Rabbi’s Blog
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It’s All A Matter Of Perspective
A fellow comes to Synagogue one Shabbos and sees a father with his three children sitting in one of the rows of the sanctuary. The children are climbing on the father while he is trying to pray, stepping on the cushioned pews, making noise and disturbing the service....
Of Copper Snakes and Overcoming Darkness
Darkness is the absence of light. It is not real. The less light the more real the darkness becomes. Sometimes the light is so diminished that the darkness takes over and the abyss is traversed. The world is a place where G-dliness is concealed. It’s...
My Rebbe , Our Rebbe
This coming Shabbat, July 2, marks twenty eight years since the passing of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.I thought you may appreciate the following video. The Rebbe cared for all, even those who had special...
Shine a Little Light!
When you wake up and start your day, do you shine? Do you give light and warmth to others? What about when the evening comes about, do you still allow that shine to give light?We all have those days when we really do not want to shine. We have "cloudy" days. Real...
Bipnimiyus- With Inwardness
On Shavous, the holiday in which we received the Torah, this Sunday and Monday, we wish each other a Chag Sameach or Gut Yom Tov. The Lubavitcher Rebbe would add a special greeting: “Kabbalas HaTorah B’Simcha U’B’Pnimiyus”, may you receive the Torah with joy and in...
Being Vulnerable Is Being Strong
At a 12 Step Recovery meeting I attended a while back one of the people shared the following quote that resonated with me. “Being vulnerable is being strong.” Often in life we are afraid to simply ask for help or guidance thinking that it makes us weak or...
Maimonides, Sabbaticals & Bonfires
1) This past Wednesday was an exciting day for many around the world. It is the day of celebrating the conclusion of the 41st cycle of the study of Maimonides Magnum Opus – Sefer Hayad, and the beginning of the 42nd cycle. Since I was a young Yeshiva...
Holy is Not Whole
What does it mean to live holy? Do I even want to live holy? Why would I want to live holy? These may be questions you’ve pondered from time to time. Yes, although I was born into an observant home and I am a Rabbi, I still, from time to time, ponder this question....
Get Breath Present
I’m trying to slow the engine down. Maybe it’s a midlife thing, maybe not. Regardless, along this journey I’ve discovered something interesting that I feel is connected to this week’s Parsha. The mind (or the ego) is constantly working, it never stops thinking. We...
Dealing with the Problem
Our tradition tells us that in each generation and every day we are obligated to see ourselves as if we left Egypt. So, just because Pesach is over, the tradition goes on! Here is an insight from Pesach that I believe is relevant each and every day. One of the...