Is Torah true? Prove it!

B"H

From this Thursday night until Sat. night-Jewish people around the world will be celebrating the holiday of "Shavuot." Shavuot commemorates the time, a few thousand years ago (3,321 to be exact),
that G-d Rested His Presence on the Mtn. of Sinai, in the Egyptian desert, and Spoke the 10 Commandments to the Jewish People.
Now in any other religion, like Christianity, Islam, Mormanism, Buddhism, you name it, the entire philosophy, code of law, and religion are all based upon ONE individual claiming to have had a revelation of G-d - that he alone has the new path for the world to follow (christianity claims 12 saw jesus come back). Why don't they claim more people witnessed such a revelation, to give more authenticity? Well simply, b/c it may be that other people will disagree and argue that such a thing never happened.

In Judaism, we claim that over 3,000,000 men, women, and children-our ENTIRE people-witnessed 1st hand the revelation of G-d and the Giving of the Torah. EVERY major religion acknowledges this revelation as the true original path that G-d Instructed, but that G-d was Angry at us later on & Changed his mind and chose a new people [eventhought throughout the Torah it says "You will ALWAYS be my people, even when you sin"] - hey, go figure.
No time, anywhere near that time, was there any dissenting opinions of Jews that such an event never happened (and as you know, 2 Jews=3 opinions). I don't know about you, but I wouldn't keep kosher or separate from my wife for a week every month if it wasn't 100% true. Not only that, but we were exiled throughout the world (Africa, Europe, Far East, you name it) and the text of the Torah and its tradition NEVER altered. The Torah I have in CA, is the same in Israel and China. Now you might say,
"that was over 3,000 yrs. ago! Come on, how do you know that really happened??"

Well, for starters, if you think about it, if parents told their children about what they saw at the revelation on Mt. Sinai, and they to their children, etc. (let's say when the parents were 60 and their child 20) - there has only been about 80 generations since the giving of the Torah!
And throughout this time, throughout our history, Jewish mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, have sacrificed their lives for this very belief - that the Torah was given to us. Jews who love life (חי is definitely one of Jew's favorite words. In my yeshiva, the word "L'chaim!"-'to life' is used QUITE often :) were tortured, and saw their own children tortured, in Ancient Israel, in Spain, Eastern Europe, etc. on a constant basis throughout time. "Just give up your religion!" That's all. And we won't kill your child. YOU have to have had a very strong tradition passed down from your parents, to be so strong and resolute in your belief.

The Rabbis note, that even after the 10 plagues and the splitting of the sea, after ALL the miracles that G-d Had performed for the Jews in the desert, the Jews didn't truly believe in G-d, until He revealed Himself and Spoke directly to them. They wanted proof! No games! we're not the people that follow blindly. G-d Understood this, and therefore Revealed Himself to us.

As we commemorate this amazing event of Shavuot, let's celebrate it with the praise of Hashem that He Gave us such a true and beautiful way of life; a book that teaches us how we can connect to the infinite. To learn G-d's own diary.

Our Rabbis tell us, that G-d's Coming to the Jewish people on Mt. Sinai, was like a groom coming to meet his bride. And the Torah is the bride's ring, which connects us to Hashem forever.
Wishing you a happy Shavuot! Let's receive the Torah anew this year - internally & with joy.

-Daniel

To learn more about the holiday, see:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/32625/jewish/Insights.htm

The Small drops of water - A True Story

B”H

2,000 yrs. ago, in the holy land of Israel, there lived a Jewish man named Akiva.

Akiva worked for one of Israel’s richest men, Kalba Savua.

Akiva labored honestly and with great alacrity, amassing much wealth for his master,

And gradually became very esteemed in his eyes.

Now Kalba Savua had a daughter named Rachel.

As the days passed, Rachel began to notice Akiva’s great qualities,

and went over to speak with him.

As they discussed matters, topics moved to belief.

“I’m a simple Jew,” said Akiva. “I work honestly and belive I’m doing the right thing.”

“But Akiva, as a Jew it’s vital that you learn Torah as well!

You could do it if you tried!” Rochel pleaded.

Akiva shrugged his shoulders and went back to his work.

He really liked Rachel, but didn’t believe he could ever conquer the vast ocean of Torah Wisdom.

He had never even studied the Alef-Bet!

Rochel saw through Akiva’s demeanor, and knew he had amazing potential.

One day, Rachel made a proposal to Akiva:

“Akiva, I will marry you on one condition. That you go and learn in yeshiva.”

Akiva was stuck. He loved Rachel, but on the other hand felt he couldn’t begin to learn now.

He was already 40 yrs. Old!

That afternoon, Akiva took a stroll in the forest, to ponder his decision.

As he walked and walked, deeper into the forest, he happened upon a small stream.

Next to it rested a large boulder. What caught Akiva’s attention however,

was not the stream or boulder, but rather a gentle,

yet methodical, dripping of water onto the top of the boulder.

“Drip, drip, drip."

Akiva stood mesmerized as he noticed the effects these tiny drops were having on this

humongous boulder. The drops, over an extremely long period of time, had made a hole,

penetrating the boulder’s “rock-hard” surface! Akiva thought to himself:

‘If tiny drops of water, through continuous effort,

can penetrate this boulder, surely I, Akiva, can penetrate through the vast sea of Torah.

Akiva returned and married Rachel.

He then set out to yeshiva to learn Torah, starting with the Alef Bet,

slowly growing in his knowledge over time…

Years later, Rabbi Akiva returned home with 24,000 of the world's greatest students.

Nearly every single Jew has heard of the great “Rabbi Akiva.”

Rabbi Akiva is one of the greatest expounders of Torah to have ever graced this earth.

How did he do it!?

How did he go from Akiva, the middle aged laborer, with no knowledge of Judaism whatsoever,

to perhaps the greatest teacher our people have ever had?

He believed in himself. And he worked hard.

He didn't see the boulder that faced him,

but rather the small drops.

One letter, one word, one verse, one page.

One step at a time.

This true story of a remarkable Jewish figure in our history, should inspire us all; to always believe in ourselves and know our abilities. To never give up and never to be ashamed to say “I don’t know.” To start from the beginning and work our way up. This is certainly true for all areas of our lives. But specifically in our lives as Jews. Regardless of our observance of the Mitzvot or knowledge of the Torah, we must know, with a certainty, that we can always start learning! (Rabbi Akiva didn’t even have the access of internet to learn!) {hint hint: Chabad.org}

We must know that we can always grow in our spiritual lives-all it takes is a bit of will and courage to explore the beautiful wisdom of our Torah and our heritage.

[During this financial slide, it's interesting to note a teaching of The Lubavitcher Rebbe, that through learning Torah, one gains in all areas of his life, and is blessed not only spiritually, but materially & physically as well. As we see with Rabbi Akiva, who became extremely wealthy after learning in yeshiva...food for thought ]

Anyways, if Rabbi Akiva could start learning the alphabet at 40,

I guess it’s never too late for us!

Good luck!

Daniel

P.S. Monday night & Tuesday commemorate “Lag B’Omer”, the day of the passing of Rabbi Akiva’s Greatest student, “Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.” Jews across the world will celebrate it, with bonfires and many other customs. See your local shul for details.

Purim - Taking Off the Mask

B"H

As we "shluchim" prepare a wild, spectacular Purim experience for the students here, I wish you a very Happy Purim! Our sages say, that the holiday of Purim draws down joy for the entire year-so make sure to have fun! To find your local Chabad center: www.chabad.org/centers/default_cdo/aid/15676/jewish/Advanced-Search.htm.
If you're a college student: http://www.chabad.org/centers/campus.htm


If you don't know the Purim story (see: www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/645995/jewish/The-Basic-Purim-Story.htm), in short: In 4th century BCE, the Persian King Ahasuerus, who practically ruled the entire world at the time, was convinced by his evil advisor Haman to issue a decree against all the Jews to be destroyed. The King's Jewish queen, Esther, successfully changed the King's mind and he issued a new decree for the Jews to defend themselves. The Jews throughout the lands subsequently won a short war, and we celebrate that victory ever since.

Since we know everything in this world occurs b/c of a certain spiritual, inner reason- this harsh decree and subsequent reversal of good fortune resulted from the Jewish people's reactions to their surroundings.

After the destruction of the 1st holy Temple in Jerusalem, the Jews were exiled to nearby lands, primarily Babylonia. Soon after his ascension to the throne, King Ahasuerus threw a huge 180-day party (Beat that SDSU!) inviting all the town's residents to come.
Understandably speaking, the Jewish people of the area felt that it was time to "suck up" to the new King and decided to attend. At this party, the King displayed various vessels from the Jewish temple that had been seized after its destruction. The Jewish people enjoyed the feast greatly, and felt that, (although sadly they weren't in their holy land) at least they had a comfortable position in their new land.

This, our sages say, was what sparked the decree against us in heaven. The Jews put their trust in their country's king, instead of the true king-Hashem, the "King of all Kings". Soon after, the "physical" decree down here was issued. NOW, one would think, the Jews weren't in such bad shape! At that time, the Jews had a leader, Mordechai, who had a high political position and was stationed at the entrance to the king's palace at all times.
Not to mention our own Jewish QUEEN! We were seriously hooked up. But Mordechai and Esther realized what was really going on. That their people's fate lay in G-d's Hands. That their people were mistaken in their belief that "fitting in" and assimilating into the new culture was the path to success and joy.

Therefore they reacted to the news of the decree in an "unnatural" way. Instead of petitioning the king or holding rallies, Mordechai donned sackcloth and ashes, while Esther began fasting. Esther requested that ALL Jews throughout all the lands fast for 3 days and turn their hearts toward Hashem for help. Esther needed all the help she could get, for she was planning to risk her life and approach King Ahasuerus uninvited and ask for help (ed. note: we MUST use natural means in this world to succeed; however, knowing all along that G-d is the One TRULY behind our every success). Esther approached the king while fasting! You'd think she would spend many days of pampering and beauty sleep, with top makeup preparation. Anything but fasting! (ed. note: she wasn't an 80-pound model). So WHY did she fast? B/C she understood that Hashem was in Control! Not a king of flesh & blood.
The Jewish people responded in kind; spending a year in service of G-d and not being intimidated by the impending decree. They refused to give in and assimilate to avert the decree, never bowing down to idols and gathering in large groups to learn Torah in public.

IN 2009, where there are more "Kings and Queens" on CBS than ruling the world, WHAT can we learn from our beloved Purim story?
Significantly, the only book of the 24 books of Tanach W/OUT 1 mention of G-d's Name, is Megillat Esther-the Story of Purim. And yet it's obvious how G-d's Hand is apparent throughout the events, orchestrating and maneuvering everything perfectly into place. How everything is run by Hashem. True, no seas were split, and no water turned to blood. No voice came out to tell the Jews to follow G-d and "all would work out". But the Jews had 'bitachon'-trust in Hashem. And like a reflection in water, our turning of our hearts to G-d was reflected w/ the success we trusted in. The Jewish People realized that the true Hand behind every detail of their lives, the guiding force behind every step they took, was Hashem, and not the physical environment alone.
We too have our own Megillah story. Hashem's name isn't OPENLY seen or "mentioned", yet He places us where we are in life for a reason, and runs everything through the cloak of nature. We have to react the way the Jews did then, turning to G-d During our good times-and our hard times- and follow Him to Victory!

Let's celebrate Purim (Monday Night) and revel in the One who Guides the world and our every step. 'Megillat Esther' can be pronounced 'Megale hester'-to 'Reveal the Hidden'-that's the lesson of Purim and of life. When we bite into the hard surface of our hamantaschen pastry, and taste the sweet inside, let's remember the sweet inner reasons behind the hard points in our life. When you see other Jews dressing up w/ masks, remember that Hashem Wears a mask in this world, called Nature. Let's reveal Hashem's Presence in our own lives, and ask that Hashem stop being so discreet and Reveal His True Self with the coming of Moshiach Now!
Happy Purim!

Daniel
New Haven, CT

~4 Mitzvot of Purim~

1. Give charity to at least two needy people.
2. Send a minimum of two ready-to-eat foods to at least one person.
3. Sit down for a royal feast.
4. Read or hear the Megillah (Scroll of Esther) at night and by day.
(5. Monday day is the fast of Esther. Try your best!)

*For much more beautiful words on this subject by the Lubavitcher Rebbe: http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/109296/jewish/Purim-Messages.htm