Schlagwort: haShem

Josef and Hashem

When one examines the Parashah Vayeshev, it becomes apparent that it focuses centrally on the behavior of Joseph’s brothers and initially presents the events from their perspective.

But it begins right at the start with the words, „And Jacob lived in the land of his father’s residence, the land of Canaan.“

Then Joseph is introduced, the shepherd, a son whom Jacob had in his old age and whom he loved dearly. Jacob is the one who makes him a colorful robe. As a result, the brothers felt slighted and began to hate Joseph. When Joseph begins to recount his dreams, they hate him even more.

Interestingly, these events only indirectly address the brothers‘ responsibility for their own behavior. Rather, they rebel against their father Jacob and attempt to resolve the resulting conflict by projecting their negative feelings onto Joseph. He had not chosen to be especially loved. Joseph speaks openly about his dreams, and his brothers suspect that he might be seeking special treatment from them. This isn’t the case. He’s simply different. While the brothers are constantly close, creating a strong group dynamic, it is Joseph who is sold by the Medanim to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s chief bodyguard, in Mizraim.

Of course, Joseph’s life continues, even though the circumstances are dire. In chapter 39, Joseph is freed from the hands of the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.

Now our Torah refers directly to Hashem. For it says in the second verse: „And the Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered in everything he did; and so he was in the house of his master, the Mizri.“

So Joseph’s life takes place not in Eretz Yisrael, but in Mizraim.

But read on for yourself. One sentence is particularly important to me. After Joseph was imprisoned, it says… „And the Eternal One was with Joseph and showed him mercy and showed him favor in the eyes of the jailer.“

I learn from this that God often works indirectly and positively on our lives through others who are not our friends or even our close acquaintances. And it occurs to me that everything is subject to the will of the Eternal One, even if life’s dramas initially seem to suggest otherwise. For it is God alone who directs, and it is we as individuals who contribute our abilities, believe in Him, and are accountable to Him.

Shavua Tov

Poem as Prayer

Complete Kindness

In every day I Love YOU
In every day I need YOU
In every day I depend on YOU
In every day you complete me

In every day Hashem
Thats the clue

YOU are my shield and saviour
YOU are my liberation
YOU are my inner and outer world
YOU are giving me kindness
YOU are my everything

Thanks to our G-d
His Mercy ist great

Thanks to our G-d
His wisdom can’t be thought

Thanks to our G-d
His renewal of Life ist unlimited

Thanks to our G-d
You never left us

(Free Poem by Marcus Günther Michael Gundlach

Continue in thinking about Parasha Ekew…

I’m currently studying Parasha Ekev—for the second time this week. In verses 7:12 to 8:10, Hashem promises that He will protect the people of Israel and bless them many times over for keeping His commandments. They need not fear, because He will help them to victory over their enemies. However, they must eliminate all traces of idolatry. The people should remember their wanderings in the desert, during which they were entirely dependent on G-d. This leads to the conclusion that in the Holy Land, the Jewish people must face the responsibility of trusting in Hashem’s words and putting them into practice. What applies to Eretz Yisrael is not fully valid for the Diaspora; after all, the entire Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) is a single reference to Israel and all Jews—including those in the Diaspora. In the land to which He brings us, nothing will be lacking. Moshe Rabbeinu therefore lists the seven species that distinguish Israel—wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olive oil, and date honey. He also mentions that one is obligated to thank G-d when one has eaten enough. This is known as „benschen“ (blessing) during Kiddush in synagogues or at home. Moshe Rabbeinu warns against taking credit for prosperity or victories. Hashem alone is responsible for them and the power that makes them possible. Moshe then recalls (8:11–10:11) that the people repeatedly provoked G-d in the desert. And Moshe describes how he interceded for the people after the incident with the Golden Calf. Then the people received the Tablets of the Covenant for the second time. I noticed that this second pair of Tablets differs slightly from the first pair, because I am convinced that the entire nation deserves a second chance, and we must continually reexamine the statements of the Aseret Hadibrot. You, too, are the eternal heritage of the people and begin with Hashem introducing Himself and proclaiming liberation from Mizraim. It is a twofold liberation. For we are truly free, firstly, in our consciousness, and only then when we have arrived in Eretz Israel.

!!!

There will be a United Israel and No foreign Nation have the right and possibility to create a State for so called „Palestines“ on the ground of Israel.

„Palestine“ never exists, is having no own language‘, no songs who are praising G-d. So we Jews are the rightfull owner of Israel.
This also is stated in the Holy Book of all Muslims.

Israel is the Land of G-d, IT IS HIS property and for this everything will be comes like Hashem wish. No foreign G-d will rule Israel ever. But all Jews are in the duty to come closer to Hashem.

Heute ist Shabbat und es wird die Parasha Tzaw öffentlich gelesen…

… ich überlasse die Zuordnung der Verfehlungen derer, die sie betreffen, ganz Hashem. Bin mir voll bewusst, dass diese nicht ohne Konsequenzen bleiben werden. Hashem ist der beste Richter und alles unterliegt seinem Willen. Warum ist dass so?  Weil niemand ist wie der G-tt Israels. Dies ist die Lehre die gezogen werden kann. Hashem ist ein barmherziger, gnädiger… aber auch strenger und entzürnender G-tt. Es ist unsere Aufgabe als Juden uns selbst zu verbessern und jeden Tag die Möglichkeit zu ergreifen umzukehren, zum G-tt Israel’s – dem G-tt unserer Vorfahren. Dies ist auch der Grund, warum ich als Jude und Lewi jegliche Form des Götzendienstes ablehne; und glauben Sie mir: Es spielt dabei keine Rolle von welcher „Seite“ diese erfolgt.

ON Parasha Wajakhel!

It’s time to consider Parasha HaShavua. In Vayakhel, the commandment to keep Shabbat is repeated right at the beginning! This double command is very important, as it was also required in the previous parasha. One might think that after Moshe Rabbeinu shattered the first pair of tablets, it’s now too late. This is not the case. In Vayakhel, he gathers all the Children of Israel and speaks to them as a father speaks to his children—firmly and sternly. He admonishes that anyone who works on Shabbat, that is, who makes this day a creative day on which something is changed, shall be put to death. This extreme instruction illustrates the extreme importance of Shabbat. A „heave-off,“ a gift for the construction of the Temple, is to be given to the Lord—from everyone whose heart desires it. He speaks of gold, silver, and copper. This is clearly evident in the presentation of Aaron, the first Kohen haGadol of Israel, in the parasha. It is important to recognize that both women and men participate in this process of giving to the Sanctuary. They all contribute with their individual talents. See Exodus 35:25. The women are listed first, followed by the princes who brought the shoham stones and the stones for the ephod (the breastplate of the Kohen haGadol). Finally, Exodus 35:29 states: „All the men and women whose hearts were inclined to do all the work that the Lord commanded through Moses to do—they brought them as a gift to the Lord.“

If one examines the content more closely, it is striking that Moshe Rabbeinu successfully obtained forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf. Two things are important to me here: One must remember these events so that one can attain the prerequisite for an awareness of the forgiveness of this great spiritual defeat and transgression. The joy with which a new beginning becomes possible for everyone can now be all the greater. Moshe Rabbeinu descends with a second pair of tablets and gathers the Jewish people. What is the purpose of this gathering?!! It is about the Jewish people understanding, above all, that G-d’s desire is to build a sanctuary – nothing else. The brief but very clear, indicative admonition to keep Shabbat, which comes at the beginning, is very important. He then describes in great detail and at length which materials are needed to construct the Tabernacle, and it becomes increasingly clear that the entire Jewish people, everyone, is involved. Men and women equally generously donate all the materials that Moshe Rabbeinu lists.

Then Oholiab and Bezalel are listed, who receive these donations as foremen and construct the Tabernacle. The people continue to donate generously until the craftsmen inform Moshe Rabbeinu that they have more than enough to complete their tasks. Therefore, Moshe Rabbeinu proclaims that all donations should cease. It is also important to recognize that there is close contact between Oholiab and Bezalel with Moshe Rabbeinu, and he listens to them.

For my part, I surrender any acquired rights I may have acquired in the past to the true and only King we have—Hashem—and will participate in our Jewish tradition, which dates back to this time.

Shabbat Shalom.

My first thought…

Where do all these rats come from? is my first thought.

Sorry, rats are intelligent, social creatures.

There is still time to clean up Gaza when all the hostages are freed.

These creatures are so pathetic and you have to deal with them in such a way that they find themselves in their desire for destruction.

Anyone who thinks that a phase of order and peace will return after the end of the hostage drama has deceived themselves and others. On the contrary.

The Torah has a clear message. Anyone who does not kill those who came to kill Jews will perish themselves.

Incidentally, the Aseret haDibrod is an offer to monotheists, not everyone can say this about themselves.

I therefore recommend the Aseret haDibrod and the statement that one should not murder. This means that you must kill when your own life is at stake.

This is not the time to talk about peace. Because first comes order, then peace.
This order is twofold; a Jewish state for all Jews and order in the minds of Israel.

This requires the recognition of Hashem as the leader of all the Jewish people’s destinies and the observance of the Torah. Now is the right time to start and to strengthen, defend and support one another in a national effort of empowerment.

Hashem (The Power)

The Power

Universe is not holding together
by gravity

It’s only Love

Never give up
in a wider frame
and recognize my limits
Don“t be ashamed

If we are ready to listen
and to give
for Life and find boundings of truth

It’s like being connected
… also with you

Watch the flying birds
and smile

Wonder why
this can happen

Everything is creation

by the ONE

Meanwhile a new human
is born
and many birds

Rebound me at the Love
I can give

Taking my ego
not to serious
And feel beloved

by G-d

One more reason to celebrate together

I am prepared for this year’s Chanukkah celebration and I am looking forward to it. I have already registered and will be driving to Ulm – visiting the synagogue there for the first time to pray and remember the miracles that Hashem grants us all. Also the heroic struggle of the Maccabees, without whose successful fight against the Greek rulers (Seleucids), Judaism would have perished forever. This would have meant that Christianity would never have come into being.

Without the willingness to stand up for Judaism, it is in great danger. And let us not forget that without the resilience of its Jewish leaders, on a small and large scale, all of us, survival and prosperity is not possible.