From The Desk of Rabbi Yehuda

It’s counter-intuitive but life experience corroborates the Talmudic principle that, “the person experiencing a miracle doesn’t identify the experience as a miracle”.

One can philosophize why this is the case but suffice to say, we live in a fast paced world where we merely see a fraction of the picture — it’s virtually impossible to discern the plethora of miracles that surround us constantly. 

…And then there are the times that it’s impossible not to see the direct hand of Gd at play. 

I was amazed when reading of the averted near terror bombing in Tel Aviv earlier this week. A man with a backpack full of explosives on his way to wreak devastation just meters from an active synagogue and shopping mall. No one knows what caused the explosives to detonate suddenly on the way to his intended location resulting in the demise of the terrorist alone, disaster averted. 

Perhaps you read of the earthquake in Syria / Lebanon last week. It took place on Tisha B’av — the saddest day in the Jewish calendar — a day that disaster after disaster has transpired on and as a result of, this sad day. This year, the Jewish world had an added factor to be concerned about — reports in the media had Iran and Hezbollah, specifically starting war on this day. 

Whether that’s the case or not is irrelevant. What is relevant is, a not insignificant earthquake happening on this day. Imagine for a second, an enemy whose whole modus operandi is hiding beneath the earth in an intricate web of tunnels and silos that house missiles, explosives and all sorts of weapons of destruction. Suddenly experiencing a natural disaster that can only originate from a Divine source and not the machinations of man. Not to speak of what happens to a tunnel when there’s an earthquake —a miracle to be sure. 

Doubtful?

That’s precise point. It’s difficult to discern. Or is it?

After all, the very existence of the Jewish nation is a miracle. Of that, there’s no doubt. Our history is a clear story of the guiding hand and protective shield of Gd. 

Yet for all of the miracles that are directed from the One Above, it’s only due to the heroic, unyielding, joyous & selfless inspiration of each of us in our respective roles of parents, teachers and leaders that ensure Jewish continuity, literacy and Jewish vibrancy and that is a miracle that is in each of our hands… onwards and upwards— Am Yisrael Chai!

With best wishes for Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor 

P.S. Don’t miss the TWO unique moments to connect with our heroic brothers and sisters in Israel. 

1. Our community will have the great honor of unifying with Prayer and Mitzvah with former hostage Moran Stella Yannai — click here to join the Challah bake.

2.  Brothers Daniel and Neria Sharabi, SUPERNOVA FESTIVAL survivors.. don’t miss this unique moment.  

Heartbreaking…yet so heartwarming at the same time. 

Somehow, heartwarming doesn’t mitigate heartbreak. It’s in its own domain requiring its own sensitivity and reflection, borne out of a rawness and vulnerability that opens us up to something more vast. 

Earlier this week, amidst the maelstrom of news coming out of Israel —the sad notice of the passing away of lone soldier Jordan Cooper hit the news. Jordan died due to an allergic reaction. It wasn’t the 200 days of reserve duty on the front lines that took his life but that’s beside the point. 

As a lone soldier, without family in Israel, his family sent out a request for people to attend the funeral for the honor of their son. You know the ending because you know the Jewish nation …

Multitudes arrived from all corners of the country and from all corners of the wide spectrum of Jewish life. The full charismatic blend of personalities, affiliations, religiosity, whatever, were there. 

On the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, Tisha B’av. A day that both the glorious Temples in our illustrious history were destroyed — a day the the Talmud speaks of “baseless hatred” being the root cause of how Gd allowed the destruction of his Divine abode — the transcendent and indivisible nature of the Jewish nation was on display. 

Why does it take moments like these to bring it out? Are shattering moments the only way to access the depth of our souls?

No. A definite no!  

Yet it does take work. Hard work that is — to allow our essence to rise to the surface eclipsing all the mundane distractions that steal the limelight. It takes setting aside time constantly for spiritual experience and the recalibration of our priorities. 

Do we do that enough? How about Shabbat?The day that is designed to help us recharge, recalibrate, transcend and rejuvenate. Do we carve it out for ourselves and our families adequately? Questions like these are rhetorical but a necessary exercise that requires brutal honesty if we want to grow. 

Jordan Cooper, you’re a hero both in your life, with your voluntary dedication to the defense of Am Yisrael — and in your passing with your inspiration that continues to inspire in a timeless and eternal nature. May your soul be bound in the bond of life and may we all live our lives bound to Gd, our Holy Torah and the great unifier —one another!

With best wishes for Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor 

P.S. Our community will have the great honor of unifying with prayer and Mitzvah with Brothers Daniel and Neria Sharabi, SUPERNOVA FESTIVAL survivors.. don’t miss this unique moment.  

It’s been wait and see in Israel this past week. 

“There’s nothing new under the sun”, states King Solomon— the wisest of all men— in Ecclesiastes.

Our enemies are out to destroy us. Nothing new. Yet here we are speaking of it — that too isn’t new, incredibly and miraculously!

In this week’s Torah portion Moses recounts the journeys of our ancestors through the desert. Journeys fraught with internal challenges, external challenges, miracles, disappointments, dissension and faith.

The last words of the Parsha so current and so pertinent —“Do not fear them, for it is G-d, your G-d who is fighting for you”. 

In a recent interview, Mark Zuckerberg was asked about the special necklace that he wears. It’s the words I sing to my children every night Mi Shebeirach —May he who blessed our ancestors before us bless us…. May we have the courage to make our lives a blessing”…

How insightful. No, it isn’t prophetic words of Moses nor of a mystic rather from one of the richest and most powerful men in the world — clinging and sharing with his most “precious possessions” the true key to happiness and security —“faith”. 

All the money in the world and the greatest access to anything physical unable to achieve what each of us have been bequeathed from Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebecca, Jacob & Rachel V’leah. 

Yes, it is concerning and potentially frightening that our enemies never miss an opportunity to rise up and plot our downfall yet in the famous words of the Haggadah and as history has proven, “and the Almighty saves us from their hands”.  

Mi Shebeirach. May he who blessed our ancestors bless us and continue to bless us. May we share the miracle of our existence and the beauty of our faith together with our families as we allow more Judaism, Torah & Mitzvah to permeate our lives and as we look ahead committing ourselves to the spiritual preservation of our eternal nation in our eternal homeland — Am Yisrael Chai!

With best wishes for Shabbat Shalom,

P.S. This coming Tuesday ( starting Monday night) is Tisha B’av. The saddest day in the Jewish calendar as the first and second Temple’s in Jerusalem were destroyed. It’s a day of fasting and contemplation — Read more about it here.  (Email me for a list of services we’ll be having)

P.P.S. For a list of “new and exciting” early childhood programs in the upcoming season — click here.