Shabbat Shalom!.
Shabbat Shalom!.
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Shabbat Shalom!.
Bechukotai (19th Iyar)
If you will follow My decrees and observe My commandments and
perform them, then I will provide your rains in their time, and the
land will give its produce and the tree of the field will gives its
fruit. Your threshing will last until the vintage and the vintage will
last until the sowing; you will eat your bread to satiety and you will
dwell securely in the land. I will grant Shalom in the land...
(Vayikra 26:3-6)
Parshat Bechukotai is the last parsha in the Book of Leviticus and it
is always read two weeks before shavuos when the Jews received
the torah on Mt. Sinai. Bechukotai contains both the blessings and
the curses which affect the jewish people if they stray or stay away
or choose to come close to G-d. This parsha provides us the recipe
for success, and peace, very simply the answer is to connect with the
Torah.
"If you will follow My decrees" - "Im bechukosai teileichu"
Unfortunately as we are given detailed instructions and rules on the spiritual aligning of ourselves with G-d; and developing a relationship with Hashem ,we are also told of the consequences which will befall us if we choose not to follow the Torah. We will be punished with suffering, such is quoted in verse 31 of the parsha when Hashem tells us our “cities will fall into ruins……I will bring upon you illness..” Today when we listen to the news of natural disasters which have occurred, or reports on the newest negotiations that are going on in Israel with the possibility of offering more land for “peace”. we need to wake up and remind ourselves of the words from Bechukosai. The Ramban explains that no other nation will be able to settle or cultivate the land of Israel except for the Jewish people, as it says in the parsha,
"and you shall sow your seeds in vein for your enemies shall eat it..."(26:16)
We should realize that the only peace plan that can ever be viable is the one in this week's Torah portion.
Despite all these possible terrible persecutions, we are still left with an uplifting and positive verse at the end of the parsha,and one of the greatest consolations in the torah. We are left with the hope that Hashem
“..will remember My covenant with Yaakov (Jacob) and also My covenant with Yitzchak (Isaac), and also My covenant with Avraham will I remember, and I will remember the land.” (Vayikra/Leviticus 26:42)
Hope has kept the Jewish people alive, and we need to understand that we have the ability to avoid these curses which have been painstakingly detailed. This shabbos know that Hashem is personally giving us each a message, he will not forsake us or reject us completely. The covenant which he has made with our forefathers will never be broken. One of the most fundamental concepts in Jewish thought is that G-d cares about each individual. We are given many opportunities for spiritual growth; but we must take his message seriously and
study torah regularly, so we can continue to elevate our lives and grow not only as individuals but together as a Jewish nation. Indeed, G-d’s miracles continue to abound. We need only to open our eyes and see them.
Shabbat Shalom,
Miriam
This parsha provides us with not only the recipe for success and sustenance but more great recipes for shabbos! Sweet if we follow G-ds commandments and Sour if we don't!
Sweet and Sour meatballs
2lbs. ground beef
1 egg
1 grated onion
1 grate potato
2 teas.soy sauce
mix together above ingredients and
form into balls
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup grape jelly
1/2 cup sauerkraut
2 tbl.crushed garlic
crushed red hot pepper(to taste)
salt and pepper
1 teasp. oregano
Heat up all ingredients in pot,bring to a boil, add meatballs, simmer 3/4 to 1 hour. Delicious if served on rice.
Dan's Fried Rice
my son-in-law makes this rice dish which is amazing! he uses brown rice, but white rice is also fine. can serve with sweet duck sauce or hot mustard!
3 cups cooked, cold rice
3 green onions sliced
2 eggs beaten
1 cup peas(or peas and carrot)
2tbl. soy sauce
2 cloves garlic crushed
2 onions chopped and sauteed
3 tbl. olive oil
saute onions, add green onions and peas, add rice, push to side and scramble eggs and add to rice mixture, add soy sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with sauce or mustard depending on your taste.
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage
6 cups red cabbage shredded
3 apples sliced thinly (i prefer tart apples)
1/2 onion diced
1 teasp.salt
1 cup water
1 1/2 tbsp flour
4 tbls. red wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
3 tbl. wine
3 tbl. oil
cook cabbage, apple, onion, salt and water over low heat for 20-30 minutes. make a paste with flour and vinegar and add to cabbage, add rest of ingredients add sugar more or less to taste. cook for 3/4 hour more, and serve either hot or room temp.
Shabbat Shalom!.
