Love makes a house a home
Our Sages respond that the language brings
home the point that the sanctuary alone has no
meaning unless it dwells within each person.
We must have the Proper Kavannah (intent and thoughts) and
soul for the Sanctuary to have any meaning. It must be
“betocham” within us!
Often the prophets rebuke the Jewish people by saying “Why do I need your sacrifices saith the L-rd”. For if there is no intent then one’s sacrifices are worthless!
The Jewish home is also called a Sanctuary.
On the outside it must appear beautiful and special. But
if there is no warmth and love, if there is no caring and
sensitivity on the inside, then it can be equated to an
empty shell.
Interestingly, if we take the numerical value
(gemmatriah) of the word “Mikdash” (sanctuary) we will
come to a value of 444 (Mem=40 + Kuf=100 + Daled=4
+ Shin=300). If we take the value of the letters in the
word “Bayit” (house) we will come up to the numerical
value of 412 (Bet=2 + Yud=10 + Taf=400).
The difference between the two words is 32. Thirty two is
the numerical value of the word “Lev” heart (Lamed=30
+ Bet=2). It is also the first and last letters of our Torah
(Bet in Bereshit and Lamed in Yisrael).
The message that perhaps is indicated is that
our homes are also a sanctuary. However, it is of little
value and importance unless we infuse it with heart and
sensitivity (lev) and the words and the dictums of our
Holy Torah (the bet and the Lamed). Then we will be
successful in imparting to the next generation the
beauty of our traditions.
The pageantry and the beauty of the Mishkan
and the Temple were only effective if the hearts of the
Jewish people were bound up in sincerity.
And the pageantry and the beauty of our
homes are only meaningful if it reflects the depth and
splendor of our hearts and souls. This year when many or most people are doing the Seder, the summation and memory of the Jewish Religion in our homes, lets not forget to put our heart into it, even if we are alone.
Love Yehuda Lave
I guess its time for a shaggy dog story:
A Shaggy Dog
The brotherhood at congregation Beth Israel was having a poker night and when Barry Coleman arrived he was astonished to find his friend Allan playing at a table with a few men and of all things – a shaggy dog.
“This is a very smart dog,” Barry said to Allan in disbelief.
“Not so smart,” Allan replied. “Every time he gets a good hand he wags his tail.”