SERVANT WITH STATUS

Dear Family,

I hope that everyone is well.

BH many birthdays again this week in Sfiras Haomer period:

Mazal Tov Pesach whose birthday is tonight. Wishing you a year of much success in both the material and spiritual, with much joy and much new development BEH! With the character trait of Tiferes in Netzach.

Mazal Tv to Yeshayah Pesach Vogel for his birthday on Shabbos. You should continue to give your parents much nachas and keep growing in all areas Yeshayah! Your Sefirah character is Hod in Netzach

Mazal Tov to Shneur Zalman Davidoff Jnr on his birthday on next day following. Wishing you a wonderful year of continued growth in leaps and bounds Shneur Zalman! Your Sefirah character is Yesod in Netzach

And last but not least, on the next day, is the birthday of Adam Frankel. Adam is the son of Jody, and therefore the grandson of Renee ah, and Roy Cobb. Wishing you a great year Adam, and for your Family. So nice that we stay connected. I presume that your Sefirah character is Malchut in Netzach .

I would like to welcome Gavriel Davidoff to our Family Group. Gavriel now has his own email address. We are so happy to have you join with us Gavriel, and so happy to be hosting you in London!

The theme dominating this week, was Kohanim (Priests) and Leviim (Levites).

Kohanim were discussed in this week's Sedra Emor. In Rambam we have been learning the Laws of Trumah, the 2% agricultural gift given to the Kohanim, and the 10% Maaser gift given to the Leviim. In the daily Gemorra learning (Amud Yomi) we are learning about Yom Kippur, (Tractate Yoma) demonstrating the Service of the Kohen Gadol and the other Priests.

And today I saw an interesting article from 'Hebrew Word of the Week' about Kohen and Levi, which I found interesting, and wanted to share.

The English translation of Priest is from the Latin word prevost meaning 'One put over others'- DOMINATE

The Hebrew translation of Kohen is just the opposite. It means 'SERVANT'!

This reflects, that instead of the masses 'below' serving those on 'top', the nobility in the Jewish world (in this case the Priests) serve on behalf of those 'below'

The Hebrew translation of Levi also reflects their essential role. It means TO JOIN AND CONNECT WITH OTHERS. Therefor instead of being an empty symbol of status and prestige, it is a call to selflessly serve Hashem and the people.

Therefore the uniqueness of the Leviim and Kohanim is not a privilege that sets them above others. But it is rather a responsibility to dedicate their lives to a cause beyond themselves.

Similarly there is the often misunderstood concept of Jews being the Chosen People.

This does not mean that we hold ourselves above others.

Rather, like the Kohanim, we are meant to lovingly practice and spread the Word of Hashem, and humbly portray a living example of an upright lifestyle, to be a 'light unto the Nations', to serve the spiritual needs of humanity. (to whatever degree we are able to do this in our own lives)

Rambam states this beautifully in the Laws of Shemitah Chap 13:

Not only a Levi can have privileges. Every individual can set himself aside to serve Hashem, and Hashem will provide for him his needs even in this world, as He provides for

the Priests and Levites, and Hashem will be his heritage forever.

Gut Shabbos to all!