Each week of the Omer counting we focus on another emotional characteristic in an endeavor for self-refinement. This week is NETZACH or the emotions of endurance, determination and perseverance. It's about being strong and dedicated, unwavering and steadfast - despite the obstacles or challenges.

Going to the Israel Rally in DC was an eye-opener. It was awesome to be at the largest gathering of Jews in America, and to be there for Israel. It was a tremendous feeling of unity, of love for each other and for Jews living in Israel. Just being at the Rally brought home opportunities and possibilities for this important commandment.

- and some thoughts on the current crises.

It is a sign of great personal honesty and integrity when we can look ourselves in the mirror with confidence, yet without arrogance, know both our strength and our weaknesses, and be willing to do our best, without resorting to falsifying or exaggerating our personal reality.

Some of those involved with Jewish life at UAlbany are like the man in the four-door home. Some think we’re doing great and see little need for further growth – they open the giant door. Others complain constantly about the lack of more Jews involved, about programming or events, or leadership, or whatever – they come out of the midget door.

Both are not the reality. We are neither the giant nor the midget. We have our special unique strengths and flavor, and potential to work to expand our horizons. While we appreciate, enjoy and work with what we have, we endeavor to continue our growth.

Let’s appreciate the great Jewish life at UAlbany, and make it even better!

A lot of times in life we have a problem and we have to deal with it. But it is important to work on the positive and strengthening it, not only getting rid of the problem. We have to take the further next steps as well.

Something happened on our first Passover here, though without the grand miracle, we learned this important lesson from our experience. Mushkie was then a baby, and Raizy was pregnant with Chanie. It was our first year here, and though the crowds were much smaller, each new event was challenging. So we decided to clean and kosher our kitchen earlier and Raizy began to cook for Passover in advance, freezing everything soon after it came out of the oven. She had a whole organized system worked out.

Being that SUNYA is closed for the Seders, we went to NY to our Raizy's parents. We returned late at night after the holiday. - Ah, at this point we should explain our freezer. back then (before the present "coat-rack") we had an old chrome-plated model, a Tofutti ice cream freezer in its previous incarnation, with four mini-doors on top which you had to grope down through into the deep dark reaches. - When we came home from New York we had stuff to place in the freezer. Imagine how upset we were to find that the freezer was warm!

All that food, all that money and all that effort had gone to waste! Our budget was very tight and we had no idea how we would afford to purchase that food again. And where would be get so much Kosher for Passover food on one day's notice (since the 2nd days of Passover would begin the next night)? We sat down and wrote a little note to the Rebbe (of blessed memory) to be placed at his gravesite. We prayed that somehow there would be a solution - where we saw none possible.

I don't remember exactly how things worked out - but they did. Raizy got to work and in a short time had delicious menus prepared and the holiday turned out to be wonderful. Although this was not a miracle the likes of the Crossing of the Sea, we felt it to be our own personal miracle, that when we are persistent and don't give up - G-d helps it come through and solutions appear when we think none are possible.

A wise and scholarly Rabbi was once approached by a Jewish farmer just before Passover. The question: Would it be possible to substitute Milk for the wine of the 4 cups. The Rabbi stroked his beard and thought this way and that, and finally coaxed the poor fellow to accept enough money, not only for wine but also for other holiday needs. The Rabbi was later asked, why so much money - he asked only about the wine? The Rabbi explained: If he was thinking of using cups of milk at the Seder, obviously he could not afford a decent meat meal either (this was before vegetarianism became popular and meat and milk is not a good kosher mix).

They told us this story to emphasize that in addition to the four great voluminous books of the Shulchan Aruch (the Code of Jewish Law - the tallest set of books on my shelf) there's a fifth book - called the book of common sense.

There's another point to this story, is that sometimes we have to probe deeper beyond the surface of the question or behavior and determine what the underlying causes or factors are. Dealing with the surface alone does not easily remedy the whole situation.

Going out to the bars, for example, is part of a need to feel camaraderie and friendship, to let loose and relieve tension, or to get beyond something we're having trouble dealing with. The evening itself might be fun and entertaining, but we can't leave it at that, and have to find time, interest and energy to focus on the underlying, more important issues as well. Like the Rabbi who saw beyond the milk.

When the Jews left for Egypt is says "they went down to Egypt". They lost some of their holiness when leaving their own home and moving to foreign soil. And over time they sunk further into some of the lowest levels of impurity. Getting out of Egypt was more than leaving that country behind. The Jews needed to get back to the heights of spirituality their forbearers - Abraham, Issac and Jacob - had lived by. So G-d have them the opportunity to have a tabernacle, completing the Exodus in a spiritual sense.

The story
behind the Song..

In this week's Torah portion, Rebecca had Jacob wear goatskins so that he would appear hairy, as Esau, to his father Issac.

There's a famous chassidic story, which is also the background to the popular song "Hup Cossack".

About 200 years ago in Eastern Europe, a righteous man named Arye Leib of Shpola, also known as the Shpola Zeide, would travel from town to town "rescuing captives". Often a Jewish innkeeper or peddlar would fall behind in his debts, and would be thrown into prison. The Shpola Zeide would do everything possible to reunite them with their families.

Once he came to a inn, where he found a distraught Mrs. Innkeeper weeping. She told the Shpola Zeide that her husband had been imprisoned since he could not make the rent payments, and what makes matters worse was that the squire's (landowner noble) birthday was fast approaching.

How would a birthday complicate matters? This squire would make a great feast each year on his birthday, and squires from far and near would come and join. The highlight of the party was a cruel form of entertainment. Whoever happened to be in prison at that time would be forced into a clumsy bear-skin, and made to dance with a fiery Cossack dancer. If the poor, emaciated prisoner, handicapped by a clumsy costume - would somehow manage to outdance the cossack he would regain his freedom. But should the cossack outdance the Jew, the poor fellow would have to fear for his life.

The Shpola Zeide made his way to the jail, and somehow arranged to take the place of the innkeeper. A few days later, it was the squire's birthday, and some drunken peasants came down to the jail to get their bear dancer. They dressed the Shpola Zeide in the heavy, clumsy bearskin, and brought him out onto the dance floor.

The band started up a slow song, and the bear danced right along, surprising the cossack. And then the bear kept upping the tempo, and the music went faster, and the cossack was having trouble keeping up. "Hup Cossack" the bear shouted, as he danced on ever stronger and faster, "Hup Cossack". Soon the cossack admitted defeat, and the Shpola Zeide won the poor innkeeper, not only his freedom, but a rent-free inn for two full years.

This song has since become a Chassidic melody, with the Hop Cossacks an integral part of the latter, faster half of the song. Aside for being an interesting background to this famous melody, this story teaches us an important lesson.

We often find ourselves in situations, which weigh us down and keep us from being ourselves. But the Shpola Zeide's enthusiasm and dedication shone through the heavy, clumsy custume, and was totally unhindered by it. No matter what the costume, or situation, we have to make sure our inner-self shines through and perseveres.

Esau came home starving after a rough day out in the fields, and when he saw Jacob stirring some fantastic lentil soup he was ready and willing to give away his whole future for that bowl of soup. The here and now of his hunger for that soup clouded away his whole destiny.

It isn't easy, but we always have to keep in mind the big picture. If we always let instant gratification prevail, we're going to lose our whole future. We gotta remember what we're here for, and what our long term goals are - should be included in our decision making and influence our choices.

When confronted by the choice: Birthright or the Soup, Esau exclaims: "Here I am going to die, who need a Birthright!?"

Usually managers (and pitchers) are concerned about how many days go between games, so as not to wear down a good pitcher by keeping him too many games in a week on the mound. But in the World Series, the thinking can get different. There's nothing left to save your pitching for. This is it! Same is true in life, we can't always be saving our reserve energies and potential for that "one day" - because that one day may be right now!

Eliezer went seeking for a suitable bride for Issac, and met Rebecca at the well. He was impressed that not only did she offer to give him water to drink, but to draw up water for his thirsty camels as well. And so, she ended up marrying Issac and becoming our 2nd Matriarch, etc...

Many long lasting, meaningful and important relationships began with a small gesture, or kindness. I remember my first time on campus, when I felt lonely and didn't know anyone, that a girl came over and welcomed me, and offered to take me around. That little kindness developed into a great friendship.

There is a tradition, that the Akeida (Binding of Issac) took place on Rosh Hashana. Why is this important?

(Pause) Some people don't pause, after asking a question, but here's some time to think about it.

Rosh Hashana is when we are judged for the year ahead, so this was the time for Abraham to be tested. We, too, go through many tests throughout the year, up until Rosh Hashana, when we are judged by Hashem on the basis of our choices and performance of those tests.

This week's Haftorah tells the story of Elisha the Prophet, who helped a poor woman in a miraculous way, stretching the one small jug of oil she had, into many empty containers. Then the story continues, her young son dies, and then Elisha revives him. The strange thing is that Sefardic Jews stop the Haftorah after the oil miracle, and only Ashkenasic Jews read the rest. Why don't Sefardic Jews continue on to read of the second, even more amazing miracle?

My father told me that Sefardic Jews end where the woman said, "All will be well". Once you have that attitude, you don't have to read any further. Positive thinking breeds positive results. Stopping at this point emphasizes the importance of having this type of attitude.

Elisha asked the woman to collect all types of empty vessels, before he went and poured a miraculous stream of oil filling them all. She did not need to have all that oil, just the empty containers.

In life we have to allow for opportunity. We have to leave possibility open for greater growth. In religion, relationships, academics or whatever - we can and should create opportunties for greater growth and richer meaning. It is easy to grow complacent, or have little expectations. But that will deny us access to far greater riches than we ever thought possible. We must provide openings, empty containers, possibilities for growth - and then the "oil" will come.

The Torah tells us that Abraham was recuperating from the ordeal of a circumcision at age 99, and yet he made the effort to seek out guests, even in the heat of the day. When describing the food prep, the Torah give us a run-down of the menu. Abraham gave them first class hospitality, despite the personal difficulty. This teaches us the great Mitzvah of welcoming guests, reach out to others and making them feel comfortable.

We don't have to go far back into history to see this. Raizy cooks up a storm, and goes to great lengths to make Shabbos as special as it is, and to be sure we all feel welcome and at home. She even does "the whole nine yards" when she has a difficult week, or even with an ache or two.

Dr. William (now Velvel) Green is a distinguished scientist and professor, formerly of University of Minnesota, and now of Beer Sheba Israel. He works for NASA as well as many other agencies in the fields of microbiology.

At the time of this story, he was busy at work on an important and highly classified project. Time was crucial. In the midst of all this, there was a Chabad Rabbi who was trying to get an appointment with him, despite all of Dr. Green's protests that he did not wish to see a charity collector.

After many calls, Dr. Green agreed to a brief appointment, 10 minutes at 4:30pm. The Rabbi got clearance (this was a highly classified government project) and we sat down to talk. The Rabbis request was simple. His organization was making a fund-raising dinner and wished to include prominent people in the Jewish community as sponsors. Dr. Green quickly let him know a whole bunch of reasons why he could not do so. After all, this Rabbis dress and way of life turned him off, and a bunch of other excuses.

The Rabbi didn't debate. Instead he looked out the window and watched the setting sun. He mumbled a "I beg your pardon" and while wrapping a cord around his waist began to sway in prayer.

Dr. Green was at a complete loss. This was the first time he had seen anyone pray the afternoon service. It was also the very first time he had seen anyone pray outside a synagogue, without a prayerbook and without someone calling the pages. No one had ever before prayed in this laboratory. And above all, the first time he had seen anyone pray without having to say Kaddish

Dr. Green wondered how long this was going to last. After all, his prior experiences with prayer involved lengthy sermons and barmitzvah speeches. (The secretary poked her head in to say good night, and has never fully recovered). And he was very annoyed, and righteously indignant. This was to be a fixed appointment, which the Rabbi was using much of it for some old-fashioned ritual. What Chutzpah!

But after all the other feelings had subsided, Dr. Green was deeply impressed. This young Rabbi, new in town, in need of favors, desperately trying to get something started in a community which didn't know him and wanted him less - this young Rabbi felt a higher obligation. He liked that. Regardless of what he needed from this meeting, his heirarchy of values was such that temporal needs came second to the prime need: to pray at the time fixed by law.

Though he didn't lend his name to that banquet, Dr. Green liked that. That night he told his wife that he met at the office a different kind of person. Someone who was sincere, someone whose religion meant more than external stuff. And this began a journey of great spiritual growth and a long friendship between Rabbi and Mrs. Feller and Dr. and Mrs. Green.

Though we don't understand everything about the Binding of Issac, we realize that Abraham's commitement and devotion took precedence over personal concerns and personal benefit or gain.

Lot may not have seemed to be much on the surface. But his later descendants, through his grandson Moab's nation, became the ancestors of King David, and eventually Moshiach. Abraham may have seen far into Lot's future, and realized the importance of having him around.

Sometimes we wonder why bother, and who needs to associate and connect with X or Y, but we should look deeper into people and realize the hidden potential they have hidden within.

Here's a personal story. My grandfather's Yartzait (anniversary of his passing) is this Shabbos. One rainy night he went to a dance, arranged by the local Jewish community. My grandmother was planning on going, but was thinking twice because of the rain. The Galoshen were becoming an impediment, since she needed them to keep her shoes protected walking there, but did not want to have them around at the dance. And so she decided not to go. Which would have been terrible, since she would not have met my grandfather, and I would not be here to tell this story.

But her father coaxed her into going, and she ended up meeting my grandfather, and later they married.

If we would get bogged down by every little obstacle, we would miss out on a great many opportunities. Rather, let us go forth, and be blessed by our courage and strength to rise above the challenges and obstacles.

Old Dvar Torahs
 to be posted
soon include.....

Believing in People
zeide's vurt

Shiny Mitzvot
gavriel nosei chayn

We had trouble getting a Minyan this morning, being a class-day and a holiday at the same time. Some of us may have been getting despondent or upset at the delay, which BH turned out OK. Here's a story which demonstrates the power and importance of even an Un-Minyan - where the Minyan doesn't materialize.

In 1965, the Lubavitcher Rebbe's office in NY received a request from a US serviceman stationed in Greenland (the icy place, as opposed to Iceland, the greener place) for a Chazzan to lead Yom Kippur services. The Rebbe was enthusiastic about the idea, and asked a young man named Shmuel Lew (today a prominent Chabad Rabbi in London) to go.

But there were many hurdles. Yom Kippur was less than ten days away, and much red-tape had to be cut through to get Shmuel's clearance to fly to Greenland. Only one flight left that week, aboard a military transport, and one needed 3 weeks prior clearance. The Rebbe encouraged his office to spare no time, and speak to many officials in Washington to clear this through. After many calls, the kinks were worked out and Shmuel was set to fly.

During this week, the Rebbe's mother passed away. (Our Chani is named for her). Even during this difficult time, the Rebbe continued to stay involved in the Greenland Minyan Project, to be sure that Shmuel would be able to go.

Shmuel himself was saying Kaddish at this time for a parent who passed away within the year. He flew to Greenland and met with the Jewish serviceman who requested the Cantor. Shmuel's heart sank when he saw that the Torah on base was a children's toy, a paper copy left in the bottom of a cabinet. And things got worse when Kol Nidrei arrived, and only seven men showed up.

Things didn't get better. They sang and prayed, shared stories and thoughts, and sang some more. All throughout Yom Kippur the few Jews prayed together, on that far-flung corner of the earth - without a Minyan.

Shmuel returned to NY. On Yom Kippur he was not able to say Kaddish for his lost parent. That Yom Kippur in NY, the Rebbe said that aside for saying Kaddish for his mother, he is also saying the Kaddish instead of a young man who gave up saying Kaddish for his parent, to enable other Jews to have a Yom Kippur.

All the cutting-thru diplomatic red-tape, and the whole trip to Greenland was not in vain. Not one bit. Sometimes "Un-Minyans" are very valuable and treasured as well.

On his way home, after the holiday ended, he stopped off at his Rebbe. When the Rebbe inquired how his holiday went, the Chassid begain to complain of his miserable Sukkot experience. The Rebbe told him of a peculiar wording in the Torah when it speaks of G-d telling Moses to come up the Mountain.

It says: "Go up the Mountain and Be There!

"Why "and be there"?" asked the Rebbe. Wouldn't it suffice if it would say Go Up the Mountain alone? Because, said the Rebbe, sometimes we go places, but we have no idea of where we are.

That carpenter was no ordinary carpenter, explained the Rebbe. He was a hidden Tzadik, a hidden righteous man. Had you stopped worrying about your frustrated trip plans and paid some attention to what this man was saying, you would have heard wonderous inner Torah teachings. But you went there, and were not even there.

Many times we are in situations but we may not realize the opportunities.

Sometimes we end up taking a class, only to realize we never wanted to. Instead of drifting off and getting lost "somewhere else" we should capitalize on the current opportunity and benefit from it.

Counterfeit!

"For Man is a Tree of the Field"