Shalom!

Acharei Mot contains a chapter that most of us pass over quickly.  It is a detailed listing of all sexual perversions.  Most of us would say, it doesn't really apply to us.  Yet if we take a careful look, we see that more and more of these prohibitions seem to be looked upon with tolerance in our societies.  One thing, however, is clear. YHWH does not see them as minor.  They are downright detestable - a total abomination.  

On a positive note, He says "If a person does obey my statutes and my judgments, He will live through them!" (Vayikra/Leviticus 18:5)

Acharei Mot -2019 takes a look at where these perversions came from and why it is important to see things through the eyes of our Creator.  

Last Shabbat, a gunman opened fire at the Chabad Sanctuary in Poway, California, killing 60-year-old Lori Gilbert Kaye and injuring three others.  Rabbi Goldstein who  had his index finger blown off in the attack, spoke to the media in a very emotional account of the incident.  You can hear it in its entirety here - We must battle darkness with light.

And one more thing...something that's happening in my own home state of Iowa.  The students of a small town here are trying to collect 1.5 million postcards (for the 1.5 million Jewish children who were killed) from around the world after learning that one of their residents was a pen-pal of Anne Frank's.  The idea for collection postcards came after learning that Anne collected postcards. 

They have a museum now in Danville, dedicated to Anne and where children can learn about the Holocaust and remember it.  Your postcards will be displayed there.  More information can be found here -  Anne Frank's Iowa Connection and here - Anne Frank Postcard Project.  You can send a postcard telling a little about yourself and your interest in the Holocaust to this address - Danville Schools - 419 S Main Street - Danville, Iowa - 52623 USA.  Thanks so much!  Postcards from around the world or from Israel would be so special!

Shabbat Shalom!
Ardelle