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