3 Sivan 5768 – Parshas Naso 6 June 2008

Yechezkel Perokim 32 – 38

So this week was Yom Yerushalayim, which was for me a very enjoyable time seeing the hundreds and thousands of people come and celebrate, so therefore I feel that I am somewhat forced to discuss some ideas on the topic.

It is very interesting to look at the Torah thoughts from 1967, to see what the Rabbi’s were talking about after the miracle of the Six Day War. There was one particular discussion that was written up in the Tradition journal, which is very interesting if anyone ever gets a chance to read it. There is a discussions of what we should do now that we have the Har HaBayis, should be re-build the Beis HaMikdash to bring Karbanos and should we still fast on the 9th of Av (some did not for the first year). The theme of the discussion was; that we are at the start of very historical event and the end of history should be around the corner. However, sadly as we have seen that the end has taken a little longer than some thought and perhaps we just were not ready. However, what is clear is that the return home has allowed the process of the rebuilding of the Jewish people, both spiritually and physically. We are still far, but let us not forget how far we have come in just 60 of a state and 41 years of Jerusalem. Each day is another step closer.

The Navi in chapter 36 verse 24, spelt out the return, long ago and again to understand what Hashem has planned for us, it can sometimes be found in the Navi. The Navi, explains, that Hashem will gather everyone in from around the world in order to bring us home. The first stage is that we need to recognise that the place we are being taken to is really our home, the final destination. Then, promises Hashem, that He will make us pure, that the process of being close to Hashem is to allow Hashem to come close to us. To allow ourselves to be in contact and focused on being better people and then, we can become those better people.

Once we have become clean again, then we are able to have our “new heart and new spirit”. The new heart is to replace the stone one that we have been told that we have now. Again the Navi We understand, that there needs to be redemption and an end, but what is harder to think about is the state that we are in at the moment. Specifically that we look around and that things look so good but we have to really appreciate, that this is not the true Will of Hashem. That a perfect world, following the Will of Hashem, would be different and we could live differently. Therefore, we need this new heart and sprit so that we will walk around seeing the world in a different way. is giving us a strong wake up call.

Once we have been cleansed and updated, then we are ready to become the servant again. If one can imagine that we would be without the stains of our childhood and that we would be living on the level that we recognise that nature is just another toy that is totally dependant and can be changed according to the Will of Hashem.

It is living on a level were what we do, is successful and we never lose. But there is one sole rule, to listen and obey the Word. This is the world, which Adam was created into. Just Imagine!!!

The valley of the dry bones; the famous image and story. The Navi sees a lifeless heap of bones, and pile of used potential, of what was. The Navi is challenged by Hashem almost to offer a prophecy to these bones. What we then learn, is one lesson that should not be forgotten. We will not get into the discussion about the nevuah itself but just the opening message. That the NaviHashem has control over everything, as we see it happens and that they do come back to life. Never, just see a valley of bones in life, everything should be an opportunity and the question is do you see the opportunity of just a valley of dry bones?? sees the bones and confirms that the Will of

By Natan Rickman