Torah Reflections: Conversations on the Weekly Parshah

בס "ד

Integrar la Torá en la propia vida a través de la reflexión y la conversación puede ser una experiencia increíblemente divertida y atractiva. Es un viaje de descubrimiento, en el que la sabiduría ancestral y las enseñanzas intemporales cobran vida en nuestras experiencias cotidianas. A través de la reflexión, tenemos la oportunidad de sumergirnos en el rico tapiz de la Torá, extrayendo profundas ideas y lecciones que resuenan en nuestras vidas modernas. La alegría reside en los momentos "ajá", aquellos en los que un versículo o una historia de la Torá conectan de repente con nuestros retos, aspiraciones y valores personales. Y cuando participamos en conversaciones sobre la Torá con otras personas, se convierte en una exploración interactiva, en la que diversas perspectivas e interpretaciones mejoran nuestra comprensión. Estos diálogos a menudo despiertan el entusiasmo y la curiosidad intelectual, haciendo que el proceso de aprendizaje sea agradable y satisfactorio. La Torá se convierte en una parte vibrante y dinámica de nuestras vidas, que nos ofrece no sólo orientación, sino también una fuente inagotable de fascinación, conexión y crecimiento.

NOTA: No te sientas obligado a consultar todas las fuentes ni a responder a todas las preguntas, a menos que quieras hacerlo. Incluso una sola fuente o una sola pregunta te dará mucho material para debatir y meditar. Disfrútalo.

Some thoughts from the parsha

And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of sweet spices; every morning, when he prepares the lamps, he shall burn it. (Exodus 30:7)

This passage discusses the practice of burning incense, specifically the ketoret, a sacred offering with a unique aroma, in the Tabernacle and then in the Temple. There is a spiritual significance to the olfactory sense. We see that the nose is closely tied to spiritual capacities, as seen in the connection between the Hebrew words neshama (“soul”) and neshima (“breath”), ruach (“spirit”) and reiach (“aroma”). The Gemara suggests that the messiah’s abilities will include a heightened spiritual sense of “smelling and judging.” The incense-offering, the ketoret, was a daily offering consisting of eleven spices. The Torah guards the spice recipe, prohibiting reformulation for purposes other than Temple usage (Exodus 30:37-8).

Midrash Tanchuma sheds light on the uniqueness of the incense-offering, stating that it is the most beloved sacrificial offering to G-d. Surprisingly, the incense-offering is not meant for atonement but is simply an expression of joy (Tanchuma, Tetzaveh 15:1). On a mystical level, the eleven components of the spice mixture correspond to aspects of the upper worlds that were affected during Creation, contributing to spiritual forces hindering our perception of G-dliness (Otzrot Chaim, Perek 8).

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 103) explains that the purpose of the incense is to magnify the glory of the Beit HaMikdash, making its awe evident to everyone. It is only possible to magnify something in the hearts and innermost thoughts of people with items they perceive as having grandeur and are a source of delight and joy.  The element of joy cannot be missing from something we want people to get excited about. We learn from the ketoret a broader message of the importance of infusing joy into various aspects of our spiritual life.

Questions for personal reflection and discussion:

  1. Have you ever reflected on the connection between breath and spirituality, especially considering the calm state’s potential influence on spiritual experiences? How do you think this connection relates to the burning of incense, like the ketoret in Exodus 30:7?
  2. In understanding the purpose of the incense to bring joy to the world, can you think of rituals or practices in your life that serve a similar purpose of spreading joy?
  3. Reflecting on the concept that the incense is an expression of joy, how does this influence your thoughts on offering gratitude and spiritual connection in your own life?
  4. Consider the mystical interpretation of the spice mixture and its connection to rectifying fallen aspects. How might contributing to the world’s joy impact your personal growth or spiritual development?
  5. How can the message of infusing joy into various aspects of life, as highlighted in the Sefer HaChinuch, be applied to your own relationships, work, or endeavors for personal and collective fulfillment?

PDF

¡Shabbat Shalom!

Por el rabino Tani Burton

Copyright, todos los derechos reservados. Si le ha gustado este artículo, le animamos a seguir difundiéndolo.

Nuestros blogs pueden contener textos/citas/referencias/enlaces que incluyan material protegido por derechos de autor de Mechon-Mamre.org, Aish.com, Sefaria.org, Jabad.orgy/o AskNoah.orgque utilizamos de acuerdo con sus políticas.