-44

Parasha 5 Newsletter

We learn from this text that they have not only made the calf but they also worshipped it, celebrated, and offered sacrifices. In fact it was not the only time Israel worshipped idols, according to this narration they worshipped also Moloch and Rephan, it is because of these idols worship that God allowed Babylon to destroy the Temple and to go into exile in Babylon. This text of Acts helps us also to learn also about this special angel which was sent to lead Israel and who was called the face. First this angel was the one who appeared to Moses in the burning bush. And it is clear in Exodus 3, that this angel was identified to G-d. (Acts 7:3031) Second, this text said that on the Mount Sinai, it was an angel who gave the commandments and the Torah to Moses (7:38.) Moses was speaking face to face with the angel called face, that is why later Stephen said: you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it. (7:53)