Simple Spirituality!

I’ve been thinking, isn’t it just great to be Jewish? Now your thinking, in what regard do I say that? Allow me to explain.

So, last week, if you were in synagogue (or read my email ;) ) you would be familiar with the fact that G-d revealed himself to the Jewish people at Sinai. During that revelation, G-d delivered the Ten Commandments to his chosen people.

This week, we receive many laws from G-d, as the Parsha, Mishpatim, relates. These laws however seem very nonspiritual. Why would G-d, who had just finished the greatest spiritual act of all time, continue in a very mundane and simple way?

Well, that’s where my sentiment about the greatness of being Jewish sprouts from. Figure this... While most religions of the world give most of their focus to the ‘spiritual’ side of their faith, Judaism spends lots of time and practical observance and physical life.

G-d is telling us that through keeping these simple common sense and logical laws, we are indeed being as spiritual as it gets. By G-d telling us to pay up a pledge, he is making that simple act spiritual. When we do it because G-d commanded it, its different than simply doing it.

The name of the Parsha means “Laws.” But more than that, it means laws that are understandable. Don’t steal. Don’t murder. Repay a loan. Treat your workers properly. These laws make sense. Yet, the Torah is telling us that they too are as important as those that we need to work to or may never understand.

This is one of the most powerful messages this week’s Parsha delivers. If we are unable to derive spirituality from the mundane, simple, logical aspects of life, then of what benefit was G-d’s revelation?

Of course, we can always read inspiring words, hear an uplifting sermon or attend a masterful Rosh Hashana service. All good and encouraged.

However, drawing inspiration and spirituality from deeper wells is the trick.

Every action we do brings a “force” into the world. Negative or positive. Lets make sure that our next action uplifts the world and changes it for the better.

Shabbat shalom from the Chabad House at McGill University in Downtown Montreal, Canada.

This week I am serving as head chef at Chabad House as the Rebbetzin has traveled to Crown Heights to attend the International Conference of Chabad Shluchos. Annually, the Chabad Rebbetzins converge on New York to brainstorms and share ideas for the future.

The gathering always falls at the time of the Yahrtzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, the wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. “The Rebbetzin,” as she was known, was a role model and source of inspiration to thousands of women and girls around the globe.

What Can YOU Do?!

BH

Shalom. This week I experienced something new. And let me tell you, this experience froze me. Literally.

On Sunday morning, I awoke to catch my flight at Miami International Airport. Destination: John F. Kennedy International, Terminal eight in New York City’s borough of Queens.

The temperature in Miami was a robust 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Pretty nice weather I’d say. Several hours after my arrival in the Big Apple, I boarded a bus. This time the destination was Montreal, Canada.

As we approached Montreal the temperature dropped and dropped. Then dropped some more. I was in Montreal about an hour when the temperature had bottomed out at a crisp -9 F. That’s a temperature change of nearly 80 degrees in less than 24 hours. Chilling if I may say so! How special that moment. True G-dliness in the world, for me to see (and feel!).

Anyways, speaking of JFK, yesterday actually marked 50 years since the former president’s 1961 inaugural address. I wasn’t around, so clearly I don’t remember it but research tells me that the address was delivered shortly after noon on a bitter cold Friday in the Nation’s capital.

During the 44th inaugural address, JFK delivered one of the most famous (and shall I say, overused) quotes in American history (and I will overuse it one more time): “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!”

JFK was calling on the people of his generation to not sit by idly waiting to be asked to do something good for the nation and the world at large. He was encouraging them to be proactive and take that first step on their own. Get up, get out, do some good!

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Yitro (named for Moshe’s father-in-law), we are called upon in that fashion. We are taught through the actions of G-d (and the wording in the Torah) to get out and teach the world what we know. To contribute to society with our skills and talents. To help others that may even be afraid to approach for help!

The Torah tells us that G-d "descended" onto Mt. Sinai. Strange wording considering G-d more likely should have asked the nation to ‘elevate’ themselves?! (Not to mention, is not G-d already everywhere, leaving no reason to ‘descend’ or ‘climb’?)

Thereabout lies our lesson in everyday life! G-d Chose to come down to the Jewish Nation, to deliver them a strong message, a list of commandments, and a promise that they will always be his chosen nation. He didn't wait for the Jewish people to come to him. He wanted to share it right away!

Some people need food, others money, and still others just need a friend, or shoulder to lean on. If we have it, we are not to sit idly and wait to be asked! We need to get out there and bring these people what they need. And teach them to do the same! With whatever they have.

The Rebbe taught that if you only know the Hebrew letter aleph then go teach someone that doesn’t know about the aleph! Whatever you know, or whatever you can do, its important to share it. Together we can all make the world a better place.

We can make it the place G-d intended on the day He delivered the Ten Commandments.

Sent Away to Share With Others

BH

Shalom.

This Friday night and Shabbat mark the 10th day of the Jewish month of Shevat.

On the 10th day of Shevat 5710 (January 28, 1950), The previous leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, the Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn, passed away. One year later, on the 10th of Shevat, 5711 (January 17, 1951) his son-in-law, The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, assumed leadership of the movement.

This is the day that the Rebbe began his reformation of Judaism. Judaism has come a far way from what it was 60 years ago.

The Rebbe made it his personal mission to reestablish “Yiddishkeit” by adding joy and excitement to it's everyday practices. Thus began the Rebbe'sprocess of returning thousands of Jews to their roots.

In this week’s Parsha, BeShalach, we are taught that King Pharaoh chooses to pursue the Jewish people he just freed and bring them back as slaves once again.

Pharaoh was hard at it! He was determined. He enlisted volunteers and hit the sand! He found the Jews in an apparent state of paralysis, with the raging sea ahead of them.

G-d placed a protective pillar in front of Pharaoh, he didn’t care. G-d split the sea, again he didn't care. Until the last moment, when the Egyptians were engulfed by the waters, Pharaoh was unfazed. He was determined to get his slaves back!

The Kotzker Rebbe, of blessed memory, taught that we can all learn a lesson from Pharaoh. A lesson in defiance that is. To never give up on the goal. While Pharaoh’s goal was clearly evil, he never gave up. When it even seemed impossible, he still pushed forward. Into the raging waters.

Yes, he lost, but losing isn’t always the case.

When the Rebbe set out to give Yiddishkeit a new face he was presented with many a challenge. Challenge came from inside and out. It was an uphill battle to get people to put on Teffilin. Gaining popularity for lighting Shabbat candles was a tricky task! Winning approval for public menorahs wasn’t easy. The Rebbe continued to push forward however!

The meaning of the word “BeShalach,” the name of this week’s Parsha, is “sent away.” The Question is presented, “sent away, seems negative. How is that a Pasha with so much positive things happening to the Jewish people is called by a negative name?”

Well, we need to be sure to not look at it in a negative way, but rather positively as “sent away FOR others to gain from!”

When the Rebbe sent out Shluchim (emissaries) around the globe, he wasn't sending them away from him. He was sending them out to share with others. To spread what they have, not HERE (Brooklyn) but rather AWAY from here!

Shabbat Shalom from Miami Beach, FL where I am visiting family and enjoying the sunny 70 degree weather! (Go figure, its 70 degrees outside, there is visible grass, the bodies of water are not frozen solid, there is a beautifully pleasant breeze and the people here are wearing coats! Yea, again, go figure!)

Have Some Chutzpah!

BH

If you follow American politics at all, you’ll know that this week the 112 Congress convened. As the shift of power had changed hands, Mr. John Boehner, the new speaker of the house started out his tenure by having the United States Constitution read in the house. The purpose? To remind our elected officials that we are land built on a set of morals, not on the merit of self.

When the Jewish people are nearing Exodus from Egypt, G-d says “wait, I have something important to say! Moshe, G-d’s ‘speaker of the house’ would be delivering the message. The Hebrews awaited a sort of constitution, a set of rules and laws to live life by. Something up the alley of the Ten Commandments I’d imagine.

The message Moshe delivers is far from it. A commandement yes, but a rather confusing one, considering the time and place. Its the Mitzvah of setting up a Calendar. A special calendar that this new nation would live by.

What? A calendar? Shouldn't we first hear some important rules and daily requirements before setting up a calendar. G-d says, “yes, a calendar. A calendar based on the lunar cycle.”

Henceforth begins the Jewish relationship with the moon. The moon is very much like the Jewish nation with high moments (full moon) and low moments (right before the new moon). But its a fact that when the moon disappears, it will come back. Not only will it come back, but its even called a NEW moon.

New. And better than ever. A fresh start.

Jewish history is very much the same. Many low moments (Egypt, Ancient Greek Empire, Persian Empire, Holocaust and more) but they always have a fresh new start and a high moment to follow.

When the Jews were leaving Egypt they had already become comfortable. They had food and housing, and they didn’t have to worry about it. That's precisely why the moment was so low and they didn't really know it. They had become comfortable with a foreign culture and land.

G-d figured they needed to have a little Chutzpah to knock them into shape before they headed for the highest moment to date, the recption of the Torah. G-d commands them to take the sheep, a worshiped entity in Egypt, and slaughter it! What Chutzpah! They slaughtered Egypt’s holiness AND made it out alive!

The same continues to apply today. We must have a little chutzpah to society, not be a slave to it. We need to remember that Chutzpah everyday! When we have Chutzpah to our unholy surroundings, we are moving forward.

This week my brother Shmulie is celebrating his pre-wedding “ufruf” this Shabbat in Brooklyn. As the Rabbi of the Chabad House @ McGill had to leave town due to the passing of his grandmother, I was called into duty. The popular thing would’ve been to travel to NY to participate. Yet, I felt I needed to have some Chutzpah and stand up to the occasion.

I’m glad I did. So, Shabbat Shalom from the Chabad Center @ McGill University in snowy and icy (and freezing) Downtown Montreal, Canada!