Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Shalom, my beloved friends around the world, from the hills of the
Galilee in the Land of Israel.
There are books in the Torah that people approach easily. And there are
books that ask us to slow down, draw near, and truly listen.
The Book of Leviticus is one of them.
Many skip it because it seems full of details, laws, and offerings. But those
who enter discover something deeper:
It is a book about the heart. About drawing near. About how a person
comes close to God.
“Command Aaron and his sons…” (Leviticus 6:9)
This is not a suggestion. This is a call.
“Today, if you hear His voice.” (Psalm 95:7)
Faith begins the moment we respond.
“A continual fire shall burn on the altar; it shall never go out.” (Leviticus
6:13)
The fire on the altar is not only an external fire, it reflects the inner fire
within a person.
Fire does not come only from heaven, it must be kept alive in the human
heart.
And this fire, you and I, as believers, are called to ignite it, to feed it, and to
guard it so it never goes out.
Even when the winds are strong, even when life shakes us, even when the
heart grows tired,
We do not only receive the fire. We keep it alive.
Because this fire is life. It is faith. And it is the light the world desperately
needs.
The table, an altar in the home.
“When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your
God.” (Deuteronomy 8:10)
Eating is not just physical; it can become holy.

The table can become an altar.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him.” (Proverbs 3:6)
Holiness is not far away. It is in the home. It is on the table. It is in everyday
life.
Calling, not only action, but identity.
“You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests.” (Exodus 19:6)
A believer is not only someone who does good deeds. He is part of a
greater purpose.
Not only emotion, but also a way.
“And you shall walk in His ways.” (Deuteronomy 28:9)
We are called to both.
Emotion becomes love. And love fuels action.
True love keeps us steady and faithful. When we truly love, we do not drift.
Thus, the heart and the path work together.
The Haftarah cries out:
“I did not speak… concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices, but this is what I
commanded… obey My voice.” (Jeremiah 7:22–23)
Not symbols , but inner truth.
“Let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me.”
(Jeremiah 9:23–24)
We live in challenging times.
But the truth becomes clear:
The true offering today, is a faithful heart in a stormy world.
Whoever keeps the fire, becomes light for others.
My Prayer
Lord of the universe, Give us a faithful heart, An unquenchable fire, And
inner truth.

Amen
May the blessings of the Most High be upon you, your family, and your
community.
From the Land of Zion and the City of Jerusalem,
Your brother in Israel,
Mordechai ben Yaakov