IN THE PARSHA

This week is a double Parsha Tetzaveh and Zachor
In Parshas Tetzaveh basically the command to light the Menorah daily, the Priestly garments and Golden Alter are described.
In Parshas Zachor we are told about the command to never forget what Amalek did to us.
The Jewish people had just left Egypt, happy in their salvation and confident in their purpose. They were not threatening anyone, keeping to themselves and doing what they were supposed to do. Yet there are always some people who are bothered by that, either because of jealousy or pure evil. And as I mentioned in a previous post, the Amalek isn’t always from without. Sometimes the Amalek is from within; sadly many Communities have been devastated by conflict and maliciousness from within.
Amalek saw the Jewish people in their splendor and although being evil they were cowards and attacked the Jews from behind, attacked the tired stragglers, attacked sneakily. Cowards can do a lot of damage too.
But the answer to combat Amalek was to STAND STRONG and LOOK UP!
Moses went to stand on top of the hill with his hands up defiantly.
The message is that we must remain firm in our morals and principles.
STAND STRONG and LOOK UP to Hashem.
Often we drift along in life without the need to stand up and commit to what we believe in and require. Events like Amalek help us to define who we are, to solidify our convictions and compel us to further our goals and purpose in the correct Torah way.
That’s why it is a commandment never to forget. That’s why it is a message for the ages.
Rabbi Zev Schwarcz
Rabi do Algarve

The View From the "Shul"

This the view from our Shul which is at a beautiful spot right next to Santa Eulalia Beach the first shop off of the Public Beach parking.
Thanks to the tremendous generosity of the Grand Real Santa Eulalia Hotel.
Someone at shul said that this is probably the most beautiful spot for a shul anywhere in the world.
I haven't been everywhere yet, but I can imagine it may be true
Rabbi Zev Schwarcz
Rabi do Algarve

We Must Be Firm to Fight Amalek

This Shabbos is Parshas Zachor when we are obligated to remember what Amalek did to us.
The Jews just left Egypt, barely cohesive as a nation and Amalek decides to attack them.
Moshe tells Yehoshua to go the next day to fight with Amalek and he will go up and stand on the mountain.
Whenever Moshe, on top of the mountain, raised his hands Bnei Yisroel were stronger but when he put his hands down Amalek was stronger.
The Mishna in Rosh Hashana asks, "V'chi yadav shel Moshe osos milchama?"
"Do the hands of Moshe make war or break war?" Was it actually magic hands of Moshe which made Israel win or lose the war?
"Rather it showed the Bnei Yisroel that when they looked up to Hashem for their answers and devoted their hearts to their Father in Heaven they would succeed, they would win"
Also I believe that the message is that one, especially a leader, needs to stand strong and firm in his principles. Not being wishy washy but being upright and definite in his morals and values. Then the people will follow him and do the correct thing. When Moshe showed strength and conviction by keeping his hands "up", the people were able to be follow and fight the war successfully.
It is really important to know that we must look up to Hashem for our assistance and guidance, and that we must remain determined and resolute in our morals and principles.
Good Shabbos
Rabbi Zev Schwarcz and Family
Rabi do Algarve

Here's a Tu Bishvat Dvar Torah

As it is Tu Bishvat, the new year for the trees, we are technically celebrating the trees. But there is a strong connection between a tree and a human being. And that allegory is made throughout the Talmud. There is a Possuk, verse, in the Torah, where it discusses the rules regarding how to act in a war when entering an enemy's territory you're conquering. The Torah tells us we may not cut down any fruit bearing tree, because "Ha'adam eitz hasadeh". Which is translated to mean that the tree of the field is indispensable to the man. However, the literal translation is "the man is a tree of the field" From there go all the teachings which compare the human to the tree. And all the lessons we learn from that.
Today someone from the community taught me a new comparison with a wonderful lesson.
He said that a tree cannot move, yet it is able to spread it's influence far and wide.
It can spread it's seeds all over to plant new trees and it's fruit can be enjoyed all over the world.
Sometimes we think we are only successful in influencing others if we go out and around "influencing", and sometimes we need to, since we are mobile. Yet the tree teaches us that we can still do a lot of positive, inspiring and motivating, by staying right where we are and being a proper role model doing what we're supposed to do.
Rabbi Zev Schwarcz
Rabi do Algarve