From The Desk of Rabbi Yehuda - Chabad Lubavitch of Westport

Positive Associations!

Friday, July 26, 2024 - 10:00 AM

Decisions in life are often governed by emotional associations. We may not even realize why and how we feel about something, yet deep down it’s been formed by one experience or another.

Positive associations for children especially, have a tremendous impact on future life decisions and by extension the strength and vibrancy of the entire Jewish nation!

This past week as I walked around Gan Izzy and saw the non-stop activity, fun, cheering and smiles it was beyond energizing. For at the core of it all, these positive emotional associations that are so important for Jewish survival and vibrancy!

One can sermonize and write articles about Judaism till the cows come home but the truth is, Judaism isn’t relegated to books, Synagogues or Rabbi’s. Rather, to everyday life and living.

Jewish experience can’t be outsourced. It’s what takes place in the home that ultimately has the greatest impact on our children. Shabbat and Holiday celebrations, mezuzas and charity boxes, Jewish books and Shabbat candles all illuminate and permeate the private domain to create an enduring identity.

Ultimately, this doesn’t merely permeate the personal domain of our homes, rather, it drills down and permeates the most inner and private domain —our core. Our identity. Setting the stage for positive and powerful associations and of course —a bright Jewish future!!

Am Yisrael Chai!

Popularity

Friday, July 19, 2024 - 10:00 AM

It’s natural to gravitate to what’s popular. Whilst natural it’s not always wise, however.

Indeed, the Talmud states, “blessing is found in things that are concealed”. Undiscovered if you will.

This doesn’t change nature however. Fads, trends are all the rage and not changing anytime soon.

Ironically, at the core of it all, the Jewish nation is in a constant struggle and disbelief as to how unpopular and alone we — a peace loving people are — at times or is it oftentimes. It would be fine if we were “left alone” but even that seems elusive.

In a further note of irony, in this week’s Torah portion it is Balaam, an arch enemy and non-Israelite prophet who despite his zeal to curse the Jewish nation heaps blessings upon the Jewish nation. Gd wouldn’t allow him to get his vile words out and out -pours blessings considered so lofty that a number of his statements are included in our prayers.

In describing the Jewish nation he says, “they are a nation that dwells alone”.

Former Prime Minister of Israel Yitzchak Rabin recounts of his private audience with the Lubavitcher Rebbe at which time in conversation, the Rebbe asked him for his thoughts on this Biblical verse. Is it by choice that we dwell alone or is it imposed upon us? See here for Rabin’s recounting of this episode.

Its a really thought provoking question to say the least that both inspires reflection and can be quite bothersome. Yet though it may bother us it must not weaken us, not even one bit. Ultimately, it starts with knowing who we are, what we represent and standing tall and proud in our Divine mission to make this world a better place!

Yes, blessings come to things that are concealed to others. We may not be the most popular but at the core of it that matters not an iota!!

Our very existence proves this — AM YISRAEL CHAI!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,

Dress Rehearsal!

Friday, July 12, 2024 - 10:00 AM

It was Wednesday morning and on went the tie.

I was off to the Capitol in Hartford for an event marking the 30th Yartzeit of the Rebbe in the Senate Chamber.

Until I wasn’t.

Some groups from camp were heading to the waterpark and despite the great ratio of counselors to children and the many head-staff members that were there— we felt one senior director should be there. I was chosen.

Off came the tie and on came the T-shirt. It sounds sort of poetic yet it was anything but poetic. It was reality. It was where I needed to be.

King David the great Psalmist writes, “the steps of man are directed by G-d”. We are where we are because we need to be there. And this too isn’t poetic and neither is it dramatic. It’s reality. A phenomenon we often agitate over.

Sometimes we feel the deep sense of mission where we are, other times we need to seek out the mission of how to maximize the place that although we haven’t sought it out — is where we find ourselves.

Ironically, this was one of the central messages of the Rebbe. Life is mission based. We live it, we love it, we uplift it and at the end of the day —the underlying purpose of making this world a better place—is what it’s all about.

Whether the tie or the T-shirt we are always in the right place at the right time the rest is mere dress!

The Best Policy!

Friday, July 5, 2024 - 10:00 AM

I grew up on the words, “Honesty is the best policy”. It’s a fundamental. It’s also sort of logical yet it’s not always the easiest path because it all stems with being honest with “oneself” and that, based on the way Gd created us — can be challenging.

A few days ago, I was listening to a podcast about the war in Israel and the guest on the podcast said, you need to understand “in the Middle East, what you think, what you say and what you do are rarely the same”.

Yes. We all know that. But it’s also the case outside of the Middle East. It’s the human condition. The challenge to calibrate thought, speech and action. Think about a regular day and in a moment of self reflection you’ll see it’s true— oftentimes, thankfully so. We say certain things and do certain things that we may not want to, but that we know is right.

This Tuesday we commemorate the 30th Yartzeit of the Rebbe. It’s been a long time since he passed away yet his presence is felt more than ever. His reach continues to touch multitudes through the many thousands of Chabad Houses that he continues to inspire and encourage despite his physical passing. Just look locally and see the hundreds of campers at Gan Israel and one can see the continued inspiration of the Rebbe and the bright future of the eternal Jewish nation.

The secret to all this?

Whilst there’s many things to say — one can decisively point to the Rebbe’s unyielding confidence in each and every person whilst gently prodding and assisting to calibrate thought speech and action. He fostered self reflection which in turn teased out inner strength and resolve that would otherwise remain untapped. He was an unequivocal believer in everyone’s ability to contribute to the world in their unique and impossible-to-replace manner.

In short — he helped people be honest with themselves and that is the most powerful and potent tool to helping each of us become more and do more than they ever could imagine!!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,