From TorahVort.com
Cholhamoed
This week we wont be reading our weekly torah portion, but will be reading the torah portion for Chol Hamoed. The morning Torah reading of Shabbot Chol Ha-moed consists of sections from Parshat Ki Sisa. The majority of the reading will focus on Moshe begging Hashem for forgiveness on the Jews part in their sin of the Golden Calf and the latter part will concentrate on relating information on the three pilgrimage festivals, Pesach, Sukkot and Shavuot. Moshe asks G-d to reconsider the matter of an angel potentially leading the Jews into Israel. Then G-d reconsidered and agreed to lead them Himself again. When going into Israel. Moshe then asked to see G-d's glory; however G-d limited what Moshe can see, to the extent that Moshe was able to bear (ascending to 49th level of 50). G-d however did not show Moshe His face because no one can survive seeing Hashems face, only His back. G-d then ordered Moshe to hew new tablets from a sapphire quarry under Moshe's tent that G-d showed Moshe, and G-d said that he would write the words which were on the first broken set of tablets also on these second set of tablets. G-d then taught Moshe his 13 attributes of mercy. G-d taught Moshe that his attribute of punishment goes on to the forth generation, and his attribute of reward showers until the 2000th generation, this teaches us that Hashem shows reward to the Jews 500 times the amount as he shows punishment, wow!!! The reading then relates the commandments to observe the three pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Succot and to appear in Jerusalem on those three occasions. Going to Jerusalem during these festivals was a very joyous time, just like all these festivals should be enjoyed in a joyous manner! The sages teach us that one should try and always be in a state of Happiness and the three pilgrimage festival very much epitomizing this!! Then the Torah relates various additional commandments, including not making any molten gods, not to eat chumatz on Pesach, to sanctify the firstborn males (pidyon haben) and cattle, to not work on Shabbat, the observation of the festival of Shavous, and finally, not cooking meat and milk together (we will be elaborating Kashrut more in next weeks Dvar Torah – Shmini). This in a nut shell is a summary of the torah portion reading we will recite in Shul on Shabbat! The maftir we will be reading this Shabbat is from Parshat Pinchus Chapter 28. Chol HaMoed customs include drinking some wine or grape juice on every day of Chol HaMoed, making better meals, going on family outings, and dressing in holiday clothing. The Haftorah we will be reading is from the book of Ezekiel – Chapter 37, Shabbat Chol Hamoed Pesach is the meeting point of the resurrection of the nation and our souls. Ezekiel’s vision featured in this Haftorah is addressed to just this moment. Also it is customary to recite the Song of Songs on this day, written by King Solomon. Hope you all have a fantastic Shabbat, Michael Zaroovabeli From Ohr Sameach.
