five minutes חיי שרה
TRANSCRIPT
חמש דקות מישראלFive minutes from Israel
משבחה של ארץקצתאנחנו מזמינים אתכם לחמש דקות לפני שבת לקרוא ה ממש בקרוב "ישראל בכדי שנדע לאן אנחנו מגיעים ב
We’re inviting you to take five minutes of your time before Shabbat to read a little fraction of the praises of Eretz Yisrael, so that we’ll all know more about where we’re all heading Bez”h very soon…
פרשת חיי שרהThere Is More To Life Than Just Chesed
"And it was when the camels finished drinking, Eliezer took a golden nose ring, its weight a Beka, and 2 bracelets on her arms weighing 10 golden Shekel." Rashi tells us, the Beka weight was an allusion to the Shekalim of Klal Yisroel - the half shekel donated by Klal Yisroel for the Beis HaMikdash. The 2 braclets were an allusion to the 2 Luchos - and the weight of 10 shekel, alluded to the Aseres HaDibros which were written on them. Why was it necessary at this time for Eliezer to hint to Rivka concerning these future events? The Maharal answers that Eliezer was telling Rivka that as The mishna in Avos States (1:2) "the world stands on 3 things - Torah, Avodah and Gemilus Chasadim." I see that you are very accomplished in acts of Gemilas Chesed. However, to be one of the foundations of Klal Yisroel you must also excel in Torah and Avodah. Torah, which was represented by the 2 bracelets weighing 10 shekel - alluding to the Luchos. Avodah, which was represented by the Beka - used to purchase the Korbonos for the Beis HaMikdash.
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kippahכיפה - • It is perhaps the most instantly identifiable mark of a Jew. When and why do we wear a kippah? • It is perhaps the most instantly identifiable mark of a Jew.• In the Western world, it is customary to remove one's head covering when meeting an important person. In Judaism, putting
on a head covering is a sign of respect.• The uniqueness of a Jewish head covering is hinted at in the blessing we say every morning, thanking God for "crowning Israel
with splendor" (Talmud - Brachot 60b)• The Talmud says that the purpose of wearing a kippah is to remind us of God, who is the Higher Authority "above us"
(Kiddushin 31a). External actions create internal awareness; wearing a symbolic, tangible "something above us" reinforces that idea that God is always watching. The kippah is a means to draw out one's inner sense of respect for God.
• It's easy to remember God while at the synagogue or around the Shabbat table. But Jewish consciousness is meant to pervade all aspects of our lives -- how we treat others, how we conduct business, and how we look at the world.
• Appropriately, the Yiddish word for head covering, "yarmulke," comes from the Aramaic, yira malka, which means "awe of the King."
• In Hebrew, the head covering is called "kippah" -- literally "dome.“
• To wear a kippah is to proclaim "I am a proud Jew." There is a fascinating phenomenon whereby non-observant Jews visiting Israel will wear a kippah for the duration of their stay. It may be out of a sense that the entire Land of Israel is holy like a synagogue. Or it may be the removal of any self-consciousness that can often accompany public expression of Jewishness in the diaspora.
• Indeed, wearing a kippah is a big statement, and obligates the wearer to live up to a certain standard of behavior. A person has to think twice before cutting in line at the bank, or berating an incompetent waiter. Wearing a kippah makes one a Torah ambassador and reflects on all Jews. The actions of someone wearing a kippah can create a Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God's name) or conversely a Chillul Hashem (desecration of His name).
• Of course, putting on a kippah does not automatically confer "role model" status. Sometimes we unfortunately hear of a religious person caught in some indiscretion. I recall one time in Los Angeles, noticing that a drunken, disheveled man was walking down the street -- wearing a kippah! He wasn't Jewish, but he'd found an old kippah and thought it helped him fit in with the neighborhood atmosphere. For me, it drove home the idea that it's not fair to "judge Judaism" based on someone displaying the outer trappings of observance.
Facts about the 100th smallest country, with less.than 1/1000th of the world's population
•Israel has more museums per capita than any other country.• Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce, with 145 per 10,000, as opposed to 85 in the U.S., over 70 in Japan, and less than 60 in Germany. With over 25% of its work force employed in technical professions. Israel places first in this category as well. •Israel has the highest per capita ratio of scientific publications in the world by a large margin, as well as one of the highest per capita rates of patents filed.
Good news from Israel• Israeli Electronics Teaming with Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems. RADA
Electronic Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: RADI), of Israel, announced today that it has signed a Teaming Agreement with Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corporation to cooperate in the construction and installation of the Skyguard(TM) High Energy Laser Defensive System aimed at hostile rockets and missiles interception for use by the State Of Israel. Skyguard(TM) is the end product of over thirty years of development of laser weapon systems by NGST. Skyguard(TM) has higher power and a larger beam than previous designs, making it a much more capable system. A single Skyguard(TM) system can defend a large civilian population or industrial area, large military installation and/or deployed forces. The first Skyguard(TM) system could be deployed in Israel within 18 months of date of order.
• Israeli piano duo to perform in Hanoi. The acclaimed Israeli piano duo Sivan Silver and Gil Garburg will give a performance tonight at the Hanoi Opera House. Silver and Garburg, two of the most brilliant Israeli pianists, will play pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Franz Schubert and Franz Liszt. The two artists gave a lecture to students of the Hanoi Conservatory this morning. Praised for their lyric sensitivity, extraordinary inner perception and overwhelming technical mastering, the artists’ performances have been successful in 40 countries around the world. Silver and Garburg founded their duo in 1997 and within a few years became one of the most remarkable piano-duos on international stages, gaining enthusiastic acclaim by music audiences and critics. They have been the first prize winners of numerous national and international competitions both as soloists and as a duo.
The Cave of Machpelah –מערת המכפלה
The Cave of Machpelah in Hebron is one of the holiest places in the Land of Israel. It is the burial place that Abraham purchased for his family after Sarah died (Genesis 23:8-17). Later, Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham there (Gen. 25:9). Subsequently, it became the final resting place for all the patriarchs and matriarchs, except Rachel, who died near Bethlehem.
The building over the tomb is truly amazing in its dimensions, complexity and antiquity. Huge walls built by Herod the Great 2,000 years ago surround it, while the interior is a combination of medieval architecture, Arabesque décor from later centuries, and synagogues founded after the reestablishment of the Jewish community here following the 1967 Six Day War. In one corner of the largest hall, with its house-like tomb markers for Isaac and Rebecca, a cupola stands over a small opening into the actual Cave of Machpelah. Another, smaller room contains the tombs of Abraham and Sarah, and across an open courtyard are those of Jacob and Leah.
