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

Joy & Love

During this past week, we marked the 17th anniversary of the passing of Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the 7th Rebbe (Spiritual leader) of Chabad Lubavitch. A teacher who guided and mentored a generation of people (see here), there are 2 specific areas that he continually highlighted: To be joyful, and to love every fellow Jew like you love yourself (The Rebbe also preached a love of fellow human beings, but particularly highlighted the special quality of unity among the Jewish people).

A famous story highlights this. Every Sunday in his later years (from the age of 86-92 yrs. old), the Rebbe would stand for hours on end, greeting all comers with a smile and an encouraging word, as well as a dollar for charity. An elderly lady once remarked to him in wonder, "How can you do this!? Don't you ever get tired?" To which the Rebbe responded: "One never gets tired when counting diamonds."

Which reminds me of a question posed to me recently by an elderly Rabbi at a Chassidic gathering. "I don't understand," he said. "If an angel were to appear in this room right now, everyone here would be in awe and wonderment, standing in complete reverence. And yet, Jewish Mysticism teaches that the soul of a Jew derives from the highest of G-dly realms, beyond all angels and supernal beings. So how come we show one another any less reverence or respect?"

Of course, the answer is that physicality hides the G-dly truth contained within it. At least in our mortal viewpoint, if not in the eyes of the Rebbe and other holy giants of our history. The ones who could see the diamonds in the rough - explained the true reality. Now it is up to us to train ourselves to look at the world in such a way.
But how can we if we see different?
And here lies a beautiful directive from the Rebbe that is at once simple, and very powerful: To be joyful. It's not always easy, and one doesn't always feel like putting on a smile and laughing, but beyond the good it does for our emotional health, joy "breaks all barriers" (see here). It helps us to view others favorably and with a kind eye, even if normally we might have not done so. To see the holiness in the people around us. It also helps us look at ourselves with a kind eye. Because "love your neighbor like you love yourself," only works if you love yourself! Not the egotistical type of love, but rather the appreciation for the diamond which is you; the diamond the Rebbe would see. The inner soul which is you.

And once we appreciate that we are diamonds, we can appreciate the diamonds that surround us - no matter how much mud may cover them -they are still diamonds. As Rabbi Piekarski of Del Mar once remarked: "When looking at a star from earth, it looks like the same as all of the others. But if you were to get a closer look, you would see the special, distinct quality of that particular star. So too with every fellow Jew we meet." At 1st glance we may see negativity. But get to know the person, peer deeper, and you may find a diamond.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

3 Stages of Love

The 3rd and last major holiday on the Jewish Calendar, Shavuot, was celebrated this past week. Commemorating the giving of the Torah, Shavuot is often likened by our Sages to a wedding between G-d and the Jewish People. Our entire nation stood at Mt. Sinai (the wedding canopy), as G-d (the groom) wed His bride (the Jewish People), and Gave "her" a ring of betrothal (the Torah) - making vows that we would always be loyal to one another.

Let's take a deeper look at this analogy of a wedding & the giving of the Torah. One could perhaps divide the relationship between a man & woman, a couple, into 3 stages. The 1st stage is the early days of their relationship, the courting process. Here the 2 may feel very much in love. Each person is showing the other the best side of themselves, putting on a "show." In this stage, each one appreciates the other's qualities, and is attracted to their talents, personality and capabilities.
In the 2nd stage, however, after marriage, this feeling of being "madly in love" may not stay on a high. But the relationship still grows, as each person helps the other, beginning to also appreciate what the other person does for them. All of the kind support and caring that a supportive spouse offers. In the 3rd stage, the couple have ceased looking at just what the other offers or at the great talents of their mate. They are now one. Think about when you see an elderly couple together. You may not see an "exciting" relationship, a burning passion between them. However, they are deeply bound. Each knows, instinctively, what are the needs of their spouse.

So too have there been 3 stages in the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people. First, G-d performed miracles for us in Egypt & at the sea, "sweeping us off of our feet."We were madly in love with one another, proclaiming: "na'aseh v'nishma - we will do & then we will understand." Undying devotion to the G-d Who appeared, in one word, to be Awesome. But this was a temporary excitement. After our marriage at Mt. Sinai, we disobeyed and rebelled, leading almost to a divorce. But the relationship still grew, as we began to do things for our Mate, performing Mitzvot.
But as history has progressed, the connection between G-d & His People Has moved into the 3rd stage - our becoming as One. Knowing instinctively what the other wants. This is seen in the Halachot & Minhagim (customs) developed by all strands of Jews worldwide over time. The laws of the Sages represent this, as it says: "The Torah is not in heaven" - meaning it is up to us to decide amongst many of the rulings and customs (see here for more).

May we work toward & merit the time soon when our relationship with G-d, and the entire world's relationship with Him, is openly revealed as being in the 3rd stage - as one.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

Peering Beyond the Surface

B"H

~Since I'm heading to Northern Israel tomorrow for the weekend festivities of ''Lag B'omer,''
this week's email is coming a bit earlier than usual. Have a happy Lag B'omer this Sunday!~
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In Montreal there lives a distinguished kabbalist & author named Rabbi Zev Wolf Greenglass.
He once recounted a personal event which helped change his life:

"Many years ago, in the early 1940's, I was traveling through a certain town in Russia.
Needing a place to stay over for the night, I found a Chabad Yeshiva (school of Torah learning) and asked a student there if there
was perhaps a room available to sleep in. "No problem," a student told me. "My roommate is away at a wedding. You can take his bed."
Thankfully I was led to his room and proceeded straight to bed.

In the middle of the night, I woke up to use the restroom. As I arose from bed, I saw an amazing sight.
There on the floor was sleeping the boy who had offered me his "roommate's" bed!
I was a complete stranger to him. But knowing I was a fellow Jew who needed a place to sleep, the boy had simply given his bed to me.
When I woke up early the next morning, the boy was gone. He knew I'd have felt bad to have known I'd taken his bed."
"This selfless love," Rabbi Greenglass concluded, "is what drew me to Chassidism."

~~~~~~

Truly caring for a stranger is no easy feat. It is perhaps the hardest character trait to integrate into one's life.
Why? Because of our natural egos, our self centered outlooks. Each of us naturally feels ourselves and our life situation & feelings.
Only after getting to know someone, can one hope to say: "Wow, he has feelings too. There's actually something behind those facial muscles. There's another human being."
There's a soul in that body.

The same holds true in our relationship with G-d.
We don't see the true Him. All we see is His world and the events and creations in it, his outer garments, His "Facial expressions."
The Real Him is Hidden.
But just as one has to work on sensitizing oneself to perceive the inner workings, the soul, of another human being,
one must also work to sensitize oneself to connect to the inner soul of the universe - G-d. And it ain't easy.
Oftentimes we tend to speak at one another, rather than to another. The focus is on me. It's quite an unpleasant feeling for the listener.
How often in prayer, or when performing a mitzvah, am I actually connecting/speaking to G-d? Connecting to the real Him behind it all?
"Baruch atoh Hashem..." Blessed are You Hashem.

The next time we say these words, let's try and say them to G-d, to create that One-on-one bond that's there to be strengthened.
And may we be successful in sensitizing our perspectives; to be able to look beyond the masks of our fellow beings,
and beyond the mask of G-d.

Have a great rest of your week & Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel
Jerusalem

What's so great about Children?

B"H

The love the Lubavitcher Rebbe had for children was legendary. In his
eyes the holiest members of the Jewish people were our youth. Whenever
a young boy or girl waved to the Rebbe, his face would light up
immediately and return the wave.
The Rebbe spoke and wrote countless times about the power of a child's
simple prayer or thought, emphasizing the importance of every Jewish
child's action-more important than the most venerable Rabbi could hope
to achieve.

What is it about children that we love so much? Sure they're cute, and
ask funny questions, grinning from ear to ear without their 2 front
teeth.
But if we look a little bit deeper, what essential value do young
children have compared to their elders? Why should children be valued
more than a teenager or adult in any way? Shouldn't it be the
opposite, considering the fact that the older a person gets, the more
he has worked on himself to realize what is truly meaningful &
worthwhile in life? A child has never really faced the world or
thought about what is truly important...

The Rebbe explains that a father loves a son naturally, and his young
son loves his father by his very nature too. Why? Because that's just
the way it is. The son comes from his father's essence (as explained
in the Chassidic works) and both feel an essential bond for that very
reason.
What happens though when the son grows older? Both the son and his
father begin to feel love for each other based on reason and
understanding also. I love my father because he does so much for me
and really cares, and there's even a commandment in the Torah to
respect my parents. I love my son because he's so warm and smart, with
a great smile and he treats his sister so nicely. Of course each loves
one another intrinsically still for no reason at all, but now this
love is more hidden by the love based on reason.
The source for this relationship between father and son, Kabbalah
explains, stems from G-d's Intrinsic Love for the Jewish People. "You
are children to the L-rd your G-d." (Devarim 14:1) When Yisrael was
a youth did I Love him, and from Egypt I called forth my child."
(Hoshea 11:1) "The children I have raised and exalted." (Yeshayahu
1:2) These are a few of the many places in scripture where we see this
loving relationship expressed. Sure we have to serve G-d through
prayer and Torah study, meditating upon His Blessed Greatness which is
beyond our wildest imaginations, growing continuously in our efforts
to reach closer to our King.
But the simple, intrinsic bond between father and son, rooted in that
of G-d and His People, must be forever cherished.

Shabbat Shalom
-Daniel