What Kind of Person Are YOU?

First, a couple of anecdotes to put things in perspective.

A politician once asked a rabbi, Why it was that whenever he, the politician, gets up to speak, he shares words of Torah, but the rabbi was always talking politics?

The rabbi responded, It's simply human nature. People like to talk about things they know nothing about!

* * *

A congregant asked his rabbi, Why you are always talking to me about money, while other rabbis talk about Torah?

The rabbi explained, Other rabbis talk about Torah, while worrying about money. I'm talking about money, because I am thinking of how to teach more Torah!

* * *

Knowing precious little about politics, I choose not to discuss it here. Please understand that while I am writing in context of heated political context, what I am sharing is not political. It is moral, ethical, and right. I think.

One week into Trump's presidency, the sky has not yet fallen (at least not here, in Florida). Nor has the Messiah arrived (even here, in Florida).

Time will tell if there was any reason to either fast, or feast, on the day of his inauguration, as some friends tried to convince me.

Meanwhile, consider the following.

On the Shabbos before the inauguration, in the Torah portion of Vayechi, Yaakov (Jacob) requested from his son Yosef (Joseph) to ensure that he would be buried in Israel. Our Patriarch, Yaakov Avinu, the father, bowed to Yosef, his son. Rashi (Breishis 47:31) comments that although the lion is king, when it is the time of the fox, you bow down to him.

On the Shabbos immediately following the inauguration, in the Torah portion of Shemos, Moshe and Aharon first asked the Pharaoh to allow the Jewish people to go and serve G-d "lest he strike us with a plague or with the sword." Again, Rashi (Shemos 5:3) explains, they should have said "lest He strike you", but they imparted honor to the throne, and spoke respectfully.

Finally, in this week’s Torah portion, Va'eira, after being rebuffed by the Pharaoh, G-d instructs Moshe and Aharon to continue to speak to his respectfully (see 6:13, and Rashi).

* * *

Whatever you think of Trump, even in comparison or contrast to the Pharaoh, he is the president of these great United States of America. It behooves us all to treat him with respect.

Furthermore, as I often tell my students, how you behave towards others is not only a reflection of what you think of them, but a reflection of your own self.

Never mind what you think of Mr. Trump as a person or as president.

What kind of person are YOU?

Have a wonderful Shabbos,

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Anthony’s Jewish “Roommate”

This piece is dedicated to Akiva, who reminded me to start writing again.

A few years ago, a Chabad rabbi entered a local computer repair shop to solicit an ad for a Jewish art calendar that he was going to publish. When the proprietor saw that the calendar was published by Chabad, he said, I love Chabad! I’ll do an ad with you!

* * *

25 years earlier, Anthony was minding his own business on a cold winter evening in downtown New Haven, when he was approached by a Yeshiva student.

Excuse me sir, are you Jewish?

No, but my roommate is!

It’s Chanukah tonight. Do you know if he has a Menorah?

No, I’m quite sure he does not.

Here, give this to him, and tell him to light it!

The Yeshiva student handed him a box that included a tin Menorah, a box of candles, and instructions. Anthony thought it was really nice of Chabad to extend themselves to others in this manner.

* * *

Time passed.

Anthony met a nice Jewish girl, they decided to marry, with the understanding that he would first convert. He began to attend classes, until one day when his grandmother called him and explained that it wasn’t necessary.

I’m Jewish, she said. So is your mother, and so are you. After the war, we’d decided to keep it under wraps…

* * *

Now, Yeshiva students visit Anthony regularly. He has Mezuzahs on his doors, his own pair of Tefillin, and a growing personal library of Jewish books that he reads, saving his questions for the next Jew that enters his shop.

* * *

Spread the light. Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh Tov, and happy Chanukah!

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Can You Cash In Your Treasure Today?

By Y.Y. Hodakov

The so-called “Nazi gold train” is in the news again, as actual excavation was begun at the site where some believe the train is buried.

What’s in it for me (the news story, not the gold)?

* * *

First, a quote from “Hayom Yom”, 2 Elul: The Jewish people are called “a cherished land,” (Malachi 3:12) for they possess many precious qualities… But like treasures buried in the earth, the revelation of these positive qualities depends solely upon the person who evokes them. It is obvious that springs of fresh water exist in all parts of the earth. The difference lies only in how close or far they are from the surface. If so, everything depends on the digger and his patience and deliberateness.

* * *

Secondly, a quote from this week’s Torah portion, the paragraph of Shema (Vo’eschanan, 6:6): “These words, which I command you on this day, shall be upon your heart”.

Rashi explains that the approach to Torah and its Mitzvos must be as something that G-d gives us “on this day”, today, the day on which you are reading this. They should not appear to you as an antiquated edict, but as a new one, which everyone hastens to read!

The Talmud (Eruvin 22a) expounds, “This day” you are to do them, but you cannot postpone doing them for tomorrow; this day you are in a position to do them, and “tomorrow” is reserved for receiving reward for doing them.

* * *

Every day, G-d presents us with opportunities to connect with Him, and with our deepest, truest self. We should know that this treasure exists, and it is real. We should do the work it takes to discover, uncover, and utilize the treasures buried within us and in His world (deep, though, they might seem to be). And, we should do it today.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

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Stop Trying To Be Different!

Stop Trying To Be Different!

By Y.Y. Hodakov

A father was giving his son advice. “When you look for a soulmate, try to find someone who comes from a similar background, enjoys the same food, music and books as you do, and, of course, shared ideals and goals. The more the two of you have in common, the better.”

“That’s so old fashioned”, said the boy. “Today everyone knows that opposites attract.”

“Son”, said the father, “you’re a boy, and she’s a girl. That’s all the opposite you need!”

* * *

Somewhere in the old country, a rabbi passed away, and his son was invited to take his place. The new rabbi had his own style, his own way of doing things.

Some of the community leaders expressed their concern that these changes were a show of disrespect to the old rabbi. The young rabbi insisted he was behaving exactly as his father did. As time went on, and it was very obvious that he was doing things quite differently than his father, they again approached him, only to elicit the same response.

Finally, challenged him with specifics, pointing out exactly what his father did, and what he was doing differently. The rabbi explained, “My father didn’t copy anyone else, and neither do I!”

* * *

In this week’s Torah portion, Nasso, we read of the gifts that the leaders of the tribes brought to inaugurate the Mishkan, the sanctuary in the desert. Each leader brought the exact same items as the others. Yet, rather than summarizing that they each brought these very same gifts, the Torah enumerates each one individually, in all its detail.

Why?

Our sages explain that although the physical objects that they brought were identical, the manner in which they brought them was unique, and individual. In representing their own tribe, each leader came with their own personality, feeling, and intent.

* * *

You want to be different? Stop trying so hard.

On the outside, you might be saying the same prayer, studying the same text, and doing the same Mitzvah as the person next to you. However, if you fully invest yourself – your own, true entire self – in what you’re doing, you are already unique, just by being who you are.

Shabbat Shalom.

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If You Want, He'll Get You There

By Y.Y. Hodakov

"If You Want, He'll Get You There" -By Y.Y. Hodakov
Last Thursday night, after I was done with my local Lag Ba’omer activities and responsibilities, I visited the Ohel.

(Lag BaOmer is a special day to have prayers heard, especially at a holy site, especially at the resting place of righteous men who continue bringing the teachings and inspiration of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai - whose life we celebrate on Lag Ba’Omer - to the world).
On the way there, I considered how fortunate I have been during the past 16 years, being able to conveniently hop into a car at the end of a day, visit the Rebbe's Ohel, and be back home within a few hours. At the same time, I came to the realization that as I will soon be moving, and I will not be able to come here as easy, or as often.
This was on my mind and weighing heavily on my heart, as I arrived at the Ohel, and was pleasantly surprised to meet "Eli", a friend of mine from Israel.
We "Farbrenged" a bit, and I asked him how he managed to come here so often. He told me that somehow, things work out. In fact, he had not even planned to be here at this time, but - paraphrasing Ezekiel 8:3 - "G-d took me by a lock of my hair, and a wind picked me up between the earth and between the heaven, and it brought me here".
Then, he shared the following story.
Ten members of a community near his were planning to be here for Lag Baomer, to pray at this holy site on this special day. On the Shabbos prior, a festive Kiddush was being hosted in their honor, "to see them off".
Eli attended, and happened to be sitting next to the patron who was subsidizing the trip. At some point in the afternoon, after a few Lechayims, soul-stirring Chassidic melodies, and real camaraderie, the patron turned to him and said, “Eli, I’m sponsoring 10, it may as well be 11. Go along with them, I’ll pay for your trip!”
* * *
I know that it will not be as easy for me to come here once I move. Yet, as Eli’s story reminded me, G-d will always provide us with opportunities to do the things that we want to do, and to be where we want to be.
* * *
For more information about the Ohel, please visit: www.OhelChabad.org

Do You Hear the Helicopter?

By Y.Y. Hodakov

This past Shabbos afternoon, Rosh Chodesh Nissan, two sixteen year old girls on a Shabbaton with their high school at a Florida resort went missing. Even when they were finally spotted late Sunday morning, it took rescue teams a couple of hours to cut through the thicket to reach them and bring them to safety.

The fact that these girls were found, so soon, virtually unharmed, is a miracle.

One need only think of the unthinkable fears that went through people’s minds when they first heard the news, imagine what other possible mishaps the girls might have experienced in the woods, or talk to people familiar with the real dangers of the terrain, to appreciate how thankful and joyful we must be.

What kept them going through their ordeal?

According to reports, the girls were constantly hopeful, because they trusted that they were being looked for, especially when they heard the sound of the helicopter flying above them.

*

Sometimes we feel like we are facing darkness in life’s forest, feeling threatened by its challenges. We hold out by knowing that we are being looked out for. In every situation, He is up there, keeping an eye on us.

But sometimes, we may wonder. We look up to the heavens and ask G-d for a sign. Please, we pray, let me know that You’re there for me, let me know that You’re here, with me. Can’t You give me a sign?

That’s the function of miracles.

Every once in a while, G-d shows his hand. Something extraordinary occurs, that reminds us that He’s there, and that He’s been there all along.

Just as the sound of the helicopter encouraged the girls in the forest, their miraculous rescue can serve as the “sound” that encourages us. “Stay put”, he says “I’m coming to you!”

*

Shabbat Shalom.

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Nu? What’s New?

By Y.Y. Hodakov

An old Jewish anecdote tells of a beggar who approaches a fellow leaving the synagogue after morning services.

“Could you spare some change?” He pleads.

“I already gave you a dollar on my way into the synagogue!”

“Please”, the beggar responds, “stop living in the past!”

*

This week, a friend of mine in Israel was invited to attend the Bris (circumcision) of an immigrant from Uzbekistan, who is almost 80 years old. Gregory had only recently discovered that it was still possible for him to be circumcised, and was determined to go through with it, despite his age and physical condition.

After the Bris, when asked how he was feeling, Gregory jubilantly declared, “I feel like a Kosher and happy Jew!”

*

Are you comfortable with the current level of your Jewish learning and living? Does the routine ever begin to feel stale? Or, does it help you feel grounded, secure in your predictable behavior?

This Shabbos, we take out three Torah scrolls.

In the third, we read what is known as “Parshas Hachodesh". It includes the Mitzvah of setting the Jewish calendar, month by month. When the moon is once again visible, having begun its new (= “Chadash”) cycle, the Jewish calendar begins a new month (= “Chodesh”).

Unlike the solar calendar that follows the more routine cycle of the sun, our lunar calendar highlights the need for constant renewal.

Most of us are not called on to face the challenge of considering having a Bris at 80. Yet, we would do well to regularly challenge ourselves to go beyond the comfort zone of what we have already achieved, and infusing our activities with new energy and vitality, reflecting the regular rebirth and renewal of the moon. We can do this by both adding to what we already do, and to infuse our ongoing activities with renewed vigor and energy.

Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh Tov.

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