To truly be Alive

What does it mean to be truly alive?

A story is told, of a king who's son fell deathly ill. All of
the greatest doctors were brought in to the palace to try their luck
at finding a remedy for the sick prince. But to no avail.
As the prince's health worsened, the King was becoming more & more
distraught. Until finally one doctor spoke: "My king, there is 1
remedy that perhaps can save your son. It isn't for certain, and it
requires you to give up something precious. I need the crown jewel on
the top of your crown. I will grind it up and put it into water for
the prince to drink. Perhaps it can heal him."
The king answered, "for my only son! of course take it! what's the
point of my crown jewel if there isn't my only precious son!?"
This analogy was given by the "Alter Rebbe", the founder of 'Chassidus
Chabad', to explain why Chassidus, the inner dimension of Torah,
needed to be revealed. The Jewish people in these last generations,
under the constant attack of outside enemies, along with the inside
problem of assimilation, need this precious jewel to infuse our
Yiddishkeit with life and vibrancy.
SO what is Chassidus?

Just like our body needs food to nourish it and keep it happy, our
souls need "food" as well to feel satisfied. But the soul doesn't
enjoy ketchup and mustard. What it wants and needs is spiritual
nourishment. This "food" it enjoys is Torah; specifically, its inner
dimension, Chassidus. This is the essence of Torah. Therefore, because
of its nature as essence, Chassidus is often likened to oil: On one
hand, it itself is beyond any one thing (oil rises to the top of any
liquid it enters). On the other hand, it permeates every single
aspect. Chassidus is the secret dimension of Torah (oil is hidden
inside the olive). What are some of these secrets? Chassidus shows us
the uniqueness and preciousness of every Jew. How we are truly 1 w/
G-d, like an "only son born to parents in their old age." How loving a
fellow Jew is the entrance to a relationship with G-d. How serving G-d
with Joy is greater than all else. How there is no place devoid of
Hashem's Presence. The physical world and G-d don't contradict; rather
all physicality is permeated by G-dliness. The world is G-d's
painting. Where can one hope to look for the artist? in his painting.

Specifically, when a Jew does a "Mitzvah," he feels he's doing a
"commandment" of Hashem. Kiddush was drunk? Matzah eaten? Mitzvah
accomplished? case closed. Chassidus teaches us that every time a Jew
does a mitzvah, he is in direct connection with his Creator. "Mitzvah"
means "tzavsa" - "connection". One is connecting with his Infinite G-d
at the time of a mitzvah. So much so, that Jewish law states you must
stand in front of any Jew, regardless of his level or stature, when
amidst doing a mitzvah! (see Ch. 46 of Tanya)
And in any case, why do I learn Torah and perform Mitzvos, and serve
Hashem in the 1st place? for reward in the afterlife? True, this is a
direct outcome. But We really serve Hashem in order to please our
Father, and ultimately, in order to form this world into a dwelling
place, a home, for Hashem. Chassidus shows us the beauty of Torah and
Mitzvos; not because we have to. Rather, because we want to.

Ultimately, Chassidus teaches us that G-d is Everywhere. It makes us
realize "there is no place devoid of Him." If you're lost in Tijuana,
sitting on a couch of a party, or praying in synagogue, G-d is there.
No place is devoid of His Presence. Not only that, but Chassidus
revolutionizes the look at "Divine Providence": that every single
thing that happens in this world, from a joyful job promotion to an
annoying traffic jam, to the stubbing of your toe, is all directed by
G-d. Everything.
By knowing this, a Jew becomes alive. He sees Hashem's Hand in
everything. How He truly watches over us,and how important our mission
in this world is. How every act we do can literally change the world
enormously for the better. With
1 good deed, speech, or even thought, one can bring the Redemption,
our ultimate goal.

Chassidus emphasizes how small are the "great", and how truly great
are the "small." A voiceless cry from a Jew's depths when in a tough
situation, pierces all heavens and breaks all gates, straight to
Hashem. This is something the most religious and greatest Torah
scholar wishes to have. It makes sense, because we are all G-d's
Beloved children.
To know this truth is to live. This knowledge keeps us vitalized and
warm. It infuses us with truth and meaning in this often-times
confusing world.

This is what it means to be truly alive.

(you can contact your local chabad Rabbi to learn more, or read up
yourself: chabad.org. You also can always call me: 858-452-6205 if you
want to learn a bit. I'm home now for Chanuka, feel free to call
anytime! (I have menorahs if you need also)
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Channukah!

-daniel

The King and His Prince

It's told, that there was once a great king, who lived in a royal
palace and ruled a vast empire. This king had an only son, an only
prince.
Life went along great, as the prince basked in the love of his father
the king, inside his beautiful palace.
One day, the king was found deeply engrossed in thought. What was the
issue at hand? The king needed a mission to be accomplished. Not any
ordinary mission however: This mission depended on someone special,
someone who could accomplish only what the king himself would be able
to accomplish; yet the king himself could not go! What would the king
do? And then it hit him: his son the prince! He could be trusted. He
had royal blood and he could be counted on not to waver from the path
set out for him by his father to complete the mission...
But the prince didn't want to leave. When he heard his father's
request, he was forlorn: to leave the palace, to leave his beloved
father! to go to an unknown land and a hazardous mission?! Seeing his
distress, the king gently asked his son: "You love me, right?" The son
nodded. "But if you truly loved me, you would leave your comfort in
order to please me. And if you are truly faithful to me, you'll stay
the same prince you
are now, even during this mission in the faraway land." Determined,
the prince left the palace, to accomplish his father's tough
mission....

Each and every Jew, every single one of us, is a prince or princess.
Before the creation of the world, we basked in the glory of G-d in
heaven, alone with our Father the King.
Feeling the true pleasure and love of closeness to G-d, our father,
nothing could've been better. But our Father had a mission, a mission
that only we could accomplish. And that mission is G-d's Desire: for
us to make this physical world a dwelling place for Him.
But G-d Himself couldn't do it. Why not? G-d wanted His beloved child
to prove his love for Him, and to bring out the hidden qualities his
prince had, but could never reveal in the palace. G-d therefore sent
His child, the soul, away from our home, in order to make this
world-home.
How do we do so? How are we expected to complete G-d's Mission to make
the world a dwelling place for Him? Where He is to feel comfortable?
Through learning His Torah
and fulfilling His Mitzvot-Commandments. "By little me wrapping
physical parchment around my puny arm; by me lighting 2 cheap candles
on friday afternoon, by eating a kosher burger and saying a blessing
over it, I'm making a dwelling place for Hashem?!"
Yes.
Because it is G-d's Will that his royal children descend from their
palace in heaven, to take His physical objects and make them
spiritual. Through this we make this world one big mitzvah-a true
palace for Hashem. A dwelling with his children once again, this time
in a deeper bond than ever before.
Let's hope the Mission will soon be accomplished.
Moshiach Now!

Shabbat Shalom

daniel