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!

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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."

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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

Hiding a deck of Cards - a Y. Kippur Meditation

B"H

I wish you a very amazing Yom Kippur

(Sun. Night - Mon. night).

May you and your family have a sweet year, with all blessings materially and spiritually.

May the best of last year, be the worst of this year!

Mendel Futerfas, fondly known by all as "Reb Mendel", was a special Chassid who inspired all who met him. He suffered much hardship in his life on account of his self-sacrifice to teach children Torah in Communist Russia where it was forbidden. He was finally caught at one point, and was sentenced to 15 years of labor in Siberia. He later moved to Israel and taught students there. He passed away in 1995.

A Teacher here in my yeshiva, Rabbi Kaplan, was a student of his many years ago.

He related to us the following story he heard directly from Reb Mendel:

"One night, I was resting in a room shared with many other Russian prisoners. They were playing cards and having a very good time.

All of a sudden we heard footsteps, and in stormed one of the officers.

"Where are the cards!?!" Yelled the officer, "I know you're playing cards and I'm going to catch you." Glancing around the room, the officer gave a final glare at all those around him, and left.

No sooner had he left, than the cards were right back on the table and the playing ensued.

After a few minutes, the door again slammed open.

"I know they're here!"

This time the Officer had brought a fellow officer with him, and they began frisking every prisoner, turning over tables and chairs, searching high and low for the illegal deck of cards. After 15 minutes of searching, the officers left angry & exasperated.

After they had left, the cards were placed back on the table and playing resumed. "I couldn't take it anymore," related Reb Mendel. "I had to know how these prisoners hid the cards with such amazing efficiency! So I asked them, "How do you do it?"

"We can't tell you," one of them answered. "You'll rat on us."

"Come on," Reb mendel argued, "I'm a prisoner just like you. Why would I care to do that?"

"Fine," one of them answered. "I'll tell you.

We prisoners are thieves by trade. We're quick with our hands. Whenever the officer enters, one of us takes the deck and secretly places it in his pocket. It's the only place he never thinks to check."

Reb Mendel sat back to think. In every circumstance and event Reb Mendel found himself in, he always liked to find a lesson to be learned in life and in the service of G-d. What lesson could be gleaned from this situation? At a Chassidic Gathering years later, Reb Mendel explained what he had learned:

"Oftentimes we're so busy checking other people's pockets, that we forget to check our own pockets, where the issue really lies."

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As Yom Kippur nears, it's a propitious time to reflect on how we may have wronged others in our lives, and ask for their forgiveness.

But in our hearts, many of us truly believe that we are not the ones to be blamed.

But we have to check our "pockets."

In marital relationships, a spouse has one of 2 options. To always blame the other for issues of contention that arise, or to have the sense of mind to check one's own pockets to see if he or she has an area which they could fix. This applies to all relationships. We all (including myself) mistakenly spend too much time trying to fix those around us, when we should rather be spending the time working on ourselves. For ultimately, at the end of the day, we only have ourselves to fix. Its much easier to find the faults in others around us. To look within, with honesty, and find areas that need fixing, is truly wise, and truly holy.

With this attitude in mind, our forgiveness of others at this time of year, and our requests for forgiveness, should meet with increased success, and continue throughout the year!

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To end off with one point about the auspicious day of Yom Kippur itself. Many of us spend the day in Synagogue, fasting, waiting for the day to end, counting the seconds on the clock and fantasizing as to which flavor of Jamba Juice we're going to get when it finishes

(Mango anyone? )

It's very important though, on such a special day, to try and choose a moment or two, to truly meditate on our lives and our connection to G-d and our Judaism.

I heard a nice idea last night. The final prayer of the day of Yom Kippur is called Ne'ilah. This time is usually described as the last chance of the year, as the heavenly "gates" are closing, to send our last pleas and requests to G-d for our coming year.

Chassidic teachings take this a bit deeper.

On Yom Kippur, our souls are awakened to a deeper connection with G-d. As Ne'ilah approaches, and the gates are closing, we are left alone with G-d - behind the gates, inside. It's taught that each of the 5 prayers of the day correspond to one of the *5 levels in of our soul. This is a time to really connect and revel in our close and unbreakable bond with our Maker. Let's take advantage of this day, and springboard into the year with its inspiration!

-Daniel

Jerusalem, Israel

May you be Sealed for a good & sweet year!

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*Classical kabbala identifies four levels of the soul - called 1)Nefesh, 2)Ruach, 3)Neshama, and 4)Neshama l'neshama. Nefesh is the animating principle of the physical body and the senses; ruach is the force vitalizing the emotions; neshama is the vitality of intellect; and neshama l'neshama is the essence of life of the human soul. The Arizal refers to this fourth level of soul as Chaya, signifying its function as the essence of life. However, all these four aspects of the soul he regarded as mere extensions of the essence of the soul, which he called Yechida.