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What's a Rabbi Like Me Doing in Folsom?

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 3:45:00 PM

Have you ever wondered why a rabbi like me would choose to live in Folsom? Why did I move my family from a vibrant Jewish community to an area that is not (as of yet) known for its Jewish community?

It was due to the inspiration of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe uplifted the worldwide Jewish community that was devastated by the Holocaust. The Rebbe’s inspiration gave life and hope to a people whose prospects were bleak in a hostile world. An integral part of the Rebbe’s work was his encouraging young rabbis to move to communities whose Jewish infrastructure was lacking, to reach out to the unaffiliated and uninspired Jew and awaken their dormant Jewish soul.

Today, the 10th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar, marks the anniversary of his accepting the mantle of leadership of the Chabad movement. In his landmark inaugural address, the Rebbe outlined his outlook on the world and our mission within it.

In Shir HaShirim (Solomon’s Song of Songs) the world is described as a garden. Many may perceive the world to be more similar to a jungle, a haphazard place where wild animals dominate. They look around and see the base behavior and immorality that prevails. They see the violence, the hatred, the pain and the suffering. And they conclude that this world is a jungle, a wild place that has no good in it.

However, the Torah describes the world as a garden, a place that Hashem refers to as My garden. It is essentially good.

When we perceive the world in this way, we can have the hope to better this world. We recognize the good that is within it and we work on revealing the good that is there. We work on cultivating G-d’s garden. Just by looking with this perspective, even before we start the work, we begin to recognize the good that is out there.

I’m reminded of a great quote from Winston Churchill: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”.

Let’s reveal the good in this world and help cultivate Hashem’s garden.

Do You Pray?

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 3:43:00 PM

Do you pray? That’s a question that will ensure that many will not read this post, and most certainly won’t respond.

Tefillah (generally translated, somewhat inaccurately, as prayer) is central to Judaism, but for some reason many Jews haven’t incorporated tefillah into their lives. I contend this is due to a lack of understanding about the fundamentals of tefillah.

Many think that prayer is reserved for when in distress, a time of need, when all other options have come up empty. When all else fails, we turn to G-d. But in truth, as Jews we are expected to pray daily - actually, three times daily.

So what is the purpose of this prayer?

The Hebrew word tefillah is better defined as an intimate connection and communication. The soul connects to it’s divine source and is able to appreciate it’s mission in this world - to give life to the body. And our body can reconnect to it’s mission in this world - to make this world a dwelling place for G-d.

Too often we get caught up in the rat-race of life; Tefillah is a time to develop our connection to the A-lmighty and realize our higher purpose in this world. Tefillah is the time to let G-d into our life.

When Reb Menachem Mendel from Kotzk (the Kotzker Rebbe) was a child, he was asked by his father's friend; "Menachem Mendel, where does G-d live?" The young child was quick with his response; "Wherever you let Him in!"

Be the Captain of Your Own Ship!

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 3:49:00 PM

I’m sure you heard about what happened to the Costa Concordia last week. It ran aground on the shore of Italy and partially sank, forcing over 4000 crew and passengers to evacuate. At least 11 people died and many were wounded in the incident.

Notwithstanding the terrible accident itself, the news has mostly been dominated by the detail that the captain had abandoned ship. On a regular day the captain’s job may arguably be less important than say the engineer in the boiler room. The captain’s real job starts when there is an emergency. His job is to ensure the safety of the crew and passengers. Instead of leading the evacuation, the captain of the Costa Concordia left the boat and refused to return even after being ordered to by the coast guard.

In many ways, we are all like a ship navigating our way through the sometimes rough waters of life. Our captain is the soul within each of us, a portion of G-d. On a regular day we may not hear from our “captain”, we may be able to get by without him. It’s when we are faced with a challenge, that we really need to be able to draw strength from our soul.

But will our soul rise to the occasion or will it “abandon ship”? For that we need to train. We need to train our soul by regularly doing Mitzvot and studying Torah. By training ourselves to lead our lives by a higher standard - not just with a focus on what’s in it for me, but with a focus on what am I needed for. Then, when we are faced with an “emergency” we will be equipped to handle it and will think about what we are needed for rather than only how can we save our own skin.

Do You Work?

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 2:58:00 PM

Henny Youngman said: You know why Jews don't drink? It interferes with their suffering.

In the Torah’s description of the story of the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt (which we begin to read this week during the weekly readings of the Torah), Moses confronts G-d with the age old question - “Why do bad things happen to good people?!” Or in the words of Moses “Why have You harmed this people? Why have You sent me?” (Exodus 5:22).

The work that the Jewish people were required to do in Egypt is described as “Avodat Perach”. Generally translated as “back breaking labor”, the Talmud says that this means unnatural labor. Work that is typically for men was forced onto women and vice versa.

The Torah is a guide book for life, hence the name Torah - from the word ho’ra’ah - which means teaching or instruction. In the Torah, specific details of events are taught and many others are left without mention. And all the stories and topics included in the Torah are there for the lesson contained within.

According to the explanation sited above, a beautiful insight can be gleaned: It’s not necessarily the amount that you accomplish, rather it’s the growth that is important. Our “work” must be “unnatural” and only then is it valuable.

Those things in life that come easy, naturally, with minimal effort - as important and succesfull as they are, are not “work”. Real work is pushing ourselves beyond our (perceived) limitations. Getting out of our box and pushing beyond the limit. That’s called real work.

For this type of “suffering” we need real focus and that’s why we don’t drink.

It's Shabbos Now - Video

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 9:59:00 AM

Wisdom of the Ages on Today's Economic Crisis

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 7:12:00 AM

For more info on this course and to register please click here.

Be Stubborn... In A Positive Way!

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 8:52:00 AM

You may have heard of the recent distressing news coming from Beit Shemesh in Israel. With the media latching on to this story, you probably have. I have strongly protested the use of violence and mayhem (as have many others - including this official statement from Chabad Headquarters in New York. Read this article too). Expected, but equally deplorable, is the use of this story by some to promote their ideologically driven agendas.

All sides of the matter can be “blamed” on our unique Jewish characteristic described in the Torah as “stiff-necked” (See Exodus 32:9). We have the ability to behave in irrational ways; this trait can be traced all the way back to when Jewish people sinned by worshipping the Golden Calf barely 6 weeks after the receiving the Torah and witnessing the awesome revelation at Mount Sinai.

We see this being played out in the recent stories out of Israel. The incitement to violence by Jews against other Jews; the retaliation by Jews against other Jews. And the terrible way this whole story has been manipulated by the Israeli press, public and even politicians.

But there is a positive explanation for the “stiff-necked” nature of Jews. It is a special inner strength, a quality that has kept us alive throughout all the years of exile and persecution. It is this inner strength that enables us to continue to live as Jews in any environment (even Folsom/El Dorado Hills!).

Let us focus on the positive aspect of our “stiff-neckedness” rather than allowing this trait to be expressed in an unholy manner. Let’s commit to expressing our “stiff-neckedness” by being involved in the local Jewish community and bringing Judaism and Jewish practice to our homes and families - even though it’s not in vogue. Let’s express our “stiff-neckedness” by being proud of who we are and not hiding our identity - after all we have what to be proud of and we have the innate ability to be “stiff-necked”. Let’s use it in a positive way!

Are you a fool for making a New Years resolution?

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 1:40:00 PM

This time of year has people talking about resolutions. One of my favorite (cynical) quotes about resolutions is this one from F. M. Knowles, “He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.” Or as a friend of mine announced on Facebook that he is opening a new business; for the first two weeks of the year it’s a gym and for the other 50 it’s a bar.

We have a tendency, in a moment of inspiration, to resolve to radically change our lives. And we all know how well that works...

The Talmud relates the story of Elozor ben Durdaya, who had the dubious distinction of having transgressed every prohibition in the Torah. It was said about him that for him to return to G-d was as distant as from east to west. In the end, the Talmud relates, he regretted his ways and died a repentant soul, earning his place in the world to come.

How was he able to bridge the seemingly insurmountable distance to his return, “as distant as from east to west”?

By turning around and beginning to head in the other direction.

For him to return did not mean that he had to become a perfect person overnight. It meant that he had to disavow his current lifestyle choices and begin to head in the right direction. And although he was still in the same place, because he had turned and begun heading in the new direction, his life was now deserving of a place in the world to come.

So when resolving to be better, in whichever area, it doesn’t mean radically changing your lifestyle. It means changing the direction in which you are heading. It doesn’t mean beginning every day with an hour long workout; it does mean paying more attention to leading a healthy lifestyle and incorporating healthy habits into your life. It doesn’t mean keeping the entire Shabbat fully this week; it does mean lighting Shabbat candles weekly, making kiddush weekly or coming to shul regularly. It doesn’t mean keeping kosher overnight, it does mean beginning to pay attention to what is and what isn’t kosher, learning how to keep a kosher kitchen and beginning to implement small changes in your eating habits.

We may not succeed in radically changing our lives, and can therefore be described as a fool for making a resolution. But we can succeed in incorporating small changes into our lives.

And before you know it – your life will be radically different!

Is Coca-Cola Kosher?

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:03:00 PM

That was the question that was raised this past shabbat. It seems that the easily missed OU Kosher symbol that is on the cover of the bottle was not noticed, hence the question. The answer is yes - but it wasn't always so. Click here to read the interesting story how Coca-Cola became kosher.

Are you a wick or a flame?

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 2:37:00 PM

Are you a wick or a flame?

“Neither,” is probably what you’re thinking. A wick and a flame have to do with a candle - what’s that got to do with me?

Man can be compared to a candle (see Proverbs 20:27); specifically, the wick refers to the survival instinct, our physical side and the flame refers to our ability to transcend, our spiritual side.

A healthy balance includes both aspects, physical and spiritual. Investing in our physical side while ignoring our spiritual dimension is not beneficial, and neither is the flip-side good for us.

But here’s the catch - by nature we are more in tune with our physical side and give it the priority. Our spirit tends to get neglected and that leads to imbalance in our lives. A feeling of emptiness or that there’s “too much going on,” never being able to get “on top of it,” are all related to this imbalance.

We need to invest in our spirit by adding in “transcendent” activities; an extra mitzvah, caring for another person. Transcendence means being outwardly focused; instead of looking for what we need, looking what we are needed for. And when we’ve incorporated this extra step into our lives and it becomes part of our regular schedule, it’s time to add another. This is the lesson of the Chanukah lights, we begin with one but we are never satisfied - we constantly grow.

What Are You Giving Your Children This Chanukah?

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 3:00:00 PM

What gift are you giving your children this Chanukah?

This time of year can be challenging for Jewish parents. Many of your child’s friends are participating in non-Jewish holiday parties and celebrating a holiday that is foreign to us. Children invariably want to be part of it; they want to participate in the celebration. It looks exciting, alive. They want to be able participate in the Nutcracker performances and tree lighting ceremonies; they want to get presents under a tree just like their friends do.

Some parents wring their hands in despair, unsure how to react. Although hard to admit, you are uncomfortable with your child/ren celebrating Christmas... but at the same time you don’t want to deprive them of their fun.

I think this time of year gives parents a special benefit, a unique opportunity that at other times in the year has to be sought. It is the opportunity to give your children a special gift - pride in their heritage.

When your child asks to participate in a non-Jewish holiday celebration or performance, explain to them why as Jews we don’t celebrate these holidays. Tell your children of the special heritage that they have and how Jewish people have survived throughout the ages only by preserving their heritage, instead of forgetting it.

Setting a limit based on an untouchable standard rather than a constantly shifting position will give your child important tools for life. When you, as a parent, chooses to raise your child/ren in a proactive manner, rather than passively watching them grow older, this is the best gift you can give your child. This provides them with a moral backbone that will help them say no to drugs, look for the appropriate life partner and make the right decision in so many other situations which parents can sometimes only hope their children will choose wisely.

Instead of allowing (or encouraging) your child to participate in The Nutcracker or any other Christmas celebration, give them the gift of their very own heritage. A gift that has been preserved throughout the ages - through thick and thin...

...Just for them!

Are We All Equal?

Fri, 9 Dec 2011 1:23:00 PM

Are we all equal? Or are some of us better than others?

I think we can agree that although we all deserve to be treated equally, we are not, in fact, equal. Some of us has have skills in areas that other don’t. It would be ludicrous for someone to demand equality in order to perform a brain surgery or fly a plane.

While some may allow their accomplishments or talents to get to their head, Judaism sees success as a responsibility.

The Talmud relates regarding the great scholar and redactor of the Mishna, Rabbi Yehuda HaNassi, that he would honor the wealthy. Why emphasize that he honored the wealthy, rather than say the charitable or the pious?

Everything in this world is due to the Divine Plan. The fact that a certain person is wealthy and therefore has the means to impact the world in a positive way through that wealth, reflects the soul potential of the individual. This is also obviously true with regard to someone who has a particular talent or skill.

But this gift (of wealth or talent etc) is not just for personal use. Hashem gives us the extra blessings in order for us to share it for the benefit of others. So if you are wealthy, it’s in order to help support community organizations; if you are talented in a specific area, it’s in order to share your talent for the benefit of others.

Help spread the wealth!

Delayed

Fri, 2 Dec 2011 2:25:00 PM

Conference of Chabad Emissaries. (Click here for some inspiring videos from the banquet that took place at the end of the conference).

My flight home began as regular but I couldn't have anticipated that it would take me almost 24 hours to get home! We had a stop in LAX (while I was there, I checked in to ensure that my accent was still intact...) we boarded and left as usual, but as we arrived in the Sacramento area the pilot explained that due to low visibility we may not be able to land.

We circled the airport for a few minutes and shortly after the pilot announced that we will be returning to LAX. A short while later I was back at the gate from which we had just departed a few hours prior!

After an hour dealing with the airline to re-book, I finally checked in to a hotel to be able to sleep a little until my flight into Oakland (yes, Oakland Airport - Goldie had to drive two hours to pick me up...).

This little ordeal took up my whole Tuesday and threw my entire week off schedule...

This experience reminded me of an important fact. The bottom line is that sometimes we go through life and think that we are in control, we make the decisions. Every once in a while we are sent a reminder - “Hey, don’t forget - it’s really me, Hashem, who controls everything!”

And I find that pretty comforting, how do you feel about it?

Mistaken Identity + Special LIVE Broadcast!

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 1:45:00 PM

David was walking downtown and was surprised to meet his long lost friend, Moshe. “Moshe! It’s so good to see you!” he exclaimed. “My Moshe, how you’ve changed over the years. I hardly recognized you, the glasses, the grey hair – you even look a little shorter…” “Excuse me,” replied the man, “but my name is not Moshe.” “What!? You even changed your name!!”

It is not all that uncommon that we mistake one person for another but have you ever mistaken your own identity?

I think “mistaken identity” is a perfect diagnosis for the American Jewish community as a whole and many Jewish people individually as well. We have come to think that Judaism is about caring for global warming and social justice, and forgotten the holy mission that we have been charged.

When G-d chose the Jewish people at Mount Sinai, (an experience of mass revelation – an experience that no other religion can lay claim to), He told them. “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of princes and a holy nation.” There’s more to being Jewish than a common culture (which we don’t have) or similar food (which we also don’t have); we have been empowered to be a “holy nation”.

But what does it mean to be holy? I’m not a spiritual person! It means that we infuse our regular activities with higher purpose and meaning. We don’t just eat food, we are mindful of the idea that this food will be giving us the ability to do a mitzvah. So we make a blessing before we eat, to help us be conscious of this concept.

We are “amphibious creatures” – we exist in the physical world but we have a wholly spiritual side, a soul. It’s not enough to nourish our physical body, we have to remember our spiritual, G-dly side as well. And until we recognize that side of our self and nourish it, we will consistently be mistaken about our own identity.

What do you think? I think it’s time to get out and find yourself!

***

I am in New York attending the annual Conference of Chabad Emissaries. On Sunday I will be visiting the resting place of the Rebbe. I’d be happy to include you and your family in my prayers, please reply to this email with the names of your family members and their mother (if you are not Jewish, send your name and your father’s name). This is a special opportunity to request a blessing for better health or parnassa (livelihood).

On Sunday afternoon the conference concludes with a banquet (the largest sit down dinner in New York) which will have a live broadcast online and will be available on our website – www.jewishfolsom.org/kinus live at 2:15 pm on Sunday. See if you can spot me in the crowd – I’ll be the one with the black hat!

Israeli's Talk About Chabad's Mitzvah Tank's

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 3:50:00 PM

Nice video!