Leaving the box

B"H
Hi Everyone, how was your week?
Whatever it was, next week should be way above and beyond your expectations!
In this week's Torah Portion, our forefather Avraham is introduced to us.
What was Avraham's "novelty?"
Was he the first person to believe in G-d?
No.
Was he the first one to learn about G-d?
No.
Avraham not only recognized G-d and then learned about him. He spread this monotheistic belief, not contentin staying in his cocoon of spirituality. The name of this portion is 'lech lecha,' which is translated as "you shall surely go" - but literally means "Leave yourself."Avraham was told by G-d to leave his home and birthplace and go to a foreign land of Israel. But more than that, he was told toleave his own personal limitations. And Avraham's "limitations" were not our limitations - he already was 75 and was living on an extremelyexalted plane of existence. Yet G-d Said to him: "Leave yourself" - go outside of your box, however spiritual it may be, and embrace a new level. Our sages tell us that Avraham bequethed his abilities to his descendants. We have the ability to transcend ourselves whenever we choose too; to leave whatever box we confine ourselves in. Let's transcend our self-imagined limitations and realize that we can accomplish whatever we set our minds to.Let's spread goodness and make our father Avraham proud!

This picture is from my friend Michoel's weekly picture and thought: From: Oneinfocus.org

Life Tastes Good.
By inspiring his guests to make a blessing on food and beverage, Abraham taught others to recognize the Creator in all things.

Surviving the Flood Waters

B"H

This e-mail is dedicated to the speedy recovery of Lior ben Me'irah


In this week's Torah portion, we read the famous story of Noah and the flood, which was brought
upon the earth b/c of the rampant immorailty of the time. Noah was told by G-d to build an ark over a long period of time, to inspire those around him to repent before the upcoming flood. But to no avail. As the rain began to fall and the flood waters rose,
Noah and his family entered the ark which provided them w/ warmth and shelter for the coming year.
Finally the waters began to recede and Noah's ark came to a rest.
Together with his family, Noah left the ark in order to rebuild the world in a righteous manner.

A very nice story.
But what practical application can I apply to my life today from such a story?
I mean, there was a pretty hectic tsunami a few years ago, but in California I'm mainly worried about fires, and a wooden ark wouldn't do me too much good.
In addition, we are taught that every story of the Torah has a relevant lesson
to our lives in whatever generation we find ourselves in.
So what lesson can we learn from Noah, the flood, and the ark?


Chassidic Philosophy explains, that in our day and age, the "flood waters" that threaten to drown us aren't waves of water, but rather the physical and financial worries that inundate us.
For someone who desires to live a meaningful life, how is it possible to get beyond the everyday work-related worries, and the vast amount of daily distractions and hassles?

The answer to our problem can be found in what G-d Told Noah to do when confronted with a flood: "enter the ark." For us today, we are being told: "Enter a place where you can find the inspirational warmth and protection to propel you over the powerful waves of this world."

This spiritual 'ark' can take on many forms.
For example, the Hebrew word written in the Torah for Noah's 'ark' is 'teivah.'
Now approach any Israeli and ask them what 'teivah' means, and they'll respond: 'a word.'

So the 1st way to succeed in surviving these flood waters is to enter the words;
the words of prayer and Torah learning.
These 'words' help us float above the flood of everyday worries, and help guide our lives in a peaceful manner.
Prayer was instituted every day for this very reason. Every morning we wake up to the same flood waters, prodding us constantly to become work obsessed and preaching to our minds the words of Machiavelli that the "end justifies the means." Prayer, and the learning of Torah, strengthen us to remember to every day treat every person we meet with respect and fairness. To propel us to a more meaningful day in all that we do. To realize a higher purpose in our dealings with the world. Business is to be conducted hoenstly. Money is primarily to help our children's education and to help others. Life is to be lived higher...

This is our daily "ark."
But G-d Knew that we would need an extra-special ark that could strengthen us for
our entire week of immersion in the flood waters of life.
And that's Shabbat.
Shabbat is a day to reflect and remember the purpose of life, and to gather spiritual strength.

I heard a nice analogy yesterday.
Imagine you were gazing at a beautiful painting. Admiring the vast intricacies and amazing colors of this work of art, you came to feel great respect for the artist's painting skill.
But what do you feel about the artist himself?
What do you know about him at all?

The 6 days of the week, from Sunday to Friday, are times when we can appreciate G-d's beautiful world. But a special opportunity to try and connect to who G-d Is beyond creation, beyond the 'artwork' - His Intention & Purpose behind this complex and beautiful world, that opportunity comes on Shabbat.

May we all enter whatever ark we can, to help propel us over the flood waters of life with great success, and enter the world to build it into a more pleasant, happy and meaningful world.

Shabbat Shalom!

Daniel
Jerusalem, Israel

The Humble Hut of Trust

B"H

I hope you are having a fantastic Sukkot holiday; If it hasn't been yet, may it begin now! As I'm running from city to city here in Israel w/ my Parents, I've luckily found a keyboard here in Hertzliya. So I thought I'd take advantage to share a short thought on the inspiring message of the holiday of Sukkot - Chag Sameach!

------

There was once a traveler passing through a certain Jewish town in Europe. Hearing of a famed Rabbi who resided in that town, the traveler stopped in to meet him.

Upon entering the very modest home, the traveler was shocked to see how poorly furnished the house was for such a famous person.

He looked at the famed sage in wonderment and asked: "Rabbi! Where is all of your furniture?"

"My friend", the Rabbi replied.

"Where is all of your furniture?"

Shocked at such an odd question, the traveler replied,

"But Rabbi, I'm only passing through here..."

The sage replied: "I too am only passing through here."

----

For 8 days every year, Jews the world over leave their comfortable homes for a humble hut called a Sukkah. The term stems from the Hebrew word kisui - "covering," commemorating the clouds of glory that protected the Jewish people when leaving Egypt.

There's something amazing to be learned from every tradition of our rich faith which we observe today. The Sukkah, among other things, emphasises the idea of dependance & trust. It's true that throughout the year I dwell under a sturdy shelter, with all of my comforts met. But who is truly behind this health, wealth, and general wellbeing? The humble Sukkah walls, as I sit inside at night and feel the sky's soft breeze, reminds me that God is my real protector, and not the walls of my house.

But who says? Maybe the dollar bills & marble pillars are my only supporters? Well, just ask New Orleans residents during Huricane Katrina. Or head down to San Diego every summer for fire season. Or more positively, visit Tel Aviv residents during the scud Missile attacks in 1991.I met one yesterday. A kind French man who said he became religiously observant after watching 39 scuds fall, destroying entire buildings, yet exacting Zero casualties. (To give you an idea, one scud hit a U.S. army base in Saudi Arabia killing 27 and injuring 98). He saw God's Protection of His People in an open fashion. [He was also amazed at the time that the Lubavitcher Rebbe repeatedly encouraged that no Jew should leave Israel during the war, stating that God Would Protect every Jew there. This was printed in the papers.]

But for you and I, feeling that my life isn't run just by money and material gains is very hard. Have you ever heard God tell you, "My child, I've got your back. Don't even worry about it." Maybe you have, I'm not doubting. But I'm not that holy :)

But this is the fact, and we personally see this through various events in our lives. The key is to hear God Reminding us through the message of the Sukkah each year. That no matter how comfortable and secure we live (and may it continue to be so!), it is really He Who is Deciding that I should live with such comforts, with whatever I receive.

The very last verse of Psalms, written by King David reads:

Kol ha'neshamoh, tehalel y-uh, halleluy-a - "My entire soul will bless God. May God be blessed." The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught: "Don't read it Ha'neshama (soul), but rather Ha'neshimah (breath). For every breath that we take, we should praise God and acknowledge our fortune. May we all have a joyous and trust inducing Sukkot, one that reminds us that we're onlt travelers here, to thank the One Who Gives us life and breath each day, and to also use out each breath to our fullest potential on this earth.

And don't forget, God's Got your back!

Chag Sameach!

-Daniel

Jerusalem, Israel