Midrash Manicures

Parashat Balak: Blind Spots

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:05:31 +0000

Did a parent or teacher ever give you permission to do something but then get upset with you when you actually did it? This seems to be the case for Balaam in this week’s Parasha. Hashem allowed Balaam to go out to curse Bnai Yisrael but Hashem became angry when Balaam actually set out on his way. When Balaam was mid-course, Balaam’s donkey stopped short and refused to move. Little did Balaam know that Hashem had sent an angel with a sword in his path. Balaam hit his donkey in anger each time the donkey came to a halt. Hashem opened the mouth of the donkey to rebuke Balaam for his actions and only then was the angel revealed to Balaam.

Why do you think Hashem gave permission to Balaam to curse Bnai Yisrael in the first place?
Are there times in life when we are blind to something right in front of us?

Chukat: Ritual Detergent

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 16:26:46 +0000

Have you ever had a really tough stain that requires immediate attention? Local pharmacies often keep stain sticks, wipes and other forms of remover right near the checkout lines. In Parashat Chukat, we read about what the bible scholar Jacob Milgrom refers to as a “ritual detergent,” namely the ashes of the Parah Adumah, or red heifer. The Torah treats human contact with a corpse as requiring immediate attention through ritual purification. The ashes of the red heifer mixed with water create a potion that serves to counteract the ritual impurity that is incurred by someone who comes into contact with a corpse.

Why do you think the Torah requires that the ashes of an entirely red heifer be used to purify someone who has come into contact with death?
In what way does the concept of this ritual relate to us in the modern world?

Korach: Leadership Blossoms

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:54:22 +0000

Korach’s rebellion challenged the legitimacy of the leadership of Moshe and Aharon. Right after Korach and his followers were destroyed, Hashem instructed Moshe to take twelve rods and to inscribe on them the name of the leader of each tribe. Overnight, the rod with Aharon’s name on it blossomed with leaves, flowers, and almonds (Bamidbar 17:23). This miracle signified that Aharon was chosen as the high priest and reconfirmed the role of the Kohanim in the spiritual leadership of Bnai Yisrael.

Why did Aharon’s position need reaffirmation?
Do you think this visible miracle had an impact on Bnai Yisrael? Why or why not?

Shlach: They Might Be Giants

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 26 May 2013 14:58:25 +0000

The Midrash in Bamidbar Rabah 16:11 asks: How do you scare a child? You remind the child of things that hurt them in the past. In Parashat Shlach, ten out of the twelve spies take advantage of Bnai Yisrael’s collective childhood memories. In describing the negative traits of the Land of Israel, the ten spies first speak about the presence of the people of Amalek in Israel. The people of Amalek were known for attacking Bnai Yisrael from the back, attacking the women, children and elderly first. The spies also mention that there are giants living in the land of Israel.

Why do you think the ten spies mentioned the presence of Amalek and giants?
What do you believe was the guiding force behind their negativity?

Artistic note: This week’s Midrash Manicure contains the logo of a New York football team called The Giants.

B’haalotcha: Cravings

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:35:24 +0000

In Parashat B’haalotcha, members Bnai Yisrael complained to Moshe that they were tired of eating Manna day in and day out and that they wished to eat meat. The Spanish scholar Rabenu Bachya explains how Manna was meant to elevate Bnai Yisrael on a spiritual level, but not necessarily satisfy them on physical level. Bnai Yisrael desired something that was less bland and more physically satiating. Hashem’s response to Bnai Yisrael’s complaint was to send down swarms of quail. Members of Bnai Yisrael who ate the quail were struck with a plague that took their lives.

How did Manna serve to spiritually elevate Bnai Yisrael?
Why do you think Hashem provided Bnai Yisrael with quail but then punished those who benefited from the quail?

Nasso: The Case of the Sotah

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 12 May 2013 14:44:51 +0000

The episode of the scarlet letter seems minimal compared to the ordeals of the Sotah, found in this week’s Parasha. Bible scholar Alice Bach explains how the Sotah, the case of a woman accused by her husband of adultery, is the only instance in the Torah when a person can be accused of a capital crime without two witnesses. Once accused by her husband, as part of the ritual, the woman was brought before a Kohen and required to drink bitter waters filled with dust from the floor.

Why do you think the Torah contains such a specific ritual for this scenario of suspected adultery?
Why do you think the Kohen was brought in to handle this case?

Chag Sameach from Midrash Manicures!

Bamidbar: Unplugged

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 05 May 2013 14:00:55 +0000

How often do we truly unplug? Sometimes we need to take a vacation in another place in order to distance ourselves from being attached to our iPhones and other electronic devices. Parashat Bamidbar presents an interesting take on how location can affect our ability to focus. The Midrash in Bamidbar Rabbah 6:1 explains that Hashem purposely chose the “Midbar,” the desert, as the location in which to give Bnai Yisrael the Torah. The desert was a place with less distractions and more opportunity for Bnai Yisrael to recognize their dependence on Hashem.

Why do you think it was important for Bnai Yisrael to receive the Torah in a remote location?
Are their places or situations where you find yourself able to unplug?
If so, what is the impact of those moments?

Behar/Bechukotai: Holy Garbage

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:39:53 +0000

Once every seven years, the Torah forbids any planting, pruning, plowing, or harvesting of the land in Israel. This year-long rest for the land of Israel, which is called the Shmita year, is one of the biblical agricultural commandments described in Parashat Behar that we still observe in modern times. Jewish law explains how all of the fruits and vegetables that grow during the Shmita year possess a level of holiness. If you have ever visited Israel during a Shmita year, most recently in 2007 – 2008, you may have encountered special garbage pales for your apple cores or banana peels. Leftovers of fruits and vegetables are placed in a separate garbage bin, since these leftovers are also considered “holy.” In order to dispose of them they must rot in a contained way (separated from regular garbage) until they become unfit for consumption.

Why do you think the Torah commands the observance of the Shmita year?
How does allowing the land to rest impact our relationship with food?

We have just completed the second cycle of Midrash Manicures for Sefer Vayikrah. Chazak Chazak V’Nitchazek!

Emor: Biblical Purell

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:57:00 +0000

Working in a school surrounded by Purell dispensers at every corner, it seems that the theme of purity and impurity highlighted in Parashat Emor continues to manifest in modern society. As the Kohanim are the ritual leaders of Bnai Yisrael, the Torah states how it is important for them to be distanced from ritual impurity. Parashat Emor teaches that the Kohanim are forbidden to be in contact with dead bodies except for those of close relatives. The Kohanim are also not permitted to enter a home or an enclosure that contains a dead body. Why were the Kohanim given so many rules about purity? The Midrash in Vayikrah Rabbah 26:6 teaches that Aharon, the Kohen Gadol, was initially afraid to approach the altar because he might have committed sins that would make him unfit to work in the sanctuary. The Midrash explains that the purity laws listed in this week’s Parasha were enacted as a safeguard to protect the Kohanim from any impurities that would render them unfit to do their work in the Mishkan.

What are the impurities that we encounter in modern society?
How can we work to distance ourselves from impurity in today’s world?

Israel Nail Art Tutorial & Acharei Mot/Kedoshim

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:24:27 +0000

Israel Nail Art In honor of Israel’s 65th birthday this Tuesday, Midrash Manicures has created our first-ever nail art tutorial! We hope you enjoy painting your very own Midrash Manicures. You’ll need three items to help you paint Israeli flags on your nails: toothpicks, white nail polish, and blue nail polish. Once your white coat is dry, dip the tip of a toothpick into the blue nail polish brush and paint the star and stripes in gentle strokes, dipping the toothpick back into the polish brush as needed. Looking forward to fabulous Israel manicures! Happy Yom HaAtzmaut!

Sticks & Stones Parashat Kedoshim covers many laws that govern the interactions between people. The Parasha states, “Do not go as a talebearer among your people” (Vayikra 19:16). Unlike the saying “sticks and stones may break your bones…” the Torah believes that words can be harmful. A story is told about a student who went to his rabbi to tell him that he felt guilty since he spread gossip about one of his classmates. He asked the rabbi what he could do to make amends. The rabbi told him to go home and to take a pillow and spread its feathers into the wind. The student, eager to to “fix” his mistake, returned home, released the feathers into the wind, and reported back to the rabbi the next day. The rabbi turned to the student and said: “Now go gather all of the feathers.”

How does this story relate to the Torah’s prohibition of being a talebearer?
In an age of social media, how can we relate to the story of the feathers?

Tazria/Metzorah: The Birds & The Bees

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:06:18 +0000

Parashat Tazria describes how the mother of a newborn is required to bring sacrifices to Hashem in gratitude for a successful pregnancy. The Midrash in Vayikra Rabbah 14:3 asks: “If a person carries a bag of money with the opening facing downwards, don’t the coins scatter?!” The Midrash responds: “Now the embryo has its place in the mother’s womb, but Hashem guards it so that it should not fall out. Is that not a matter of praise?” According to Gwynn Kessler, author of Conceiving Israel, the rabbis who composed this Midrash and others like it believed that the development of the fetus was more of a theological process rather than a biological one.

Why do you think the rabbis focused more on the theological aspects of pregnancies rather than the biological ones?
How do you think the circumstances of high rates of infant mortality influenced their focus?

Shemini: Strange Fire & Modern Ten Plagues Manicure

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:45:31 +0000

In Parashat Shemini, Aharon’s sons Nadav and Avihu are killed by fire for bringing an “Esh Zarah,” a strange offering, to Hashem. The rabbis utilize several explanations for why Nadav and Avihu received such a harsh decree. The authors of the Sifra, which is halachic Midrash on Vayikrah, explain that since the Torah states that Nadav and Avihu “each took his own censer” (Vayikrah 10:1) this means that they not only acted without consulting their father or Moshe, but that they also acted without seeking advice from one another (Sifra Acharei Mot 1).

Why do you think Nadav and Avihu were allegedly punished for acting independently?
Why do you think the rabbis composing the Midrash in the 3rd century C.E. would have considered ”independent initiative” a challenge?

Check out our Modern Ten Plagues Manicure!

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 13:59:50 +0000

Thank you to everyone who sent in ideas for the modern plagues of this past year. Here are our top Ten Modern Plagues! We hope that this Modern Plagues manicure and our Ten Plagues Nail Decals serve as springboards for conversations about the issues that plague society today. Which plagues would you have added to this list? Feel free to print and share this Ten Plagues Midrash Manicure at your Seder!

Questions about applying and maintaining your Ten Plagues Nail Decals? Click here. Chag Kasher V’Sameach from the Midrash Manicures Team!

Last Call for Ten Plagues Decals & Tzav: Holy Fashions

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 23:00:04 +0000

Tzav: Holy Fashions Just as we witnessed the installation of a new pope last week, Parashat Tzav describes the details involved in the ordination of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. Fashion plays a major role in the installation of Aharon and his sons. The Torah spends more time discussing the clothing of the priests than of any other biblical personality! Aharon, the Kohen Gadol, was required to wear a breastplate with twelve gem stones, each of which was inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Midrash in Exodus Rabbah 38:8 teaches that by wearing these twelve stones, the merit of the tribes would enter with Aharon when he performed his holy work in the Mishkan.

Why do you think Aharon was required to literally wear reminders of the twelve tribes while at work?
What are you looking to communicate through your wardrobe decisions?

Vayikrah: BBQ Time

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:55:06 +0000

Vayikrah: BBQ Time You know that summer has arrived when the air is filled with the smell of local barbeques. In Parashat Vayikrah, we learn that God enjoyed the smell of barbeques. Biblical barbeques, or sacrifices, needed to have a “fire of pleasing odor” to God (Vayikra 1: 9). Why did God decide to give Bnai Yisrael the laws of the sacrifices at this point in the Torah? The Midrash in Tanchuma Terumah 8 explains: “God wanted the gold of the tabernacle to atone for the gold that was donated for the golden calf.” While Bnai Yisrael were eager to create a golden calf to worship God, this activity had not been done with directives from God. The sacrifices, however, served as a way to channel communal worship to God on God’s terms.

Why do you think animal sacrifice was important for the generation of Bnai Yisrael in the desert?
How do you think the system of sacrifices helped to strengthen the Israelite community?

Vayakhel/Pekudei: The Artist

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 15:58:05 +0000

The concluding Parshiyot of Sefer Shemot focus on the work that Betzalel, Bnai Yisrael’s artist-in-residence, did to complete the construction of the Mishkan. When Moshe introduces Betzalel’s work to Bnai Yisrael he states, “See! Hashem has called by name, Betzalel” (Shemot 35:30). Ramban, Nachmanides, states that the word “see!” emphasizes how out of the ordinary it was to come upon a person as skilled as Betzalel. Since Bnai Yisrael were mostly accustomed to working with brick and mortar, it was unusual to find an individual so skilled in working with precious metals and stones. The Israeli Bible scholar Nehama Leibowitz emphasizes how Betzalel represented a generational shift from centuries of slavery to a Jewish future of innovation and creative artisanship. Leibowitz explains that this newness is the force of the word “see!”

What do think was important about Betzalel’s contribution to Bnai Yisrael?
How do we foster creativity and innovation in the Jewish community today?

This post marks Midrash Maniures completion of the second cycle of Sefer Shemot. Chazak Chazak V’Nitchazek!

Purim & Ki Tissa: Holiness in Time

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 15:53:56 +0000

Chag Purim Sameach from Midrash Manicures! We hope you have a fabulous day of Purim celebrations. Check out our Midrash Manicures Hamantaschen, fresh from the bottle!

In Ki Tissa, as we wrap up with the instructions for the Mishkan, we take a commercial break for a message from our Sponsor about Shabbat. Hashem tells Moshe to convey to Bnai Yisrael, “Nevertheless, you must keep my Shabbatot” (Exodus 31:13). The use of the Hebrew word “Ach” “nevertheless” indicates that Hashem wanted to make it clear that the construction of the Mishkan, holiness in space, should not supercede the observance of Shabbat, holiness in time.

In his book The Sabbath, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel writes, “We must conquer space in order to sanctify time. All week long we are called upon to sanctify life through employing things of space. On the Sabbath it is given us to share in the holiness that is in the heart of time.”

How does Heschel’s quote encapsulate the essence of Hashem’s command to “keep the Shabbatot?”
What does it mean to you to have holiness in space or time?

Tetzaveh: Recurring Donation

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 15:20:52 +0000

Paypal may have not existed at the time of Bnai Yisrael in the desert but the concept of a recurring donation did exist. Parashat Tetzaveh begins by explaining how Bnai Yisrael should continually bring forth olive oil to kindle the lamp of the Mishkan. The Midrash in Shemot Rabbah 36:1 gives two reasons as to why olive oil is Hashem’s liquid-of-choice for the Menorah. According to the Midrash, just as an olive is pressed, and ground down in order to produce the oil for the light of the Menorah, so too did Bnai Yisrael have to undergo many hardships before being able to glow. Additionally, the Midrash explains that all liquids mix with each other except oil. So too, Bnai Yisrael did not mingle with other nations, as they maintained a system of monotheistic beliefs.

Why do you think the authors of the Midrash sought to find a connection between olive oil and Bnai Yisrael?
Which Midrashic explanation is more meaningful to you?

Chag Purim Sameach from Midrash Manicures! Looking for an excellent Hamantaschen recipe? Midrash Manicures has it all!

Terumah: Holy Construction Zone

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:37:45 +0000

In Parashat Terumah, Hashem gives Bnai Yisrael a blueprint for the construction of the Mishkan, a portable dwelling place for Hashem. Modern Bible scholar, Nahum Sarna, explained how that now that the revelation at Sinai had concluded, the Mishkan would ensure the “spiritual welfare” of Bnai Yisrael. The Mishkan enabled Bnai Yisrael to access Hashem in a new and meaningful way. Sarna stated how the Mishkan was a major step in helping to shape the organized religion of the Jewish people.

Why do you think Hashem chose to construct the Mishkan at this point in history?
How do you think the Mishkan helped to shape the future of Judaism?

Mishpatim: Keep Each Other Warm

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 15:40:38 +0000

Have you ever wanted to just curl up in your blanket? Among Parashat Mishpatim’s many laws that regulate our interactions with one another is the following: “If you take your neighbor’s garment as security, until sunset you shall return it to him, for it is his only covering; it is his garment for his skin. With what else shall he lie? (Shemot 22:25-26)” The Torah provides us with a scenario in which a lender gave a loan to a person in need and kept that person’s blanket as a security for the loan. Even if the person in need did not have a chance to pay back the loan, the lender is required to return the blanket to him by nightfall.

Why does the Torah require the lender to return the blanket by the evening?
Do you think that the Torah places a significance on the blanket beyond its essential function for warmth? Why or why not?

Yitro: The Yoke of Torah

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 20:01:20 +0000

In Parashat Yitro, Hashem decides that it is time for Bnai Yisrael to live under the yoke of Torah. Why do Bnai Yisrael deserve to receive the Torah at this point in the narrative? Why did they not receive the Torah as soon as they were freed from slavery? The Israeli Bible scholar Nehama Leibowitz states that only once Bnai Yisrael had freed themselves from the marks of an “alien yoke,” namely that of the Egyptians, were they ready to bear the yoke of Torah. The Midrash in Kohelet Rabbah 3:15 explains that Bnai Yisrael did in fact merit receiving the Torah immediately after they left Egypt. However, Hashem believed that Bnai Yisrael first needed to regain their vigor that was lost during slavery. After a few months of enjoying Manna, Hashem decided that Bnai Yisrael were rejuvenated and ready to receive the Torah.

Why do you think Hashem waited before giving Bnai Yisrael the Torah?
Have you ever pushed something off knowing that you would appreciate it more at a different stage in life?

Artistic note: The “yoke” of Torah, usually refers to a wooden beam that attaches the plow to an animal, to ease the burden of a pulling a heavy load.

Beshalach: Cloudy with a Chance of Manna

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 15:26:57 +0000

This Shabbat marks Tu Bishvat! To check out Midrash Manicures awesome collaboration with Stereo Sinai for Tu Bishvat, click here.

Long before the publication of one of my favorite children’s books, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, dinner really did fall down from the sky. After Bnai Yisrael entered the wilderness, they complained to Moshe and Aharon that they were hungry and that they were better off in Egypt where they had food to eat. But before Moshe had a chance to lodge this complaint with Hashem, Hashem stepped in to introduce Manna, an edible substance, saying, “I will rain down bread from you from the sky.” (Shemot 16:4) According to Shemot 16:12, Manna would serve to “satisfy” the food cravings of Bnai Yisrael. The Midrash in Shemot Rabbah 25:3 asks: Why does the Torah say that Bnai Yisrael would “satisfied” though Manna? Why did it not just read that they would be “fed” with Manna? Through Manna, the Midrash explains, Hashem was able to personalize the food requests of each member of Bnai Yisrael.

How do you think Manna impacted Bnai Yisrael’s view of Hashem in their lives?
Why do you think the miracle of Manna is introduced shortly after the miracle of the splitting of the sea?

Midrash Maniures artistic note: (from left to right) Manna, Pizza, Cookies, Carrots.

Bo: Tough Times for Pharaoh

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 14:52:40 +0000

The Midrash in Shemot Rabbah 13:3 asks: Why did Hashem harden Pharaoh’s heart in the first place? Since Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart, heretics could argue that Pharaoh had no way of truly repenting as Pharaoh was a puppet of Hashem. The Midrash explains that Hashem tried to reach Pharaoh several times through the first five plagues but that Pharaoh took no notice. Therefore, Hashem resorted to hardening his heart. According to Rashi, Hashem intentionally hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that there would be more plagues brought to the land of Egypt. Seeing more plagues would allow Bnai Yisrael to experience more of Hashem’s signs and wonders.

Why do you think Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart?
Does Rashi’s suggestion serve as a sufficient justification for Hashem to have brought about more hardships to the Egyptian people? Why or why not?

Vaeira: Fishy Situation

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 15:01:02 +0000

This week’s Parasha features the first seven of the ten plagues. Why is blood the first plague to hit Egypt? Nahum Sarna, a modern Bible commentator, explains how the plague of blood served to target the polytheistic beliefs of the Egyptians. The Egyptians worshiped the Nile and assigned it to one of their gods. The contamination of the Nile as a result of this plague therefore discredited that god. Sarna also explains that fish were a staple of the Egyptian diet. When Bnai Yisrael complained to Hashem about the Manna that they were tired of eating in the desert, they said “We remember the fish that we used to eat free in Egypt…” (Bamidbar 11:5). The rotting of the fish, caused by this plague, was another blow to Egyptian morale, routine, and diet.

Do you find Sarna’s explanations compelling. Why or why not?
In your opinion, which reason provided by Sarna had more of an impact on the life of the average Egyptian?

Shemot: Building Blocks to Slavery

Rabbi Yael Buechler — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 15:28:17 +0000

In this week’s Parasha, the tides have turned on Bnai Yisrael. Yosef passes away, and a new king arises who “does not know Yosef” (Shemot 1:8). As a result of the decrees of the new Pharaoh, the Egyptians make Bnai Yisrael’s lives “bitter with hard service” (Shemot 1:13). The Midrash in Shemot Rabbah 1:11 explains how the Hebrew word for hard service, “B’Farech,” can be split into two Hebrew words “B’feh Rach,” with a soft mouth. The Midrash explains that Pharaoh gently persuaded Bnai Yisrael to help him in making bricks. According to the Midrash, while the brick-making was voluntary on the first day, by the second day, the taskmasters had turned this work into slave labor.

How did Bnai Yisrael go from being an exalted people to an enslaved people in Egypt?
Does this Midrash remind you of any other time periods in Jewish history? In what way?