Surfing Lessons

When traveling the world, I'm often asked where I'm coming from. When hearing that I hail from Southern California, the topic of surfing is often raised. "I never learned how to surf well... so I never got into it," I reply, a bit ashamed for having never really taken advantage of my own backyard: the Pacific Ocean.



Now, before you judge me, know this: the water's cold! And when you're bad at surfing, it ain't fun either! But I know, I know. No excuses. I must repent. But I had a Q: what was so special about the ocean, that it pulls so many people to it, like a magnet? This past week, I spoke to a friend about the wonder of the ocean's waves & the feeling of a surfer, and gained a great insight into the ocean's spiritual force and the life lessons we can learn from Surfing. As the Chassidic Rebbe - the Baal Shem Tov - often said: "Every single thing that a person sees or hears, is an instruction to him
in his service of G‑d."

As a surfer sits on his or her board, drifting, waiting to catch a wave, there is only the present. NOTHING else in the world exists now; no materiality that usually holds sway on our lives, matters at this time. Just the endless ocean. The perfect, beautiful, infinite ocean. {Like when praying/connecting to G-d, trying to form a bond with His Infinite Being. No material distractions matter right now.
Just you and Him}.
The ocean feels like it's being pulled and moved by an inexplicable hidden force that you can't see, but can feel. {Like the events of our lives. We think we're the only ones in control, but deep down we sense a Higher plan, dictating the events & direction our lives are taking}.

As the wave rises you, you know this: either you're heading for the ride of your life {all of the openly positive events in life}, or you're wiping out, sometimes lightly, sometimes hard {like the life lessons we get, occurrences that don't appear very good at all}.

But at the end of the day, if you know you've given it your all, and you attempted to surf; to experience that which was greater than yourself, you leave the ocean a new person: relaxed, on a spiritual high, ready to live on a higher plane. {Like after a good spiritual experience, in learning Torah, praying or performing a Mitzvah).
By delving into Jewish spirituality, as well as the beauty of nature G-d Has Created, one is headed toward a good feeling of spiritual equilibrium.

But with my newfound interest in surfing kindled, who's got the patience to teach me when I get back home? ;)

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

Living up to your Name

This week we are 1st introduced to probably the holiest person to have ever existed: Moshe (Moses).
As I was reading about Moshe’s early life in the Torah, I began to wonder about something. After Moshe was born, he was placed in a basket and sent down the river Nile by his mother,
to avoid certain death in the hands of the Egyptians. Batya, the daughter of Pharaoh, found the ‘Hebrew boy,’ and with compassion, took him in. She named him “Moshe,”
'For I drew him from the water.’
We are told that Moshe had other names given to him by his family, yet for the 770 times his name comes up in the Tanach, he is called “Moshe.”
How come this holy leader retained the name given by the daughter of an evil Egyptian man? The Kabbalah teaches us that one's name is connected to one's inner soul and purpose.
By taking a deeper look into the life of Moshe, perhaps we can uncover the meaning behind this name.

"It happened in those days that Moses grew up and went out to his brethren and saw their burdens…And he saw an Egyptian man striking a Hebrew man." Moshe, the adopted grandson of the most powerful man in Egypt, is faced with a tough situation.
Ignore, and retain your royal status of luxury, or take action and endanger – not only your high position – but your life as well!
Moshe didn't think twice, but sided with the victim: "(He) struck the Egyptian down and hid him in the sand."

"…He went out the next day, and behold! Two Hebrew men were fighting.” Come on. This time, no one’s life is at stake. These men are choosing to fight. Yet again, Moshe immediately acts: "(And he) said to the wicked one, 'Why would you strike your fellow?'" This action would end up costing him dearly. These wicked men informed on Moshe’s prior killing, and: "Pharaoh heard about this matter and sought to kill Moses; so Moses fled from before Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian. He sat at the well." But in Midian, Moshe still could not avoid challenging situations.
"The minister of Midian had seven daughters; they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's sheep. The shepherds came out and drove them away.”

Now logic would dictate (together with instincts of self-preservation), that avoiding altercations in one’s new city of residence is most prudent. Moshe chose, rather, to stand up & do what was right: "Moses got up and saved them, and watered their sheep." We can now understand the Torah’s emphasis on this special name Moshe, given by Pharaoh’s daughter. For by saving the Hebrew baby, she was taking a massive risk, going so far as to disobey the rule set up by her very own father! Yet she did not hesitate: "Pharaoh's daughter went down to bathe by the river… She saw a basket among the reeds… She opened it and saw a boy crying. She took pity on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrew boys,'…and he was a son to her." How fitting a name for Moshe, who would grow to do the same for others.

As we go through life, we encounter many situations and circumstances that require our action. People who need help. Let's try to stand up for what's right and true, emulating our ancestor Moshe. Let's take action!

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

{Based on Sichos Kodesh 5740 vol. 1 pp. 784-788, and Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson of Chabad.org}

15 Violins

There's a story told of a music reporter who was looking for a good article. Hearing of an exceptional violinist living in his own very town, the man set out to contact him for an exclusive interview. The violinist acquiesced and a date was set.
As the interview neared, the reporter received a call from the violinist,
regretfully informing him that he wouldn't be able to make it. "There is a very special violin ensemble playing in concert that night. It will be aired on the radio and I can't bare to miss it."

Knowing that he could learn a lot by just observing this great musician, the reporter quickly responded: "No problem! I'd be happy to come by and just listen to the concert with you."
"Are you sure? Well, fine. But I don't want to hear a PEEP from you during this concert." The reporter agreed, and at the appointed night, he appeared at the violinist's door.
"Not a peep!" said the musician, as they settled into their chairs. With a nod, the radio was turned on, and the concert began. The violinist immediately began focusing intensely on the music
coming from the radio. The reporter, meanwhile, observed the violinist, searching his facial expressions to glean any reaction he may have to the music being played.

As the music flowed, the reporter forgot the man seated next to him for a moment, and found himself enjoying the great beauty of the violin. Each violinist seemed to be playing off each other, complimenting one another seamlessly; the sound so soothing to the soul. Glancing at the great violinist seated next to him, he was surprised to see him grimacing. 'How can he POSSIBLY not be
enjoying this!?' He thought to himself. But true to his word, he remained silent. As the concert continued, the same scene repeated itself; the reporter loving the music, the violinist frowning.

As the concert concluded to a standing ovation, the radio was turned off, and the reporter took the opportunity to question the violinist. "I thought the concert was beautiful. But it seemed as though you disliked the performance....?" The great violinist turned to the reporter, and explained: "You are an amateur, and therefore enjoyed it. I am an expert, and noticed that this musical piece was supposed to be played with 15 violinists. There were only 14, and the piece was off. This is what ruined it for me."

~~~

Such a big world. Full of noise and action.
But where does little me come in?
"Front and center" - says G-d. Without you, the concert is ruined.
On one hand, the world doesn't revolve only around me and my needs. I must appreciate the individual song every soul plays.
But I must always remember that my song - my soul and its purpose in this world - is a unique, central one.
One so vital that, without it, the entire symphony of history
becomes ruined. The grand purpose of all of creation can only be completed through me. Otherwise, why did G-d Find it so necessary to create me?

Shabbat Shalom (and an easy fast)!

-Daniel

Crying for Another

In this week's Torah portion, we read about one of the most dramatic stories ever to be recorded.
The story of Joseph and his 11 brothers.
After being sold into slavery, spending 12 years in prison, and then emerging as viceroy to Pharaoh,
Joseph meets his brothers once again. When he sees his youngest brother (Benjamin) Binyomin, after being separated from him for so many years,
the Torah says: "He fell upon his brother Binyomin's neck and wept, and Binyomin wept upon his neck."

Now we know that every word in the Torah is exact and lad
en with layers & layers of deep meaning.
Why can't the Torah just say: "And they wept on each other's necks" or just "they wept." Why mention neck twice?
The 12th-century Torah Commentator Rashi explains: 'Joseph wept for the 2 temples that would be built in Binyomin's territory in Israel & that would later be destroyed.
And Binyomin wept for the Tabernacle in Shiloh, Joseph's territory, which would be destroyed.'
What connection does the tabernacle and the temple (where the holy ark which contained the two tablets resided)
have to do with the neck specifically?

Where is the neck positioned?
The neck connects the body with the head.
The head contains the brain which controls the body; also, it contains the senses of sight, hearing, tasting, smelling - all of the acute, powerful abilities of a person.
The body, in comparison, leaves much to be desired in these areas of human experience.
The temple was the neck of the universe.
A place where people, and G-d, could connect.
Where the physical, mundane world and the infinite G-d could meet and bond.

~~~~~~

But one question remains: Why didn't they cry for their own, personal destructions in their own territories??

From this we can learn a fundamental lesson in our own lives:
When my "temple" is at threat of being destructed - when my spiritual or physical situation is at risk, the obligation is on me to fix it.
If hard times occur in life, one must turn to G-d for Help, but must also work with utmost energy to fix the problem.
And if what appears to be something bad occurs, we must trust that G-d Had a good intention behind it, and try to accept it as such.

BUT, when misfortune occurs to another, we mustn't expect them to take care of themselves, and turn away, trusting that it was all for the good.
We must cry for them and feel every ounce of their pain.
We can't be content with a hidden good, but rather we must demand for a revealed good.
We learn this all from our forefathers Yosef and Binyomin:
Try feeling for someone else, rather than just ourselves.

May there be no more pain or tears for anybody anymore!
May Moshaich come now before Shabbat and take all of us to Jerusalem with the rebuilding of the 3rd & final Temple!

Shabbat Shalom,

Daniel

Chanukah - The One Jar of Oil

Tonight - Wed. the 1st of December - Jews worldwide will be celebrating the 1st night of Chanukah.

As we say the blessings and gaze at the light of the candles, we remind ourselves of the miracles which G-d Performed for our ancestors in Jerusalem, some 2,000 years ago.
Every Jewish observance (mitzvah) we perform has an outer reality and an inner reality; a body and a soul. On an external level, we celebrate on Chanukah the miraculous military victory of the Maccabees, as well as the finding of a single jar of pure olive oil, with the seal of the Kohen Gadol (the high priest), used to re-light the Holy Temple's menorah in Jerusalem. The jar contained only enough oil to light the Menorah for one day, but miraculously the oil lasted for 8 days. That is why we light menorahs in our homes for 8 nights, beginning from the 25th day of Kislev, just as our ancestors did then in the Temple. But what is the inner significance of this one jar of oil that was found, and that we commemorate each year? How come the Greeks were so intent on defiling every other jar they could get their hands on?

Our Sages explain a very interesting thing. The Greeks who ruled over the Jews in ancient Israel, actually appreciated Judaism! They enjoyed the intellectual rigor of the Talmudic wisdom, the interesting “rituals” and customs of the Jews, the ethical morality of the Torah. It’s actually not so hard to understand this. My mother mentioned to me once that our family began keeping Shabbat before even believing in G-d! It just seemed like a great way to shut off the TV and phone for family time to spend together. A great idea! Or take a Biblical Hebrew professor I had in college. He had an expensive set of Talmud in his classroom that he loved to learn! It was simply very enjoyable. The Philosophically modern Greeks enjoyed Judaism in theory. There was just one, small problem: The G-d part. Do the commandments! Learn the Torah! Just don’t do it b/c G-d Said so. Study & do the Mitzvot b/c it makes sense. Period!

The Jewish Mystics explain, that oil represents Divine Wisdom. The G-dly Wisdom which underlies all of Torah & its Mitzvot. Like oil which rises to the top of anything it touches, this Wisdom is above and beyond our mortal intellects. Many things in Judaism we do not understand - but do only b/c G-d Told us to. This connection of Torah & mitzvot - with G-d – is what the Greeks Desired to destroy amongst the Jewish People. Besides for rape and murder, the Greeks used a very familiar, more subtle technique to end Jewish commitment to Torah, one we see so often today: the lure of assimilation. Greece represented modernity – Get with the times people! And many Jews abandoned their faith for the Greek way of life. But no matter how assimilated we became (or have become today), no matter how far each of us feels from our connection with G-d, there will always be the ‘one jar of oil with the seal of the Kohen Gadol.’ Spiritually speaking, this is that one Divine point in every Jew’s soul that can never be tarnished by any outside forces. The essence of our souls inside, that forever remains pure and attached to G-d. We can always tap into that divinity inside and re-connect to our source. The Maccabees aroused this level within themselves and the Jewish People, triggering a spirit of self sacrifice for what was right and true. No enemy or exile can ever touch this level within us.

As we gaze at the candles this Chanukah, let’s remember that a little light dispels a lot of darkness, and any candle of goodness, of Torah and mitzvot, that we light – will lead us & the world closer to the final redemption when light will forever displace darkness.

Happy Chanukah!

-Daniel

{To see a great resource for Chanukah info, check: Chanukah}

God & Pancakes

After 53 days of imprisonment on an island fortress off the Neva River in Petersburg, Russia, Rabbi Shneur Zalman (A.K.A. the Alter Rebbe) left a free man. Tonight, the 19th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, we celebrate the 212th anniversary of his release.

The Alter Rebbe founded a system of serving G-d known as Chabad, which stands for chochmah (wisdom), binah (understanding), and da'at (knowledge). He taught Jewish mysticism with great explanations, spreading the concepts of the unity of G-d and His oneness with this world as never before. Imprisoned on charges that "his teachings and activities threatened the imperial authority of the czar," the Alter Rebbe viewed his imprisonment rather as a decree from on high. Did G-d Deem His teachings proper for his time? Jewish mysticism ha din the past been kept secret to only the greatest of Rabbis!

The Alter Rebbe viewed his release, his pardon from death, as a sign of approval from G-d, and began teaching and spreading his teachings, known as "Chassidus," more & more. What's the essential message the Alter Rebbe was trying to convey in his teachings?

Many wonder what life will be like Moshiach comes. "Will we all be living in cramped apartments in Jerusalem?" "Will we be spending the whole day watching sacrifices in the temple?" "Will we be riding on donkeys?" "Miracles all day long?" Chassidus explains that, to understand what will be, we must take a look at the very words in Hebrew for "exile" and "redemption". Exile is "גולה-Golah", Redemption is "גאולה-Geulah."
The only difference between our lives now and in the messianic era, is the letter א, which refers to the one G-d.

Everything will be the same. Cars, houses, parks, Wal-Mart, even pancakes!
Except for one little thing.
We will see how really everything we experience in this world is created and enlivened with G-d's Divine Energy.
That sweet taste when eating those pancakes, stems directly from its spiritual source and energy, the sweetness from above.
By learning Chassidus now, we can start envisioning this Divine reality now in our every day lives.
Everything in this world is an expression of G-d. We can therefore learn a lesson from every moment, every nuance of creation.
Like the smile or frown on a friend's face, the world's movements and wonders show us the inner dimension, what's behind the "face."

Until ultimately G-d will stop the hiding, as the prophet Isaiah says, Ch. 40:5: "And G-d's glory will be revealed, and all mankind will see it together."
May it happen now.
Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel