Editorial 10.03.2022

Dear Parent,

כָל דְּבַשׁ לֹא תַקְטִירוּ מִמֶּנּוּ אִשֶּׁה לַה’ … עַל כָּל קָרְבָּנְךָ תַּקְרִיב מֶלַח

Our parsha tells us that we are not allowed to add honey to a korban (sacrifice) but must add salt. Why?

Even though honey and salt are both used to flavour foods, they each have a very different effect. Honey serves to sweeten and distort the natural flavour of the food whereas salt helps bring out the natural flavour.

Helping each child identify his strengths and weaknesses is a critical role of parenting and chinuch. So is helping the child have the confidence to become who he or she can become and not imitate another.

This is something we really strive for at Hasmonean.

The Gemara (Berachos 17a) tells us that when the Chachomim took leave of each other they would say: “Olomecho tireh bechayecho. May you see your world during your lifetime.” What exactly does that mean?

Rav Shimon Schwab, explained this Gemara as follows. The word Olomecho (your world) is connected to the word he’elomecha (the part of you which is concealed). A person’s world is the part of him which has not yet seen light of day, the part that is still potential. Realising that full potential is the work of a lifetime.

This was the blessing our Chachomim wished each other. May you see the world during your lifetime. May you achieve during your sojourn in this world the full realisation of all the potential Hashem has invested in you.

Realising that potential requires salt, not honey.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi J Golker
Menahel