Kedoshim 5768

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Acharei Mot-Kedoshim (Leviticus 16-20 )

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GOOD MORNING! Years ago my 6 year old son was late for dinner. After a half hour frantically calling the neighbors in the building with kids his age, I located him and got him on the phone. Frustrated with anxiety and concern and upset with his lateness, I angrily asked, "Do you know what time it is?" After a moment of silence, I hear his small voice asking the parents of his friend, "Excuse me, my father wants to know the time." I immediately realized that my anger did not communicate and had no effect; it was the wrong time and the wrong manner to get through to this child.


I believe that every child gives a parent the opportunity to work on and improve one (or more) of his own character traits. Being a parent can be trying, but the rewards are great. Small children, small problems; big children, big problems. Small children, small opportunities; big children, big opportunities. It is the only job that by the time you're trained ... you're out of a job. Here is an interesting piece from "Quote Magazine" (September 1, 1985) about what children want from parents. They surveyed children 8 to 14 years old in 24 countries. Here are the top 10 wanted behaviors:

 
WHAT CHILDREN WANT

  1. They want harmony - their parents should not have unresolved and destructive conflict in front of them.
  2. They want love. They wish to be treated with the same affection as other children in the family.

  3. They want honesty. They do not want to be lied to.

  4. They want acceptance. They desire mutual tolerance from both parents.

  5. They want their parents to like their friends. They want their friends to be welcomed in the home.

  6. They want closeness. They desire comradeship with their parents.

  7. They want their parents to pay attention to them and answer their questions.

  8. They want consideration from their parents - not to be embarrassed or punished in front of friends.

  9. They want positive support - for parents to concentrate on their good points rather than their weaknesses.

  10. They want consistency. They desire parents to be consistent in their affections and moods.

It appears that these children want what all of us want -respect, consideration and love. They are excellent traits to practice, not only with our children, but with anyone! It has been said that a parent only owes his child three things: example, example and example. Perhaps the following piece will give some insight into what kids learn from us:

 

 
IF A CHILD LIVES WITH

If a child lives with criticism .... he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility .... he learns to fight.
If a child lives with fear .... he learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with jealousy.... he learns to feel guilt.
If a child lives with tolerance .... he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement .... he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with praise .... he learns to be appreciative.
If a child lives with acceptance .... he learns to love.
If a child lives with approval .... he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with recognition .... he learns that it is good to have a goal.
If a child lives with honesty .... he learns what truth is.
If a child lives with fairness .... he learns justice.
If a child lives with security .... he learns to trust in himself and others.
If a child lives with friendliness .... he learns the world is a
nice place in which to live.



What is your child living with?

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Torah Portion of the Week
Kedoshim

This is the portion that invokes the Jewish people to be holy! It then proceeds with the spiritual directions on how to achieve holiness, closeness to the Almighty. Within it lie the secrets and the prescription for Jewish continuity. If any group of people is to survive as an entity, it must have common values and goals - a direction and a meaning. By analyzing this portion we can learn much about our personal and national destiny. It is truly a "must read!"


Some of the mitzvot: Revere your parents, observe Shabbat, no idol worship, gifts to the poor, deal honestly, love your fellow Jew, refrain from immoral sexual relationships, honor old people, love the proselyte, don't engage in sorcery or superstition, do not pervert justice, observe kashruth and more. The portion ends, "You shall observe all My decrees and ordinances ... you shall be holy ... I have separated you from the peoples to be Mine."


* * *

Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

The Torah states:

"Love your fellow man as yourself, I am the Almighty." (Leviticus 19:18)

How are we supposed to put this into
practice?


The Talmud (Shabbos 31a) tells the story of a non-Jew who came to the great sage Hillel and said, "Convert me on the condition that you will teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot." Hillel accepted his condition and told him, "What you dislike, do not do to your friend. This is the entire Torah."


Since Hillel was referring to the commandment of love your neighbor, why didn't he just mention the words of this verse?


Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz explains that this is to teach us an important principle. From the words, "love your fellow man" one might think that as long as one feels the emotion of love towards others one fulfills this commandment. However, the truth is that just feeling love alone is not sufficient. Rather this love must motivate us to do positive things for others and to refrain from any actions or words that could cause someone any pain or suffering.


The Torah definitely requires us to feel deep love for others in our hearts. Even more than that, our behavior towards others must manifest this love, Therefore, Hillel explained to this man that a basic Torah principle is that the same commandment which requires us to have a profoundly positive feeling for others also requires us to behave in an elevated manner in our daily encounters with them.

CANDLE LIGHTING - May 2
(or go to http://www.aish.com/shabbat/candlelighting.asp)

Jerusalem 6:45
Guatemala 6:01 - Hong Kong 6:31 - Honolulu 6:38
J'Burg 5:18 - London 8:08 - Los Angeles 7:20
Melbourne 5:14 - Mexico City 7:41 - Miami 7:35

New York 7:35 - Singapore 6:49 - Toronto 8:03

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Hold their hands so that they can walk,
let go so that they can run,
cheer so that they can fly!
--  Rebbitzen Lori Palatnick

 
With Special Love & Appreciation to
Maria Finkle
Thank you for all the good you do!

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