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Shabbat Parah
6 Mar 2010
KI TISA “When you elevate”
Exodus 30:11-34:35
Ezekiel 36:16-36.
1:Cor.8:4-13
Normally the HafTorah reading would be from 1Kings18:1-39.
Since this is Shabbat Parah we read from Ezekiel 36 as an additional
reading in preparation for the upcoming Festival of Passover (Pesach) when
all were to be in a state of ritual purity (Numbers 19).
As we begin this Parasha we read of the command to take a
census in order for each one to provide a half shekel for the sanctuary.
The rich will not give more than the poor, and the poor shall not give
less. Everyone is to give the same. G-d is equal opportunity when it
comes to the basic care of the sanctuary.
Further, we read that a bronze laver should be built for
the sons of Aaron to wash themselves before they minister before the altar
of the Lord. The command was given for the anointing oil to be made.
Like the priests, we must keep clean in our daily walk. Even the priests
became defiled while serving in the Tabernacle. Think what must happen to
us as we serve/work/live in an evil world!
Prayer is a human instinct. We cry out for help beyond
ourselves, to G-d, in desperate situations, in deep distress, in times of
longing. We often ask G-d if He is really there, when we need Him. Some
of these times are a loss of our job, when our car is broke down, on
behalf of a wayward child. Health issues, physical or emotional or
someone spreading malicious lies about us are also causes that bring us to
prayer.
Sometimes it seems as if our prayers go unanswered. When
there is a need for healing, or our financial circumstances seem
desperate, it is hard to believe that all things work together for good
(Romans 8:28).
A refusal from a friend can hurt the friendship. It can
smother joy, defeat hope and corrode faith. Unanswered prayer can block
deepening fellowship with G-d. We must face up to unanswered prayer. It
is important to acknowledge that we cannot know all the reasons for
unanswered prayer. Sometimes silence from G-d is a mystery. Our comfort
must come only from the L-rd and we MUST have confidence in His Word. All
things DO work together for good.
Unanswered prayer needs to bring us to an understanding of
who we are spiritually and what we believe about our G-d. Wrestling with
unanswered prayer may cause our faith to grow in ways it would never grow
otherwise. It can drive us to search our heart, examine our faith, and
consider deeply our relationship with G-d.
The reality is that no prayer really goes unanswered.
Sometimes we do not like G-d’s answers, but He says yes or no or not now!
Some have not prayed in years. Some pray, but the prayers
are short and quick, not really getting deep into solid communion inside
the closed closet with G-d. Not revealing our heart to ourselves! Our
faith must be based on what G-d has done for us already, is doing now and
will do in the future!!
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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