Dear Kehilla,
What a week it has been! We have had beautiful Purim celebrations and Bar Mitzvah B’H. Thank you to all those who joined us, and a big thank you to the Board, the office, and volunteers that helped out to make these moments so joyful and special.

I was once challenged with this question. “Rabbi do you really believe that we can find a relevant message that is meaningful to us in the modern world from every teaching in the Torah?”

Being that the Torah is the blueprint to the world it always has messages waiting for us to uncover and benefit from.

One example of this, is from the donations that were given by the women in the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).

They donated, “earrings, nose-rings, finger-rings, and bracelets.” According to the translation of the Ibn Ezra, these four items listed may seem to be just random items, but they actually symbolize four important lessons of raising and educating children.

1. Earrings- Parents should listen carefully to how their children talk, especially with friends. Children often copy how adults speak, so if their language is wrong, it may reflect what they hear from the adults around them.

2. Nose rings- Parents should develop a good sense of “smell” for judging their children’s friendships, and notice whether those friendships are good or harmful.

3. Finger rings- Parents should guide their children gently in the right direction, helping them follow the teachings of the Torah and avoid bad choices. Pointing them in the right direction.

4. Bracelets- Parents sometimes need to be firm and disciplined. Even well-behaved children need structure, so they stay motivated and serious about their learning.

May we all continue celebrating Chagim and Smachot in good health and happiness.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Zalman & Esty