As Accessible as Air

B"H

"In our town of Lubavitch, When the month of Elul came, one could feel it in the air."-Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch

Here's a short story to help understand this quote:

During the times of the Alter Rebbe (1745-1812) there lived a famous chosid by the name of Shmuel Munkis. Now as the

high holidays of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot approaching, Reb Shmuel knew he had to travel to be by his beloved Rebbe

for these special days. But there was only 1 problem: Reb Shmuel had no money. A poor Russian in the winter time who wanted to travel had only one

way of going, and that was by foot- in the snow. So Reb Shmuel, undeterred, set off for the town of Liadi to be by his Rebbe. As he trudged along freezing

by the side of the road, a wagon pulled up suddenly beside him. A fellow Jew called out to Reb Shmuel, asking him his destination. "Liadi? that's is in our direction. Hop on!" Unfortunately for Reb Shmuel, there was only room for him in the back, wedged among barrels of vodka.

Still freezing, Reb Shmuel asked his driver if he would be able to take a small drink from a barrel. Ah! Finally Reb Shmuel felt warmed up a bit. After arriving finally in Lubavitch, Reb Shmuel had a 'farbrengen' with his fellow Chassidim and told them like this: "One can be surrounded by warm things. But if he doesn't take it into himself in an internal way, he can remain cold."

We are now standing on the 23rd day of the Hebrew month of Elul, 1 week before Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that

the use of the word 'air' in the above quote is significant, and directly connected to our upcoming High Holidays. Chassidic Thought explains an amazing fact of life: whatever is more essential to our lives as humans, is also more accessible to us! Take water as opposed to food for instance: a person can live longer w/out food than he can w/out water; therefore water is more accessible and bountiful in this world. Clothing is less needed on an hourly or daily basis, and therefore less common and harder to come by. A house is even harder to get. The most accessible and bountiful commodity, and also most important for us though in this world, is air. One cannot go a minute without it. Thank G-d, it's not hard to find! :)

But there's one small catch: one has to actually breathe. W/out this simple, easy action, there's nothing to talk about.

At this holy junction in our yr., Chassidic thought teaches us that G-d is very 'Close' to us, and very easily accessible. Hashem is actually close yr. round, but the obstacles spiritually blocking sometimes are gone at this time. With our long prayer sessions, blowing of the shofar, living in a Sukkah, and all the other spiritual activities we do in Jewish tradition at this time of the yr., connecting to G-d seems so easy. G-d Literally sets us up for success. But like the story with Reb Shmuel Munkis and the barrels of vodka, there's one small thing we have to do on our part: Drink. Take it in internally. If not, all of these wonderful practices and prayers can just encompass us and leave as soon as the holidays pass. Closeness to G-d is a fact in every Jew's life: "the soul of a Jew is literally a part of G-d."-Tanya, beg. of Ch. 2. But one has to reveal this fact and internalize it always. The time we are in now, and the upcoming holidays, say our sages, help us to reveal this fact. We must only internalize this within us. To make it a true part of our lives, to identify with it. This closeness and connection to our G-d at this time of yr. surrounds us, like air. All we have to do, is 'breathe' it in.

K'sivah V'chasimoh Tovah, L'shanoh Tovah U'mesuka! ('May you be inscribed and sealed, for a good and sweet year!')

-Daniel

The King is in the Field

Hey everyone, just wanted to share a quick thought for this upcoming Hebrew month of "ELUL"-

Today is "alef Elul"-the 1st day of the last month of the Hebrew calendar. Elul is usually known merely as the month

before the month of "Tishrei"-the month packed with all of our famous Jewish Holidays: Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.

So Elul could tend to be overlooked :( or used just as a month of preparation for the holidays..........

But wait just a minute! chassidus teaches in way of a parable, that the month of Elul is likened to a king who, on his way to the big city and his palace, makes a stop in the fields. Any simple person of any stature can come and greet their beloved king- What an amazing opportunity!

Unfortunately, the king soon leaves to hius palace, and is found only in his innermost chambers, and only with special permission. This is Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In Elul G-d (the 'King') Makes Himself more accessible so to speak, for us to connect to Him. This month starting today is a very special and unique time, to pray to G-d and to think a bit about this past yr. Where we've done well, where we've failed, and how we can improve to become a better person, friend, spouse, and Jew. This month the King is in the Field and we have to take advantage-seize the opportunity and spend more time on what matters deepest. To strengthen our connection to G-d and develop who we are as people. Elul in Hebrew stands for: 'Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li'-"I am to my Beloved, and my Beloved is to me." Let's do a few more mitzvot, like wrapping Tefillin for men, and lighting candles for women on fri. (contact me for any help on this:), and while doing so let's stop to think a bit about G-d, family, and life. 3 things the Rabbis tell us to increase int his month are: 1) Prayer. 2) Charity. 3) Learning Torah.

Wishing you all success in everything, and a great Elul!

-Daniel

From Love 2 Redemption

B"H

I Hope all is well; I'm "camp counseling" in Running Springs, CA for

a month which is hard but very rewarding. CGIUPhigh.com for pictures :)

We are now amidst the 9 days of mourning for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem which existed about 2,000 yrs. ago. In the yr. 70 c.e. the 2nd and last temple was destroyed by the Romans, and we Jews entered "galut"-exile across thew world. For what reason was the holy temple destroyed? The "Beit Hamikdash" in which G-d Dwelled?

Our Rabbis explain, that Hashem destroyed the temple b/c of "sinat chinam"-baseless hatred, of 1 Jew to another. This shows us how truly important "ahavat yisroel"-to love your fellow Jew as yourself, really is.

Long ago, there were 2 brothers who lived on opposite sides of a large hill. One brother was poor, and lived alone. His brother on the other side was well off financially, and married with children. One night, an idea occurred to the richer brother. Since his brother on the other side of the hill was poor and lonely, perhaps an extra bundle of wheat would cheer him up? So that night he crossed the hill and dropped off a big bundle of wheat in his brother's pile. Happy and content, he returned home to sleep. An hour later, the poor brother awoke with a great idea: my brother has so many responsibilities and worries to deal with his large family, perhaps an extra bundle of wheat would ease his stress? So he got up and crossed the hill, happily dropping off a big bundle into his brother's pile. The next morning when both brothers awoke, they were surprised to find their own piles of wheat to be the same size as before!

This back and forth repeated itself night after night. One night, both brothers set out at the same hour, and bumped into each other at the top of the hill, bundles of wheat in hand. Immediately each brother realized what had been going on, and the love each other had for each other. The brothers embraced and cried over the love each had for his brother. This hill where these to brothers met, is the temple mount in which the Beit Hamikdash was built, and where the 3rd and final Temple will be built any day now when Moshiach comes. The dwelling for G-d's Presence is founded on love of a Jew to his fellow. And through this love of one another, and kind deeds to each other, we will merit Moshiach's coming very soon and the rebuilding of the temple over the western wall. May it be today!

By us adding 1 more deed in kindness, helping a new student find his or her way, making a meal for a family, inviting new guests for shabbat-whatever it may be, may we all increase and grow in our love and kindness for another. Moshiach Now!

Have a great week!

-Daniel