Mishpatim - Shekalim 5773

A note from the staff of Kabbalah Online in Tzefat After the reading of Mishpatim this week, an additional section about the half-shekel is also read -- see first two articles. The long discourses in the Zohar about the Jewish doctrine of reincarnation evolve from this week's Torah reading (article #3). In the next article, possible spiritual dimensions of a certain major event in the world this week are explained.
Additional Torah Reading - Shekalim
	Contribution of Maturity From the Ohr HaChaim commentary by Rabbi Chaim (ben Moshe) ibn Attar By the age of 20, one is considered fully equipped to cope with temptation.

	Silver Soul From the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky Jewish mysticism teaches the powerful connection between opposing elements.
First Steps
	Judaism and Reincarnation By Yerachmiel Tilles Kabbalah on Judaism and reincarnation
Culture
	Superbowl and Chassidut By Mordechai Siev In football too, you sometimes have to "give up your body" to break the wedge or throw a down-field block, which is a kind of self-sacrifice for the cause.
Weekly Torah Reading
	Ascending in a Cloud From the teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai; translation & commentary by Moshe Miller The Zohar describes Moses' ascent on Mount Sinai.

	Fertile Soil of Divine Service Adapted from the works of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi Even one's desire to serve G-d is a gift granted as a result of effort invested.
Mystic Story
	A Timely Loan Although Rabbi Schneur Zalman had passed away many years earlier, the Tzemach Tzedek merited to envision his grandfather often.