Above Logic

"[The Greeks came] to make them forget Your Torah and transgress the decrees of Your will." (Al Hanisim prayer on Chanukah)

"They tried to kill us, we won, now let's eat." This is a basic summary of Jewish history - as well as of the holidays we have celebrated for thousands of years. From one of the earliest - Passover, to one of the latest - Purim, the Jewish people have been saved from physical annihilation by our enemies. However, the holiday of Chanukah (beginning this Sat. night), is different. YES, the Greeks killed. But their prime objective was not physical death, but rather the killing of the Jewish spirit. It was the intellectual & spiritual beliefs of the Jewish people that bothered them. Haman, like Hitler, had an edict passed that threatened every Jewish body. The Greeks only decreed against the learning of Torah & the performance of Mitzvot. Assimilate, avoid Jewish expression, and you would be fine!

Our Sages teach that the issue the Greeks had with Judaism was a bit more intricate. The Greeks of the time were philosophic innovators, and appreciated good logic; sound intellectual reasoning. In the Torah, they saw much good in that department! From moral reasoning & societal justice to the brilliant didactic teachings of the oral Torah, the Greeks were duly impressed with Judaism and its followers. There was one thing that didn't sit well with their outlook: The Jewish belief in that which is beyond the realms of human logic. The Mitzvot that made sense: "Don't murder", "Don't steal", "commemorate the days in which you left Egypt," were tolerable. But "keep kosher", "don't mix meat & milk", and all of the decrees of the Torah - that wasn't going to cut it!

In essence, the Greeks argued: "Judaism is nice, it's cute, it's even admirable. But leave that God nonsense alone. Appreciate the wisdom in it, but leave the divine out. Do away with the spiritual soul behind the laws and customs!" Heavily outnumbered, with their lives in danger, the Maccabees said "no" - The essence of the Torah & its Mitzvot is that its wisdom is Godly. Not human. Deeper still, the Maccabees argued: "Even those mitzvot that make total sense - like 'don't steal' - we must observe them because they are, in essence, a Divine decision that we do not steal and that we act morally. It is an added incentive that we can also understand the evil within these immoral actions.

After the Maccabees were miraculously victorious, they found a single cruse of pure oil - enough for 1 day, which miraculously lasted for 8 days. This oil & special light of the Menorah shone in the face of the Greeks & their ideology. Specifically here in the temple, a spiritual miracle was taking place. That there is a higher reality that exists on a level beyond the logical. Where 8 days of light can come from 1 day's oil. Where philosophy & the human brain can't understand.

May each of us grow and add in the light of Torah & Mitzvot, like the lights of the Menorahs we light, 1 additional candle each day, as we remember the transcendence of the spirit over the physical, of light over darkness.

Happy Chanukah & Shabbat Shalom!

Life or Death?

"And the life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kiryat Arba, which is Hebron" (Genesis 23:1-2)

Abraham & Sarah were quite the incredible couple. The modern world as we know it would've been completely different without them. These 2 people embarked on a journey - defying all odds and braving nearly impossible hurdles - to spread the concept of one G-d to the pagan world around them. In this week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah ("The Life of Sarah"), the Torah opens, ironically, by recounting Sarah's death! We learned about the life of Sarah in the past Torah portions; yet the name of those portions have no mention of Sarah. Yet now that we read about Sarah's passing, the title of the portion is "The life of Sarah"! What's going on?

Many of us see commercials of all kinds. Some of the most glaringly ironic commercials, are those for cigarettes. Two beautiful people, smiling with bright white teeth, hold cigarettes. On the bottom corner is a large warning that smoking this is hazardous, can harm pregnancies and could lead to death. The title on the top says: "Living life with pleasure." But what does it mean to really be alive? Is it simply biological; breathing, walking, talking, doing business? Many people who can do these things will tell you they feel dead. They don't feel emotionally alive, intellectually alive, spiritually alive. To live, to be happy, comes when one makes a difference in the world around them for the good. This is what the Torah is teaching us with these opening words, the title of this week's Torah portion. Some people impact the world, but in undesirable ways, with the effect that people are happy when they are gone. Others however, live such positively impactful lives, that even when they're not around physically, they still influence us. Sarah lived thousands of years ago, yet we still speak about her. Her impact on her husband, her son, and the world around her was such, that it didn't die with her. The Torah is teaching us that if you want to truly see one's life, you have to look at their spiritual life. The Talmud states: The wicked even in their lifetimes are called dead, and the righteous, even in death, are called alive. So if we want to really know about the life of Sarah, we have to begin at her passing. Then we can see the knowledge & wisdom she passed on to her son, the impact her life had on the world around her.

May we work to emulate our amazing mother Sarah, living our lives in a meaningful way and impacting the world around us for the good, in a way that our lives can be felt as really living. (Based on a talk by Rabbi Simon Jacobson)

Shabbat Shalom!

Why Not Me?

'And God Appeared to him in the plains of Mamre.'(Genesis 18:1)

This week's Torah portion, Vayera, opens with God "visiting" Avraham and "Appearing" to him (in some way), after Avraham circumcised himself and his children. There is a powerful story told of the 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe, Shalom Dov Ber (lived 1860-1920). When he was 4 or 5 years old, he came home from school crying. His grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek (the 3rd Rebbe), asked him what was wrong. Unlike perhaps the children of today, who may have been sad over not receiving the right version of play station for their birthdays, little Shalom Dov Ber had a different problem. "It's not fair!" He cried. "How come God revealed himself to Avraham, but not to me!?" After a moment, his grandfather answered him: "When a Jew, at 99 years old, decides to have a circumcision, to him deserves that God appear to him." And the child understood and stopped crying.

How did this answer pacify the child? And what can we learn from it in our lives today? Let's look first at his age. "5 years old" represents - not only youth in years - but in understanding. We today may not cry for spiritual elevation at 5 years old, but spiritually, many of us are at the level of "5 years old" - far removed from feeling God in our daily lives like we could. We too can cry out to God: "How come you haven't revealed yourself to me more? Show me that you are involved and care about my daily life and struggles, in an easily apparent way!" More than that: We can demand that God reveal himself to us as he did to Avraham! As it says: "Each Jew is obligated to say: "When will my deeds reach the level of my forefathers, Abraham, Issac and Jacob?" (Tana Devei Eliyahu Rabbah Ch. 25)

But what was so great about was Avraham did that he merited such a revelation? Avraham, at this point in his life, had changed the world around him as much as humanly possible, eductaing and refining all that he came in contact with about God and living a moral life. He could have sat back and relaxed; "Look what I've accomplished!" Instead, when God asked him to take another leap, he did so, leaving the ocnstraints of his ego behind. And through this act of willingness to grow, to always grow higher, no matter what plateau he may have reached, is why Averaham merited a higher revelation from God. We too must never be satisfied with our achievements, but must always desire to grow morally and spiritually, working to achieve more. Through the act of circumcision, Avraham completed the turning of his body into a mitzvah - a living vehicle for God's Infinite reality in a finite world. As we refine the world around us and our inner world, may God appear to us in turn, as he did to our forefather Avraham.

Shabbat Shalom!

Go to Yourself

'God Said to Avraham: "Lech Lecha" - Go from your land, from your birthplace, from your father's house, to the land which I will show you.' (Genesis 12:1)

The 1st two words that open this parashah and lend it its name - Lech lecha (literally meaning "Go, to yourself") - are perhaps the most important words ever spoken in history. With these words, God set Avraham on the course that would reverse the process of degeneration that humanity had been locked into ever since the expulsion of Adam & Eve from the garden of Eden, a course that would eventually lead the world to the Giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. It's fascinating that the 1st real thing we learn about Avraham is this command from God to "go." The Midrash teaches us multitudes of amazing stories about events in Avraham's life, including his preaching of monotheism to every idol worshiper around him, getting thrown into a furnace by King Nimrod and miraculously surviving, and much more! And yet, the Torah begins its narrative of Avraham's life at age 75, when he is told by God to go on a new journey. The reason for this, our Sages explain, is because as great a level as Avraham had thus reached through his heroic self sacrifice for his beliefs, his spiritual level was limited to his human capabilities. When God spoke to Avraham, commanding him to travel to Israel, this wasn't simply a travel tip. God was telling Avraham that as great a level as he had reached, there were deeper levels infinitely beyond. With this command, God was empowering Avraham to "Go to yourself" - to tap into levels unreached before. This applies to our lives today. One can meditate and contemplate the deepest mysteries of the world and God's existence, but as lofty as one can get, it will always be humanly limited. The Mitzvot, however, are Godly - and therefore lift us up through our performance of them, to levels we could never have reached on our own.

The Midrash says: "And God said to Avraham: 'Go from your land, your birthplace, and your father's house...'" (Genesis12:2) -- To what may this be compared? To a man who was traveling from place to place when he saw a palace in flames. He wondered: "Is it possible that the palace has no owner?" The owner of the palace looked out and said, "I am the owner of the palace." So Abraham our father said, "Is it possible that the world lacks a ruler?" G‑d looked out and said to him, "I am the ruler, the Sovereign of the universe." Why does the Midrash use such an analogy for Avraham? Couldn't it have merely said: "...It's like a man who sees a beautiful palace and wonders "who created such a magnificent palace?" Why does the Midrash say a "burning palace"? Our sages explain a powerful idea is being expressed here. Avraham recognized that this world was a 'beautiful palace', full of colors and sounds, miraculous childbirth and roaring waves, planets and galaxies. But he also saw that the palace was in flames - the world is full of thugs, abusers, thieves, and worse who demolish the palace, lighting it in flames of destruction! Avraham wondered, where is the owner to this palace? How can he allow this to go on!?

The Midrash says: "The Owner of the palace looked out and said, I am the owner..." God replied to Avraham's wonderment that he was indeed the owner of the world. But notice that in the analogy, the owner calls out from inside the burning palace! It is as if God, the owner, is calling for help. God made the palace, man set it on fire, and only man can put out the flames. Avraham asks G‑d, "Where are you?" G‑d replies, "I am here, where are you?" Man asks G‑d, "Why did You abandon the world?" G‑d asks man, "Why did you abandon Me?" As Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explains: 'Thus began the revolution of Judaism --- humanity's courageous venture to extinguish the flames of immorality and bloodshed and restore the world to the harmonious and sacred palace it was intended to be. Abraham's encounter with G‑d in the presence of a burning palace gave birth to the mission statement of Judaism - to be obsessed with good and horrified by evil.' May we start today to follow in our forefather Avraham's revolutionary path.

Shabbat Shalom!

Navigating the Flood

'Make for yourself an ark (Teivah).' (Genesis 6:14)

In this week's Torah portion, we read the famous story of Noah and the great flood, which was brought upon the earth because of the rampant immorailty of the time. G-d Instructs Noah to build a large ark - "teivah" in Hebrew - to house his family and animals together with him for the months long flood. Chassidic Philosophy explains the inner lesson (as every event in Torah has to teach us) behind the flood & ark in our day and age. The "flood waters" that threaten to drown us, are not 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 everyday life worries; 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."

The word teivah (ark) in Hebrew, also means 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 morning for this very reason! Every morning we wake up to the same flood waters, prodding us constantly to become work obsessed, chasing after the dollar and success, no matter what. Sincere words of prayer strengthen us to remember to every day treat the people we meet with respect and fairness. To propel us to a more meaningful day in all that we do. To steal away for a few minutes during the day to learn an idea in Torah reinforces this enlightened mentality. To realize a higher purpose in our dealings with the world. Business is to be conducted honestly and the money made directed to meaningful pursuits. Our primary duty is to help our children's education and to help others. Life is to be lived higher than the world tells us.

This is our daily "ark." But G-d Knew that we would need an extra special ark that could strengthen us for the long haul. The month long spiritual ark of Tishrei (Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah) has come to a close. But luckily, we were given a weekly "ark" to enter to rejuvenate 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 our individual purpose in life, gathering strength to carry it out. What's G-d's real intention & Purpose behind his creating of this complex and beautiful world, and placing me in it at this time?

May we all enter whatever ark we can that inspires us, to help propel us over the flood waters of life with great success, entering the world as Noah did after leaving the ark - to build it into a more pleasant, happy and meaningful world.

Shabbat Shalom!

The 1st Letter

'Bereishit Barah Elo-him, et hashamayim, v'et ha'aretz - In the Beginning of G-d's creating the heavens and earth...' (Genesis 1:1)

After the joyful celebration of Simchat Torah, where we celebrated the completion of the reading of the Torah, this week is "Shabbat Bereishit" - the beginning of the Torah anew. Action packed and full of "creation", innumerable gallons of ink have been spilled over the centuries by Sages deciphering & revealing the hidden layers in this week's Torah portion - "Bereishit - Genesis." There is a famous saying of the Baal Shem Tov: "One who grabs a part of 'etzem' (essence), he seizes it in its totality." As grand as something may be, if one grasps a level of truth somewhere in it, he has connected to the entire truth of that thing. Applying this idea to the Torah, perhaps when we learn a beautiful idea in any verse of the Torah, we have touched on the core of what the Torah is in its essence: G-d's will & wisdom.

When looking at this monumental parashah, let's look no further than the 1st word; actually the 1st letter. It is mentioned in the writings of Kabbalah (way before the theory of the 'Big-Bang' was theorized by scientists), that the entire universe can be found in the 1st word of the Torah, Bereishit - בְּרֵאשִׁית. The Sages continue, saying that all can actually be found in the first letter בְּ. Finally, they conclude, all can be found in the "dot" in the letter בְּ. So the idea that this universe began minute and expanded, seems to be shared by Torah & science alike.

But what can we, as Jews, learn from this 1st letter of the Torah? At first glance, it is a bit strange that the Torah begins with this letter at all, "bet - בְּ" which is the 2nd letter in the Torah! Why not start with the obvious 1st letter? The simple answer given, is that the 1st Hebrew letter alef - א, can begin the word "arrur - curse", while "bet" begins the word "bracha - blessing." But there are plenty of positive & negative words for both letters, so what's really going on here? The Torah is teaching us an important lesson by starting it with the 2nd letter: Reading the text, studying the Torah, is only the 2nd step. Something must come 1st. But isn't learning Torah an end all? What possible "preface" is necessary? When studying Torah, focusing one's mind on comprehending the subject matter is of primary importance. But what about the author? The answer is through preparation, step 1: Reflecting for a few moments that this that you are about to learn is G-d's wisdom which He condensed into a humanly intelligle form.

This is why the Torah begins with "bet", to hint to us that study is only the 2nd phase. When we 1st reflect on the source of what we are learning, its inner essence, we will merit the original explanation of our Sages on our lives - that Torah begins with a "bet" because it stands for the word "blessing".

Shabbat Shalom!

The True Mirror Image

This Tuesday night & Wednesday is the holy time of Yom Kippur. We know it as a day of fasting, lengthy prayer services, and secret day dreams of different break-fast meal options :) But what is the significance & power of these 24 hours, at its core? I spent the day at the beach today. Not swimming or surfing, but rather doing the "tashlich service" (throwing bread to the fish, representing our desire to turn from bad to good) with local Jewish day school kids. One of the exorcises we did, was giving out little mirrors out for the kids to look into. They were asked what they saw. Sone said "my face", others "the sand behind", still others "my eyes." "True, you saw those things," we said. "But eyes are the windows to the soul. When looking at ourselves and at others, we can just see outer physical figures. Or we can look deeper into the soul within."

During these days between Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur, and especially the day itself, we have the ability to reach into our souls, one's essence within, who we truly are. We primarily identify ourselves with what we do, not who we are inside. Behind every "experience", there's an I experiencing it. And no matter what path we have led so far in life, no matter what negative actions we have done, the true "I" in us remains unscathed. At our core we are pure and limitless, our essence unscathed through all the mud. We are not our actions - and must always remember that our inner light can never be extinguished, through thick & thin. At this time of year we often blow the shofar, for the shofar represents the simple cry of the soul - beyond our usual words & outer expression.

On Yom Kippur, Jewish Mysticism explains, this core of our beings - known as "Yechidah" - is revealed. This occurs primarily during "ne'ilah" - the 5th & last prayer of the day which corresponds to this 5th level of the soul. Ne'ilah means "closing" - representing the closing of the heavenly gates at the end of Yom Kippur. But our mystics explain a beautiful idea. It's not that the gates are closing with us on the outside, with our last chances to request forgiveness and a good year finished, but rather that we are closed in with G-d on the inside, in the deepest connection of embrace. During this time, let's try to focus less on the break-fast meal of cream cheese & lox, or even on the prayer pages, but to try and peer past the physical & material, and look into the deeper core of the world & our inner selves. For much of the other 364 days of the year, society succeeds in getting our attention diverted from ever thinking about our personal purpose for existing, from ever trying to realize our fullest potential. "Teshuvah," often translated as "Repentance,"if properly translated means "Return." While possible throughout the entire year, at this time G-d Gives us a special, sanctified haven in time to re-connect and return to our true, inner selves. Then in turn we connect with G-d on a level beyond our usual relationship - to a place beyond our sins & mistakes, where all can be forgiven.

This year, look into the mirror and see the truly beautiful person you are. Have an easy fast and a sweet new year!

Shabbat Shalom!

The Cry of the Prince

'And in the seventh month, on the first day, there shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall not perform any mundane work. It shall be a day of shofar sounding for you.' (Numbers 29:1)

This Sunday Night (through Tuesday Night) marks the beginning of Rosh Hashana - The start of the Jewish new year. The theme of Rosh Hashana, is that of renewal toward a better, more positive year. We ask God for a successful year Materially as well as spiritually, and we in turn ask God to be our King for another year. One of the central practices of the holiday is the sounding of the Shofar - the ram's horn, which serves both of the above themes: Just like when a King used to be coronated, trumpets were sounded, so too on Rosh Hashana when we appoint God as our desired king. What about our return toward a better path, an awakening of teshuva - returning to God and asking forgiveness for the past year and hope for a better one? How does the shofar help accomplish this? I mean, it is pretty amazing that for thousands of years we haven't moved on to a guitar or clarinet or any other musical instrument, but have always blown the shofar; but what does the shofar really accomplish?

The holy Baal Shem Tov gives a beautiful story to illustrate: There once lived a king in a faraway land who had an only son. One day, the king decided his son had grown old enough, and that it was time to send him off into the world to learn for himself life lessons and acquire wisdom. He wished his son well, giving him lots of money and provisions for the journey, and sent him off in a royal carriage. Days later, the prince arrived in an unknown town that attracted him. He decided to settle there and learn as much as he could. But as life often does, the prince began to get accustomed to the ways of the town, drinking at the local taverns and dancing the night away, forgetting his royal background, his father the king and the palace. Years passed. After a while, as we all know, even lots of money can dry up, and the prince began to look like all the other villagers; poor and ragged. After working a few dead-end jobs, the once regal prince was now wearing tattered clothing with barely a penny to his name, feeling down in the dumps. But one night, it hit him! "I'm a prince!" he thought. "What am I doing here in the dumps?! I must return to my father the king!" So off the prince went, this time by foot. After a 2 week journey, the prince found his way into the city, up the hill to the palace gates. "WHAT DO YOU WANT!?" The guards barked at this homeless wayfarer. "The prince sadly realized that not only had he lost all of the appearance of a prince, he had even forgot how to speak his native language properly!" As he was being pushed away, the prince - with no other course of action, cried out with a piercing cry of longing and pain. The king, standing by his palace window, immediately felt his heart melt - It was his son! He ran outside and embraced his son the prince.

Sometimes we mess up, we sin. But that's not who we are; we sin but are not sinners. We are taught that one's Jewish soul can never be tainted. It may be clouded over with some bad "clothing" here and there, but our pure interior is always latent, waiting to be sprung in a moment of spiritual connection. We are those princes. We may have strayed far from the palace of Hashem, from the Torah & Mitzvot, but we can return at any moment. The pure cry of the shofar (besides for reminding God of Abraham's sacrifice of the ram instead of his son, as well as the sounding of the shofar at the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai) reminds God, as well as ourselves, of our inherent inner purity and goodness that is unshakable.

May we use out these upcoming holidays in a spirit of joy and celebration, realizing how good we really are in essence, and where we can also improve for the coming year. {P.S. If you need a place to pray, all are welcome free of charge at Chabad of U.C. - 3813 Governor Dr.}

True Leadership

"The face of the generation will be like the face of a dog." (Tractate Sotah 49b)

With both the Republican & Democractic conventions behind us, and 2 months of non-stop ads and debates ahead of us, this week seemed like a good one to discuss politics & presidents. While most of us will be leaning toward Romney or Obama, I think many of us may also be thinking: "I kind of wish there was a 3rd guy." This sentiment is probably felt throughout the world, in every country. Every nation yearns for, and deserves, a just and wise leader who is strong for his people and has their best interests in mind. We know that, as great as democracy is, it has its faults. As Winston Churchill once wisely stated, as only he could: "Democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." But in Jewish thought, what's the ideal? Looking back in history, the height of Jewish prominence - in wealth, respect, peace, and spirituality - was during the times of King Solomon. Following the leadership of his father King David, these kings led - not acting according to what the polls and media wanted, but according to what was right. In the Tanach, it is told that God spoke to King Solomon in a dream, and asked him to name one thing he desired: "The wisdom to discern how to judge truthfully" was his request.

A true leader, leads - always with the nation's best interests in mind. Of course there later came corrupt kings, and we know that nothing's worse than an evil person who has complete rulership, which is why democracy is important today. But we mustn't forget the ideal of a true leader, a king, which God Willing will reoccur in the times of Mashiach and the final redemption, speedily in our days. On the last page of the Talmudic book "Sotah" (written over 1500 years ago), a fascinating list of prophecies are stated regarding the era immediately preceding the time of redemption:

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH INSOLENCE WILL INCREASE AND HONOUR DWINDLE; THE VINE WILL YIELD ITS FRUIT [ABUNDANTLY] BUT WINE WILL BE DEAR; THE GOVERNMENT WILL TURN TO HERESY AND THERE WILL BE NONE [TO OFFER THEM] REPROOF; THE MEETING-PLACE [OF SCHOLARS] WILL BE USED FOR IMMORALITY; GALILEE WILL BE DESTROYED, GABLAN DESOLATED, AND THE DWELLERS ON THE FRONTIER WILL GO ABOUT [BEGGING] FROM PLACE TO PLACE WITHOUT ANYONE TO TAKE PITY ON THEM; THE WISDOM OF THE LEARNED WILL DEGENERATE, FEARERS OF SIN WILL BE DESPISED, AND THE TRUTH WILL BE LACKING; YOUTHS WILL PUT OLD MEN TO SHAME, THE OLD WILL STAND UP IN THE PRESENCE OF THE YOUNG, A SON WILL REVILE HIS FATHER, A DAUGHTER WILL RISE AGAINST HER MOTHER, A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW, AND A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD; THE FACE OF THE GENERATION WILL BE LIKE THE FACE OF A DOG, A SON WILL NOT FEEL ASHAMED BEFORE HIS FATHER. SO UPON WHOM IS IT FOR US TO RELY? UPON OUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.

Besides for the amazingly accurate account of how teenagers will act toward their parents in the 21st century (I don't think even up until the 1950's, kids would dare talk back the way they can now to their Parents), as well as some of the other accurate prophecies mentioned, the Talmud states: "The face of the generation will be like the face of a dog." The great Rabbi, Yisroel Salanter, once explained this as follows: "The face of a generation is its leaders. How will they be like 'dogs'? When a man walks a dog, the dog is in front and the man is in back. To the uninitiated, it would seem that the dog is leading the master - for the master follows the dog! But the truth is, it is the master who pulls the leash from behind, forcing the dog to move where he wishes. It is the dog who constantly turns around to see where his master wants to go."

We see here the Torah's prophecy and insight into what life would be like today, with democratic leaders who lack backbone and conviction. We should vote with the leader whom we feel best exemplifies the qualities and positions we hold dear, while hoping and praying for the day when the Jewish people and the world at large, will have a leader who can truly lead us in the proper path for us in every way possible.

Shabbat Shalom!

Sharing the Load

"If you see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen, you must not ignore them. Rather, you should pick up the load with him."(Ki Teitzei 22:4)

As we've seen many times in the past, every verse in the Torah - every word - has an endless amount of deeper, underlying meanings and symbolism hidden within them. In a general sense, these levels of understanding can be divided into 4 levels, known as PaRDeS: Pshat, Remez, Drush, and Sod - The simple meaning, the hint or allusion, the midrashic meaning, and the hidden meaning. Let's take a look at the above verse, and discover some of the underlying messages behind the words.

On a simple level, of course, God is instructing us to help one another, even if you aren't very fond of your "brother." Why does the Torah add the words "(you should pick up the load) with him"? Our Sages explain, that if the owner of the ox looks to you to help and sits back expecting you to do it alone, because he knows you are commanded to help, you needn't help him. You must pick up the load with him. Let's now take a deeper look: If you see your brother's donkey: If you see your brother, a Jew, acting like a donkey, an unkosher animal -- Or his ox: or like an ox, a kosher animal, but an animal nonetheless-- Fallen: he has fallen from the behavior associated with an enlightened human being to the level more associated with animals-- You must not ignore them. Rather you should pick up the load with him. You should feel a brotherly responsibility to elevate and enlighten your fallen brother. It is precisely in order to assist him that you have been made aware of his spiritual descent. God would not have arranged for you to see him this way unless you were able to help him.

So far we have explained this verse's connection to our interpersonal relationships, both physically & spiritually. Now let's see what we can learn about ourselves from this verse. Each of us has an animal within, known as the animal soul, which lusts after the materiality and pleasure of the physical world, ignoring the spiritual and concealing the Divine soul which we possess as well. Throughout history, spiritual masters taught that the best & only way to subdue the animal within, was through knocking it down; subduing our passions and lust through fasting and self mortification. Then came the Baal Shem Tov, who taught that this wasn't the true path of Judaism. We have to engage the material world! But we have to help pick up the animal who has fallen, by educating it - showing our inner, passionate, animalistic nature that goodness & spirituality are actually even more desirable than pizza. We have to find God within the physical. Any beauty or pleasure we find in the world is in its source rooted in the spiritual realms and ultimately in God. So why connect to an offshoot when you can have the source?

As it's taught on the 1st page of the mystical work, derech mitzvotecha: "If you lived countless lifetimes as an all-powerful king, granted any & every desire you could possibly imagine all the days of your life, the pleasure you receive would not come close to the feeling of just one moment of pleasure in the next world, in the spiritual realms of gan eden."

May we help our brothers and sisters with the "loads" they bear, as well as elevating those around us. And may we educate ourselves as well, instilling greater appreciation of the tangible goodness found in the spiritual within every physical thing.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

Cold Soup

There once lived a cerain couple that was greatly in love. Before you knew it, he had proposed! The wedding was amazing, and married life continued from good to better. One evening, the man turned to his wife and asked: "Would you make me something to eat, please? I have to go for a moment, but I'll be right back." She begins preparing a delicious soup. Steaming hot, she places it on the table in front of her husband's favorite chair. The night passes, and there's no sign of her husband! A day, a week, a month, a year passes...and yet nothing. One morning, the man appears. He walks into the house, up to the table, straight to his favorite chair, sits down and tastes the soup that is on the table. The soup is cold.

What will the husband's reaction be? Anger? Disappointment? No way! If he's wise, there is no way he will complain. Rather he will think it incredible that not only is the house still there, his table and favorite chair, still there, but even the soup is there! The soup is cold? Well, yes, when you leave soup out for years, it can get a bit cold.

Now let's put this story into context. 3,324 years ago, G-d asked us if we would marry him. We had an extraordinary wedding ceremony, with great special effects--we were wowed. After the wedding He said, "I have a few things I'd like you to take care of for me so, please... I'll be right back." We haven't heard from Him since. For more than three thousand, three hundred years. He has sent messengers, messages, postcards, but we haven't heard a word from Him in all this time.

Maybe the Jewish people haven't always been as virtuous as we could have been. Yes, if Mashiach comes today, he'll find that "our soup" is cold. We suffer from separation anxiety. We suffer from a loss of connection to our ancestors. The soup is cold, very cold. Today we aren't spiritually excited and in tune like in days of old. But is that really our fault? And who gets the credit for the fact that there is soup altogether? That we're still here! We are a vibrant, passionate, and loyal people. We the Jewish people are a miracle! G-d is proud of each of us and all of our ancestors. And at the time of the final redemption, He will beam openly with pride and thanks for keeping our Jewish identities strong - keeping the soup on the table.

In the meantime, nothing stops us from warming up the soup a little, adding spices and flavor. An extra mitzvah, a prayer said with vitality. But no matter what, we can look at our nation with pride.

Shabbat Shalom!

The Holy Copycat

You shall follow after Hashem your G-d... and to Him you should cleave. (Devarim 13:5) Comments Rashi: "To Him shall you cleave" - Cleave to His ways; Acts of Kindliness, burying the dead, visiting the sick, like The Holy One Blessed Be He does.


In the beginning of the Torah, in the days of creation, we are told that man was created in G-d's image. What does that mean? If G-d is infinite & without form or image, how can this possibly be? The answer is that we aren't created in some sort of tangible "image" that can be seen or felt. Rather, we were created with the same attributes that G-d has. This is an amazing thing! When G-d "breathed into his nostrils the soul of life", Adam & Eve and their descendants were infused with G-dly souls that had G-dly attributes. How do we see this? That we contain abilities that are similar to G-d's? Well, let's look at the simple fact that G-d Knows he is the only true existence, with no creator before him - He can do anything and everything. Sounds familiar? Unlike the angels in the spiritual realms who are described in the visions of Ezekiel & Isaiah as being in a continual state of fiery love and devotion to G-d, always with the sense that they are created and get life from Him, we humans DON'T feel that at all. Quite the contrary! Each of us believe we can do anything, create anything, have infinite possibilities, without feeling during our day that we have a life source from above and were created. Sounds familiar?

G-d is infinite, and knows he can create infinitely as well. Us humans can do the same. Say what!? Well, you and I are descendants of parents who had parents who had parents since the first man & woman. And from each of us can be produced children who can have children potentially ad infinitum! In that way, we have created an everlasting chain! An ability to create infinitely. Sounds familiar? The above verse (& commentary from Rashi) in this week's Torah portion, Re'eh, sheds light on the next question. OK, so we're created in the "image" of G-d, with similar attributes. But at the end of the day, we're down here in a reality that denies we have any connection to - let alone are similar to - G-d! So how can I awaken that connection?

Answers the Torah: "Cleave to Him - by cleaving to His ways. Acts of kindness, burying the dead (as G-d did with Moses), visiting the sick (as G-d did with Abraham after his circumcision), like the Holy One Blessed Be He does." G-d is continually forgiving the Jewish people in the desert with compassion. We must learn to forgive, to have compassion. The Ramak (1522-1570), the foremost Kabbalist of his time in Tzfat, Israel, wrote an entire book on how to emulate G-d, entitled "The Palm tree of Devorah." Through expressing our attribute of kindness, mercy, patience, compassion, charity and all the amazing G-dly attributes we possess, we strengthen our connection to the One whom we are emulating. As this special Hebrew month of "Elul" (begins on Shabbat) comes upon us, when "The King is in the field" and G-d is extra accessible, may we do our best to emulate Him by being the best we can be, awakening our connection to G-d once more anew.

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh tov!

Just JEW It

"And it will be, because (עֵ קֶ ב) you will listen to these commandments and keep and perform them, that the L-rd your G-d will keep the covenant and the kindness that he swore to your forefathers."

This week's Torah portion is "Eikev" (עֵ קֶ ב), generally translated contextually as "when" or "because." But ask any native Hebrew speaker what this word means, and they'll tell you "heel" - the bottom of the foot. The most overlooked and insensitive part of the body. What symbolism does this have for us, the reader!? What connection does a heel have to holy commandments? (Beware: If NIKE hears about this, they may try to get their logos on this section of the Torah scroll).



I don't know about you, but when I receive a birthday gift, oftentimes the more touching and meaningful part is not the item given; it's the card. As the famous saying goes: "It's the little things that matter." In relationships. of course major needs and issues are vital to address, but often it's the little things that speak volumes. The husband who cleans the dishes; the child who brings a cold drink to dad after work; the mom who makes your favorite food; your friend who writes you something to brighten your day.

So too in one's relationship with G-d. About this word "Eikev" in the Torah, Rashi writes: 'The verse is suggesting if you will heed the minor commandments which a person tends to tread on with his heels (then G-d will keep his promise to you).' "It's the little things that count" says G-d. Doing the commandments that we're not so interested in doing, that may be uniquely hard on us or seemingly irrelevant. Paying attention to the small details. Showing our love through something seemingly small, where no one sees you but G-d. Thanking Him for even the little things that are good in our lives.

Through this devotion and attention to even the little things, we can reach the deeper explanation of the word heel here, that our commitment to G-d and his Torah will come to permeate one so entirely, that even the "heel" - signifying the least sensitive aspect of a person's being - will come to feel a closeness to G-d. The word heel is written in connection to the commandments, to also teach us that our relationship with G-d should not be confined only to the holy days of the year, or to certain holy hours of prayer and study, but should also embrace our everyday activities.

In the spirit of this week's Torah portion, let us choose one mitzvah - one area in Torah observance - that we usually "trample on with our heels" (ignore), and do it with a smile :)

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

Dancing with God

~ Thank G-d, an article was published this past week in the S.D. Jewish journal about my youth group, Jteen :) You can see it here: Article ~


Today is the 15th day of the Hebrew month "Av", a special day known as Tu b'Av. SO special, in fact, that the Talmud describes it with a very surprising statement: 'There were no greater festivals for Israel than the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur. On these days the daughters of Jerusalem would go out... and dance in the vineyards. ' (Taanit 26b) For some reason, these 2 days were days of rejoicing; days when "love was in the air." Women danced, matches were made (wait, why don't we do this today again?)Yes, Judaism is big into celebration, and especially Jewish matchmaking. But why are these 2 specific days so perfectly suited for this celebration??

As surprising as it is to see Yom Kippur on this list - the seemingly most solemn day of the year, upon further reflection it does make some sense as to why this day was so celebrated. After the sin of the golden calf, and after many days of repentance and remorse, G-d gave Moses the 2nd tablets (the 1st were at the shop after Moses broke them) to bring back to the Jewish people on the 10th day of Tishrei - Yom Kippur. Thus, the day represents a time of forgiveness and closeness, when G-d and his people were re-united in love. Thus we understand the celebration & matchmaking of this day. But what about "Tu B'av"? Many great things in Jewish history happened on this day (see here for 6). But even so, why is this day known as a day of celebration and matchmaking, partnering husband and wife?

Some explain, that unlike other holidays, Tu B'Av is connected to the darkness which precedes it. The holy temple in Jerusalem was destroyed on the 9th day of Av, a month associated with an extreme descent. And we know the famous saying of our Sages: the greater the descent, the greater the ascent. Therefore the reunion represented by Tu B'av after such an incredible descent as the destruction of the holy temple only days beforehand, is an incredibly powerful one. But what does that have to do with matchmaking & love? We are also taught that in our lives, marriage also isn't really just a union between man and woman, it is a reunion. A soul is divided into two halves; one half descends into this world in a male body, the other in a female's body. Marriage is the joyous reunion of these two estranged halves. When the two finally find each other and reconnect, the resulting emotions are so intense, because it results from the re-unification of that which was long lost.

On a cosmic level, man and woman are metaphors for G‑d and His nation. The soul of the Jew is a "part of G‑d" (beg. of Tanya Ch.2); like husband & wife, one's soul and our creator G-d is essentially of one essence. And we too undergo this process of estrangement and reunion; a process intended to heighten the love and passion, to bring it to levels unimaginable had we never experienced separation in the first place. The first time our nation was estranged from G‑d was shortly after our betrothal at Mount Sinai when we worshiped a Golden Calf. The reconciliation and redoubled commitment and love occurred on Yom Kippur.

That, however, was a relatively short estrangement. With the destruction of the Holy Temple and the commencement of two millenniums of exile, we embarked upon a most painfully long stretch of estrangement. The goal? To ultimately reunite in an amazing passion and infatuation with G-d. The result of this estrangement will be the grandest wedding of all times - the coming of Moshiach which will usher in an era of eternal marital bliss. This is what is signified and celebrated on Tu B'av; after the mourning of the temple's destruction, we rebound and see the reason behind the destruction in the first place - the most powerful reconciliation imaginable. May we always remember in our lives that events of descent will always be ultimately followed by an ascent, and that the distance we may feel from G-d, can always be followed by a much more powerful reunion.

Shabbat Shalom & happy Tu B'av!

-Daniel

A Bag of Cold Goins

A wealthy & experienced businessman had a son who was a novice in business. The father gave him a sack of gold coins to buy some merchandise. “Business isn't complicated my son. It's simple: You buy merchandise in bulk at wholesale price, and you sell it at retail price, making profit. Go to Vilna. Visit the city market and buy it for the wholesale price.” The son-in-law went and did as his father-in-law had suggested. The first stand he saw at the market was selling shofars (ram horns). "It's right before Rosh Hashanah! Come and buy shofars for the holiday!" Announced the owner. He got a good price on shofars and bought a wagon-load.


When he arrived home, his father was flabbergasted. “What did you do?!” The son replied, “What’s the matter? I checked the prices just like you told me to.” “Yes,” said the father, “but there's only one main synagogue in our city! Everyone hear's the shofar blown there on Rosh Hashanah. Nobody's going to buy these!” The father stormed off to tell his workers to put the shofars in the warehouse. Sometime later the father was ready to try again. The son went to Vilna again, and this time he found a tremendous bargain - a massive amount of toothpicks for less than 10% of their wholesale price! Smiling with pride, the boy filled his wagons with toothpicks and headed back to town. He was in for a surprise when he came home. “What’s the matter father? I got an amazing price on these toothpicks.” “What’s the matter? What’s the matter?! Nobody's going to buy all of these toothpicks!” The father sighed and told his workers to put the toothpicks in the warehouse.

After a while, the father called a merchant who dealt in odd lots and asked him to take the shofars and get whatever he could for them. The following day, he called somebody else, who dealt in overstocks, to do the same thing for the toothpicks. Soon after, these two fellows bumped into each other. Unaware that they were working for the same person, they made a trade, shofars for toothpicks. When the father got the report, he burst out laughing. His son complained: “Why are you so upset with me? These two guys are hot-shot businessmen and they both bought the same merchandise I did!” The father answered, “My dear son. Both of these men had something worthless and exchanged it for something worthless. But you had gold. You could have bought priceless goods, but instead you bought worthless merchandise!”

Each of us has been entrusted with a beautiful neshamoh (soul). We have been given a G-dly gift, the Torah, full of Divine wisdom and guidance. We have been given many minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years to achieve and acquire good deeds in this world. But too often we pass up on good "merchandise", instead focusing on the purchase of useless items. This wouldn't be a big deal, if not for the fact that we were given gold. Each of us has been given golden, priceless souls, entrusted with a divine mission to acquire mitzvot and better the world as best we can. From saying the shema to lighting shabbat candles or giving a dollar to charity, we can come home with great merchandise our Father can be proud of.

Shabbat Shalom!

We Were Like Dreamers

"A Song of Ascents. When G-d brought Zion out of captivity, we were like people in a dream. At the time, our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with cries of joy. At the time it was said among the nations, "G-d has done great things for them." G-d had done great things for us; we were happy. Let our captivity, G-d, be a thing of the past, like dried-up streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy." (King David, Psalm 126)


So goes the 1st paragraph of the "birkat hamazon" - the blessing we say after meals that include bread. Tonight begins what is known in the Jewish calendar as "the 9 days" - the sad period of time that led up to the destruction of the 1st & 2nd temples in Jerusalem on the 9th day of the Hebrew month of "Av". The above words by King David describe the time that will come - may it be very soon - when the Jewish people will be redeemed from exile and returned to the land of Israel in peace. Let's take a look at the exact words King David uses to describe our state of being during exile: "We were like people in a dream." What's the deeper meaning behind this expression of being in a dream like state?

What happens when we dream? One really cool thing about dreams, is that opposites can occur at the very same time! The impossible becomes possible. Not only can you fly and defy physics, but opposites can mesh harmoniously - like a massive elephant going through the eye of a needle. How is that possible? It's possible because, as we know, dreams are (primarily) full of falsehood and imagination, with no substance to them. Our intellect, when sleeping, seizes to wield its logical control over our thoughts and emotions - and they therefore run wild.

This then is what King David is teaching us: In our lives, living during this long exile, we are as if asleep like dreamers! Even while awake, we act in life as if in a dream, where opposites flow together like it's no problem! On Jewish holidays & Shabbat, we engage in holy matters, such as prayers and learning Torah. Many even engage in this every morning! Yet the very next day, or even later that morning, we can act as if G-d isn't running the world at all. We worry over everything, we act towards others and within our own minds as if totally unaware of the feeling of closeness to G-d and recognition of his providence we had just moments ago. Are we schizophrenic (G-d forbid)? Didn't you just leave the western wall a minute ago in tears of inspiration and now you're freaking out because the line at the old city pizza store is going too slowly? How can we be like that?

King David is telling us that it's all right. That's how galus - exile - affects our daily reality and mindset. But if we try, putting effort to really connect with G-d, sometimes we can have that connection actually affect our daily conduct afterward. We become awake, for however short a time it may be. And may these waking moments lead us to the ultimate, true time of reality, when we all be awake to a G-dly reality, speedily in our days. (Based on a Chassidic Discourse by R. Yosef Yitzchak Shneerson, Purim 1940)

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

My Father & the priest

One of my very favorite true stories. This is told by Mrs. Chana Weisberg of Toronto, about her father, the revered Rabbi Shochet:


Almost 30 years ago, my father, Rabbi Dovid Schochet was asked to lecture to a group of Jewish and non-Jewish participants in the neighboring city of Buffalo. He decided to focus his lecture on the theme of charity, due to its universal application to both Jews and gentiles. My father began with the following story: A wealthy individual who never contributed to charity lived during the time of the Tosfos Yom Tov, a great Jewish sage. After this miser died, the Chevra Kaddisha (the society responsible for the burial and performing the rites on the body) felt that he was unworthy of being interned next to any upright and respectable individual and buried him, instead, in the area of the cemetery called hekdesh, reserved for society's outcasts and destitute. A few days after the funeral, a tumult developed in Krakow. The butcher and baker, two prominent members of the community, who had hitherto been extremely charitable, suddenly stopped distributing their funds. The poor people, who had relied on the benevolent pair for their sustenance, now were in a state of uproar. Emotions ran so deep that the matter was finally brought before the Tosfos Yom Tov.

He asked the two why they had so abruptly terminated their worthy acts. They replied: "In the past this 'miser' would continuously supply us with funds for charity. He strongly warned us, however, not to disclose our source, since he wanted the great merit of performing the mitzvah in a hidden manner. Now that he is dead, unfortunately, we are no longer able to continue." Awed by the unassuming miser's' behavior, the Tosfos Yom Tov requested that he be buried next to this humble individual, even though this meant being interred in a disreputable section of the cemetery. As my father concluded his lecture, a participant from the audience, who happened to be a priest, approached him and requested that he repeat the story. My father suggested they meet the following day. Thinking that the matter would be forgotten, my father was surprised when, at the appointed hour, the priest actually arrived at my father's hotel. The priest, once again, pleaded with my father to repeat the story. My father obliged, but was astounded when, after concluding the story a second time, the priest seemed terribly distraught and begged him to repeat it, yet again.

At this point, the priest was nervously pacing back and forth across the room. Finally, he divulged the reason for his agitation. He turned to my father and confessed, "Rabbi Schochet, that charitable man in the story was my ancestor." Skeptically, my father calmed the young man saying that there was absolutely no connection between him and the story, which took place hundreds of years ago. "Furthermore," he told him, "you are a gentile, while this man was Jewish." The priest looked intently at my father and whispered, "Rabbi, now I have a story to tell you!" He began by describing his background. He had grown up in the state of Tennessee. His father was a Major in the U.S. army during the Second World War. Overseas, in Europe, his father had met a Jewish girl and fell in love. He brought her back home as his war bride and no one knew of her background. A short time after their marriage, the couple was blessed with a child, whom they devoutly raised in the Catholic tradition. The child grew up and attended a Seminary where he eventually trained to become a priest. In his early adulthood, the priest's mother died prematurely. At her death bed, she disclosed her secret identity to her completely baffled son. After reciting the Shema prayer, she confessed, "I want you to know that you are Jewish." She informed him of his heritage and that his ancestor was buried next to a great sage called the Tosfos Yom Tov. She then recounted, almost verbatim, the story that my father had told in his lecture. At the time, the priest imagined that his mother was delirious. Although he felt uneasy by his mother's parting words, it was only a temporary, fleeting emotion. As he got on with his life, he soon forgot the entire episode and lost interest in the subject. "Rabbi," cried the priest, in a state of complete emotional upheaval, "you have just repeated this story, detail for detail. You have reminded me of my mother's parting words, and that the story must be true. Yet what am I to do? I am a reputable priest with a large congregation of devoted followers." My father offered to assist him in any way. He emphasized to him, however, that according to Judaism, he was indeed Jewish. He encouraged him to explore his heritage, and put him in contact with people in his city who could guide him. With that, the weary, newly-found Jew departed.

My father had no future correspondence with this man, and heard no further from him. Several years ago, on a visit to Israel, a bearded, religious Jew approached my father at the Western Wall, the Kotel, and wished him, "Shalom Aleichem." My father didn't recognize the individual and was completely taken aback when the man exclaimed, "Don't you recognize me, Rabbi Schochet? I am the former priest whom you met in Buffalo!" He continued, "A Jew is never completely lost from his people."

P.S. My father recently discovered that he is a direct descendant of the Tosfos Yom Tov. At that auspicious juncture in time, in a hotel lobby in Buffalo, N.Y. a descendant of the Tosfos Yom Tov met with a descendant of the miser -- and miraculously changed the course of destiny.
~~~~~
May we always remember that G-d directs our world and our lives, however strange it may appear :)

Shabbat Shalom!

The Power of Garments

G-dly Soul and animal soul. Will and pleasure. Unity and disparity. Thought and action. In his monumental, classic work - the Tanya - Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812) compares and contrasts everything from what goes on within a human being, to what's going on within G-d and his universe. Made up of 5 parts - A Collection of Sayings, The Gate of Unity, Letters on Repentance, Holy Letters, and The Final Collection of Sayings, the first book contains 53 chapters. Early on, in the 4th chapter, the author makes a point so profound - it's almost easy to read right through it and pass over the latent power behind his words. After discussing in Ch. 3 what we're made up of - a "divine soul" & an "animal soul" each made up of 10 faculties, in chapter 4 Rabbi Shneur Zalman discusses the "garments of the soul" which is thought, speech, and action. Surely when one thinks over a Torah thought or says a kind word, or even brings a glass of water to a parent, that's cute and everything, but surely less holy or powerful than the G-dly soul within us....right?

In the words of the holy Rabbi: "Now these 3 "garments," deriving from the Torah & its commandments, although they are called "garments" of the soul, their quality, nevertheless is infinitely higher & greater than that of the soul, as explained in the Zohar, because the Torah and G-d are one." Meaning, as great and as spiritually lofty as the souls within us are, they are still finite. But, when I choose to do, say, or think something from the Torah, I am connecting my soul and body to something truly infinite - because G-d and his wisdom, his Torah, are one and the same, it is connected to his Essence. The power in which Judaism places on proper action in life knows no bounds - it is ALL about this world! So many focus on the "world to come" - on "going to heaven" - but Judaism teaches that this is where it's at! Sure, in the next world, G-dliness is felt and comprehended easier and pleasure is therefore greater, but in terms of true spiritual attainment and accomplishment, nothing beats the opportunity we have in this physical world. There is a Jewish law that says men must tuck in their tzitzit - "fringes" on the sides of their garments, when walking into a cemetery. Why? So as not to arouse any jealousy in heaven, because of the fact that we can do physical mitzvot and they can't anymore!

The author continues: "Hence it has been said (in Ethics of our Fathers 4:17): Better is one hour of repentance & good deeds in this world than the whole life of the world to come" since in heaven one connects to a limited light, whereas G-d's Infinite Essence can be found only in Torah & Mitzvot. But wait a minute! How in the world can we say that G-d's Essence is found in the Torah, one that talks about monetary laws, rituals, holidays, laws of the temple!? By way of analogy, Rabbi Shneur Zalman concludes: "Although the Torah has been clothed in lower material things, it is by way of illustration, like embracing the king. There is no difference, in regard to the degree of closeness and attachment to the king, whether the king is then wearing one robe or several robes, so long as the royal person is in them." G-d is found in his Torah and Mitzvot completely, whether we feel it or not.

May we embrace the king whenever possible, in good thought, speech and deed, binding our small selves with the infinite.

Shabbat Shalom!

The Director

One of the most essential questions human beings wonder, regardless of time or place, is: "What brings happiness, and how do I avoid sadness?"


At first glance, the answer seems to lie on one simple idea: Avoiding pain and unpleasantness. "If I avoid pain, I won't be sad." But as can be seen in our life experiences, this can't be the true answer. Let's take a look at the most human, and most painful, of human experiences: Childbirth. And yet as painful as this experience is, it will be extremely difficult to find a mother who has just given birth, who isn't overcome with an indescribable feeling of joy and contentedness. Clearly, when pain has an underlying meaning and goal behind it, not only is sadness not an outcome; great joy can come! So what causes our sadness and hinders our joy?

To find our answer, let's take a look at the most obvious of sources: The Goliath ride at 6 flags magic mountain. As the ride rises higher and higher, the fear and trepidation mount. Then, at its peak, with a view of the entire Los Angeles skyline, the ride drops at an incredible pace! If you take a look at that moment at the faces of the participants, you will see an odd, paradoxical sight: Looks of sheer terror and joy! How can one possibly be happy at a time like this? Aren't they worried? Well, the ride goers know that there's rules & regulations in place to ensure the safety of the ride. They know that there's constant inspections and oversight, ultimately overseen by a director whose dedication to the well being of the ride goers is paramount.

So too in our lives. When one realizes that there is a Director, an overseer over each event of one's life, than hindrances to joy melt away. Pain, fear, aren't the problems. The problem is that we don't recognize that there is a plan behind it; that there's a director overseeing each aspect of our lives and our ultimate success. That therefore there is meaning behind every one of the challenges and painful experiences we encounter. When we internalize this recognition, when we put faith in trust in our Director, we allow joy to enter our lives, freeing us to ride the roller coaster of life with smiles on our faces.

Shabbat Shalom!

For A Piece of Bread

In this week's Torah portion, Korach, we read about a man who was dissatisfied with Moses and Aaron as the leaders of the Jewish people. Unlike other religious writings, the Torah is unique in its criticism of its "heroes." Moses and the Jewish people constantly mess up, and this is highlighted. There isn't much "sugar coating" going on. But as in life, it is important that one recognize the special qualities of those around us. Yes, Korach rebelled, but his sons repented.

Yes, the Jewish people constantly complained and rebelled, but they also displayed immense faith and trust in G-d by following his commands, like wandering into the dessert toward a distant Israel with barely food or drink. They displayed immense loyalty while enslaved in Egypt, keeping their language, Hebrew names & clothing in a foreign, threatening environment. Indeed, nations claim that G-d has turned his back on the Jewish people because we are "stiff-necked", yet it is precisely because of our "stiff necks" - our stubbornness and unwavering loyalty to the truth, that has ensured our remaining a distinct nation, the trusted nation of G-d and his Torah.



Simon Wiesenthal, the famous Nazi-hunter, once spoke at a conference of European rabbis in Bratislava, Slovakia. The rabbis presented the 91-year-old Wiesenthal with an award, and he, visibly moved, told them the following story.

It was in Mauthausen, shortly after liberation. The camp was visited by Rabbi Eliezer Silver, head of Agudat Harabbanim (Union of Orthodox Rabbis of North America), on a mission to offer aid and comfort to the survivors. Rabbi Silver also organized a special service, and he invited Wiesenthal to join the other survivors in prayer. Wiesenthal declined, and explained why.

“In the camp,” Wiesenthal said to Rabbi Silver, “there was one religious man who somehow managed to smuggle in a siddur (prayer book). At first, I greatly admired the man for his courage—that he’d risked his life in order to bring the siddur in. But the next day I realized, to my horror, that this man was ‘renting out’ this siddur to people in exchange for food. People were giving him their last piece of bread for a few minutes with the prayerbook. This man, who was very thin and emaciated when the whole thing started, was soon eating so much that he died before everyone else—his system couldn’t handle it.”

He continued: “If this is how religious Jews behave, I’m not going to have anything to do with a prayer book.” As Wiesenthal turned to walk away, Rabbi Silver touched him on the shoulder and gently said in Yiddish, “Du dummer (you silly man). Why do you look at the Jew who used his siddur to take food out of starving people’s mouths? Why don’t you look at the many Jews who gave up their last piece of bread in order to be able to use a siddur? That’s faith. That’s the true power of the siddur.” Rabbi Silver then embraced him. “I went to the services the next day,” said Wiesenthal.

This beautiful true story illustrates the importance of seeing the good in each other, focusing on the positive. May we always succeed in seeing the good in our fellow Jew, which as our Sages say, is the ultimate source for bringing Moshiach.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

Like a Mother's Love

"From my flesh I see G-d." (Job 19:26)
A fundamental tenet of Jewish mystical teachings is the idea that from every element of this physical world, we can deduce ideas of the spiritual. How come? Because this world descends directly from its spiritual counterpart above it; its spiritual "DNA", its blueprint and mirror, is the spiritual above it. This applies even more so to what we can observe in the human being, for "man is a miniature world." (Zohar)

Based on this, when trying to understand our relationship with G-d, Jewish mysticism often teaches from the bond we see in human relationships, one being the love felt from a parent to it's child. As the holy Baal Shem Tov taught: "G-d's love for his people is like that of an aging couple who has an only child born to them late in life, except infinitely more so." In truth, the only reason why a parent has a deep inherent love for his or her child, is because this stems from G-d's love of his people.

If one meditates on this idea a bit more, dissecting this analogy in greater detail, a different outlook & perspective on one's relationship with G-d emerges. If one thinks for a moment about a mother who conceives: Slowly a new, living being begins to develop within her, connected as one with its mother, a continuation of her. Every aspect of it's life is bound to its mother. After birth, the helpless child survives & is nurtured from his mother's loving beneficence. A child can and never will, fully understand the love of his mother to him. It's not a love of one person to another, but of an extension of herself treated greater than herself, with a deep and boundless tender love that can't be quantified. So too by G-d toward his children. Yet how many of us think of G-d this way? Not as a stern king, but as a loving creator and parent?

The next time we pray or just take a moment to think about G-d, let us close our eyes and imagine this aging mother in a loving embrace with her new child. From my flesh I see G-d - We can always learn from the world around us, and from the world of emotions within.

Shabbat Shalom!

Scoring Goals

Summertime is in the air! Working with teenagers, I can sense the energy & enthusiasm as the school year comes to an end, with the summer break on the horizon. But while schools end and students begin s 3 month break from learning anything, Judaism teaches us that every moment of life is really a lesson. As the holy Baal Shem Tov taught: Every single thing that a person sees or hears, is an instruction to him in his conduct in the service of G‑d.


During a recent trip to Europe, I spent Shabbat in Prague. At Friday night dinner, there was a large group of Jewish NYU students who were studying abroad for the semester. When I was asked to speak, this idea of the Baal Shem Tov's teaching came to mind, and I thought back to an earlier segment of my trip in England.
There I had attended 2 soccer matches, where I was struck by the passionate enthusiasm of the fans in the stadium. Songs were chanted by children & adults alike, who had grown up rooting for their home team. Raucous cheers & groans seemed to exude from the stadium as if coming from one mouth (to avoid conflict among fans, European soccer teams strongly limit the amount of opponent's fans allowed to enter). It is definitely an interesting experience to observe fans going crazy over something as inconsequential as whether a person can successfully kick a ball into a goal.

But like the above mentioned teaching, there had to be something to learn from this situation. It's known that our souls descend to earth for a lifetime, however long. Each soul has a specific mission to complete in his or her particular situation, of rectifying the world and in service of G-d - charged with scoring a goal. But we're not alone in our missions here on earth. There are countless souls and angels watching us and cheering us on to succeed. We may not hear or feel them the same way that soccer players do, but they're there; from our grandparents and our ancestors to the greatest of our past leaders. They realize that today is not like it was, that challenges to leading a virtuous life in today's world are much harder than they once were. But the abundant stories and events brought in the Talmud, Midrash and Zohar show that our actions and life here have wondrous effects in the spiritual realms.

May we score lots of "goals" in our lifetime, and remember that however hard our situations in life may be, there are fans out there rooting for us with all their hearts to succeed.

Shabbat Shalom!

Teenage Rebellion

The rebellion in young people is not a crime. On the contrary: it is the fire of the soul that refuses to conform, that is dissatisfied with the status quo, that cries out that it wants to change the world and is frustrated with not knowing how.
-The Rebbe


When completing a year of activity and programming, it's fitting to take a look back and reflect on what's been accomplished, and what needs to be improved on. Tonight was the 1st annual banquet & award ceremony for JTeen, my organization for the Jewish teenagers of San Diego. While looking for a few words of inspiration I could use during the evening's proceedings, I came across a very powerful & insightful thought in regards to the teenage years, as taught by the Lubavitcher Rebbe and adapted by Simon Jacobson, author of "Toward a Meaningful Life" (wisdom which the singer Matisyahu has said inspired his song Youth). During the youthful "cultural revolution" of the 1960's, unlike many other adult leaders, the Rebbe spoke often about the inherently positive nature of the changes the world's youth were demanding and seeking. He explained like this:

A young person is like fire. With direction and guidance, he or she can change the very shape of the world. Without direction, the fires of youth are wasted at best, while at worst, they can become a dangerous, destructive force. To lead a meaningful life means harnessing the fires of youth; but first we must understand the purpose of youth itself.

The period of adolescence is nestled between childhood and adulthood. Teenagers are no longer content to play like children but don’t yet have the knowledge and experience to be fully engaged in adult pursuits. Youth is one of the most precious periods of a person’s life, and yet one of the most difficult.

What most young people are searching for is a meaningful cause. They are overflowing with a mixture of adrenaline and confidence -- “I want to change the way the world works,” teenagers often think. “I can change the world.” Adults, burdened with the pressures of everyday life, convince themselves that the world just is the way it is, but young people cannot tolerate such resignation. This is the constant conflict between the two groups: young people abhor the status quo, while adults’ lives revolve around it.

Many adults simply write off the teenage years as a rebellious period that a person must simply outlast. Young people, meanwhile, often think that adults have forgotten how to appreciate the very meaning and thrill of life. Youths are rebellious, and adults see the rebellion as one step shy of a crime.

But rebellion is not the crime; the crime occurs when the rebellion has no healthy outlet. Rebellion, in fact, can be the healthiest thing for a human being -- a pure energy that inspires a person to not give up easily, to refuse to tolerate injustice, to not go along with an idea just because everyone else is thinking it. The worst thing we can do with a young person’s spiritual or psychological energy is to bottle it up; in fact, we must do everything we can to tap this energy, to focus it, and channel it properly. To satisfy the needs of our teenagers in today’s society, we must first recognize that their restlessness and hunger for meaning is not material but spiritual in nature, and that only spirituality can feed spiritual hunger. that their lives include a higher purpose, that they must use their youthful energy for good and moral purposes.

The fire of youth must be used not just to build careers but to build homes and communities based on love and giving. It is the responsibility of adults to provide young people with a blueprint, a spiritual guide to life -- which consists of G-d’s word and His instructions of how to best lead a meaningful life.

This concept, I think, can apply to our lives as well, no matter how old we are. That flame of passion within us that desires to make a difference, can & must be channeled practically in the world, and the Torah teaches us how. May we light up the world with our candles, and work to better understand and help the youth around us to light up the world in the special way only they can.

Shabbat Shalom!

A Sleepless Night

{Next Thursday, May 31, my youth organization, "JTeen", we will be hosting an end of year banquet. We would love it if you could join us, and if not, you can be a virtual attendee. To reserve, please visit: www.JteenBanquet.eventbrite.com}

From this Saturday night until Monday night., Jews worldwide will be celebrating the major Biblical holiday known as Shavuot. On Shavuot there is the custom to stay up the entire night (many spend it learning Torah or listening to classes at synagogue.) So what's exactly up with this strange custom?
The source for the custom of staying up comes from the Midrash, which details how the Jewish People slept in on the morning of the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai (celebrated as the holiday of Shavuot). Say What!? How does someone sleep if he knows that the next morning he’ll be meeting & hearing from G-d Himself! I can’t even sleep well when I know I have a flight to catch the next morning!

So to understand how the Jewish People could have slept so soundly the night before this momentous event, let's back up & take a look at what sleep really consists of froma Jewish perspective. What happens when we go to sleep? Jewish Mysticism explains that during sleep, our souls leave our bodies and ascend to heavenly realms, leaving the sleeping body below. A bit of soul energy is left to maintain the body in its seemingly dead state, while the soul - free of the constraints of the body - leaves to enjoy a greater feeling of closeness to G-d while learning greater Torah wisdom. So now we can look back to the Jewish people's plan to sleep in the night before the giving of the Torah.

They had a seemingly great plan! “We’re right before the holiest event in history. We’ve spiritually prepared for the last 49 days since leaving Egypt, refining ourselves to the most humanly possible degree. The last thing we can do is sleep! To let our souls go beyond our bodies for a little bit, and get as close to G-d as possible before the giving of the Torah!” Sounds good right? So then we can ask the other way: why do we stay up every year on the night of Shavuot to make up for the fact that the Jewish People slept? It was a good idea!

In this question & answer lies a very fundamental concept of the Torah. The giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai to the Jewish People, was that the spiritual & physical - heaven & earth - should meet; G-dliness could now be infused into physicality. When a mitzvah is done, the physical object and body of the person doing it could now become infused with G-dliness.

A unique and beautiful aspect of Judaism, a revolutionary concept in fact, however counter intuitive, is that true spirituality - true G-dliness, can ultimately be found only in the physical. The Torah argues that the oneness of G-d is expressed when He is found down here in the physical world. It’s very important to be spiritual and transcend the body sometimes to connect to G-d, but ultimately He desires that materiality be elevated and made a vessel for His Dwelling. And that’s why we stay up on Shavuot night, avoiding the sleep that our ancestors thought a correct preparation. Because sleeping, having the soul leave this world for more loftier places, is not the ultimate G-dly intention. The intention of G-d in creating us & this amazing world, is that we "stay up" - that we engage the physical, fixing ourselves and the world around us, soul in body.

Happy Shavuot!

-Daniel

P.S. It's a mitzvah to hear the 10 commandments read from the Torah in synagogue on Wednesday. [For more Shavuot info., go to: Shavuot]