Rabbi Yossi's Blog

How do you make decisions? Have you ever thought about that? The advertising agencies operate on the premise that we make decisions based on our emotions. They try to create an emotional connection to a product by portraying it in an attractive manner, thereby luring us to buy their product.

When drawn in by an advertisement, are we making a rational decision or is our decision-making ability clouded? Are we making a free decision or are we held captive by our emotional connection to the product?

The first step to being truly free is to be able to make decisions based on truly rational motives.

Man was created such that the “brain rules the heart.” Our emotional connections should be based on a sober, rational and objective decision. Not based on passion and emotion.

Only then can we be truly free.

The Passover Seder begins by listing the 15 steps of the seder. Interestingly the first two, “kadesh, urchatz,” seem to be in a different category than the others. 1) Unlike any of the other steps, they are connected by the letter “vav” which means “and.” 2) They appear in the context of a command (e.g. kadesh, recite the Kiddush) as opposed to the others that are merely reporting what takes place (e.g. magid, the haggadah is recited).

Kabbalistic teachings provide some insight – the first of the 15 steps refer to the intellectual capacity of the person. The intention is that the person’s intellectual capacity will have a positive effect on the person’s emotions and behavior.

This is the first step to freedom, the intellect is in control.

May we celebrate Passover this year in true freedom!

In the early 1900’s, in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a local Rabbi once ran into the Episcopalian Minister who was not very fond of his immigrant neighbors’ ghetto-like lifestyle. "What a coincidence!” remarked the minister: “It was just last night that I dreamt I was in Jewish Heaven."

"Jewish Heaven," mused the Rabbi. "What’s it like in Jewish Heaven?"

"Oh!" replied the minister snidely, "In Jewish Heaven children with dirty faces, un-tucked, un-pressed shirts play in the dirt. In Jewish heaven women haggle with vendors as panhandlers rudely interrupt.

In Jewish heaven laundry hangs from a maze of clotheslines; dripping water on to the muddy surface. And of course,” continued the minister with a wry grin, “There are plenty of Rabbis running to and fro, with large tomes under their arms!”

“How amazing!” retorted the Rabbi pursing his lips: “In my dream last night I found myself, of all places, in Episcopalian heaven.”

"Really?” muttered the minister. "I’ve always wondered what Episcopalian Heaven was like. Please tell me what you saw.”

“I must admit,” said the Rabbi with a wide smile, "It is nothing short of immaculate. The streets glitter as if they had just been washed, homes are lined-up in perfect symmetry, as their fresh paint sparkles in the sunlight, the lawns and gardens are manicured to perfection.”

"Not at all surprising,” said the pleased, almost giddy minister, nodding excessively. “But tell me about the people! I’m curious to know what the people are like.”

“The people,” frowned the Rabbi, as he looked the minister in the eye. “What people? There were no people to be seen!”

I think that the Lower East Side in the early 1900’s is a great metaphor for life – dirty and difficult but with much value and meaning buried within.

Who ever said life is easy? Judaism, unlike other religions, does not promise eternal bliss and tranquility. Life is a constant struggle, a struggle within and a struggle with our circumstances. We have ups and we have downs.

There is a beautiful message in the Torah regarding these challenges. In describing the case of tzara’at* that could come in one’s home, the verse makes it sound as though it should be expected.

The question is asked: tzara’at was an affliction that came as a result of one’s negative behavior, why does the Torah relate it in a manner that implies that it is inevitable? The commentaries explain that the nations living in Canaan at the time hid their treasure in the walls of their houses. The Torah is promising the Jewish people that Hashem will provide circumstances that will reveal the hiding places of these treasures.

So what looked like aggravation and misfortune – tzara’at could even lead to the demolition of one’s home – turned into blessing and wealth.

We do not experience tzara’at anymore but there is an important lesson here. Often we will experience challenges and difficulty in our lives. We can be tempted to get despondent and give up. But every challenge has a hidden shine. There is a benefit within.

May we recognize and appreciate the benefits and not have to suffer through protracted challenges!

*Tzara’at was a spiritual ailment that had a physical manifestation resulting in blemishes appearing on one’s home, clothes or body. For more information on tzara’at, click here.