,

"our father in heaven." When you begin, the prayer

for Israel, those are your first words. God's first description, is as our father, a father who gave us the ability to be free, and to be responsible. He has given us all the windows and opportunities, that we have, and loves us unconditionally. In Parashat Bechucotai, he really takes on his role. He begins with, "if you follow my laws, and faithfully, observe, my commandments." I'm sure, you are all familiar, with the line "if you do BLANK, I will BLANK". That's the way of the world. Cause and effect. If I jump off the empire state building, I will die. Simple as that. Everything you do, effects those around you; that is the main idea, of Bechucotai. God is telling us, that if we defy him, he will do all kinds, of horrible things to us. He takes on his role as a father, in this parasha, because he warns us. Don't play with fire you'll get burned. If I ignore the laws of gravity, and jump off the empire state building, it's not God's fault when I die. It's the way of the world, but he warned me. God created us, with the ability to be free, and responsible. We have the power, to make choices. Unlike animals, we have the ability, to stop, and think before we act. When we don't think though, we become less than animals. There were a few college kids, a few months back, who were beating up, a homeless man, for no apparent reason. Then, the irresponsible idiots, video taped it, and posted the video, on

YouTube. These people, became less than animals, because an animal, does something like that, for one of three reasons. Defend their territory, eat, or if they believe themselves, to be in danger. There was a man, Anatoly Sharansky, in Russia, back when the soviets were around, that refused Russian power. He wanted to continue practicing Judaism, and he didn't care, what the Russians thought of that. He was a well known rebel, and he eventually, got thrown in jail, for 9 years. But when he came out, he said, "You didn't succeed, in making me a prisoner, I was always free. I interacted with other prisoners, occupied myself with random things, but I was free, to sing Jewish songs, and pray in my way. I was free, and my free will, will stay with me, until the end of my days." Sharansky used his free will, to do good, to project a strong image to all the jews, secretly practicing Judaism. On the other hand the college kids used their free will to do bad, they didn't think before doing, they were irresponsible and I hope they either learned their lesson well or will never see the light of day again. These stories show us that the freedom that god gave us to change the course of history can be used for both good and bad. As a father he will punish the college kids, and he rewarded Sharansky by making him a leader in Israel.

In perek verse 44 of parashat Bechucotai, a new problem arrises. God says, "Yet, even then, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or spurn them so as to destroy them, annulling My covenant with them: for I the LORD am their God" After listing all the tortures and punishments and horrible "stuff" that will happen if we disobey him, God comes around and says, "even though I am mad at you, I still love you." when I read this I was like, what? First he's going to destroy us, then he's still going to love us? Sure, okay. If he loves us then he should want us to prosper, right? And he does, I think that God is exactly like a parent, and we are his children. We make a mistake and he gives us a lesser punishment. We make the mistake again, and the punishment is worse, and this goes on and on and on with bigger consequences each time. But, just like a parent, God still loves us unconditionally. God gave us the freedom to make our own choices and decide our own future. What we do with that freedom is up to us but we must always be aware that whatever we do will effect those around us and we will be punished or rewarded accordingly. First and foremost i want to thank Paul Kamoun, my uncle, tu m'a sauver la vie (French). I was in over my head with this speech and all i had to do was explain my problem and he was just there with the solution. I

couldn't have done this without you. Merci. I'd like to thank Hillel Tigay for teaching me to read Torah. Unfortunately he couldn't be here today, be I really couldn't have done this without him. Next I want to thank Cantor Fishman for helping me learn the prayers and encouraging me to do better. I really need to thank Rabbi Kligfeld for helping me with this speech because I am not one of those people who can whip up a speech in ten minutes. I'd like to thank all the teachers and staff in Pressman Academy for teaching me how to be responsible, and know the consequences for my actions. I also want to thank all of my friends for all their support; I couldn't have gotten anything done without you. I thank my family for always being there for me, making me laugh, cry and just making me overall happy. I really want to thank all the family that came all the way from france to be here for my bat mitzvah. Pur qui noura pa de argumant, je vous remerci an ordre alphabetique. Merci Tata Danielle, Joel, Mami Susane, et Sylvie (french). I also want to thank all of my family that couldn't make it here, I love you all and hope to see you soon. Last but definitely not least I want to thank me parents for raising me (DUH!!!) and always supporting me. You pushed me to do my best in preparing for today and excelling in school. Words cannot describe how much I love you two, and of course

Naomi. Everything I said previously applies to all three of you. Shabbat shalom everybody.