From The Desk of Rabbi Yehuda - Chabad Lubavitch of Westport

What’s In It For Me?

Friday, July 25, 2025 - 10:00 AM

It’s a natural way to think, inbred and for good reason.

Each person’s responsibility begins with themselves. It’s instinctive, ensuring survival.

But like gears in a car, getting stuck in first gear will only get you so far. True achievement and development requires going beyond yourself, transitioning from the “I” to the “US”.

As the circle widens, it gets less and less about the direct benefits to one’s self and more about the collective. As a “member of the tribe”, this is an essential and existential concept. One that is threaded through our heritage and culture and for good reason.

In this week’s Torah portion just as the Jewish nation is about to enter the land of Israel, two and a half tribes approach Moses stating that they’d prefer to stay of the eastern side of the Jordan — thus preferring “not” to enter the Land of Israel with their brethren.

Astonishingly, Moses response centered on the affect their decision would have on the greater Jewish nation rather than on admonishing them for not wanting to go into The Land, that was part of the Biblical promise. Not going into the land perhaps one could rationalize— bringing weakness and equivocation to the entire nation—was a non starter. Indeed, they commit to assisting their brethren and then going back to their preferred state on the eastern bank of the Jordan.

In other words, Moses confronted them on their focusing on their own benefit and preference without taking into account— both the psychological effect and the practical assistance of numbers— that their involvement made.

The oft chanted phrase Am Yisrael Chai rings with such impenetrable strength specifically because it’s a proclamation of, “The Nation of Israel”. The “US” comprised of many “I’s.

To be sure it’s not always the easiest balance and at times it comes with personal sacrifice but at the end of the day —focusing on the “US” creates the greatest “I”. A win win for all and as a result we are here to tell the tale and will be so for eternity - Am Yisrael Chai!!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom!

When A Lot is Not Enough

Friday, July 18, 2025 - 10:00 AM

How do you define a lot?

Most people will tell you it’s relative. For some, what’s a lot is considered little for others and vice versa.

But is that truly the definition of a-lot?

After all, we all have “our” lot. With this lot we build our lives, forge ahead and make the most of the opportunities gifted to us in this world.

In this week’s Torah portion we learn of how the Land of Israel was apportioned to the 12 Tribes — of which we all descend. It was done by “lots” as in lottery. Each family receiving what was Divinely ordained to them —in order to create something yet greater.

Turns out, we all have a lot. We have all been apportioned our needs and opportunities. My lot is not your lot and neither is yours, mine. I look forward to doing a lot more with it tomorrow than I manage to do with it today. As only by recognizing the great blessings gifted to us by Gd, can we ensure that we live “ a/our lot”!

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

P.S. Blood Drive for Israel. We love Israel. Let’s give more than just money. Take a slot and know you’ve given just as an Israel continues to give. Here.

Not A Chance!

Friday, July 11, 2025 - 10:00 AM

Recently I used the expression “by chance “ in a conversation with someone, only to be corrected that nothing ever happens by chance.

After all, chance suggests randomness and without plan. Can life and all that happens during our life be relegated to chance?

Hardly.

Yet we live our lives as if some things are by chance. Random.

In the week’s Parsha, Balaam, the rabid anti-Semitic prophet is hired to curse the Jewish nation. It’s a dramatic story that can make most movies seem boring. Multiple times — despite acknowledging that only that which Gd will allow him to curse will he be able to curse— he attempts to curse. He suggests that perhaps with much effort he’ll “chance” upon the moment that he’ll be allowed to curse the Jews.

Not a very good plan, I’m afraid. Nothing is by chance after all and he pays a heavy price for his foolish plan. He ends up blessing the very subjects he was out to curse and he does so with the most glorious blessings. He stood “no chance” and he well knew it and subsequently blew it!

Yet whilst nothing is by chance — Gd has created the world giving us “a chance“. It seems that used correctly, the word “chance” is tremendously empowering.

Each of us, every day, every moment for that matter, are given a chance to live ethical, moral and meaningful lives — to make this world a better place as prescribed in the Torah and gifted us via the Mitzvoth.

We are all given “a-chance” and that’s not “by-chance”. It’s the design of life. It’s the Divine design of this universe where so often we get pulled into thinking that things are by chance when in truth the only chance that there is — is the chance that each of us have to transform the world, visibly, into Gd’s garden.

If by chance you’ve read this piece to the end of— please accept my warmest wishes for a Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

P.S. Safety and security is a priority at Chabad. The security fund helps us get it done. Now is the time to contribute to the 2025 security drive -- here.

P.P.S. Gan Izzy is in full swing!

Independence

Friday, July 4, 2025 - 10:00 AM

Independence!

It’s a great concept when used correctly.

The inborn and natural instinct of created beings is, to seek independence.

From a really young age kids start to test the limits of authority seeking more independence at every juncture. Bed times. Screen time. Food choices. You name it.

With time, the choices change get more sophisticated with higher stakes; that natural desire for independence never leaving us.

Are we really independent?

A fish no doubt feels independent in the great vast oceans, yet a short amount of time out of water can pose grave challenges. Hardly independent to say the least.

Humans? Well, where to begin… Food? Hydration? Let’s not talk of oxygen..

Independent?

Hardly… The feeling of independence? Indeed!

Fascinatingly, G-d created us to feel independent. It is an inherent part of the Divine plan. We have choices. We can chart our own destiny. We aren’t coerced, preprogrammed or forced to do anything. We have ownership. Quite the deal!

As we journey through life, experience, intellect and inspired moments introduce us to the true reality that we are after all “in-terdependent”. We are contingent on one another and ALL the possibilities we have, are granted to us by our Creator the source of all. Hardly independent.

Why?

In order to make bread out of wheat, so to speak.; to use our freedom and Divinely gifted independence to transform this world into a cultivated Garden of G-d!!