VaYikra 5782 (2022)

The Parasha (Story) of VaYikra, is the first Parasha of a new book – Leviticus, and it comes always with the spring. Why is it the best time for cleaning and cleansing? What is the message of VaYikra for all of us in the opening of a new era in the history of Humanity? Shabbat Zakhor is the Shabbat before Purim. It is called Shabbat Zakhor since we read Parashat Zakhor – three verses from the book of Deuteronomy (chapter 25, 17-19) that tell us to remember what Amalek did to the Israelites in the desert on the way from Egypt and to erase his memory. According to tradition, Hamman was a descendant of Amalek and that is why this portion is being read just before Purim. The Amalek represents the belief system and the awareness of "A Random Universe" no purpose and no good or evil. Now! When the world is still in a dangerous place of uncertainty, it is time to reflect and look inside. This is the time to ask: Who is the person that I want to become and not: 'What are the things that I want to have? the places I want to travel, the deals I want to make'. This the time to stop our slavery to habits, belief systems and objects, the time to prepare ourselves to the freedom awaiting us in the 5780's.