Greetings All!

We’re in the third week of seven weeks between Grain day and Shavuos (“weeks”).   This year let’s celebrate Shavuos when it starts on Sunday evening, June 1.    

Any suggestions on the English name we should give “Shavuos”?  Or what we do for that night?

Torah Tidbit

Parashah Tazria-Metzora, Leviticus 12:1 – 15:33

All the days that the affliction is upon him he shall remain contaminated; he is contaminated.  He shall dwell in isolation; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. -Lev 13:46

This week’s parashah describes the laws surrounding the tzaraas skin, clothing and house afflictions.  Only under certain states of the affliction, often in a certain sequence of appearance, is a Jew or object declared unclean. 

A Jew can only be declared clean or unclean by a priest.  The priest’s inspection is limited by:

When:  Daylight hours only, normal weekdays only – not on sabbath or festivals or if the person was celebrating the first seven days of his/her marriage.

Location on Body:  Only the hands, feet, neck and face could be inspected.  Blemishes elsewhere on the body are ignored.

Who:  This only applies to Jews.  Blemishes on non-Jews are ignored and not considered unclean

Where:  Typically at the temple, where many people were visiting every day

If declared unclean, the victim’s expulsion was only from cities that had walls at the time of Israel entering the land.  Unclean victims were not expelled from unwalled cities and towns, where they could move freely inside them.  

These and other rules blatantly contradict the common thought that tzaraas an infectious disease, i.e. leprosy as it was traditionally perceived.  Rather, tzaraas are G-d’s “touching” the victim in a most special way to strongly encourage repentance for speaking bad of others.  Whenever one gossips (which is always speaking bad of someone), the listeners naturally distance themselves a little in word and deed from the subject of the gossip.  Regular gossiping will eventual isolate the victim, horribly hurting and humiliating them.  G-d’s “touching” the perpetrator – the gossiper – forces them into the same social isolation, pain and humiliation.  It’s measure for measure circumstances that best helps the perpetrator fully repent of their selfish arrogance.  Fascinating how this special touch from G-d only applies to this sin and no others.  Why might that be?

Noahides too should refrain from gossiping as it makes logical sense and is good for us and those around us.   Gossiping tears down others and breaks apart the delicate bonds of our society.  

Noahide Laws For week two of the seven weeks leading up to Shavuos – the giving of Torah on Mt. Sinai – the second Noahide law (really grouping of laws) we’ll talk about is blasephemy.  Blasphemy is denigrating G-d through what we say. The traditional example is blurting out one of G-d’s names in a moment of impulsive anger or frustration.  True enough, but how do we talk (both to others and self-talk) poorly of Him, His ways, and what He’s doing in our worlds?  And how does the audience respond?  Would this not be gossiping about the Creator, heaven forbid?  What might He “feel” when we do so?

Every negative (thou shalt not) Noahide command is offset by a positive command.  What speech would be the positive opposite to “gossiping” about G-d?  

Festival of Weeks
The Festival of Weeks (Shavous) begins on the evening of Sunday June 1.  For the Jews this festival commemorates God giving the Torah to the Jews on Mt. Sinai.     

For the rest of the world, this day commemorates God’s giving of the Torah to the Jews on Mt. Sinai.
Explaining further…

Torah Tidbit

In the beginning God communicated all or parts of the seven Noahide Laws to Adam and Eve.  Unfortunately by the time of Noah mankind had forgotten and/or ignored the laws, resulting in total corruption of not just man but all the earth.  God then cleansed the world with water and renewed the laws and a covenant with Noah and his descendants.  Again, within a few centuries almost all of mankind had forgotten these laws and the covenant with God.  However a small band of dedicated Noahides persevered and were specially protected by God.  Eventually these people became the nation of Israel.  In that process God miraculously rescued Israel out of slavery in Egypt and soon after issued a more extended set of laws and covenant to Israel at Mt. Sinai.

He also reiterated the Noahide laws to Israel and renewed the expectation that mankind should follow these laws.  Since then, Israel by default has been the sole possessor of them, for no other group or groups of peoples have taken on the Noahide laws and preserved them through the generations.  Our society honors some of the laws to a greater extent but others are only partially considered and some are not known.  Until only a few decades ago in our culture, a solely Jewish law was partially honored like a Noahide law.

Which is why the acknowledgment of the Noahide laws issuing from Sinai is important.  Sinai, via Israel, is the source of the laws and how we implement them in our lives.

In this context the meaning and intent of the word “laws” get lost within all of our other cultural and personal experiences.  Perhaps considering them “expected codes of conduct” will help make them more relevant.  For as one digs into the Noahide laws, applications to everyday life appear.   

The first grouping we’ll address is establishing courts of justice.  Probably never, across all nations and time, have any courts enforced all the Noahide laws and our judicial system is no different.  That brings up two basic questions:

1) Does our judicial system in any way satisfy the “establishing courts of justice”?  

2) If it doesn’t, how does a Noahide fit into it?  

The discussion over the ages is varied and technical, but the contemporary consensus is that yes, in the main our judicial system satisfies this commandment, which means Noahides are accountable to it.  We may discuss this more on Thursday.

Have a great week!

Torah Portion

Vayikra (and he called), Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26
God calls Moses into the newly constructed Tabernacle and instructs Moses on how offerings are to be done.  
“Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them:  When a man amoung you brings an offering to Hashem from animals – from the cattle or from the flock shall you bring your offering.”  Leviticus 1:2

The Delight is in the Details

When a man… The Hebrew for “man” here is “adam”, the name for man when considering him in the context of creation, compared to rocks, trees, fish, spiders, stars, etc.  “Human” would be a better translation and like “adam” includes both sexes (see its use in Genesis 1:27).  When considering  man and woman in the context of human society “ish” and “ishah” are normally used.  The use of “adam” is strikingly odd, but that’s just what God wants – He is telling all generations of Jews that their tabernacle is to be open to any and all humans, regardless of race, sex or religion, who wish to draw closer to God in that unique setting. 
…among you… This qualifier after the broad term for mankind applies only to the Jews.  Only Jews who are part of their community (typically at least nominally observant) are welcome.  Of course there’s always exceptions to the rule and numerous nuances of interpretation that provided much grace, but nonetheless it is there for the Jews only.  …brings an offering…  The Hebrew root for both words is “krav”, which means the intentional drawing closer to something or someone.  A classic use is in Psalm 145 “the Lord is close (krav) to all who call upon Him”.  A more literal translation might be, “comes near with a ‘come nearer’”.  Using the typical English words “sacrifice” and even “offering” imply appeasement of a god who will make our lives worse if we don’t provide the offering, or perhaps we may improve our situation by currying favor with the god.  These concepts are the most opposite of the truth and essence of this activity.  In fact, all activities in the tabernacle and its courtyard are for primarily getting closer to God.  
An offering is a way, but not the way, to get close to God.  In fact, God hasn’t allowed them for the past 2000 years.  What counts more and is a necessary prerequisite for an offering?  Prayer.  God delights and savors any communication we initiate with Him.  When appealing to God at the dedication of the temple, Solomon repeatedly emphasizes prayer and only obliquely refers to sacrifices once. (I Kings 8:27-50).  For Rebecca and Hanna, God heeded their prayers – not offerings.  Through Isaiah God tells us that His house will be a “house of prayer to all peoples”.  Through prayer (and no sacrifices) Moses lead Israel in successful repentance for the Golden Calf.
So stop now and talk to God.  Do it while you are still here and able to do so!

Back in the USSR

This joke was told in Russia during the Cold War era and may still apply today.
An American dog, a Polish dog and a Russian dog we chatting one day.  The American dog says, “When I bark enough my owner sometimes give me a piece of meat.”  The Polish dog says, “What’s meat?”.  The Russian dog says, “What’s bark?”.

Have a great week!
Neil

Torah Tidbit

Vayigash (and (he) approached), Genesis 44:18 – 47:27
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.  Jacob and his complete family then move to and settle in Egypt. Joseph leads Egypt through the remainder of the famine.
“I am Joseph your brother – it is me, whom you sold into Egypt.  And now, be not distressed, nor reproach yourselves for having sold me here, for it was to be provider that God sent me ahead of you.” – Genesis 45:4-5

Walking the Walk

Joseph and King David share similar fates – rejected and ostracized by their brothers, having to “settle” with menial work (house servant, shepherd, etc.) for years, harsh treatment from employers, then sudden rise to the ruler over Israel (and Egypt for Joseph).  Through it all their walk with God expanded and grew immensely.  How did they do it?  Again, gratitude had to be a key tool, just as it was once they reached the pinnacle of leadership.  
One does not suddenly become thankful upon acquiring incredible political power, often it’s just the opposite.  Rather, Joseph and David thanked God every hour, every day.  Each expression of gratitude gradually built up their trust in God and opened their eyes to His workings and opportunities.  
We probably won’t be rulers of nations.  If we’re honest with ourselves, we don’t always rule ourselves very well.  So let’s start there.  Let’s improve the ruling of ourselves by increasing the exercise of gratitude.  Momentarily pause right now – seriously, stop reading! – to thank the Creator for whatever is at hand.  
Now do the same tomorrow before leaving for work.  Do it again at lunch – getting a cup of coffee – going to the gym – picking up the kids – just before walking into the house at the end of the day.  Do that for a few days and I promise you will begin to see things a little brighter and respond accordingly to the circumstances encountered.  Just like Joseph, we live in a materialistic self-loathing culture that discourages a positively balanced attitude.  Every day we must fight to overcome and happiness – true joy – is key to winning.

The Anointed One

The Jewish Messiah – anointed one – will share similar life experiences with those described above for Joseph and David.  Like them he will:
– Be born and raised within the Jewish people, with solid Jewish ancestry- Have a wife and children- Acquire a deep knowledge and love for Torah observance and its richness- Be virtually unknown and unappreciated prior to his ascendancy- Suddenly arise from within the Jewish people- Becomes a true prophet 
These are good to keep in mind as we approach the end of the age.  Otherwise we may very well miss the significance of this event – or worse yet, be fooled by an imposter.

Be Well!
– Neil

Torah Tidbit

Mikeitz (at the end), Genesis 40:1 – 44:17
Joseph interprets Pharoah’s dream and becomes second in command of all of Egypt.  He leads a massive food storage campaign, then sells back the food to the people once the famine grows severe.  In the footsteps of their grandfather, Jacob’s sons visit Egypt to purchase food.  Joseph recognizes them and tests them on both visits, culminating in threatening imprisonment of Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest son and only other child of Rachel.

“Now let Pharaoh seek out a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:33

Walking the Walk

Joseph arrived in Egypt at the age of 17, as a slave, with no resources or support other than what he had learned with papa Jacob and the rest of the family.  He works his way up to be in charge of a wealthy household, second in command to only the owner.  He is tossed in prison on a false accusation, but once again works his way up to become second in command, handling all logistics within the prison.  Now on a seemingly happenstance occurrence he arrives yet again at the position of second in command, this time to Pharaoh.  
Joseph’s experiences are not unlike Jacob’s – driven from their homeland, penniless, with only the clothes on their backs.  Yet they prosper in all ways – supportive wives, like-minded children, faithful servants and material wealth.  But most importantly they prospered in their character development and relationship with the Almighty.  How did they do it?  Yes, God was with them, but they had to contribute their fair share, just like all the rest of us.  
They had acquired the habits and mindsets to see God in all that they encountered. Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, they thanked Him for all that He brought their way and sought guidance from Him on how to best respond to what He brought them.  They had no books or websites to draw inspiration and guidance, instead they recalled discussions and lessons learned in the land of Canaan.  Perhaps they journaled those experiences, along with those currently being endured and referred to entries from time to time.  They set aside regular time, in spite of long work days, to review their progress with Him.  They carried with them the timing of festivals (including Sabbath), faithfully commemorating them at their due time.  They had no friends when first arriving in the foreign lands, but most likely acquired true friends by looking for opportunities to help others.  They were dutiful employees, seeing within their employment opportunity to serve the Creator by serving their employer.
We Noahides often walk a lonely path knowing few, if any, who are like-minded.  We chose this path as adults, aware of the lack of community and traditions we would now face.  However, just like Jacob and Joseph, we also have ongoing opportunity to develop our relationship with the Creator through all that we encounter.  And unlike Jacob and Joseph, we have many books and websites that guide and inspire.  It’s up to us to make the most of our lives and we can do much.  

Be strong out there!

Greetings All!!   

Torah Tidbit

Vayeira (and (he) appeared), Genesis 18:1 – 22:24

God sends emissaries/angels to Abraham and Sarah, telling them they will have a son in a year and the impending doom for Sodom and Gomorrah.  Lot is rescued from Sodom and Sodom is wiped out.  Abraham and Sarah move to Phillista and go through another episode of the king taking Sarah.  Hagar and Ishmael are sent away.  Abraham offers Issac as a sacrifice.  Uuf dah!

“But now, return the man’s wife for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live, but if you do not return her, be aware that you shall surely die: you and all that is yours.”  ….Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his maids, and they were relieved. – Genesis 20:7,17

Walking the Walk

God arranged a unique trial not just for Abraham and Sarah, but also for Abimelech and his people.  Although Abimelech should not have taken Sarah against her will, he must have led a decently moral life for God to warn him and provide a way to rectify the error.  As part of the correction, God requires that Abimelech ask Abraham to pray for him, that Abimelech and his household be healed.  Abraham does so and all are restored to full health.

Previously in Vayeira, God creates another situation that encourages Abraham to pray for others by personally presenting the looming doom for the cities down in the valley.  God knows full well what Abraham will say, yet I still see God “smiling” and delighting in Abraham’s repeated queries abut the righteous who remain in the cities.  Once again, Abraham’s prayers positively affect the lives of others who attempt to live a moral life yet let their desires get the best of them.

In both situations, God doesn’t need Abraham’s prayers.  The Holy One can achieve His objectives in an infinite number of ways.  So why the praying?  Because He does want – dare I say crave? – us to talk to Him, work out issues with Him, learn how to consider others with Him.  The Hebrew word for prayer in the Abimelech story is “hispallel”.  We’ve talked previously about how “pallel” is the work of a judge – sifting through stories and evidence to get to the truth of the matter – and the “his” means the judge is working on oneself.  R. Hirsch notes that “pallel” is closely related to “ballel”, a root word describing the thorough mixing of a new ingredient into some substance – think cold butter into dough or adding a little more Portland into wet cement.  Hirsch observes that in prayer one “ballels” God’s divine truth into whatever one is struggling to understand and work through.  And the cool side benefit?  Others can benefit from our efforts!

So once again read these two stories with this in mind, watching Abraham do just that with the news about Sodom and Abimelech’s behavior.  

Science Catches up with the Bible

Although the Bible describes human and natural history, it should not be considered a history book or scientific reference.  However, it is refreshing to see when science works with Biblical descriptions.  Here’s a recent scientific report on the destruction of the Dead Sea area – Sodom and Gomorrah.

https://news.yahoo.com/giant-space-rock-demolished-ancient-104834793.html. – normal news article

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-97778-3  – in-depth science report, worth the read if you have time

Be well!

Neil

Torah Tidbit

Bereshis (in the start/beginning), Genesis 1:1 – 6:8

God creates all out of nothing, God creates man, tests man in the Garden of Eden, man fails, nine generations pass by and Noah appears.

In the beginning of God’s creating the heavens and the earth – when the earth was astonishingly empty, with darkness upon the surface of the deep, and the Divine Presence hovered upon the surface of the waters – God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  – Genesis 1:1-3

Walking the Walk

Ever see something appear from nothing?  You certainly have if you’ve seen a magic trick involving slight of hand.  Pulling rabbits out of hats, making a coin appear behind someone’s ear, a handkerchief disappears from one hand and shows up in the other.  When watching such things, it’s interesting how our minds naturally assume it’s a trick, because deep down within us we know that something can’t actually be formed from nothing.  Yet the existence of all that we see is the result of an incomprehensible amount of something appearing from nothing. That’s what the Big Bang theory is all about.  For years many scientists fought against this theory because the implication is immediate – something beyond the cosmos must have brought all into existence.  That Something did so by overriding all of the laws of thermodynamics, bringing massive amounts of energy, matter and order out of lower energy chaotic non-existence.   

Look around, wherever you are at the moment.  Seriously, look up and around you. Now imagine – it all came from a point smaller than pinhead.  Look around again and think about that – all from the size of a pinhead.  Think about it as you’re driving to work tomorrow, enjoying some water cooler talk, banging on a PC, chatting with the grocery check-out clerk.  All from a pinhead.

Why would God want it written that each act of His creating started with speech?   Why doesn’t the Bible just say, “He made XYZ. QED.  ‘Nuff said.”  How might the purpose and behavior of speech best describe the physical manifestations of God’s will?

God Spoke

Rabbi Zusya rarely heard his teacher’s sermon to the end.  For when the Great Storyteller (Dov Baer of Metzerich) began his lesson with a scripture that contained “God spoke”, Rabbi Zusya was overcome with ecstasy and screamed and gesticulated so wildly that he had to be taken out of the room.  He then stood in the hall, beating his hands against the wall, crying “And God said!”  But the truth is, if one speaks in the spirit of truth and listens in the spirit of truth, one word is enough.  And with that word the world can be uplifted and redeemed. – Rabbi Israel of Rizhyn

Greetings All!!

I hope you’ll forgive me for taking a break from newsletters this summer.  But I’m back now, for today (Monday) begins The Month of Preparation (Elul) for The Annual Review (Rosh Hashanah) on September 7.  It’s once again time to wake ourselves up, in spite of a good month of lazy summer remaining, and get back to work on improving ourselves with God and His ways.

Torah Tidbit

Deuteronomy 4:1-11:25 (Parashas Vayeschanan and Eikev)

After reviewing their experiences since leaving Egypt, Moses delivers a heartfelt personal appeal to every Israelite to be vigilant for their own benefit:

“Only beware for yourself and greatly beware for your soul, lest you forget the things you have beheld and lest you remove them from your heart…”

“But you shall greatly beware for your souls, for you did not see any likeness on the day Hashem spoke to you at Horeb…”

“Beware for yourselves lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God…”

“…beware for yourself lest you forget Hashem…”

“Beware lest you forget Hashem, your God…”

“Beware for yourselves, lest your heart be seduced and you turn astray and serve gods of others…”

(Ibid 4:9, 4:15, 4:23, 6:2, 8:11, 11:16)

Walking the Walk

The Hebrew word for beware (“shemar”) is the same word used elsewhere for guarding something, such as “…if the Lord will not guard (shemar) the city, in vain is the watchman vigilant (shomer).”  Why is the watchman watching?  He is protecting the city’s possessions from being taken and the overthrow of the city’s ways of governing itself and its society’s modes of conduct.  In other words, he is protecting the city’s wealth and its ways of living.

So it is with Israel – they have an incredible wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience as to God and His instructions for living life to its fullest.  This wealth in turn dictates and guides how they are to govern themselves and behave as individuals and a society.  No nation can overcome them if they protect and practice these ways of living; if not, their natural degeneracy creates a power vacuum that draws in conquering nations.  Moses repeatedly stresses both the great wealth they have acquired and the need for active vigilance to retain and grow it.

We too have acquired a good amount of knowledge and experience through our study and application of God’s ways for us gentiles – the Noahide path.  During this month of preparation take the time to look back over the past few years at what you have learned and acquired in mind, heart and soul.  From Bloomenstiel’s lessons to Lapin’s prosperity to Brody’s emuna – value it, thank God for it, be inspired by it, renew your commitment to it.  Then brainstorm with God about a simple way you can implement – and maintain – a change in how you receive and respond to a persistent annoyance in your life.

And Regarding Wealth…

“It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service. But idleness taxes many of us much more, if we reckon all that is spent in absolute sloth, or doing of nothing, with that which is spent in idle employments or amusements, that amount to nothing. Sloth,by bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens life. ‘Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used key is always bright’, as Poor Richard says. But ‘dost thou love life, then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of’, as Poor Richard says.”

            – Benjamin Franklin, from “The Way to Wealth”, a narrative compiling many maxims on wealth from his “Poor Richard’s” Almanacs

Have a great week!

Neil

Torah Tidbit

Parashah Shelach (send out), Numbers 13:1-15:41

Upon God’s “suggestion”, Moses and Israel send spies into the land of Canaan.  The spies bring back a bad and misleading report, Israel buys it and God delays their entry into the promised land by 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  God commands Moses regarding offerings and other activities to be performed in the land.

“Hashem said to Moses, ‘How long will this people provoke Me, and how long will they not have faith in Me, despite all the signs that I have performed in their midst?  I will smite them with the plague and annihilate them, and I shall make you a greater and more powerful nation than they.’” – Numbers 14:11-12

Walking the Walk

Here we go again with the cycle of Israel falling away from God, God jerks their chain and Israel repents. But this time, God reacts in an all too typical human – “that’s it, I’ve had enough of you idiots!  I can’t take any more!”  Like us humans, He appears to be surprised by this event.

But is He surprised?  Of course not, He saw that day coming from an eternity away.  He sustained and guided each and every Israelite to that event.  Every moment of their lives He was well aware of their thoughts, along with all their bodily functions and health.  “From His dwelling place He oversees all inhabitants of the earth. He Who fashions their hearts together, Who comprehends all their deeds.”  (Psalm 33).  

So why the charade of acting like a frustrated and exhausted parent who threatens but has no real intention of serving punishment?  Drive home to Israel the punishment they truly deserve.  All of them could relate as humans (especially as parents) to how God expressed Himself, helping them take to heart both the level of their offense and how much they hurt the One who loves them so much.  Perhaps they had elevated themselves enough such that this method of communication would now resonate with them.

It also provided a clear example of how one righteous person, through prayer and other means, can save the lives of many. “And Hashem said, ‘I have forgiven because of your words’” (v. 20). Moses pleaded that the nation not be destroyed, yet also left room for the destruction of the perpetrators should God so choose.  And that’s how it worked out, with forty years more of desert training added for Israel’s ultimate benefit and survival.

We live in an age overflowing with opportunities to pray for others.  Do we?  Or do we just shake our heads and fuss over it?  Let’s make it harder – what about those in government?  How much more so should we be praying for them too. “Pray for the welfare of the government, for if people did not fear it a person would swallow his neighbor alive” (Ethics of the Fathers).  Especially in this day and age do all governments in our country need our honest help.  For us who walk with the Creator, it is incumbent on us to do so, starting with prayer. 

Had God Followed Plan A

Father: Son, you were adopted. 

Son: What?! I knew it! I want to meet my biological parents!
Father: We are your biological parents. Now pack up, the new ones will pick you up in 20 minutes.

Meanwhile at the White House 

“I Pray Heaven To Bestow The Best Of Blessings On This House And All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof.”   -John Adams, in a letter written to Abigail Adams from the President’s House in 1800.  This quote was engraved on the mantel of the White House State Dining Room in 1945 during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Have a great week!

Torah Tidbit

Parashah Tzav (command someone), Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36

God further instructs Moses on acceptable offerings and how to perform them.  The priests perform the first seven days of their eight day consecration/induction ceremony.

“You shall not consume any blood, in any of your dwelling places, whether from fowl or from animas.  Any person who consumes any blood – that soul will be cut off from its people.”  – Leviticus 7:26-27

Walking the Walk

This parashah’s contents is really for the Jews only.  As for the above verse, non-Jews actually have the opposite instruction.  Using God’s instructions to Noah as a reinforcement to the laws received at Sinai,

“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you, like the green herbage I have given you everything.  But flesh, with its soul its blood you shall not eat.”  – Genesis 9:3-4

the sages derive that non-Jews are prohibited from taking flesh from an animal that is alive, or as the verse states, still has the soul clinging to it.  Some basic details:

1. Flesh (baser) is meat.  Skin, tendons, bone, blood, etc. are not considered meat and so can be taken from the animal while it is alive.  However that action is prohibited as cruelty to animals.
2. The blood is mentioned separately from the meat.  This implies that the prohibition is restricted to animals for which Torah distinguishes the meat from the blood – essentially all mammals that reproduce on land save for mice, moles, voles, etc.  Reptiles, amphibians, insects, arachnids and all aquatic life are exempt.  
3. Yes, blood can be eaten.  So go enjoy that haggis this weekend.

Note that non-Jews receive absolutely no spiritual merit by adopting any of the Jewish kosher laws and instead might bring harsh judgement upon themselves.  Instead of doing that, take more care to make sure the meat you buy was not taken from the animal before its soul had fully left the body.  With each meat meal, make an effort to appreciate how HaShem nourishes using that meat.   

One of the most difficult areas in our lives to control is what we eat – look at how Adam and Eve got evicted from the Garden. God’s expectations for our self-control regarding the eating of meat is ultimately a gift that will help us gain self-control in the rest of our eating habits.

By the way, any non-Jew may bring a sacrifice to the Temple.  However, offerings are limited to elevation offerings, where the whole animal is burnt and none is eaten.  Although Jews can only bring offerings to the Temple and no other location, a non-Jew may offer an elevation offering anywhere, whether the Temple exists or not (Talmud Zevachim 115b)!  However, for a great many reasons the sages strongly advise against doing so (Ramban, Rashi, Tosafos, etc., etc.).

Have a great week!