Through toil

The Pasuk tells us that the oil for the Menorah must be pure, without sediments. This was accomplished by plucking the olives from the top of the tree (where they received the most sunshine). They also pressed them with a mortar rather than grinding them in a mill in order for them to be pure. This was only necessary for the oil of the Menorah. However, concerning the oil used for Menachos - Meal Offerings - Chazal say, "Kasis LaMaor" - "ViLo Kasis LaMinachos" - Pressing was only necessary for the light of the Menorah but not for the oil of Menachos.

The Gemorrah in Megillah 6b states that if one says, "Lo Yagati Umatsasi Al Taamen" - "If one says that he did not toil in Torah but still found success in Torah - do not believe him. The reason being, Torah can only be acquired through great toil. Therefore, do not believe the one who says that he became a Talmud Chachom without working for it. The Ksav Sofer explains this phenomenon with the Drasha of Chazal -, "Kasis LaMaor" - "ViLo Kasis LaMinachos".

"Kasis LaMaor" - one must press himself and toil for the light of the Torah. However, "ViLo Kasis LaMinachos" - for a livelihood (Menachos) he does not have to toil. He just has to make his Hishtadlus and the rest is from Hashem. One can work the minimum and become wealthy and visa versa one can work day and night and still remain poor. His toil is not the key to his success. http://www.thejewisheye.com/rev_ptetzaveh.html

Incorporating Compassion Into Our Lives

Jewish author remains in Austrian jail despite discovery of key papers

The message - the way

Torah Wellsprings - Terumah

Parhsas Terumah - Balance; The Way of the Torah Scholar

Parshas Terumah - The Message Of The Keruvim

Parshas Terumah - Holy Sisters: Keeping it Together

Joining together

Parashat Teruma: Joining Together to Build the Mishkan

Rabbi Manis Releases New eBook

Brooklyn Museum Serves Kosher

Two Illinois student-athletes have been suspended for their alleged involvement in vandalizing an on-campus Jewish center.
Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/sport-news/4694396-illinois-athletes-suspended-vandalize-jewish-center-campus-ruby-rivera-big-ten-softball

A Palestinian band praised bus bombings and called for the resumption of suicide attacks against Israelis in a music video published online on Sunday.
Continue reading: http://www.thetower.org/2943-we-want-the-dead-to-fill-the-streets-palestinian-band-praises-bus-bombings/?utm_content=buffer4432a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

צפו: מלכות שרו 'לחיים' לילדים החולים

Rebbe's letters

Getting Beyond Kvetch

100 Rebbe's Letters Found in Home

Vassar Jewish Studies Sponsors Demonization of Israel … Again

Chadrei Charedim reports in Hebrew about one individual's reaction to opening a Reform siddur at the Kotel .

You Don't Know What Obama Said at the Mosque

Email: The Atlantic Reporter Agreed to Tailor Article to Clinton Spokesman’s Demands

Rosh Chodesh Adar

Bank customers targeted in new 'smishing' scam

Ahead of New York Fashion Week, the Jewish prayer shawl goes chic

"הצוואה של ילד בן 14 שנפטר מסרטן: "לא נכנעתי בלי מאבק

Building an edifice – T’rumah

שנים שיש אדר א' ואדר ב' אנחנו זוכים ל60 ימי אדר והרבי מלובביץ' אומר מי שמצליח להיות בשמחה במשך ה-60 יום של אדר כל העיניינים הלא טובים שלו יהיו בטלים שהרי זה ״בטל ב-60״ היום זה תחילת אדר א - אז תחייכו חיוך גדול ותהיו בשמחה כי ע״י שמחה יוצאים מכל המיצרים!!! חודש מבורך ומלא שמחה חודש טוב ומוצלח

 תפילה נפלאה לחודש טוב ומבורך

To court or not to court

Watch: California Rabbi Yehoshua Gordon OBM shares a powerful message the Rebbe sent his family after losing a loved one.

A British man who in 2009 traveled to Gaza with an aid convoy led by far-left British politician George Galloway has been identified as a member of an execution cell that was formerly led by Islamic State’s “Jihadi John.”
Read more: http://www.algemeiner.com/2016/02/08/gaza-aid-activist-from-britain-linked-to-slain-isis-executioner-jihadi-john/

At around the same time an article was published titled Army promotional video courts Haredi youth, there is another one titled Haredi soldier to be court martialed for not saluting a woman.

Woman with walker

Brazilian Clinic Advises Pregnant Women Wear Burqas as Zika Protection

Wedding Speeches for Terumah

I was engrossed in producing this post, typing away at a computer at a hotel lobby, when I heard a woman shuffling along with her walker. I made room so she could pass and continued staring at the computer screen. It took me about half a minute to realize that the woman was having trouble negotiating entering the lift. I tore my eyes from the screen and ran to help her, escorting her to the seventh floor and holding the door for her as she made her way to her room. She told me a little about her circumstances and she thanked me for being so helpful. As I rode the lift to the lobby, I reflected on the simple human interaction that took place. I was sorry that I had been so busily involved in technology that my mind didn't register a human in need. I resolved to do better next time and to place the emphasis on what really matters.

Walking in his shoes

A group of Israeli high school students say they have gained new perspective after walking in the shoes of their school’s cleaner one night.
Read more: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/02/07/high-school-classmates-wanted-to-surprise-the-school-cleaner-with-a-gift-but-first-they-had-to-do-something-theyve-never-done-before/

New York, New York

New Republic opines, Ted Cruz confirms that “New York values” is code for “Jewish.”

Go Ahead: Fake It till You Make It

PM: Israel will bring to justice those who burned Torah scrolls

One and a half

Panel Discussion on Campus Anti-Semitism with Alan Dershowitz - Jan 18, 2016 - worthwhile watching.

Israel’s plant nurseries face stiff fines for employing Jews on Shabbat

"And the dimensions of the Aaron should be - two and half Amos its length, one and a half Amos its width, and one and a half Amos its height." Why are the dimensions of the Aaron in half Amos (the Shulchan's dimensions by way of comparison are 2 Amos x 1 Amah)? The Baal HaTurim says that Chazal teach that the Aaron represents Torah. The significance of halves is to teach us, one must break himself (in half) over the Torah. In order to reach a high level in Torah, one can not sit back and relax. Rather, he must be "Maymis Atzmo Aleha" - kill himself over toiling in Torah.

The Kli Yakar offers a different answer. Since the Aaron represents Torah, halves are representing the fact that even an accomplished Talmid Chachom is never finished learning. There is always more to learn and understand. A person is never more than a fraction of the way to completing the Torah. http://revach.net/tefila/article.php?id=1803