PASSOVER & TAXES
(oops, forgot to give creit where credit is due!
This Torah thought is from Ronen Segal - Class of '99)

As April hit the calender, my thoughts turned to tax season.  I had to look for all of my receipts from the previous year.  Did I really buy this?  Did that cost so much?  Then, of course, I had to sit down and file my taxes.  As is quickly becoming my minchag (custom), this was done about three hours before Shabbat, April 13 (almost the last possible moment).  But, eventually, it did get done. 

Border Stitch
(Sat - Shushan Purim - March 10th)

G-d and Women are into the details.
(by Shaun Zeitlin - Shushan Purim - Sat March 10th)

First Desert Commandment
(by Shaun Zeitlin - P' Beshalach -Feb 10th)

Leave           Space            for          Thought
(by Fred Lotwin - P' Beshalach - Feb 10th)

Water, Everywhere!
(by Mike Hoenig - P' Beshalach - Feb 10th)

For the Birds..
(P' Beshalach - Feb 10th)

Riding with Elijah, & an insight from Sherlock Holmes (or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
(P' Beshalach, Feb 9th)

Rush Week
(P' Bo, Feb 3rd)

LET'S TACKLE TEFILLIN
(from the Giants VS. Ravens Superbowl Sunday, Minyan Bagel Brunch 2001 ).

While Tefillin are Holy, and Football is just a Sport (not to confuse the two) they have more in common than you'd think..

(1) They are both made of Leather, beginning as Cowhide (Tefillin can not be made of Pigskin) and work their way from there.
(2) Tefillin need to be stitched closed, once the handwritten parchment scrolls are placed inside. Though it is doubtful Footballs could be tied with sinews.
(3) The Uprights clearly mark what's a field goal, and what's not. Just as the specific spot "between the eyes" marks where the Tefillin are to be placed on our heads.
(4) Linebackers can be quite awesome, especially from up close, as the verse describes the "awe-inspiring" effects of Tefillin.
(5) Quarterbacks need a good head and (strong) arm, which are they key places where we place the Tefillin. Though note, we place the Tefillin on our "weaker" hand, righties place it on the left hand, and lefties place it on the right hand.
(6) Football Players work out to build muscle, which is the exact place for the Hand Tefillin, on the muscle, neither above or below it.
(7) A Spiral makes for a good pass, Tefillin have 7 Spirals.
(8) (Shaun Zeitlin added: ) The Head-Tefillin have 4 separarte compartments in one box, as there are 4 quarters of each game.
(9) (My brother Yossi Rubin wrote me:) Phylacteries (the official English / Latin word for Tefillin) comes from the Latin word "phylanx" to defend or guard. Tefillin protect our connection to G-d. A good Defense is crucial to football, as well, though this time the Giants could have used some offensive as well.

Bud's Frogs & Lizards
(Sat Vaira, Jan 27)

In years past, Budweisers' famous Superbowl commercials first centered around Frogs and later Lizards. Appropriate for this week's Torah reading, which speaks of the Plague of Frogs in Egypt before the Exodus. So why the change to Lizards?

The folks at Bud may have been reading a Medrash, that describes the determination and dedication of the Frogs in this Plague. The verse says "the Frogs were everywhere.. in the Ovens.." Frogs are not the type to go into hot ovens. They enjoy swampy, wet places, and can't stand hot and dry climates. This teaches us an important lesson about dedication, despite the extreme sacrifice.

Maybe the Bud people thought this was too much for Frogs to handle, and decided to use Lizards instead, who can lay still for hours in the hot, dry sand. Either way, the lesson of the Frogs remains: unswerving dedication to G-d's mission, despite the obstacles.

Moshe & Aaron, 2 Leaders
(by Fred Lotwin - Sat, Vaira, Jan 27)

Moses and Aaron, Aaron and Moses. Many times the Torah lists Moses first, but other times Aaron is listed first. Rashi explains this to mean both are important in their own right.

It's known that Moshe and Aaron had different personalities, and led the people in different ways. Moses was the lawgiver, taught G-d's Torah and brought the people G-d's message. Aaron was known for bringing people together, for his great love for the people. By listing Moshe and Aaron alternatively first, the Torah teaches us an important lesson. We need two qualities in leadership, or at times two types of leaders. One who will teach us what is right, and the other to bring us close with love and compassion, beyond the law itself.

Pharaoh's Free Choice?
(by Gabe Duci - Sat, Vaira, Jan 27)

I was listening to an audio lecture (off the internet) by Rabbi Dr. Tatz, on the important topic of Free Will / Choice.

The big question came up, relevant to this week's Torah portion, if G-d hardened Pharoah's heart, what choice did he have?

One answer was, all the great miracles and supernatural phenomena of the Plagues, would have anyone listening to G-d. In order to level the playng field and make it more fair, G-d had to balance it out, and harden his heart, to give him free choice.

The other answers was, from Maimonides, that G-d only increases and strengthens what we already do ourselves. We kind of get into a groove and establish personal patterns that harden over time. Pharoah hardened his own heart so much, and so consitently, that G-d continued what he himself had already begun.

The same would work in the positive. If we get into a habit of doing good things, G-d will make it harder for us to go and choose what's not good for us. So, it is up to us to develop and establish good behavior, in order for the good to continue.

A Message from the Wall
(Friday Night - Campus Center dinner - Jan 26 '01)

Being at the Western Wall is a great experience for all Jews, many of the Birthright returnees spoke excitedly about it.

For me, the first overwhelming emotion of being at the Wall, was the realization how small I was. You really feel so small against those huge weathered stones. Facing 2000 years of Jewish history, is a very humbling experience.

Once away from the Wall, there are two important lessons to be learned for Jewish life. One about the wall's construction, the other about how much of it we see.

There's a Midrash that explains the Western Wall's unique longevity, withstanding the many battles and invasions the other walls succumbed to. The other walls were built by laborers and hired hands who were paid through the charitable donations of the wealthier Jews. The Western Wall was built by the poor, who could not afford to hire others, and did the work on their own. Our parents, Rabbis, teachers and friends do a lot for our Judaism, but the only part that is sure to last, is the part we do on our own.

The Wall is beautiful and tall. But what we see is a fraction of what it was. There is more of the Wall below ground, than we can see above ground. Same goes for ourselves and friends. What we see on the surface, on the outside, is not everything. There is so much deep potential, buried deep in our hearts, that we have to unearth in ourselves, and seek to find in our fellow.

(Winter Break 2000-2001..)

Well, a Place to Meet
(Vayeitze - Fri Night Dec..)

Often in conversation people ask my wife and I, "So how did you meet?"
I then explain how an aunt of mine spent summers with Raizy's family and she suggested that we meet.
"So where did you go for your first date?"
"To a Hotel". Their jaws drop. This is from a Chassidic Rabbi with a beard and all.
"No, no," I explain, "we didn't order a room. We went to the bar in the lobby and ordered 2 cokes for $10".

The Torah describes in great detail how Issac met Rebbecca and how Jacob met Rachel. Both involve Wells. It was at a Well that Eliezer, Abraham's messenger / servant, took note of Rebbecca's extraordinary kindness and senstivity in offering water for his camels. And it was at a Well that Jacob rmoved a heavy stone so that Rachel could water her father's flock.

It is significant that a Well played a role in their meeting. Wells feature big in Issac's later life, too. Think of this: We know a lot about what Abraham did, and a lot about what Jacob did. We almost know nothing about what Issac did, we only know what happened to him. We read about the miracle of his birth to elderly parents, we know of Abraham offering him on the Altar, Eliezer serves as his matchmaker to Rebbecca, and his wife and son later trick him into giving away the blessings. But what did HE do? Was he all passive? One of the very few things the Torah tells us about Issac, was that he reopened the wells which Abraham dug, and the Philistines filled with earth. Wells, again.

Wells are important because they symbolize our search for life-giving content and meaning. The first step is not to be content with what's on the surface. We have to get beneath (or beyond) the superficial. Then we have to commit ourselves to effort and exertion, to toil and labor, in order to remove the crude and coarse covering - layer after layer. In order to remain committed, beyond the initial casual interest, we have to grow in our enthusiasm and appreciation of the exciting prospect of what lay hidden deep within.

One more story. Years ago, in the town of Lubavitch, a small Jewish village in White Russia, where the Lubavitch movement has its roots, lived an elderly man named Shalom the Well-Digger. In his youth he was a strong man, and labored many hours each day, digging deep within the earth, until he reached water. In his old age, he decided to dig a well in Lubavitch to benefit the many visitors. Many wondered, how could an elderly man, well past his prime, undertake such a difficult task? He thought less of it, "Not a big deal. I do just one shovel at a time, with patience and without hurrying, we'll eventually reach life-giving waters."

Lesson Learned from Russian Drinking Song
(Vayera 5761 / Nov 17 2000)

Caution: This isn't about Drinking, but a lesson about Life.

Our father Abraham was famous for his welcoming hospitality (even to idolatrous travellers). This week's Torah reading opens with him waiting for guests outside his tent in the heat of the sun, despite his recent circumsion. Jews have kept up this tradition. 200 years ago in Eastern Europe when not all occupations were open to Jews, many Jews were inn-keepers and tavern operators. Many stories of that time concern the "Moshke" (popular name for these innkeeepers) and the local squire, and what happened when in a bad season the poor inkeeper couldn't pay his rent.

After serving the local population for many years, the innkeepers began to enjoy a certain drinking song that the travelling peasants were fond of.  The gist of the song (sung to a heartfelt rollicking melody) is: "Don't worry fellows, what will become of us! Soon we'll reach a tavern, and there will be plenty of vodka to drink there!" And there's an unwritten part of the song, based on an observation of the innkeepers. The peasants didn't leave empty-handed, content with what they drunk and looking forward to the next pit-stop. They would fill a small glass bottle with whiskey or vodka, to keep them warm and in good spirits along the difficult journey.

Chassidic Jews adopted this song. Not for the alchohol's message, but because they sensed a far deeper message for life inside the same words. At the conclusion of many of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Farbrengens (Chassidic gatherings) we would sing this song with much gusto, for it represented us "leaving the tavern" - the source of our inspiration and gathering together, and go out our separate ways on the difficult roads of life. But we sang that we would gather again soon, and again enjoy the inspiration and warmth.

But here's where the "unwritten" part of the song is so important. It is not enough to await good things down the road. We have to at least have a little taste of it, along the way. We can't wait for our dreams and aspirations to unfold down the road, later in life. We have to begin, even in a small way, living and tasting our future dreams - now!

Wicked Strangers Come First
(by Fred Lotwin - Vayera 5761 / Nov 17 2000)

When it comes to the binding if Issac, his own son, Abraham doesn't bargain with G-d, or argue it out. But Abraham does bargain with G-d when it comes to the destruction of Sodom. This demonstrates Abraham's amazing selflessness and thoughtfulness of others. He went further for others than he did for his own family.

I found this thought in a book called "OU Torah Insights" which is a collection of Torah thoughts by OU Rabbis across the USA. Rabbi Bomzer of Albany NY is the author of this one. Small world.

When in Rome, act as the Romans - Except..
(by Mike Hoenig - Vayera 5761 / Nov 17 2000)

Abraham thought these men to be ordinary travellers, so he offered them food, but in truth they were angles in the guise of men. If angels don't need to eat, for they are without physical body or bodily need - why did they eat? The Talmud says "When in a different place, act according to its custom". On the other hand, as Jews we know we are to remain a people apart, steadfast in our Jewishness, and non-conforming to the society around us. How do we reconcile this with - When in Rome act as the Romans?

We aren't to compromise our beliefs or observances, of course. But in matters not affecting our religion - we should certainly not offend others by not following their custom and style. There's a story of a Jewish advisor to a non-Jewish King, who was praying on and on, while everyone else was hailing the King. If possible to accomodate both his prayers to G-d, and his homage to the King, he should have tried, because he lost his job and almost his head.

It Works Out
(by Mike Kashani - Vayera 5761 / Nov 17 2000)

Abraham has a strange calm about him as he proceeds on the most difficult journey of his life, to go and offer his own son as a sacrifice. We're not talking about a ruthless, careless or cold-blooded person. On the contrary, Abraham was a loving, welcoming and good-hearted man, who is remembered for being the epitome of kindness.

What kept Abraham sane, was that he knew whatever G-d does is for the good. How it would turn out he did not know, but he was certain that the end result would be positive - and he was right. Having faith in positive outcomes helps us during the difficult journeys, and keeps us from becoming overcome with frustration and aggravation. It works for me.

Marathon Dvar Torahs said - with the YU / Stern / RPI   Weekend -
NOV 11th 2000 - P' Lech Lecha, 5761- CLICK HERE!

"To the Land I will show you" - but no directions?
(Lech Lcha 5761 / Nov 11 2000)

You would think that G-d would have prodded the first Jew along, and shown him around. Both times when G-d speaks to Abraham, he leaves out the specifics, and the directions. When G-d says to "leave your birthplace and homeland... and go to a land I will show you" or by the Binding of Issac, G-d says: "and go up to the mountain.. where I will show you" - not everything is spelled out, there's always some suspense and aura of mystery to be found out later.

Many a Jewish story have a similar element - that while a righteous holy man may have guided the hero along a certain path, much is hidden and remains to be discovered only at the end. We're left in the dark for most of it, only to appreciate the light at the end.

A STORY example: The Missing Husband. A woman came to a prominent Jewish communal leader in Vilna, about two hundred years ago. Her husband had abandoned her, and according to Jewish Law, she needed him to write her a bill of divorce. All her efforts to locate him had been futile, and when her community came up empty-handed, she went to seek the advice and blessing of her Rebbe, Rabbi Schneor Zalman of Liadi. He advised her to seek out Meir Refoels, this Jew in Vilna, who would help her find her husband. Meir Refoels never heard of her husband, or the town she came from, and thought it silly of the Rebbe to send a woman on such a long journey for naught. Time passed, she persisted and stayed on in Vilna, pestering Meir Refoels each day for new information on her husband. One day, Meir Refoels was called to the Police Station. He was often asked to post bail for Jewish criminals or supposed criminals, and looked through the files. To his great surprise, this woman's husband was one of those held in the Police Station in Vilna. He quickly arranged for this woman to recieve her divorce, and realized that the Rebbe knew something when he sent her to see Meir Refoels about her missing husband.

2nd STORY example: An Answer for The Education Minister in the 18th century Russia. A little later in Vilna, two Jewish business partners were framed in a complex case. They were convicted by a lower court, and appealed, to no avail. Now their case was being sent to Petersburg for a final time before they would be sent to Siberia. Innocent men, they appealed to Meir Refoels, perhaps he knew of some men of influence who could help them prove their innocence. To their surprise, Meir Refoels suggested that they seek the advice of a saintly Rebbe, Rabbi Schneor Zalman of Liadi. When they entered the Rebbe's study and stated their problem, the Rebbe offered an interpretation of a Talmudic saying "the Kingdom of Heaven is like the Kingdoms on Earth". In what ways are they similar? One way is that just as we don't address a King by their first name, instead we use a title like Czar, so too, with G-d, we don't call G-d His true Name directly, we use titles and other Names. The men were not encouraged by these words. They had expected the Rebbe to address their predicament, and were upset that he had not. They set out for Petersburg. There a friend mentioned that the Minister of Justice took an early morning walk in a beautful garden, if they would meet him there perhaps they could present their case directly to him. They waited in the Park, but when they met a Minister, it turned out to be the Minister of Education. Though he couldn't help them with their problem, he told them that the Czar had been asking him lately, for help with understanding the Talmudic dictum: The Kingdom of Heaven is as the Kingdoms of Earth. The two Jews remembered the Rebbe's words and relayed them to the Minister. He was glad to hear this, and relayed their words to the Czar who pardoned them.

In both stories, while the Rebbe displayed tremendous foresight, he didn't let these people in on the details. He didn't tell the woman that Meir Refoels had connections with the Vilna Police, only to see Meir Refoels. He didn't tell them about meeting a Minister, only the Torah thought. So these people were left frustrated, grappling in the dark - why?

That's the way life is. Very little of it can we really figure out. It says that G-d created the world like a letter Bais, with three sides covered, but one side left open. Three sides are defined but the fourth represents the mysterious, elusive variables, which we can not control, and are beyond us. As with the first Jew Abraham, Go - and you'll figure out the rest later. You can't see the whole picture right now.

David G's Parsha Musings
(David Gosman - Noach 5761 / 2000)

I was reading the Parsha and commentary and came up with these thoughts.

1) Noah built an ark - and saved the future of all livings beings. There a huge benefits to be reaped for what may seem to be a small action.

2) A major cause for the Flood was the theft and lack of integrity prevelant in society at that time. A G-dless people can do many things wrong, and it is inportant to note that the Torah focuses on their theft crimes. Personal integrity and proper business ethics are crucial.

3) G-d interupted the building of the Tower of Babel, by dispersing the people and confusing their languages. But he didn't punish the people. The reason is, although their motives weren't what G-d wanted, they worked together in unison. Unity is very important. Once the wagon of a wealthy noble got stuck in a ditch, and the fancy well-fed imported horses couldn't pull it out. A humble villager passed by with his under-fed domestic ponies and offered to help him out. The noble was offended: If my horses can't do it, how can your ponies? The villager asked the noble where he purchased such fine horses. The noble enumerated their pedigree, and different homelands. This one from Arabia, this one from India, and so on. Aha, said the villager - that's the problem. These horses haven't grown up together and don't know each other. They can't work as a team. My ponies, however, are brothers!

Criminal Justice Views: Not too strict, not too lenient.
(Mike Hoenig - Noach 5761 / 2000)

In last week's reading, when Adam and Eve ate from the Tree, there's a Midrash that explains their fall as a result of extreme piety. When Eve offered Adam the apple, Adam says: We're not allowed to touch it. Which wasn't true, they were allowed to touch it, but not eat it. So when Eve points out his mistake, he goes too far and eats it.
In this week's portion with Noah - two brothers see their father's shame and do a remedial action to solve the problem, while the third brother does nothing, other than point at the fault. Such a degree of passivity is dangerous to society.
These 2 parshas point to a healthy balance of getting involved, but not too involved. Laws that govern but don't interfere.

All the Nations boil down to Brothers
(Fred Lotwin - Noah 5761 / 2000)

After the Great Flood, the world's population, everyone we know today - descended from one of Noah's three sons. That's a pretty powerful thought. All the different races and nations who people this earth have common roots, and a family heritage. We all descend from brothers, real actual blood brothers. These kind of thoughts should help bring peoples a little bit closer to each other.

Tzadik in Pelz
(Shaun Zeiltin - Noah 5761 / 2000)

Noah was a good guy, righteous and all, and pretty much saved the world. Not really, though. Mostly he saved himself and his family. There's a big difference between the Ark Noah built, and the little basket Moses was placed in the Nile with. Noah put the tar outside and in, to be sure nothing came out and nothing came in. Moses' basket was only protected against the outside elements with the layer from without, but the inside was "open" to positively affect the outside.
There's a Yiddish expression, if it's cold out, there are two ways to warm yourself. One way is to light a fire, the other is to put on a warm fur coat - or "Pelz". The difference? The Pelz only warms you, while the fire benefits everyone. We shouldn't be "a Tzadik in Pelz".

if you live in a glass house, don't throw stones
(Shaun Zeitlin - Noah 5761 / 2000)

When Noah got drunk and was in bad shape, his son Cham came in and exploited the situation by pointing out his father's shame to his brothers. His brothers on the other hand, didn't make a fuss, but went in and took care of the problem in a dignified way. On Campus, there will be a time when you'll have a friend who's drunk, better not exploit his situation, instead go ahead and help him out. Hey, there'll come a day when you'll be in bad shape, and the last thing you'll want is people pouring salt on the wound. Help others, and maybe they'll help you.

Navy Jokes and their Message:
(Noah 5761 / 2000)

A young enlisted man finds himself on a coast-guard cutter during a hurricane. The ship rocks to and fro, the sky is frightening, and he's clutching a radio for dear life. The captain shouts to him: "Why the Radio?" The frightened man answers: "If it gets much worse I'm gonna call for help". "Help!?"shouts the Captain, "WE ARE THE HELP!!"

A woman missed her exit for MIRAMAR ROAD in Florida, and took MIRAMAR NAVAL BASE instead. By the time she realized her mistake, she had her window rolled down at the guard-booth. She told the man on duty, "You know I really don't want to be her". The man on duty looked hard at her and said, "Madam, none of us do. But this is what we gotta do".

Noah stepped in and helped out in a major crises. We also have to realize our role in stepping up to the plate when needed. The 2nd joke tells us, even if we don't feel like doing the job, or not excited about our role - we havea job to do. And no one else will do it, but we.

Ah, I said another joke that connected with this lesson, but can't remember it. Anyone?

I'm going to find a link to the Dr. Schreiber Mikvah Story I said on Shabbos Day Noach - stay tuned.

Ignorance is Bliss, sometimes.
(Shabbos Breishis 5761/ Oct 2000)

Once, long ago, a small and simple Jewish community was confronted with a unique challenge. The Priest would debate one of the Jews, without a word spoken, only with hand symbols. If the Jews lose they would be expelled, and if they won they would be allowed to remain.
The Jews had little choice, but had no scholar to represent them. The beadle of the synagogue, a simple fellow, offered to represent the Jews.
The priest held up three fingers pointed in the direction of the Jewish beadle. The beadle responded with a vigorous waving of his index finger. Next, the priest stretched out his hand, with his fingers spread apart. The beadle answered with a strong, clenched fist. Exasperated, the priest took out an apple. The beadle pulled out a piece of matzah.
The priest was beside himself. What a clever Jew, he shouted. He then explained his arguments and the beadle's responses. The three fingers represented the trinity, but he waved a single finger to demonstrate his belief in One G-d. I then spread my fingers, to show how Jews are dispersed and no longer united. So he clenched his fist to show how despite their differences, they stick together. I took out an apple which stands for original sin, but he had a matzah to demonstrate their nations birth under faith and providence.
The beadle said, he didn't mean any of that. When he saw 3 fingers pointed angrily at him, he shook his finger in warning. Then he saw an outstreched arm to smack him, so he put out a clenched fist. Then the priest took out his lunch, and I took out mine.

This Jew got lucky because he didn't read deeply into the symbols he saw. Reading them superficially he was better equipped to respond than had he thought deeply about them. But when it comes to the beautiful deep messages that G-d hides for us within Creation, we'd be better off finding out a deeper dimension, than just sticking with the surface superficial. There's more to it, than the eye can see.

Oneg Stories in the Sukkah

Holy Mud
(2nd Night of Sukkot)

A group of weary travellers chanced upon a rich man's home during a treacherous rainstorm. He welcome them in warmly, but they tracked mud all over his lavish carpets and tapestries, and it upset him. After they left he was disgusted with the thick hardened muddy tracks left everywhere. That night he dreamed that he was standing before the Heavenly Court. All past good deeds and misdeeds were being calculated before his eyes. Though he did his share of charitable and kind acts, there were also those times when he mistreated his business partners, and abused his power in the community. Just then a wagon full of mud came forward. The Heavenly Court was going to have that mud placed along with his merits, but he was about to send it off. When he awoke, he realized, that some mud is OK.

Inside, Outside
(First Night of Sukkot 5761/2000)

Tosefos, a 800 year old French Talmudical Commentary explains that walls of a home (unlike the Berlin Wall) have two functions. One is to keep out the elements, sheilding and protecting the inside. Two, walls create an atmosphere within, of privacy, of a home. Walls of a Sukkah, not only create a structure but even more so create an environment, a beautiful place to celebrate. There is something about the Sukkah, that creates a truly warm and spirited atmosphere that I look forward to every year at Shabbos House.

Up and Out
(Last Shabbos before Rosh Hashana 5761 - Sept 23rd)

The verse in this week's Torah portions says: "Torah is not up in the heavens or across the seas, that we have to travel far and wide to get it. It's close and near to us". I thought this to be a "reference" to 2 Jewish Campus events this week - the Hillel Boat Cruise, which is on the seas, and the Ruach Apple Picking - which you need to climb up for. We also do a Torah Study Night at Shabbos House on Monday Nights, and for that we need not to travel anywhere, but it's close and available right here in Shabbos House.

Why the Baal Shem Tov laughed?
(Shabbos ) To be typed in...

All Wrapped Up!
( Campus Center Shabbat Dinner - Sep 8th 2000)

A son-in-law was not particularly fond of his mother-in-law but felt obliged to get her something for her birthday. He didn't want to spend much, since he disliked her so, but the circumstances dictated that he do this. He walked into a crystal shop and saw a vase that he thought she would like. As the storekeeper took it off the shelf for better viewing, it fell and smashed into dozens of pieces. The storekeeper was flustered, but the son-in-law said: "Sir, it's for my mother-in-law, and the thought counts. I'll pay you to wrap it up nicely". On the way up the steps to her house, he tripped loudly, making a scene. She came running, and seeing the gift-box laying on the floor, she said: "Oh, Thanks so much, don't worry about the gift falling - whatever happened, happened. It's so wonderful of you to think of me!" When she opened the box she turned sour and began to angrily berate him. What happened? The storekeeper individually wrapped each piece!

Even if we're different "pieces" and not all that connected - as long as we hang around together, by some accident we become associated and closer to each other. But if we're all wrapped up in ourselves, Forget It!

what I really mean is...
( Sept 9th, Shabbos Day - Parshas Ki Seitze )

This week's Torah portion discusses the Laws of Divorce. Although Torah would like us to stay married, and recognizes marriage as a Divine institution, nevertheless, it also recognizes the realities of life and guides us in dealing with the problems.
In a few words the Torah teaches many laws, among them the following. Both men and women may sue for a divorce, but the man has to be the one presenting the document to the woman. If he refused to, he would be brought to a Jewish Court (which has become an issue now when religious law is not the law of the land) who would literally force him to say, Yes I will give it, and have him give it. But how can that he a valid divorce? Didn't we learn (from another verse)  that it has to be given willingly? Explains Maimonides: Deep down, everyone wants to do the right thing. Only externally do people deny this inner desire for goodness, and say No, I don't want to. By forcing this man to give his wife the divorce, which she is entitled to, the Court is subduing or supressing the external desire and revealing the deeper and better desire within.

supreme architecture
(by Michael Hoenig - Labor Day / Freshman Weekend / Shoftim)

A highlight of my trip to Israel this summer was our visit to the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem. (I'm majoring in Criminal Justice). It was fascinating to see that the architects of the court building, though previously unlearned in Torah, took much time to study what the Torah says about law, and built many of these thoughts into the building's design.
1) Security is a big issue in Israel, so all public buildings have metal detectors, and security guards. But they felt it important to separate the military force element from the building of justice. So a huge skylight was placed above the entry area, so as not to include them both under one roof.
2) The Law come first, before any particular case. Therefore they built the Law Library just inside the entrance, before entry into the Court Chambers.
3) Straight Lines in the Marble lead towards the Court Chambers. This symbolizes the need to expedite justice as speedily as possible.
4) Inside the Court Chambers many of the designs are Circular. This is because the Law treats all as equals, poor and rich alike, no one is above or below another, as a circle has no start or finish.

portal judgements
(Friday Night, Labor Day/Freshman Weekend - Shoftim)

"Judges at your Gates" says the verse. Why at the gates? Long ago, important officials met at the city gates, as we read in the Scroll of Esther: "and Mordechai sat at the King's Gate". There's a deeper meaning to gates as well. Gates regulate all that enters and exits, and we can view them as portals, which in the computer world transfer and transmit everything. Filters (positive and negative) represent choices and criteria, which judge the flow, and regulate it. In life too, much of our life is built on communication with others, and we constantly (on conscious and subconscious levels) are making many judgements which determine our relationships with people, things and ideas.

A Riddle: Frank and Joe, each have a lock and key, and are an opposite sides of a raging river. Frank needs to send a box to Joe, but can't entrust it, or the key to it, to the boatman who isn't trustworthy. But the boatman is the only one able to cross.
Solution: Frank locks the box, keeps his key and sends the box to Joe. Joe puts on his lock (there are 2 locks now) and sends it back to Frank, who removes his lock, and now Joe can open his own lock.
This Riddle is the basic framework for much of Internet Security. Also 3 parties: the user, the company, and the rest of the world whom we don't trust with our info.
Notice, we need our own locks. As much as Frank locks it, Joe needs to put on his own lock. "At Your Gates" says the verse.

The Long & Short of Berenstein Bears
(May 20th, Graduation Weekend 2000)

Mushkie and Chanie love the "The Bear Scouts" by Stan and Jan Berenstein. And so do I, because it contains a very valuable lesson taught by the first Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman. (A good lesson for graduates embarking on a path in life).
On the cover page of his Chassidic classic on (Jewish) Life, the Tanya, he labels his book "The Long Shorter Way". This is based on a story from the Talmud. Rabbi Joshua was walking toward Jerusalem, and came to a crossroads. He wasn't sure which road led to Jerusalem. So he asked a child playing nearby. The child directed the Rabbi: "This road is long but short, while the other is short but long". The confused Rabbi set out for the "short but long" route, which was indeed short, but it did not lead into the city. Thickets and other obstacles, blocked the entrance. So he retraced his steps and took the "long but short" route, which took much longer, but lead directly into Jerusalem.
Papa Bear also prefered the short route, ignoring the Scout's book which directed them to take the longer route. Papa Bear's shorter route, however, took him into an alligator hole.
Life is much the same. Often we look for the easy way out, and shortcuts to our destinations and goals. But often, the longer route helps us really get there, in a way we will most appreciate. Quick and Easy isn't always the answer.

fistuali anali
(Emor - May 12th)

This amusing and enlightening anecdote appears in Dr Jonathon O'Brien's book "An Examined Life, is a Life Worth Living".
(Dr. O'Brien grew up in Italy (and other lands) as his father worked as a US Diplomat abroad. After marrying his wife Vicky, they toured Italy together). Always on the lookout for perfomances to attend, Vicky saw a sign on the subway which she thought was announcing such an event. In bold letters, the poster read: "per fistuali anali", and Vicky translated that as annual festival. At first I tried to ignore her and shook my head, hoping to change the subject. The poster was really an advertisment for a medicine for anal fistuals (rectal abnormalities). I really did not want to be embarrassed in front of the other riders, and was trying to be polite to Vicky. But she did not get the hint. Maybe she thought I could not hear her, so she started shouting "fistuali anali, fistuali anali, let's go there!!", as she excitedly pointed to the poster. The other passengers glanced in our direction as if we were growing antlers on our heads. I had to tell Vicky what the poster really meant. She laughed. She thought it was very funny, and did not care in the least of what the other riders thought of us. I was impressed, and then realized she was right. Who care what those other passengers think! We were never going to see them again anyway.

Mirror Me
(by Mike Kashani - Kedoshim - May 6)

The Baal Shem Tov taught, the faults we find in others, are often a reflection of our own. In some way, sometimes subtle and sometimes not, people we find fault with mirror our own similar faults, and offer us the opportunity to see ourselves in a different light. Before we jump to criticize or blame our fellows, we should carefully examine ourselves for even the smallest trace of this negative trait.

Rocking Rapids
(Shabbos Achrei-Mos - April 29th - before the Sunday Rafting Trip)

Rabbi Dov Ber came to his father, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (founder of Chabad and author of the Tanya) with a dream that he had the previous night. I saw you (RSZ) walking with two men towards a clear, quick flowing, calm stream of water. After crossing it with ease you reached another creek - this one rushing rapidly and furiously against the rocks, with thrashing noise and great momentum. The two men strongly urged you to cross this one - even more than the earlier stream. (story abridged from the lengthier original).
Rabbi Schneur Zalman explained: The clear stream represents the path of the righteous, which is pristine and pure without much struggle. The thrashing creek represents the life of those who struggle with the obstacles in their path, which, as the rocks, create momentum and strength in their service of G-d.
Something to think about when you guys go White-Water-Rafting tomorrow.

until you go crazy...
(Friday Night - celebrating Mushkie's 3rd Birthday - April 28th)

A son was shocked to read the will his father had left him. "My son shall not inherit any of my wealth, until he goes crazy". All the years they enjoyed a wonderful relationship, and his father was very intelligent. Why would his father make such a strange and cruel stipulation? Deeply disturbed the son went to the Rabbi's house. He knocked at the door, but no one came. He looked in the window, and saw the dignified, scholarly Rabbi crawling about on all fours, with his son giddy with joy, riding on his back. Ashamed he withdrew from the window and decided to come back later. When he returned, he presented the Rabbi his father's strange will, and asked for the Rabbi's advice. The Rabbi laughed saying, "Had you been here a little while ago, you would understand everything. I was playing with my son, at his age level. For us adults, it's somewhat irrational, if not downright crazy. Your father was a wise man. All he wanted was for you to marry, and have children!"

Mr. Shmuel Broida
(for Yizkor / Moshiach Seudah on the 8th Night of Passover)

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht of Chicago (of blessed memory) visited the Bais Chana Women's Institute in St Paul, and told this story. Mr. Shmuel Broida owned a famous Hotdog company in Chicago and was a prominent community leader. In 1947 Rabbi Hecht approached him for funding to help Jewish refugees in Paris. Together with his friends, Mr. Broida collected $180,000 (factor in inflation..) and set out to Paris to personally distribute the money.
In Paris he met a young Chabad boy, under Bar-Mitzvah. His clothes were a size too big, and his hat flopped over his ears. "Young boy, I come from America, what can I send you?" he asked. The young boy looked up and said "I would very much like to be able to visit the Lubavitcher Rebbe in New York". Mr. Broida was taken aback. The Lubavitcher Rebbe (then Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, father-in-law and predecessor of Rabbi Menachem Schneersohn) had left Russia twenty years prior, this boy had never seen him. After having been through such a difficult war, his request from dreamy America was a spiritual one!
A young woman , attending Bais Chana, went over to Rabbi Hecht after the lecture and told him that Mr. Broida of Chicago, was her grandfather. Rabbi Hecht was delighted. Now he finally understands the second part of this story.
Upon his return to Chicago Mr. Broida asked Rabbi Hecht to arrange for a "yechidus" (private meeting) with the Rebbe. They traveled to NY, and Mr Broida spent some time in the Rebbe's room alone. When he came out, his eyes brimmed with tears and he was very emotional.
Then the Rebbe did something very unusual. The Rebbes have always been extremely careful with people's privacy and never told a third person matters of a personal nature which were told to them. He called in Rabbi Hecht, and told him what he discussed with Mr. Broida.
First, Mr. Broida spoke about his mission to Paris. Then I asked him "what is with your own children?" He broke down in tears. Although personally not the most observant, Mr. Broida was a warm and committed Jew. Yet his children, to his great dismay, had assimliated into America, and were hardly recognizable as Jews. The Rebbe told Rabbi Hecht, "I told him, you will have Nachas from your gandchildren".
Rabbi Hecht told this young woman, "Now I know why the Rebbe insisted that I know what Mr. Broida discussed with him in private. This was the only way his grand-daughter would know how much he cared for her."

Tire Tracks
(7th Day of Passover, when Seth Cohen helped us with the Festival Cohen's Blessing)

Before blessing the people, the Cohen recites the blessing... who has commanded us with the Mitzvah of blessing his people with LOVE!
A Chassidic Jew from Crown Heights, owns a bungalow colony in the Catskills which he rents out for the summer. The place was becoming rundown and one year he hired a landscaper to reseed the lawn, and spruce it up a bit. Before the season, he drove out there, and saw the beautiful new lush lawn, and then was horrified to see two fresh, thick, ugly tire tracks running all the way up the lawn! He was so upset, that he cursed the owner of that vehicle to have two flat tires.
Later that week a delivery man called him to say, after he had delivered new chairs to the main building on this property, he had not one, but two flat tires on the road home. This is so highly unusual, to have two flat tires in one day. The bungalow owner told him of this curse, since he had ruined the lawn which he paid so much to spruce up.
"If your curses are fulfilled, why don't you give blessings?" asked the delivery man.
"Ah, when I curse people, I MEAN IT!!" he replied.

Timing
(7th Night of Passover)

Chabad Teenagers in NY have "Mitzvah Routes" - places of business they visit regularly on Fridays, with Tefillin and other Mitzvah opportunities. When I was in 8th grade, I tagged along with a group that went to Kings Highway in Brooklyn. Somewhere near a large VIM store, there was a small Jewelery shop. The Jeweler regulalry put on Tefillin with us. Once when we visited on a Friday, an older friend of his was sitting in the shop, and they were conversing. After the Jeweler wore the Tefillin, we asked if his friend was Jewish, and if he would also like to wear the Tefillin. The old man was thrilled. Emotionally he asked us to help him put them on, as he had never done so before in his lifetime. He was born in Egypt, and his father was reluctant to do anything Jewish for fears of anti-semitism. Even when he arrived in the US, he went to Synagogue mostly on Saturday and on Shabbos we don't wear Tefillin. He told his Jeweler friend, that he would be back here the following week to be able to do this again. When we returned the next Friday, the Jeweler told his that his friend had passed away in his sleep the previous Friday Night.

Big & Little
(Shabbos Tazria -  April 8th - by Faith Zuckerberg in Israel, brought to our table by Josh Fisch)

Tazria opens with childbirth & circumsion, so this is relevant, though it happened during an earlier Torah portion.
G-d wanted to kill Moses. Did you miss this part? Well, this is how it happened. After the burning bush, Moses was on his way to Egypt to deliver G-d's message to Pharoah, and his wife Tziporah has a son. Although it was time for the circumsion, Moses decided to put if off until he returned from Pharoah. After all, he could not travel the windy desert with a recently circumsized infant, which would delay his meeting with Pharoah. There will always be time for his son, he reasoned, but this was a window of opportunity for his suffering brethren.

G-d didn't agree, and was so upset with Moses' choice that G-d wanted to kill him. Tziporah sized up the situation, and quickly circumsized her son, saving her husband. What was so wrong with Moses' choice that would warrant such a punishment?

For leaders especially and for all of us as well, there's a tendency to get carried away with "major issues" and neglect the "little details". We all like to solve global problems and overlook our own. G-d liked Moses because he looked after the lost little lamb who strayed from the flock, because it demonstrated Moses' concern with "the little guy, and the little things". And here, with his own son, Moses' neglected what seemed to be less significant to do the earth-shattering stuff. What seems little is big in its own way.

Kshot!
(Shabbos Shmini - April 1st)

During the Summer I teach at ILTSP (a program for Jewish college students in the Catskills which PAYS a stipend of $1000-$1800 for 5 weeks of Torah study) along with Rabbi Alter Benzion Metzger (a professor at Stern College, and a distinguished scholar).
Rabbi Metzger often tells this story.
Long before Glasnost or Perestroika, when the former Soviet Union was in its full Communist glory, Rabbi Metzger visited there along with an American Rabbinic delegation. On Shabbos morning they went to pray in a large Synagogue. Twenty, thirty elderly men were gathered there, and they prayed in the same fashion the Rabbis were used to at home. The prayers went on uneventful until the Ark was opened, and it was time to take out the Torah scroll to be read. There's an Aramaic prayer said then, called "Brich Shmay". Towards the end of this prayer the word "Kshot" (Aramaic for "truth") is repeated several times. The Chazzan, who had praying in pleasant tune up until this point, turned to the congregation, and shouted "Kosht!" each time it appeared in the prayer. Rabbi Metzger thought this was extremely strange behavior, and thought about it all throughout the Torah reading.
Then it dawned on him. There was a hidden message in the elderly Chazzan's strange shouts. Listen American Rabbis, he seemed to be saying, don't be fooled by this facade! True, the Soviets allow a few old men to pray for appearances sake, but that is all. They threaten the young people away from here, and carefully observe our proceedings. Even some of our own have been forced to become infomants for this evil regime.
After the prayers, Rabbi Metzger went over to the Chazzan, extended his hand in greeting, but instead of the customary "Good Shabbos", Rabbi Metzger said: "Kshot". The Chazzan smiled with relief. "At least someone understood me," he said.
We don't have trouble with the communists, but we can use the "Kshot" reality check on ourselves. Are we as true to ourselves as we should be? Is our commitement real or is it out of habit, lip service or routine? Kshot! It should be true, real & without any bologne.

Better a Coachman than a Rabbi
(Shabbos Tzav - March 25th)

Rabbi Yosef lived in Beshenkovitz, a Russian village in the early 1800's. Scholarly and pious, he was a beloved teacher. One day he made the journey to the Alter Rebbe (the first Chabad Rebbe) Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. While meeting privately, the Rebbe suggested that Rabbi Yosef take up the study of Mishna (skeleton of the Oral Law) by heart, and that "for the sake of your soul - better be a coachman than a Rabbi".
A Coachman!? Rabbi Yosef was well on in his years, and devoted all his time to study and teaching. Why should the wise and saintly Rebbe suggest that he become a coachman? Rabbi Yosef, traveled home, returned to his studies and put it out of his mind. Some years went by, and one day a delegation from the prominent Chassidic town of Leplie came to Rabbi Yosef asking him to become their new Rabbi. At first Rabbi Yosef felt honored, and was pleased to move to so wonderful a town as Leplie. But then the Rebbe's words about a Rabbi and a Coachman returned to him, and they caused him great distress.
His wife wondered why her husband would be so distraught by so welcome a proposition. She, too, was inclined to accept the offer and move to Leplie. Rabbi Yosef then told his wife for the first time of the mysterious advice of the Rebbe, years ago - that Rabbi Yosef would be better off as coachman than as Rabbi. His wife had much stronger faith than he, and in her sincerity exclaimed: If the Rebbe says you should be a coachman, a coachman you must be! Without delay she went off to sell some jewelry with which to buy a horse and wagon.
Reluctantly Rabbi Yosef went off to the Town Station, to "learn the ropes". The coachman were shocked to see the venerable elder take an interest in greasing wagon wheels, and grooming horses. For a while it was rumored in town that Rabbi Yosef lost his mind. But in time the townsfolk got used to Rabbi Yosef's new vocation, and still flocked to his evening classes at the Synagogue, on those days when he was in town.
A few years later, Rabbi Yosef was delivering merchandise to a distant town, and stopped off enroute at an inn. In the courtyard he noticed several distinquished carriages. Turned out that a respected nobleman and his entourage were staying at the same inn for the night. Before he went up to sleep, the innkeeper introduced him to S. the nobleman's book-keeper who needed an ride to a nearby town early the next morning. Rabbi Yosef agreed, but insisted on being able to pray the morning prayer before the journey. The book-keeper became irrate. He had no time for silly, trivial games as prayer. He was on important business and would not be delayed because of this Rabbi's foolishness.
Another Coachman was hired for the trip, and Rabbi Yosef retired to his room to study. Late into the night, he studied, sang and prayed, with such devotion and feeling that it reached deep into the heart of S. who was tossing and turning next door. He too had been raised in a warm Jewish environment, but the temptation of the nobleman's court had lured him far far away from his heritage. S. knocked at Rabbi Yosef's door, and joined in the prayer, song and study. Tears flowed freely, as he regretted many of the choices he made in life.
S. left his job at the court and went home with Rabbi Yosef. Later they traveled to the Rebbe. Rabbi Schneur Zalman had since passed away, his son Rabbi DovBer wrote an entire book of inspiration and guidance for Mr. S. and this story was printed in the preface.

Fun with a Purpose
(Persian Friday Night, March 17th)

Remember Highlights Magazine for Children? Do you remember their motto "Fun with a purpose"? It's also the moral of the following joke, and a relevant topic with the joyous holiday of Purim coming up this week. Purim is great because it combines having a good time with Jewish values and traditions - imbuing the fun with meaning and purpose.
The Joke: A guy was driving along and comes to a bridge. Atop the bridge he notices an attractive young woman, about to jump off. He stops the car, rushes out and calls up to her to come down. He pleads with her to have pity on herself, and not be rash to end her life in her prime. But she insists that she has ruined her name, and can not go on living any more. He shouts - you're young, attractive! You can start a new life in a new place. Don't give up now. She argues, if you know how ruined I am you'd push me off! There's no city in America where I can go to start again with a fresh slate. So we can travel abroad, he argues. Abroad, she muses, ah maybe to Paris. Paris! he shouts. I'm a sailor, and my boat leaves for Paris this very week! She climbs down the bridework and goes off with this man. Later that week she climbs into a huge duffelbag which he places in his car, and they drive off to the port. He takes her deep into the belly of a huge ship, and she climbs out of the bag in a small windowless room in the ship's bottom. He pleads with her to remain hidden thoughout the journey, as his job as a sailor could be at risk if it would become known that he had taken along a stoweaway. He'll work all day up on deck, and would come down at night, with food and drink, and they would spend the night together. She agreed. Weeks go by, and each night he comes down with food and they enjoy each other's company. One day, the door opens and the ship's captain stands in the doorway. He looks in disbelief at the young woman sitting before him, and asks what is she doing here? She can't deny the truth and spills the beans about her stowaway trip to Paris, with the young sailor who had saved her life. Paris? the Captain looks at her incredulously - "This is the Staten Island Ferry"!!
We can rock back and forth, and enjoy ourselves - but still stay in the same place, never reaching our destination! Fun needs Purpose.

Little Alephs...
(by Fred Lotwin - Shabbos Vayikra - March 18th)

If you look inside a Torah scroll you'll see that the first word of this week's portion has one letter smaller than the rest. The Aleph letter is written "in a smaller font" in all Torah editions. Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski retells the first time he studied Torah as a child, his teacher pointed out the little Aleph saying: This little beginning, a tiny baby Aleph will grow and become a vast world of knowledge. We should not be discouraged by humble beginnings, because great things may come of them.

Humble Alephs
(Mike Kashani - Shabbos Vayikra - March 18th)

Like Fred said, this portion begins with a small Aleph. This demonstrates Moses' humility. VAYIKRA with an Aleph ending refers to G-d's calling Moses in a way of endearment. VAYKAR without an Aleph ending refers to an abrupt impersonal calling of G-d. The small Aleph teaches us that Moses always felt unworthy of prophecy and was always in awe of the experience.

What you think, does count!
(by Shaun Zeitlin - Shabbos Vayikra - March 18th)

When the Torah lists the Sacrifices for misdeeds, it starts with the Olah, and then the Chatas. Rashi explains: Olah was brought for bad or evil intentions, while the Chatas was for actual sins or wrongdoing. You might think that what you think doesn't really matter, and only what you've actually done needs fixing. That's why the Olah precedes the Chatas to emphasize the importance of our thoughts and intentions, for they direct and lead us into our actions.
Shammai & Hillel argue a lot about these themes in the Talmud. Hillel focuses more on the actual reality, but Shammai looks at the hidden potential and thought behind it. We shouldn't forget about Shammai, and remember our thoughts really count, and they way we think ends up being the way we'll act.

Turning 20
(Shabbos Ki Sisa - Feb 26th)
This week we read that the Torah's military draft began at age 20. The Talmud says a good deal more about turning 20, there's one law concerning orphans that speaks of maturity. Though an orphan inherits property regardless of age, the Talmud prohibits any sale of property, until they reach the age of 20 or until they have proven themselves business-wise. Until that age, they may not fully realize the value in the property and underestimate its true worth. But after they're 20, whether they have proved to be business-wise or not - they can sell whatever they wish. Once we're 20 - ready or not - independent life begins.

#10 is the Mystery Man
(by Shaun Zeitlin - KI Sisa - Feb 26th )
The Jews each gave a half-shekel contribution towards the upkeep of the Temple. Why just a half? Why not round it off to a whole, and get more of a donation for the same campaign? One advantage to a half over a whole, is that each one needed another one to be complete. You can't just do it on your own. And you never know who will be the one to complete you. He could end up being the richest man, or some bum out on the street. As it is with our Saturday Morning Service. We hang around in Chapel House, waiting for #10. And you never, ever know who will be the #10 that will enable us to pray and read from the Torah. Keeping the Shekel at Half - is a lesson to us that we can't do it alone.

Matching Clothes to the House?
(by Mike Hoenig - Tetzaveh - Feb 19)
The Torah instructs us to make the Cohen's clothing using many of the same materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle. Strange to think that the High Priest in full dress sort of matched the walls of building! But it's a telling sign. While many of us, unfortunately, feel out of place and kind of uncomfortable in a synagogue - the Cohens blended right in, and felt right at home. They blended right into the scenery.

Out of Torah
(by Mike Kashani - Tetzaveh - Feb 19)
While Moses pleaded with G-d to forgive the Jews for the sin of the Golden Calf, he exclaimed: "If you don't forgive them, take me out of your Torah!" Moses cared more for the Jews, even sinful Jews, than he cared for being part of the Torah, which was his very life. This is why Moses is left out of one Torah portion, the only one since his birth in Shemot. It demonstrates his great love and sacrifice for his people.

Pray for the other guy
(by Shaun Zeitlin - Tetzaveh - Feb 19 )
The Breastplate had the names of all the tribes engraved on its stones. It teaches us, not to be content with praying and asking for our own needs, but to be mindful and concerned with the needs of others. Other people need to have an engraved spot in our hearts.

in "Them"
(by Mike Heonig - Terumah - Sat Feb 12th)

Regarding the Tabernacle that was to be built to "house" G-d Presence, the verse says: "Make me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them". Among them? It should have said "in it"! There's an important lesson here: G-d wants to dwell within us, among the people, not only in the Tabernacle.

Insider Stuff
(by Mike Hoenig - Terumah - Feb 12th)

The Ark was all gold on the outside, had a wooden middle, and the inner layer was also gold. The Ark was kept hidden in the Holy of Holies, without public access, and it wasn't opened for the service. So what's the point in having a golden inner layer? The point is simple: INSIDES COUNT! Superficial surface glitter is no ark unless there is a genuine inner layer that matches it.

halfs, wholes & both
(by Shaun Zeitlin - Terumah - Sat Feb 12th)

Though Shaun had planned to say "Golden Insides", Mike H. beat him to it. Shaun had this other Torah thought up his sleeve.
The Torah lists the specific measurements of the ARK, the TABLE of the Showbread, and the ALTAR. All of the measurements of the Altar are in full cubits, the Ark are all in half-cubits, while the Table's length and width were whole cubits and its height was in half-cubits.
1) The Ark contained the Tablets and the Torah. Spiritually there's always room to grow and improve, which is why the Ark was in half-cubits. 2) The Altar represents Forgiveness - which makes us whole again, after a problem. So it was in whole-cubits.  3) The Table represents "making a living" - our careers and jobs. We try to make them as "whole" as we can, but as long as we got our  bases covered (the length and the width) we don't have to outdo and outwork ourselves (the height).

holy buttons!
(by Mike Lowenstein - Terumah Sat Feb 12th)

The Torah describes the buttons which kept the separate parts of the Tabernacle's covering together. Oddly, they were buttoned inwards, unlike normal buttons which face out. Two reasons come to mind: 1) Insides are important, and our connections (to G-d and our fellows) should come from deep within us, not just out on the surface.  2) Maybe the reason is simple. The buttons looked good, and this way the people would be able to look up and see them from the inside. Like Rabbi Mendel said about the Hot Cider on Sukkos - we serve it then because it tastes best when it's cold out. Not all reasons have to be mystical.

Oil, Spice and Everything Nice
(by Fred Lotwin - Terumah - Sat Feb 12th)

We read in the Torah all the materials which were neccessary to build the Tabernacle. The lists begins with Gold, Silver, Copper and dyed wools and skins, and winds down to oils and spices. Though gold is a more expensive substance, the Torah is more elaborate in the description of the oils and spices. Isn't gold the greater gift? Well, it might be harder to give - but once it's given it's there and doesn't need much maintenance. The oils and spices on the other hand, had to be carefully prepared according to exact specifications, each and every day. They were to be an ongoing commitement, not a one shot deal, and much more effort had to be exerted in the long haul. Effort pays off, and that's why the Torah makes a bigger deal out of the oils and spices than the gold and silver. The same is true of our own Jewish commitement: The more effort we put in, the better a Jewish experience will we have.

3 Cases
(Friday Night - Mishpatim - Feb 4)

"These are the Laws to be put before them" - refers to cases brought before a Jewish court.
An infamous miser died, and no one wanted to pay their respects at the funeral. Until the beloved Rabbi of Berditchev, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, personally led the funeral procession with the entire community behind him. After the funeral, the Rabbi explained that he had presided over three court cases (in the town's Jewish court) which had convinced him of this "miser's" hidden generosity.
The Case of the Wine Merchant: A wine merchant came to town with a purse filled with other people's money to purchase wine for them. When he came to the market he noticed his purse was missing. He searched but to no avail. He was ruined man! He fainted in despair. Even when revived, he was distraught and desperate. The news traveled around town. This miserly rich man filled up a purse with a 1,000 coins (the amount said to be lost) and rushed to the merchant, saying he found the money. The merchant was overjoyed and thankful. The news spread through the town that the money had been found. The theif who took the purse was perplexed. How could this money have been found, if he himself took the money? Then he realized, how a most generous man must have given his own money. Filled with remorse he begged the rich man to take the money. The rich man refused, and when the case came to court, the Rabbi sided with the rich man.
The Case of the Phantom Paycheck: Mr X. wasn't doing too well in town and he wasn't particularly fond of his wife. So he told her he was going abroad to seek new business opportunities and would be back in a few years. She asked him how she would support herself and the children while he was gone. He assured her that she would be able to recieve his weekly paycheck at the office of the rich man. His work abroad was for that firm, he explained. Off he went, and on Thursday she went to the office to collect the paycheck. The secretary looked through all the accounting books and found no record of such an arrangement. The woman was terribly upset, and the ruckus brought out the boss. He assessed the situation in an instant, and apologized to the woman, telling the secretary to have her included on all future payrolls. This went on for a couple of years, until the husband returned. He didn't expect to see much surviving at home, and was shocked to see how well-fed and clothed the children were. When he found out that the rich man had been providing her with steady income, he rushed over and started to explain himself. This was all a terrible misunderstanding, he said. I now have the money to repay you. But the rich man refused payment. When the case came before the Rabbi, he again ruled: Nothing in the books can make the rich man take your  money.
The Case of the Guarantor: A fellow out on his luck came to the rich man for a loan. When asked for a guarantor, he said he had none. But the rich man insisted on a guarantor. So pressed, he said: The Almighty G-d is my guarantor. The rich man accepted that, and let him the money. Time elapsed, and the rich man called about the loan. The poor fellow said he was putting the money together. The next week the rich man called again, and still no luck. Then the rich man stopped calling. A few months later the guy got teh money together and went over to the rich man. The rich man refused the money, saying that the guarantor paid up already. Guarantor? What Guarantor? The Almighty, said the rich man. An unexpected business windfall was sufficient payment. Again they went off to the Rabbi, who ruled in favor of the rich man.
These 3 cases convinced Rabbi Levi Yitzchak that this man was far from miserly, only he preferred to give charity in clever, discreet ways.
I thought of a little insight to the differences in these 3 cases. #1 was a crises. The man was ill, distraught and clearly needed the money. So the rich man stepped up to the situation. #2 was also a crises, a deserted lonely woman, but with added twist. This was no one shot deal, his contribution would have to be ongoing and consistent. And #3 wasn't even a crises, it was an ordinary loan! These cases reflect human nature when it comes to responding to a need. Many respond to a crises. But some drop out when the crises is an ongoing condition. Less respond when there is no crises. This man responded with generosity - even when there was no crises.          

Johnny Appleseed
(TU B'SHVAT - Jan 21)

Johnny Appleseed: The good man who went around planting apple orchards didn't wait around to see the fruit of his labors. The lack of immediate results certainly didn't discourage him. We should view our good acts as little seeds we plant in the world around us, which will bear fruit someday, though we often don't see results right away.

Seeds: Bulbs are different than seeds, in that they stay around throughout the growth. Before any growth happens to a seed, it first disintegrates into the fertile earth and only then does anything grow. This teaches us several things, among them: 1) True growth (such as creativity) isn't through ego, but through humility. 2) The seeds we plant around us have to sprout from that place. We can't force those seeds to respond.

Investment: Usually, the mystics refer to G-d's investment in this world as developing a "Home" for G-dliness. Sometimes, "Orchard" is used as a metaphor. Orchard has an advantage over a home in terms of the return on the investment. While a home requires much effort to build, and needs more effort to upkeep; a tree begins as a simple (almost worthless) seed, and matures into many, many times its original worth, with less maintenance than a home requires. Investing in little seeds (good deeds) pays off.

= Doubt
(by Mike Kashani - Jan 22)

"Erase the memory of Amalek in every generation" (-this week's Torah reading). If the earlier generation did the job, what should the next generation do? There's a spiritual Amalek that continues to threaten us, even after the physical Amalek is gone. The word Amalek is the Hebrew numerical equivalent of "doubt". This Amalek plagues us spiritually, but throwing doubts in, and lessening our commitement and resolve. We have to do all we can to strengthen our dedication and dispel the doubt and uncertainty inside ourselves.

Nasal Letters
(by Shaun Zeitlin - Jan 22)

Manna in Hebrew is made up of two letters: "Mem" & "Nun". Why these two letters? They are the only two letters of the Aleph-Bet which don't sound right at all when the nasal passage is blocked. One of the wonderous things about the Manna was that it had many different delicious tastes, according to the taster. Without the sense of smell, there's very little taste to food. An important lesson from this: You can have a great product like Manna, but it won't be appreciated if there's some blockage. We need clear, unobstructed sensitivity to be able to appreciate the good stuff in life.

Bo!
(over the break..)

"Bo" is Hebrew for "come". Why does G-d tell Moses "Bo" (come) to Pharoh, when "Lech" (Go) would be a better word?
The Rebbe says, this teaches us: Wherever we go - even if it is to a wicked Pharoah in an idolatrous land - we are never leaving G-d's presence. "All the world is full of G-dliness" and our job is to discover it. Though it may seem odd, sometimes it is finding G-d in the most unlikely places which brings us closer.

Taking a Stand
(Friday Night - December 17)

In this week's portion, Judah stepped out from amongst his brothers and steps forth to demand from Joseph the release of Benjamin.
During the Holocaust, as a Ghetto was about to be liquidated, a young couple frantically made their way to the home of a gentile aquaintance. They entrusted their year old son into the care of a Catholic woman, in the hopes that he would be spared the death that awaited them. Before leaving back to the Ghetto, they extracted a promise from the woman, that when the war and madness would end, she should send the child to their relatives - leaving her with two addresses, one outside DC and one in Montreal.
The parents perished, and the woman became attached to this young boy. Throughout the war she brought him to church along with her, and when the war ended she asked the priest to baptise him, as she wanted him as her own. The priest was curious as to why a devout woman would wait so long to baptise her son, and so the whole story came out, including the promise she made to the parents.
The priest refused to baptise the boy, insisting that the woman had a moral obligation to seek out the overseas addresses and return the child to his family. The woman couldn't believe it, who was she speaking to a priest or a rabbi? But the priest stood his ground and would not relent until the woman made the neccessary connections and the boy was sent to Montreal.
The boy grew up with his relatives in Montreal, and later became a successful businessman. He maintained throughout the years close contact with the Polish woman who raised him, and often sent her care packages and money. In 1978 she fell ill, and called for him. At her deathbed she described to him the encounter with the priest just after the war. She told him the priests name, and that eventually he became Pope John Paul II.
Not that I want you guys to become the next Pope, far from it! But standing up for what's right goes a long way.

misplaced
(Shabbos Vayigash - Dec 18)

Baby Camel: "Why do we have such long eyelashes?"
Mother Camel: "Blowing Sand Dunes would harm our eyes if our lashes wouldn't protect them."
Baby Camel: "Why do we have such a large strange hump on our backs?"
Mother Camel: "When we travel long distances in the dry, arrid desert, we store water in our humps."
Baby Camel: "Why do we have such long, spindly boney legs?"
Mother Camel: "They enable us to walk great distances even with heavy loads on our backs."
Baby Camel: "So what are we doing in the Bronx Zoo!?"
Sometimes we have to ask ourselves if we are in the right place.
The darker the exile, distant from our roots and heritage, might not be the ideal situation designed for us to thrive in.

Lights Out
(Friday Night Chanukah - Dec 11)
During our Chanuklah Party 3 large toasters were warming frozen Pizza on the same electrical circuit, so we tripped a breaker. Later when we fixed that breaker, a few rows of lights went out. (Turns out there are two breaker boxes in Shabbos House's basement, which we didn't know at the time). This lack of light, on the festival of light left us with two enlightening lessons:
1) There is an opinion (which we don't follow) of lighting 8 candles the first night. Judaism is not All or Nothing, and sometimes doing too much right away will blow our circuits. Start off with one, then two and gradually add, progressing at a level that we can handle. Too much at once is no good.
2) Of all the varied appliances on the home needing electricity, heating appliances sap the most energy. A little toaster needs more energy to run than a Pentium III in high gear. Entertainment, Hi-Tech and Sophistication aside, it takes a lot of energy to generate "warmth".

What comes First?
(Friday Night Chanukah - Dec 11)

On a Friday Night during Chanukah we do (at least) 3 Mitzvas. 1) Shabbat Candles 2) Chanukah Candles 3) Kiddush.
There's is a little piece of Talmud that I would like to share with you. I have learned it often in Yeshiva, but see it in a new light now that I am married and involved with communal activity. (I paraphrase:) Rava (a famous Talmudic sage) says: If one has only enough money for either the Shabbat or Chanukah Candles, he should buy the Shabbat candle. For Shabbat candles promote harmony and peace within the home, while the Chanukah candles illuminate the dark world outside the window. Home comes first. What happens if one only has enough money to buy either the Chanukah candle or wine for the Kiddush blessing? Rava hesitates, then says: Better buy the Chanukah candle. Although the wine comes around more often (we do it every week) and is more regular, Chanukah candles promote the miracle to the dark world outside, it takes preference.
This leaves us with a set of (Rava's) priorities: Home comes first, even before communal activity. You can't be effective out there, if there is a problem within. But communal activity comes before the "usual and ordinary" - the normal convienences and comforts of our own lives.

you can't be Joseph!
(Shabbos Miketz - Chanukah - Dec 11)

"Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him" (Genesis )
Rashi explains: Joseph was younger than his brothers. When he was sold, he was a young lad, while they were grown men. You don't change much once you mature, but Joseph had grown a beard and matured during this time, so they did not recognize him, while he recognized them.
The Chassidic interpretation gives us something to think about for our lifestyles as well: The patriarchs were shepherds, and lived alone - a people apart. Being spiritual is easier that way. Contrast that to Joseph's job as a CEO in a major metro area, investing this year's good crop for the famine ahead, living among and working together with the Egyptians. When the brothers met this busy cosmopolitan fund manager they couldn't imagine him being one of Jacob's sons. Impossible, to live a spiritually fulfulling life in such surroundings, they thought. So Joseph recognized his brothers, while they didn't recognize him. Joseph was the first Jew to thrive Jewishly in very alien surroundings.
The Joke we told: A Jew Goldberg lives a very pious life, shunning all temptation. After many years he decided to take "one day off" and spend some time in sin. While crossing the street on his way, he is hit by a car. In Heaven Goldberg is fuming at G-d: I have been so pious and observant of all your laws, all these years. One day I go and sin and you cut me down like that! G-d turns to him and says: What's your name? The man replies: Goldberg, it's me, don't you remember? From the Synagogue on Hester Street! Ah, G-d muses: I didn't recognize you!

Wicks 'R Us!
(Shabbos Vayeishev Chanukah - Dec 4)

From the Zohar (quoted in Tanya 35): "We are the wicks, the fuel is the mitzvah and the flame is Shechina G-dliness".

The wick's function is to draw fuel (oil) through itself to the burning flame atop it. The wick conducts the fuel in a regulated channeled form. Copper is a good conducter for electricity while rubber is not - for the copper allows the current to flow through it, while the make-up of rubber stops the current. The Mishna lists many types of materials that are not suitable for Chanukah or Shabbos wicks, because they aren't good "fuel conductors". Later the Gemorah adds, even if a oil conducting material is coated with a non-conducting material, it is no good for these Mitzvah lightings.
So it is with us. Deep inside we all have great "wicks" that are conducive to and conductive of Judaism. But often that great wick is coated with a lot of negative alien material that doesn't allow for a good connection. It is up to us, to seek out in ourselves that connectiveness that we have inside us.

How could Jacob marry 2 sisters?
(Shabbos Vayeitze - Nov 21)

Although the patriarchs observed the Torah even before G-d commanded it to Israel, Jacob married two sisters (forbidden by Torah)! The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains: Before Sinai these laws were not commandments, only voluntarily observed out of personal piety. Jacob had already given his word to marry Rachel. Commandments are unequivocal obligations, but self-enforced piety can not be at someone else's expense.

The Honest Thief
(Shabbos Toldos - Nov 13)

WARNING: This story's moral is NOT to justify an improper means for the sake of a good end. We don't do the wrong thing even if we have (what we consider to be) good reasons. But we can learn from this story: 1) If we are already in a "imperfect" or bad situation, let us use it as a catalyst for a positive outcome. There are glimmers of light to be gleaned even from the negative aspects of our lives. 2) We don't always get into doing the right things, for the right reasons. But once we're already doing it, we can grow into the right reasons & intent.

Long ago, in a small Shtetl, a man let's call Yankel had a rough time making ends meet. Whatever he tried, didn't work out. One day a righteous man came to town so Yankel went to seek out his blessing. The holy man looked at Yankel and then said: "I don't know how this will come about, but things will eventually work out well for you."

That night Yankel's children had nothing to eat, so Yankel walked around town trying to find something. The stores had long closed for the night, but Yankel's eyes fell on an open latch on a shop's door. He had a short struggle within himself, but his pangs of hunger and thoughts of his hungry children overcame his good conscience. Yankel went inside, and took from the cash-box 18 kopeks - just enough to buy a loaf of bread. He went home, and wrote himself a note: "On this date I borrowed 18 kopeks from David's Hardware store". He had no luck job-hunting the following day, and that night in the marketplace, another shop had a latch open. And so this story repeated itself nightly. The town was abuzz with talk about this strange theif, who had opportunity to take the entire cash-box, and instead left with only 18 kopeks. An honest theif?

The town Sherrif wanted to apprehend this small-town crook, and disguised himself as a beggar. Late at night he wandered through the darkened streets, until he came across our Yankel tinkering with the latch of the tailor's shop. "Aha!," he cried out to Yankel, grasping his arm, "Now I've caught you. You're found out! You are the thief everyone is talking about". Yankel pleaded his innocence. After all, he was not stealing much, and it was for bread, for his hungry children! The "beggar" would hear nothing of it, and insisted that he had no choice other than to turn Yankel in for theft. Unless, Yankel would agree to help the beggar in his own thievery scheme. The beggar let Yankel know that the town Sherrif's uncle died, leaving him with a black box of gold coins. If Yankel would steal the black box from the Sherrif's home, he would not be turned in.

Yankel recoiled at the mere thought of a "real theft". But the beggar was firm and unrelenting, and images of his children seeing him in prison clouded his judgement. He agreed to the beggar, who then led him to a dark narrow passageway behind the sherrif's home. Yankel had to make his way into the cellar, and bring the beggar the box of gold coins. Yankel came out of the cellar pale as a ghost. He tells the beggar of a conversation he overheard between two of the Sherrif's officers. They, too, knew of the box and were going to poison the sherrif that very next morning. "What can we do to save the Sherrif's life?" Yankel asked the beggar. The disguised Sherrif said he would let the Sherrif know and went off in a hurry. The next day, Yankel was invited to the Sherrif's home, and presented with half of the gold coins in the box. Only then did he realize that the Sherrif was the Beggar of the previous night.

A Rained-Out Homecoming?
(by alumnus Alan Rosen, Shabbos Vayera - Oct 30)

Homecoming is actually an old idea. Way back, the Jews would make their way to Jerusalem, three times each year, to be together in the Holy Temple. It's great to come back to a holy place, and see everyone you missed in the time you were away in your town. In the prayerbooks, we switch to praying for rain during the Sukkot festival. Nevertheless some aspects of the rain prayers are delayed a bit until further in the season. Why? One reason is, those who had come to the Temple for "homecoming" shouldn't get rained out on their way home. So let us pray, that our homecoming not be rained-out, and that we enjoy every bit of it, and have a great deal to take home with us.

Assertive Submission
(Shabbos Vayera - Oct 30)

When G-d called to Abraham about the binding of Issac, Abraham responded: "Hineni" - I am ready. Rashi notes that this is the response of the pious - both submissive to G-d yet accepting personal responsibility.
A shrew once was showing off to her friends how submissive and meek her husband was. "Shmerl" she called "Get down and climb under the table!" And he did. Then she said: "Shemrl, get out from under the table!" To which he replied: "No! I am staying right here, I'll show you who is boss in this house!" Sometimes, although sounding assertive - we are really being very submissive. In the joke, the submission was a negative one - to a controlling and overpowering spouse. But in our relationship with G-d, where submissiveness can be a virtue, it can work the same way (only in a positive sense) - our assertiveness may be a sign of our submissiveness. Like with Abraham's Hineni. "I Am Ready!" says that he is responsible, assertive and capable. But it is said in a sense of duty, humility and obligation. The lesson? Being strong and being humble are not exclusive of each other and can even be expressed together!

The Mets made it to the Playoffs, Dayenu!
(by Shaun Zeitlin, Shabbos Lech Lcha)

In this week's Torah portion Lot and Abraham were to go their separate ways. Lot saw the green lands by the Jordan, and wanted everything there. He wanted too much, and Sodom where he settled was later destroyed.
It's been an up and down all season for the Mets, with the greatest roller-coaster during the playoffs. At every stage along the way, the fans were saying: Just get through this. When they reached that milestone, everyone said: Now all you've gotta do is just this one more thing. And on it goes. They finally got to the playoffs, and gave the Braves a run for their money, the fans are disappointed. What about each step they fought for and overcame each hurdle, did you forget about that? Everybody knows the Dayenu song. Even if all G-d had done for us would be A, we would be happy and thankful, even if we haven't reached B. Hey, and now that G-d gave us B, we're thrilled. And then G-d gives us C, and D, and so on. Be thankful for each step of the way, and don't always expect more than you've got right now.

Gee, I just realized you're gorgeous!
(Shabbos Lech Lcha)

Enroute to Egypt to find food when famine hit Israel (then Cannan) Abraham turns to Sarah and says: "Hey, I just realized how beautiful you are! The Egyptians might kill me to take you for a wife!" And so they devise a plot. What's going on here? They've been married for a long time, gone through so much together - and Abraham just now finds out that she's pretty!? Rashi offers several answers. 1) Anyone could be beautiful in the right setting, but while shlepping to Egypt during a famine - to be beautiful then, that's true beauty. 2) Some people see a gorgeous girl, fall in love, only later to find that they're not compatible, and hardly value anything in common. Abraham loved Sarah for reasons far richer and deeper than external beauty. Only when enroute to Egypt, considering Egyptian lifestyle, did he turn to Sarah and realize how beautiful she was even on the outside. We may be human, but we are descendants of Abraham and should keep this stuff in mind.

Post-Season & Mr. "Noah" October
(Shabbos Noach)

"Noah was a righteous man in his generation". Why add in his generation? Rashi quotes two interpretations. One is that Noah was actually an ordinary guy, and wouldn't be so outstanding had it not been for the cirumstances in which he found himself. Like with baseball. Some hitters are about average, but excell and step right up to the plate when the going gets rough and the situation demands it. Challenges bring out tremendous depth in people who are least expected to have it in them. Same with us and our Judaism. If living Jewishly now is more difficult, then it ought to bring out all the more in us.

Don't Lose Yourself, & DO something about it!
(by Mike Hoenig, Shabbos Noach)

Just after exiting the Ark, Noah planted a vineyard. Later he drank of its fruit, got drunk and found himself in a comprimising state. He had three sons. One took advantage of his father and ridiculed him, while the others took pains not to see their father's disgrace and did all they could to protect his dignity. This teaches us two things. Even if we drink, we should always remember that we're Jewish, and never do anything we will later regret. And, when it comes to a problem, it's easy to point at the problem and do nothing about it. When Noah's son did that he got into a lot of trouble. We have to learn from the other sons, to focus more on the solution than the problem, instead of going out and talking about it - to DO something!

Stuffed Cabbage and Knishes
(night before Simchat Torah in the Sukkah)

Every holiday has its foods. It is customary tonight to eat Stuffed Cabbage and Knishes - or all foods with a doughy outside and a meaty inside. They resemble a Torah scroll in that they, too, are wrapped up in a covering. But the analogy goes deeper. Torah also has its external and internal parts, the practical law and then the philosophy behind it. The inner (hidden, like the meat inside the rolled cabbage) dimension of Torah allows us a peek at our own insides. Even our relationships with others become far more meaningful when we become aware of an inner, richer dimension than what appears on the surface. DIG IN! is the message we learn from Stuffed Cabbage, and discover what's inside.

There was a great chassidic Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Ber Schneersohn, a true genius, who wrote many lengthy books on chassidic philosophy. Once his attendant, a simple fellow, brought him some soup. The Rebbe sat, lost in thought, looking down at the table in deep concentration, all the while slowly stirring the soup with a spoon. The attendant, thinking the Rebbe was looking for the noodles, said: "Rebbe, they are deeper, look deeper, the noodles are at the bottom". The Rebbe looked up, at once refreshed. Some things, though not apparent at the surface, are indeed there. One must only seek deeper.

Money, Alcohol and Torah
(Shmini Atzeres in the Sukkah)

An old Chassidic saying: Three things are inevitable to affect us. Money will drive you crazy, alcohol will make you drunk, and Torah will inspire you. What happens if you have money and you're not crazy? You need more money, at a certain saturation point, it will drive you nuts. What if you drink beer and you don't get drunk? More beer will certainly do the trick at some point. Same with Torah. If you studied, and didn't yet feel the inspiration? More Torah will get you there. It's inevitable.

Plan Ahead Now
(by David Fienerman, John Hancock Signator Agent, & Shabbos House "Regular" - in the Sukkah)

In my line of work (Insurance), we (too) often find people who lack foresight to plan ahead. When you're healthy and enjoying life, you don't want to put away money for the eventuality that down the road circumstances will change. We procrastinate, delaying these decisions and commitements, sometimes until it's too late. The same is true with our Judaism. If we want to have Jewish feeling and living in our lives we can't keep pushing it off until later. Later will be too late. We have to invest in our Judaism now - while we are still young, energetic and growing. If not now, when?

Moshiach Signs in IZIMIR QUAKE
(by Jay Taubman in the Sukkah)

The recent earthquake in Turkey which claimed thousands of lives, was a terrible, terrible tragedy. Yet, even in the darkest moments there are glimmers of light. Many countries sent rescue teams to help find survivors in the rubble. I found it remarkable that the Muslim Turkish Media made repeated special mention of the Israeli team, although the United States and other European nations sent larger rescue teams. This mutual cooperation, of the Israeli rescuers, and the Muslim Media, is a sign of the peace that Moshiach will bring to the world. Everyone has their own way of expressing their Judaism, and for me - I live every day with the hope that Moshiach will come today!

1/2 Mitzvahs (in wooden Urts)
( first day of Sukkos)

My father, Rabbi Israel Rubin, moved (with my mother and myself) to Albany in Fall of 1975. That winter was particularly brutal, capped by the Blizzard of '75. His old white convertible then was an older model than my trusty '84 mini-van is now. Rabbi Hodakov, the Lubavitcher Rebbe's longtime secretary called him with a mission. In Western NY not far from a University a group (mo