The Ketoret
This week's and next week's parshiot deal with the Ketoret (incense) that was brought twice daily in the Beit Hamikdash.
Rav Pinhas Zvihi has a great book on the Ketoret called Mizahav Umipaz, that I study regularly. It's in numerous languages (including English, but I only found the Spanish version online). It talks about the laws of the Ketoret, has an explanation of the Pitum Haketoret that we say 3 times daily, and goes into great detail of the benefits of the Ketoret even in our days.
Also, here's an interesting article on the Ketoret.
posted by yaak @ 3/10/2006 12:06:00 PM
10 comments
10 Comments:
A few copies of the Hebrew/English Edition is currently available at www.nehora.com
Saying the Ketoret is highly beneficial, especially for someone who wants to do Teshuva.
Unfortunately, many people today have been misled into avodah zarah, of one kind or another. Some people have been misled unknowingly. The sting of avodah zarah can cause terrible harm h"v.
Teshuvah is very great and is regarded very highly in Shamayim. A person should seize the opportunity to do Teshuva to Hashem right now, while “the Gates of Teshuva are open”.
Teshuva is one of the greatest Gifts that Hashem, Our G-d, has given to us. So swallow your pride.
By doing a true and sincere Teshuva to Hashem, the brachot (blessings) from Hashem will come into a person’s life, and obstacles will begin to shift.
1. I will list below:
(a) what the sources of Tumah, and Avodah Zarah are. (‘Tumah’ is spiritual ‘uncleanliness’, which is extremely damaging to a person’s home and life). And
(b) what a person should do to remove the sources of tumah and Avodah Zara from her/his home/life.
2. I will then list a few practical steps a person can take in order to do Teshuvah for any kind of involvement in avodah zara.
What are the Sources of Tumah, and Avodah Zarah? (‘Tumah’ is spiritual ‘uncleanliness’, which is extremely damaging to a person’s home and life)
What should a person do to remove the sources of tumah and Avodah Zara from her/his home/life?
COMMANDMENT AGAINST IDOLATRY:
We are specifically commanded against idolatry, in the SECOND COMMANDMENT of the Asseret Hadibrot:
‘Do not have any other gods BEFORE ME.’
‘Lo yiheyeh lecha elohim acherim AL PANAI.’
And: ‘Do not represent (such gods) by any CARVED STATUE OR PICTURE of anything in the heaven above, or the earth below, or in the water below the land.
Do not bow down to (such gods) or worship them.
I am G-d your Lord, A JEALOUS G-D, who demands EXCLUSIVE WORSHIP.
Where My enemies are concerned, I keep in mind the sin of the fathers for (their) descendants, to the third and fourth (generation).
But for those who love Me and keep My Commandments, I show love for thousands (of generations.)’
‘Lo ta’aseh lecha PESEL, vechol temunah asher bashamayim, mima’al va’asher ba’aretz, mitachat va’asher ba’mayim, mitachat la’aretz. Lo tishtachaveh lahem, ve’lo ta’avdem, KI ANI HASHEM ELOKECHA, KEL KANAH, poked avon avot al banim, al shileshim, ve’al ribe’im, le’sonay.
Ve’osseh chessed la’alafim, le’ohavai, u’leshomrei mitzvotai.’
(Parsha of Yitro, Chapter 20, verses 3-6)
Hashem, our G-d, is a very “Jealous G-d” who demands “Exclusive worship.”
1. PLACES OF IDOLATRY
Do not go into any of the following, as they are all places of idolatry, and AVODAH ZARAH (literally ‘strange worship’). They deny the Sovereignty of Hashem, the One G-d, and Creator of the World.
- Churches
- Buddist temples
- Hindu temples
- Sikh temples
- Greek temples
- Temples/buildings of any other kind of foreign worship.
- Freemasonry
There is a lot of TUMAH in them (spiritual ‘uncleanliness’ which can affect a person has veshalom, physically and spiritually in different ways). Always walk to the opposite side of the road rather than walk directly past one of these buildings e.g. a church.
If any Jew is a “Freemason,” this too is based upon Avodah Zarah. He/she must stop going to such a place, and associating with “freemasons.”
2. STONE/WOOD SCULPTURES OF THE HUMAN FORM; THE HUMAN FACE; STATUES
These are graven images. They should IMMEDIATELY be removed from your home and discarded, no matter how much they might have cost, or the sentimental value attached to them. They are a strong source of Tumah.
3. Tefillah/Prayer – in the synagogue, and at home.
(a) There should be NO IMAGES whatsoever, inside any shul.
There should be NO IMAGES of
• ANY PERSON, or
• ANY ANIMAL or
• ANY OBJECT
inside any synagogue.
Any images of a person, animal or object should be REMOVED immediately, and ENTIRELY out of the synagogue or shteibl. No matter how large or small they may be. This is against the Halachah.
(b) When praying at home, a person should endeavour to pray in a room which does not contain any images or paintings of a person, animal or object.
4. BOOKS, MAGAZINES, LEAFLETS
These are a strong source of TUMAH, and bring in a lot of negativity into the home. These books and magazines negatively affect those who live in that home.
Go through every book in your home very carefully, and check for the following. If it falls into one of these categories, or you have doubt about it – sort them out into a pile, and then DISPOSE of these books as soon as possible, and take them out of your home. Or at least take them out of your home and put them in a shed if you can.
It is a very great MITZVAH to remove such sources of Tumah from your home. If some of these books were expensive – discard them anyway, and put aside how much they cost. They are a form of Avodah Zarah, and should be removed immediately.
• Instead, place your EMUNAH (faith) in Hashem, that He will bless all your endeavours, and new, good things, will now be able to come into your life. You might start to feel better in yourself.
The following are some examples:
(a) ‘New Age’ books – (e.g. Indian authors, ‘Shambhala’ publications)
(b) Philosophical books (e.g. by Indian writers such as Deepak Chopra etc)
(c) Yoga/Tai Chi books (qi gong)/yoga magazines &leaflets; tai chi (qigong) magasines & leaflets – these physical exercises are based upon AVODAH ZARAH, and come from a SOURCE OF TUMAH. Practicing yoga or tai chi is harmful to a Jewish person – spiritually, and therefore physically.
Have Emunah (faith) in Hashem that He will help you to find another alternative form of exercise.
(d) Meditation books - by non-Jewish or unorthodox Jewish writers.
Buddism abounds with “meditation.”
Meditation is only for Prophets – it is not for the ordinary man or woman.
(e) Books that appear ok – but contain many idolatrous images and drawings e.g. mathematical or philosophical books interspersed with pictures of dragons; snakes; mandalas; crosses; ‘third eyes’; hindu gods; hindu goddesses; buddas; tibetan gods; egyptian gods; greek gods; stone/gold idols etc etc – THESE SHOULD ALL BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY FROM YOUR HOME.
5. (a) Written “Requests” of the Igrot/Igros (letters of advice written to other people by Rabbi M. Schneerson tz”l during his lifetime);
(b) FAXES and LETTERS “SENT TO” Rabbi M. Schneersohn tz”l after he passed away in 1994 – at the Bet HaChaim (incorrectly referred to as the, “Ohel” by Lubavitch)
(c) Any other written “communications with” tzaddikim at the Bet HaChaim (cemetery), who are not physically alive.
These written requests should all be destroyed. However “nice” or “comforting” or “accurate” the “reply you received” was; or whatever “bracha you received;” or “whatever the date of the letter was;” – these writings should be destroyed. They are pure Avodah Zarah.
There should be NO MEDIATOR between a person’s tefillot (prayers) and Hashem.
If a person chooses to use intercession instead of praying directly to Hashem, this is completely Assur, and forbidden.
6. PHOTOGRAPHS
If you have taken holiday photographs of e.g. Buddist temples, whether on the outside or inside, these are a source of Tumah, and should be discarded. Similarly for buddist celebrations. These places of AVODAH ZARAH completely DENY THE SOVREIGNTY OF HASHEM, the One and Only G-d, and Creator of the World. They should not be in your home.
The same applies to photographs of:
- Churches
- Hindu temples
- Sikh temples
- Greek temples
- Temples/buildings of any other kind of foreign worship.
- Freemasonry
Sort through your photographs, and discard those that relate to Avodah Zarah.
However attached you may feel to these photographs, they should be discarded, as they completely deny the Sovereignty of Hashem.
• Instead, place your EMUNAH (faith) in Hashem, that He will bless all your endeavours, and new, good things, will now be able to come into your life. You might start to feel better in yourself.
7. Discard any other items related in any way to Avodah Zarah. No matter how small and insignificant, or however large e.g. bookmarks with pictures of churches; jewellery and accessories.
SUMMARY:
1. Do not go into any places of idolatry.
2. Discard and remove from your home all stone/wood sculptures e.g. sculptures of:
(a) the human form (“nudes.”)
(b) the human face
(c ) statues – of the human form in particular.
3. Books – discard and destroy all books relating to Avodah Zarah.
4. Photographs – discard and destroy all photographs of Avodah Zarah.
5. Discard any other items you have relating to Avodah Zarah e.g.jewellery.
HOW TO DO TESHUVAH FOR AVODAH ZARAH – once you have removed all sources of Tumah, and Avodah Zarah from your home/life.
CHECKLIST.
1. Say the KETORET twice a week at least (Tefillah, prayer).
The Ketoret has great Kedushah, (holiness) and power to transform all negatives into positives. Say the full text of the Ketoret in the full “Sefarad” version.
If you can say it every day, including Shabbat, this is even better. You can say it as many times as you like during the day.
The Ketoret is said formally 3 times a day in total: twice in the Shacharit, and once during the Minchah prayer.
2. Decide on an amount to give to TZEDAKAH, (charity) in Israel, so that it ‘hurts you’ a little bit. Give to a proper registered charity, such as a hospital or emergency services.
3. MEZUZOT – (Positive Mitzvah, commandment in the Shema – affirming that G-d is ONE, and warning against idolatry.)
Check that:
(a) You have properly affixed a mezuzah on EVERY DOORWAY which needs a mezuzah. This includes archways, patio doors, folding doors, side doors to garden, garden doors.
(b) If any places in your home are lacking a mezuzah, purchase one as soon as possible from a qualilfied Sofer (Scribe), and put it up as soon as possible.
(c) Check that ALL your mezuzot are kosher, as soon as you can. These should be given to a qualified Sofer (scribe) for checking.
(d) Mezuzot should ideally be checked ONCE A YEAR.
4. Travel to the KOTEL in Israel. If you can travel with a group of people who are going for the purposes of Teshuvah, this is even better. The purpose will be to pray, (Tefila and Teshuva), and ask Hashem, Hakadosh Baruch Hu, for His forgiveness, for mechilah.
If a group can be arranged, this will be a greater mitzvah for everyone who joins. If you can go individually to the Kotel, in the meantime, before the group travel, this is also very good.
5. When you have done 1-3 and/or 4 above, (summarised below as well), you should obtain the special BERACHA, (bracha, blessing) of someone who is known to be a TRUE KOHEN/COHEN. This will bring Hashem’s brachot of the material and spiritual blessings directly into your life.
SUMMARY:
1. Say the Ketoret – at least twice a week.
Say the full text of the Ketoret in the full “Sefarad” version.
2. Give Tzedakah to recognised charity in Israel
3. Mezuzot - Have you affixed a mezuzah on every doorway?
- Have you checked that all your mezuzot are kosher?
4. Kotel in Israel – in a group (and individually, if possible)
5. Bracha of a true Kohen/Cohen.
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