Rabbi Shlomo (son of) Yitzchak lived in France, and earned a living as a wine-maker/vintner. He studied in Worms Germany, which is why there is the famed Rashi's Chapel adjacent to the synagogue there. Before the days of word-processing, he wrote the classic commentary to all of the (Jewish) Bible (5 Books, the Prophets, Psalms, you name it!) as well as the classic commentary on the Talmud, without which the Talmud would be a closed book to all but the finest scholars. Fact: Any study of Chumash or Talmud begins with Rashi.

But not only is he a beginners text. His brilliance was in cloaking profound depth in simple form, in terse yet pregnant choice of words. In Yeshiva, after studying all the complex commentary's attacks on a simple Rashi text, a eureka moment would be to find hidden answers in Rashi's deceptively simple and basic commentary. The Lubavitcher Rebbe devoted many of his talks to carefully examining and studying Rashi's Chumash commentary and unearthing much more than meets the eye.

He had three learned and pious daughters, and his grandchildren founded the School of Tosefos, teams of French Talmudical commentators who were often at odds with their grandfather's interpretation. Rashi died a natural death during a difficult time for the Jewish people. The Crusades were marching across Europe, and in their quest to conquer the Holy Land, destroyed many great Jewish communities along the way.

We don't have to be perfect, outstanding or the best. But we have to have what it takes to step up the plate when needed. Pirkei Avot says, "In a place where there is no man, be a man!" (Avot 2:6)

Here's the basic story: Grandma Tildy has a cute little house and keeps busy taking care of it. A Pet dealer comes by and offers to sell her a canary. She's interested in the canary, but seeing the elephant in back of the truck insists, "But No Elephants!" Turns out that she enjoyed the canary's company who sang to her while she cooked. The stew never tasted so good. The next day the pet guy is back, this time with a beaver. She buys the beaver, again insisting on no elephants. The beaver is also eager to help out, and so he cuts the firewood with his teeth. The pet guy keeps returning and she keeps buying various animals who all help out around the house. The turtle carries things home, the woodpecker fixes the leaky roof.

Winter is approaching, and Grandma Tildy and all her friends are canning foods and preparing for the deep freeze. Just before the snow, the pet man is back with his last animal, the elephant. But Grandma stands her ground and refuses to take him in. The pet man leaves, and the elephant is left at her door. The snow falls, and over time the elephant disappears from view under the snow, but they can hear his cries. Grandma relents and they all work to push the elephant through the narrow door. Later that night the elephant crashes through the old wooden floor. Then he eats his way through all their canned foods. Grandma is besides herself.

But the elephant also wants to help, so he picked himself up and walked (with the house) off the frozen property, and walked and walked (you see a house walking along with elephant feet underneath) all the way down south where it is warm all year. Grandma Tildy and her friends were all in paradise.

Sometimes our greatest fears, and seemingly worst problems, can turn out to be our best solutions. The elephant was her worst fear, and kept on proving itself to be a major pest, but in the end helped her out even more than any of the others could.

In this regard there is an interesting difference between Jewish/Talmudic law and contemporary American law. Say a UPS driver, drives his UPS truck while drunk and causes an accident. The victim can sue not only the driver but UPS as well, since the driver was in uniform and driving a UPS vehicle in their employ. Jewish law does not agree (unless, perhaps, if UPS was aware of this person's drinking problem when hiring this driver) and says that criminal or illegal activity voids the relationship between principal and agent. In the language of the Talmud: "Ayn Shliach l'dvar Aveira" there can be no culpability to the principal for the criminal/illegal acts of the agent.

This issue would certainly be of interest to the several pre-law students here today. It also has a moral and social message to some here who are very strong on the concept of "personal responsiblity" and not shifting blame and responsibility to other parties or segments of society. The Jewish law places great emphasis and focus on the individual, the agent him/herself and not the principal.

In a spiritual sense there is an inspiring story in the Talmud. R' Elazar ben Durdaya was a notorious sinner who sinned with virtually anything that moved. One day he heard of an opportunity to do an exotic sin, and so set set out on a difficult and lengthy journey to make it happen. When he arrived there, the woman said something to him that hit home - the finality of his actions was too hard to bear. He turned to heaven and earth that they should pray for him, but they were unable, then he turned to the mountains and valley, but they too were unable to interceded on his behalf. Finally he had this striking realization: "If so, it is only up to me!" He put his head between his knees and cried his heart out until he died. Rebbe (Judah the Prince) cried and said, "Some work all their lives to acquire the world to come, and some acquire it in one moment!"

In Mesivta (Yeshiva High School) I had a teacher Rabbi Twersky who explained this story to be about personal responsibility. His asking heaven and earth, mountains and valleys to pray for him, can be interpreted to mean his parents, teachers and society. While they make a huge difference (positive or negative) in our lives, they can't determine anything. It is only up to me to be what I want to be.

Many of the folks around our Shabbos table, this small summer weekend, demonstrate the need for leadership and authority, and its importance in our everyday lives. Shawn (visiting here from Wisconsin) works in property management this summer. Someone has to be on top of things with apartments and rents, repairs and upkeep. Heshy is all over the Catskills this summer ensuring that summer camps fulfill their nutrition requirements in the State's free lunch program. It would be nice to rely on everyone's good intentions, but the reality is that it's unwise to give away money without proper supervision. Max (Motti) spent a semester plus interning for Dov Hikind at the NYS Assembly, and with all its faults and shortcomings realizes the power and importance of government in our communities and lives. And most of all, this week we welcome two parents who've come up to Albany to spend Shabbat with their children. And while children may sometimes act like Korach and argue against the need for parents and their interference and guidance in their lives, the truth is we do need authority figures and the guidance and assistance parents give us throughout our lives.

"Jefferson Neuroscientists Uncover Novel Receptor in the Human Eye to Control Body’s Biological Clock". At a prominent Philadelphia hospital, a professor of neurology, Dr. George Brainard and his team came up with research that certain colored light, especially the blue light of the sky helps develop our internal clocks, circadian rhythms, which among other things help us differentiate between day and night.

Amazing! The Talmud tells us that the blue coloring of the Techelet thread is reminiscent of the coloring of heaven, and it also tells us (in another portion of the Talmud) that it is a sign to differentiate between night and day..

(FYI: The blue techelet strand was discontinued after its exact origins and process were not remembered. Some recent scholars claim to have rediscovered this ancient process and therefore several Jewish communities have reintroduced its use in tallit and Tzitzit. Many have not accepted it, yet Tzitzit is still a Mitzvah without the blue thread, and therefore our white stringed Tziztit are still a very important Mitzvah!)

 

As I thought about the relevance of this Rashi, I realized that a number of the people sitting around this table are currently involved in doing just that.

Jessica Mead, a graduate of Dartmouth University is in Albany for a semester on assignment from her Baruch College graduate program and her specific project is researching a struggling Liberian immigrant community and finding out why they aren't availing themselves of government aid designed to help them. It's not enough to have the aid program, its also important to see that the intended recipients utilize it properly and effectively.

Samantha is a friend of Matt, and working locally for GE Real Estate as part of her summer internship with her Real Estate Program at University of Wisconsin. Same goes with selling real-estate. You can talk until your blue about the virtues of a particular property, but there's nothing doing until the buyer picks up the bait and is interested.

Heshy is doing a summer internship with division of the State Department of Health which administers the lunch programs in summer camps. He will be traveling around the state to visit camps and ensure that they utilize the lunch monies as prescribed.

Moshe wanted to say his own Dvar Torah for his birthday, and from he options we offered, he chose to share 5 stories (as he is now 5 years old) of the 5 Rabbis mentioned at the famous Seder in the Haggadah.

Since Moshe is still in Maimonides Nursery, and won't learn to read until Maimonides Kindergarten next year, we made a picture page >> to help him remember the stories.

1) R' Eliezer's father Hurkanus was a rich farmer and did not want his son to go and study. But Eliezer learned to learn Torah, and ran off to Yavneh to study under Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai. But he had no money for food, and when his teacher noticed he looked malnourished, he inquired and found that Eliezer had been eating dirt!

2) R' Yehoshuah persisted and learned Torah even when he was ridiculed and humiliated.

3) Rabbi Akiva was a 40-year old ignorant shepherd when Rachel the only daughter of his wealthy employer offered to marry him if he would go and study. He didn't think he was able to, after all, he was already forty years old. But then he saw a stream, and a hole in a rock bored by the steady stream of water. He said, "If water can make a hole in a rock, then Torah can get into my head."

4) Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya was extremely wealthy, and therefore very busy with various business ventures. But he always made time and priority to study Torah.

5) Rabbi Tarfon loved to learn Torah, but he didn't care much about honor and recognition.

The pundits say the North Carolina has incredible individual talent, but the players don't meld well as a team. Illinois' players don't have the same talent as Carolina, but they play fluid as a team, they gel together seamlessly. Should this be the final tournament game, it should be very interesting.

As all Jews know, a lot has been said and will be said about Jewish Unity, Community and Togetherness. We Jews are a family, and its so important that we always emphasize the bonds we share and build community together.

At the same time, Jewish individualism is important too. Sameness is not ideal. Our unique talents and styles, interests and expertise is what makes our community interesting.

This past week I was part of a group which met with a nationally recognized Jewish demographer, who said that the most striking characteristic of today's college-age generation is their individualism. This generation grew up in suburbia, outside of close-knit urban environments, their communication is primarily electronic (i.e. physical distance), and they tend to spend more time physically alone, than any previous generation. (He said this was one reason why Friday Nights at Chabad (i.e. Shabbos House) with a close-knit family feel was a big draw).

With this in mind, we started thinking about the Seders. How many of us will be spending it with family, but not all of us will. Some of us will be staying around in Albany for the Seders.

OK, we won't have the whole big community feel, but each individual is important. So we're considering opening Shabbos House for the first days of Passover, and hosting Seders for whoever is up here. We'll confirm this option two weeks before Passover. Stay in touch!

This week Rabbi Michoel Teitelbaum died in Brooklyn. He was the founder of the Oholei Torah Chabad Yeshiva that I attended for nearly 10 years. He was a determined unstoppable man, but lacked many of the basic qualifications all the experts say are needed for leadership. Yet, he managed to start an amazing yeshiva from scratch, and keep it going despite all odds. Not leadership material, but he did it anyways.

OK, leadership is important, and I'm not against all those seminars and retreats. But a message targeting a select group of elite students is off the mark. Anyone can be a leader, each us has unique aspects and gifts and can lead in a specific area. Don't underestimate your potential. You can be a leader and make a tremendous difference in the world around you, even if you are not "leadership material." But if you have to want to do it, and you need to devote energy to make it happen.

P.S. One amazing story involving this man was the daring rescue of the school-children from the Berditchev orphanage. They were studying in a clandestine Cheder (old fashioned Jewish school) when police broke in and arrested their teachers and put the kids under guard in a Russian orphanage. To make a long story short, this R' Michoel orchestrated their rescue. I met one of these students while in Paris. Together with my class at Maimonides, we turned this compelling story about dedication to Torah study and to the students of Torah, into a play for the community (about 6 years back).

Brad Legum

Rabbi Yossi Rubin

The message here is that we ought to feel humble, incomplete and lacking without G-d, and without our fellow Jew. So the coin should only be a half, so we recognize that without another half completing it, it is not what it ought to be.

But we should not give it half-baked and half-hearted. The full ten Geira represents our full set of 10 faculties of the soul as explained in Kabbalah and Chasidic writings. This half, we have to give it our all!

by Rabbi Shmuly Rubin

It's not just an extra month. 2 months equal 60 days, and the number 60 has important significance in Jewish law. If a small amount of milk falls into a large pot of meat, it may be considered Kosher, providing that the meat is 60 times the amount of milk, rendering the taste of the milk so insignificant, into legal non-existence. (This law is complex and has many exceptions, so be sure to consult a competent Rabbi before applying it at home).

Being that we have 60 days of joy this year, with the two Adar months, any problems and disturbing issues can be considered nullified in the joy and happiness of the 60 Adar Days.

A group of guys came over. They were regulars at Kosher line and at Shabbos House, a lively bunch, and they were upset that they missed the earlier readings - the night before and during the morning, and asked if I could read the Megillah again for them. But where? I had to be at Dutch Dining as part of my Mashgiach job and could not go home now to read it for them.

They insisted that I do it right there, at Dutch Dining. So I got a hold of the Megillah and some copies, and they put napkins on their heads for kippahs, and grabbed saltshakers to use as Graggers to stamp out Haman's name.

I will never forget that Megillah Reading. These guys could not care less who was looking at them. They were proud of their heritage and determined and excited to do a Mitzvah. They banged those salt-shakers with all their might (and they were not scrawny guys) and I learned a lesson from their courage, determination and eagerness to observe a Mitzvah.

The Rebbe told it by a farbrengen (chassidic gathering). He received a letter from a Russian youngster, whose father was arrested for illegal Jewish activity and was living with uncertainty and hardship. The letter asks the Rebbe for a blessing, "what shall I do, that my prayer isn't a natural.." The Rebbe became very emotional and said that this boy could have had many other legitimate concerns, but his foremost concern was his struggle for meaningful prayer.. And what should we say, those of us who are not behind the Iron Curtain, and have the freedom to observe..

I recently read a story of a mother who writes of the challenge and distance of having her son stationed in a distant place, far away from a Jewish community, especially when it comes to the Jewish holidays. Reading this account, brought the above story to mind. We DO have the opportunity to celebrate and to involve ourselves in the holiday, together with a community, we ought to do it all the more.. especially when we know how much to means to someone who can not.

I say this also recognizing the Muslim students who joined the Hillel dinner tonight (this particular night was Hillel's Interfaith Shabbat experience). They, too, have brothers and sisters in different parts of the world who do not have the same freedoms and opportunities that they enjoy here. And so, they as we, ought to take full advantage of all the opportunities afforded to us, and to utilize them to maximum extent possible. Let us not squander riches, when others would give so much to have even the smallest amount of what we take for granted.

OK - back to the story. A simple peasant, living far in the deep reaches of Russia hears of the new invention, a horseless carriage. He can't believe such a thing actually exists, so he takes a bundle of cash (while unsophisticated, he did have quite a lot of money) and heads off for the distant big city which has the closest train station.

When he arrived, he was shown to the ticket booth. When shown the choices of ticket preferences, he chose First Class, after all he did not travel every day, and as the clerk explained, First Class was the way to best appreciate the train travel experience. But trains did not travel every hour, and the next train was 7am the next morning. He had simple tastes, so he just curled himself up on a bench in the station, determined not to oversleep and miss this incredible experience.

At about 5am, he awoke to the great sound of the train rolling into the station. It was still an eerie hour, but he noticed some movement at the far-end of the platform. He knew little of the train protocol, so he walked over to find out. Turns out it was some vagabonds and crooks who came early to sneak onto the train and avoid paying a ticket. He had no idea, so he followed their lead and crept under a bench and made himself comfortable.

Some time later the train began to roll, and the peasant enjoyed the hissing and clanking sounds, and the rhythmic, soothing ride lulled him to sleep. But his heavy boot protruded from under the seat, he was rudely awakened by an angry conductor. The official was livid that he was cheating the system, ruining it for others, by traveling without a ticket.

"But I have a ticket," persisted the peasant, and he proceeded to unroll a pile of newspapers from within his fur coat. From within all that (for he wished to hide it as he was told it was important) he produced a bright red-colored first class ticket! The conductor was confused.. "So why did you hide under the seat? You could have been sitting up front in luxury!"

The peasant replied, "I followed what everyone else was doing.."

So what does this have to do with Aviva? First of all, she's an excellent trip planner, as those who traveled with her on birthright israel know, and would never mess these things up. Evidently word has gotten out about this, since she was hired by the Ayelet Travel agency in Latham NY which books Israel and Jewish Heritage Tours for groups across the country. Another thing about Aviva is that she was happiest when students took initiative, bucked the trend and didn't go with the flow. We wish her well in her new job - and we will miss her in our campus community.

by Farrah Fidler

What's missing? Our part. G-d can only do so much, but we have to do that final cleansing on our own. No one else, even G-d, can do that for us.

Sarit Ozeri
(visiting Albany)

Here's a little detail.. According to Rashi, the right hand and right foot were washed in the basin together, and then the left hand and left foot were washed together in the basin together. Interesting tidbit, but what's the message?

1) Judaism is a "whole-person" experience, and we have to involve all parts of ourselves and our experience in it. Not only the hands, but also our feet (i.e. lower aspects of the human experience) need to be involved in the service of G-d. (This is also reflected in early-childhood education which I am studying at Brooklyn College).

2) This part was Farrah's insight during Minyan this morning. Hands may be representative of the upper spiritual worlds, while feet may represent this physical world of ours. The message here is that these correlate and correspond to one another, and each triggers the other.

by Max Motti Wein

At last the wheels were ready. He gingerly placed the wheels on his back and walked to Lubavitch. He walked right into the Rebbe's room and offered the wheels to the Rebbe saying: "I give you 'Ofanim', please give me 'Chayot HaKodesh'."

A little explanation of these words in our daily prayer is in order. Ofanim and Chayot HaKodesh refer to levels of spiritual angels mentioned in the prayers prior to the Shema. But the same words can have double-meanings, they are homonyms that can also mean "Wheels" (Ofanim) and "Chayot HaKodesh" (Spiritual Energy/Liveliness).

I tell this story to help explain the background of the '91 Buick Roadmaster station-wagon now in our driveway. Oren Silvers, the Albany alumnus who built our carport last year and other things, wanted to donate a car he had, but it was a 2-door sports coupe and he realized it wouldn't be so practical being that we have four kids. Truth to tell, we still could have could made good use of it, so that Raizy could shop for Shabbos while I was away teaching. But Oren wanted to make this good gift better. So he sold his sporty car on eBay and bought this station-wagon at a shop he knew. But that wasn't it, he also repaired an issue with the back window, removed the alarm, and did a bunch of other improvements.

There's an important lesson here. Often people do things because they have to, and since that's the motivation you do what's needed and nothing more. But when you do it because you want to, you go the extra mile and throw in all the extras.

by Max Motti Wein

The might be a message here. Of course, we all have our own opinions how government should run, and everyone who knows me knows that I have opinions on these matters. But when asking G-d to guide our leaders, we don't ask for this or that issue. We only pray that G-d give our elected officials the wisdom and insight to do the right thing. This is a humbling message about what's really right and really good for the country. We can have our opinions all day long, and be very passionate about them, but we have to understand that G-d really knows what's right and good for us, and it might not be the same thing we're thinking about.

The Rebbe explains (in a famous Chassidic discourse series titled "Basi L'Gani") that in life there is the normal, middle road, the rational path. Any change off this road is called Shtut (which can also mean a shift to the side). But there are two ways one can turn off this main, normal, rational road.

One is irrational and stupid. It is below the normal. But the other is beyond normal, it is supra-rational. Crazy can mean two things. Some crazy people aren't normal, and do strange, hurtful and bizarre things. Or you can be crazy about a relationship, crazy about a project, so passionate and dedicated, it goes beyond any rational explanation.

To build a place for G-d in our lives, normal alone won't cut it. We have to be crazy about it.

Unfulfilled expectations are like that. They frustrate and upset you, and make people unhappy. Which leads me to the theme of this Hebrew month, Adar I. The Mishna says that Adar is supposed to be a happy time, and we are to increase in happiness all this month. And next, as well. Because this year is a Jewish leap year and we get to celebrate two months of Adar.

One way to increase in our happiness is to take a look at the barometers and measures we use to evaluate our success in life, to see if our personal expectations are realistic and attainable. I'm not saying that we ought to be pessimistic in our expectations so that we'll be happy no matter the outcome. That's not a good outlook either, we ought to be shooting for the stars. But if our expectations are more meaningful and more relevant, we will end up being happier with our efforts towards them.

How can our days be full? How can we look back at our time (the past day, past week..) with a sense of meaning and time well-spent? By ensuring we have no miscarriages and barren, infertile times. Time has to be productive. We have to come away from time spent with a sense of accomplishment.

But what about downtime? Is it all work and no play? Of course not. It is impossible for us to be working full-steam all hours, all days. It is healthy for the body and for the mind to have some downtime, some pleasure amidst the work.

But even that downtime ought to be productive in some way. Time spent with friends, with a book, a great show, out playing sports, leaves you with something. Time wasted in front of a video game leaves you with virtually nothing. You play on and on, riveted physically as your mind goes numb, and six hours later you wake up and wonder where all that time went.

It's important to evaluate the quality of our downtime. Too much TV and Video Games leaves us with too little. Time is precious. Value it.

One of Rabbi Weiss' points was that more people ought to consider the Rabbinate. After all, what better way to serve the Jewish community than in a professional capacity. So he urged the crowd to consider Rabbinical School (particularly the one he heads in New York City).

Now, while I'm not chasing anyone away from pursuing the Rabbinate, I think that you don't need to be a Rabbi to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to your Jewish community. We may have enough Rabbis, but we need more involved folks.

Today, we tend to view the Rabbi as a doctor. We ourselves don't know much about medical issues, and go to the doctor to get healed and taken care of medically. The old view (and the one still prevalent in more traditional communities) is that everyone is a "doctor", and the Rabbi is the "specialist". We can't leave Jewish learning, wisdom and knowledge to one or two people in the community. We all need to be knowledgeable and capable in Judaism, to the extent possible.

We've been promoting the National Campus Chabad Shabbaton Weekend in Crown Heights. I'd like to share three images of ordinary, hard-working Crown Heights people - not Rabbis - who make rich contributions to their community and even are known for their fields of Torah expertise.

1) This guy is a truck driver. That's what he does for a living. He doesn't control a fleet and doesn't work at a desk in the back-end department. He drives the truck himself. But he took an avid interest in a neglected area of Torah Study, Maimonides' Laws of Sanctification of the New Moon, which involves a lot of astronomy, precise calculations and endless detail. He studied it with an older scholar in Crown Heights, and mastered it very well. He is now considered an expert on this subject, and has regular classes which he teaches this material (using charts and diagrams) to learned and senior members of the Chabad community and beyond.

2) Thank G-d, Crown Heights is blessed with many large families. Along with the territory comes many joyous occasions and celebrations (Brit Milah, Sheva Brachos, a Kiddush, family reunions etc). So there's always a need for additional chairs, benches and tables. This hearty Chassid makes a livelihood from renting and delivering these to homes throughout the community. Though he has some hired help, he does a lot of the schlepping himself. It is no easy task. There are many flights of steps, often without a decent elevator, and little maneuvering room. By the way, he can also sell you a mattress. In addition to physical strength, this Chassid is endowed with a unique ability to compose beautiful Chassidic melodies. Each year, at the Rebbe's birthday, Chassidim would begin singing a new melody to the words of the new psalm corresponding to the Rebbe's age. A good number of these melodies were composed by this chair-schlepping Chassid. And you must note: A Chabad Chassidic melody is not any old song. It has to be rich and compelling, with reflective spiritual undertones, and a meaningful expression.

3) Our Yeshiva was located at the base of Troy Avenue, and our cafeteria was located a few blocks up near Carroll Street. On the way up each morning we passed a Chassid's mechanic shop. (All this has changed. Since my graduation, the yeshiva has moved to newer, spacious quarters on Eastern Parkway, and the mechanic shop has since been demolished and the OK Kashruth Labs is located on that site). The Chassid was dressed in a black jump-suit, in the way of car mechanics, and immersed as he was in his work, his hands and face (framed with a big black beard) were blackened as well. One of our teachers is a true scholar, with a great personal library, and prolific writings. He is editor of the Yeshiva's weekly Torah publication and is known for his scholarship and love of Torah learning. He also had a lousy car. At least twice a month (sometimes more) we would see him with his car in the mechanic shop. And a strange sight it was. The mechanic in his jump suit and the learned Rabbi in his black hat would be involved in earnest animated discussion. We could not believe it. They talked like this for a long time, and it certainly involved something more than casual talk. So after a few months, we asked our teacher what they would talk about. Our teacher explained that this mechanic was an astute student of Rashi's commentary on the Torah, and came up with excellent questions and remarkable insights into subtle subtexts in the commentary, usage of words and terms, and hidden questions which Rashi is dealing with in the verse. So when he would bring his car in, they would discuss them.

Those are three Crown Heights people. They are real people, they live there now. There are many more like them. And we can be the same way. We do not have to be Rabbis, but we have to be knowledgeable and dedicated Jews, who make a real difference - Jewishly - to the world around us.

I'd like to give this a local tie-in as well. At the Rabbi Avi Weiss lecture, a student shlepped in a heavy box with a set of deluxe Chumashim, with the Rebbe's commentary. It was from her brother, an Albany alumnus. He's not a Rabbi either, though he looks like one. He did not go to Rabbinical School. He's an accountant, with a 9-5 job. But after-hours he makes a real difference in his community. He's considered an assistant Rabbi, speaks often at his synagogue (and I hear his talks are eagerly anticipated and well-liked), is very involved with the community as a truly inspirational figure. May there be many more like him!

Three friends had problems, and they decided to travel together to the saintly Rabbi, the Tzemach Tzedek, the 3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe. The merchant among them was losing money despite high turnover in his merchandise, and no bookkeeping could make any sense of it. The doctor was skilled and learned, and yet could not earn the trust of the townspeople and had few patients. And the wealthy one had all his heart desired, aside for children.

The Rebbe told the merchant to begin going to sleep earlier at night, and waking up earlier in the morning. Strange advice to someone with a business problem. The doctor was told to get a sharp set of elegant clothing and a fine carriage. The wealthy man was told to spend one night with his wife at the local hostel for the poor, and be sure to sleep in the same room as the beggars. They all shook their heads at the strange advice they received from the Rebbe, except for the doctor, who saw no harm in getting a new suit and decent transportation.

Lo and behold, the newly respectably attired doctor arrived back in town and his practice started to do well. His new suit exudes a confidence that patients liked to see, and word spread quickly. The merchant saw that the Rebbe's advice helped his friend the doctor, so he began to go to bed earlier each night, and rise earlier in the morning.

Inevitably, he was fresher and more awake earlier each morning, and he began to look for things to do around the house. One morning, he was up long before dawn and he decided to go into work and try and get organized. When he got there he saw the place was alive with activity. Some of his own employees were emptying the shelves of merchandise into a waiting wagon! He called the cops, the thieves were caught red-handed, and his bottom-line improved from that day on.

Seeing their success with the Rebbe's advice, the doctor and merchant called on their rich, childless friend. He was reluctant at first, after all, he and his wife were respected people, who never set foot in the travelers hostel, but they agreed they had little to lose and much to gain. So they put on torn and tattered clothing, shmeared up their faces and went to spend the night there.

They were the first to arrive, and therefore had "choice" accommodations. Later arrivals would have to choose between hard benches or the floor to sleep on, while they got a flimsy mattress. But relative to the comfort they had at home, this flea-infested, lousy springed excuse of a mattress was no comfort at all. They tossed and turned all night and could not sleep.

All night the beggars chatted. It's hard to fall asleep on an empty stomach, so at least they had their camaraderie. Late in the night the discussion turned to begging prospects for the next day in the village. They talked of a charitable woman who didn't have much money but would often a delicious bowl of warm soup, and of a fine fellow who would always give a decent coin and an encouraging word. And then the conversation turned to that wealthy childless couple who lived in a gated house up on the hill. How the beggars cursed and berated those miserly people! And the couple (disguised) was right there in the poor-house hostel!

Husband and wife looked at each other in shock. True, they never were interested in beggars and the poor, but they never thought of themselves as miserly. This was an eye-opener, and they resolved to be do it differently from then on. And as they became kinder, more generous and welcoming, G-d blessed them with a child.

While reading this story with the kids, I wondered: Why didn't the Rebbe give them direct, clear advice. Respectable clothes will build up the doctor's practice, thieves were destroying the merchant's bottom line, and that this couple needed to be more charitable to be blessed. Why not say it straight out?

As the Rebbe told Chassidim in 1951, when accepting the leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch: The role of a Rebbe is to guide, to inspire, to assist, but the work must be done by yourselves. The advice of the Tzemach Tzedek was more meaningful and effective, because they discovered the results on their own.

Another draw of this weekend is the opportunity to spend Shabbos in the Crown Heights Jewish Community, the Rebbe's neighborhood. It's also Raizy's neighborhood, where she grew up and where I studied for nearly 10 years. To help prepare for this experience we're planning a learning night, titled "Crown Heights" in about two weeks. For tonight, I'll just share with story.

There was a French Jew named Shlomo (Solomon) Fishman who hung around in Crown Heights. I remember him. A heavyset guy with a fisherman's cap, not sure where he lived and what or if he did anything. One day he was found dead on a NYC subway.

The people of Crown Heights looked to Torah, and in the laws of "Eglah Arufah" it deals with the responsibility of each town to care for its people and passersby, and to see to it that no one guys hungry and without shelter. So a committee was formed, titled "Committee for Solomon's Meal" or Vaad Seudas Shlomo, which from then on, provided coffee and cookies in the Central Synagogue at no charge. Anyone coming through could get a hot drink and a bite to eat. Eventually this committee also began to prepare a giant Chulent (in a pot the height of a child) for all to enjoy on Shabbos.

I think there are 3 messages in this story, which help depict the uniqueness of the Crown Heights community (aside, of course, for it being the Rebbe's neighborhood).

(1) This mysterious French Jew felt right at home there. We used to joke about a magnet hanging in 770, the Rebbe's synagogue, which attracted all types - rich and poor, wise and ignorant, including a healthy dose of crackpots and mysterious strangers. The Rebbe's vision all Jews are one family, helped many from all walks of life, and indeed, all parts of the world, feel comfortable. One more thing to remember: Not everyone who wears a traditional black hat and has a long beard is a Rabbi, or represents the Lubavitch movement. There are all types there and they all have their place.

(2) Without doubt, the NYPD was called in to investigate his untimely death, especially since it happened in a NYC Subway. But the people in Crown Heights would not suffice with some physical explanation alone. This place is intensely charged with spiritual energy. so its people turn to Torah to help deal with their problems. In Crown Heights, the Torah is not confined to the Holy Ark. It is truly embedded in their everyday lives. While this is true of many religiously observant Jewish communities, it goes a step further in Crown Heights which is inspired by the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov on Divine Providence among other things.

(3) Indeed, they look to Torah. But this is not Tzfat. This community is not mystical and spiritual and distanced from the real world. Most people here are not flaky. They are real people, with real jobs, who try and integrate G-d's Torah with G-d's World, but G-d's World is important, too. That's why when looking to Torah regarding Shlomo Fishman's unfortunate death, they came up with something tangible and real: Coffee and Cookies, a free nosh for all.

by Max Wein

Two events this week made me think of how our identity is so important to preserve and appreciate, no matter what external pressures or change goes on around us.

(1) As some of you know, I am now considering Rabbinical School and Semicha, after graduation from Albany. I was speaking to my Dad about it, and jokingly I asked if he would call me Rabbi. (I knew he would not). He told me, "Max, no matter what you do, you'll always be my son more than anything else."

(2) As many of you know, I'm very interested in the political landscape and I enjoy my work as intern in the NYS Assembly. But I don't interact and socialize with everyone there, to the degree that others expect me to. This is because I am proud to be an Orthodox observant Jew, and do not want to be involved in or associated with things that go against my principles and beliefs. Even in the Legislature, not everything is Kosher. You may have heard in the news this week of a Brooklyn legislator who punches an officer in the face after being issued a ticket.

Yishai Cohen

Similar thing happened with David Ben-Gurion in 1948. Something told those few people that the time was ripe to declare a state, political negotiations and diplomacy aside. So they did it, against the better judgment of seasoned diplomats. And had they not, who knows what would have come of the state?

This is not to say we ought to always be rash, spontaneous and impulsive. Of course not. But sometimes we need to be, otherwise we'd never get over that challenge - over that hurdle.

This is most appropriate of our decision (Rachael and I) to move to Israel within the month of my graduation. We hope that while the decision may have been quick, that we be able to settle in well, and that our move there be fruitful and successful.

by Max Wein

Why "my" father? Why not "our" father? Some commentaries explain that Joseph was telling his brothers something here. Why didn't you think of "our" father when you sold me to strangers?

We all suffer from hypocrisy, and Joseph's words to his brothers served as a reality check and a reminder of the dangers of conveniently forgetting the truth when it serves our selfish motives.

Here's a thought that you shouldn't be thinking about as you prepare for finals, but once your tests are over, keep this in mind.

An elderly woman came into a Jewish bookstore in the Old Country, and asked for a Siddur written by the Alter Rebbe, with Chassidic commentary running all around the text of each page.

Eliezer, servant of Avraham, came to the well, looking for a bride for Yitzchak (Isaac). He sets up a sign (with G-d) that the girl who will offer him and his camels water to drink, is the appropriate bride for Yitzchak. This is interpreted to be a sign of kindness and sensitivity, as it indeed is.

My Zeide offered an additional (non-literal) twist. Somewhere in the Talmud it says that before 40 we need to eat more than we need to drink, but after 40 its reversed, we need more drink than food. Now, Eliezer was an older man, while Rivka (Rebecca) was a young girl. So instead of offering him what she would have wanted for herself, she saw beyond that, and offered what he really needed.

This is true sensitivity, to transcend one's perspective and circumstance, and to be able to see it from the other person's side. To be truly aware of what that person needs, not what we think they need.

It's interesting how wells feature importantly in the marriages of our forbearers. Eliezer found Rivka to be a bride for Isaac at a well. Jacob met Rachel at the well. Moses met Tziporah at the well.

Here is a well-known joke. A guy was having trouble dating girls, he was shy and unsure of what to talk about. So his older brother coached him, to talk about food (easy conversation item), family (show that you care) and a little philosophy (so she'll know you're intelligent).

With this advice, the young man sees the girl and starts off by asking her if she likes spaghetti. She doesn't. Having talked about food, he turns to family. Do you have a brother, he asks. Again she responds in the negative, she does not have a brother. Now for the philosophy, If you would have a brother, would he have liked spaghetti?

Truth is, that life is much deeper than these superficial questions. Which is perhaps why the Torah tells us that these holy people found their spouses at wells. A well is an accessway to the inner depth, to the life-giving waters that lie beneath the surface.

Later in life, he became the 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe, and was a prolific author of profound Chassidic thought. In the Chabad Yeshiva system, where Chassidic thought is seriously studied, his lengthy texts figure prominently in the curriculum. Perhaps, in a sense, these rich mystical teachings were his way of "talking with G-d".

One of his books "Ranat" explains speech and communication in great detail, and we will use selections from it as our study text on the Tuesday Night preceding Dr. Susskind's "We Need To Talk" on Friday Night.

by Motti Wein

by Mike Kashani

In this week's Haftorah, we read the of Elisha the prophet miraculous economic assistance, filling a vast amount of empty vessels with a small flask of oil. Then we read of a child born of the prophet's blessing, who dies, and the anguished woman seeks out the prophet,says "Shalom" - or "all will be well" and then goes on to revive the child.

Ashkenaz communities read the whole story, while Sefard and Chabad communities stop right after the word "Shalom". Why not read the whole story? Why stop before the miracle is complete?

My father explained that as long as you have the attitude of "Shalom" - all is well - it will be well, and no further reading is necessary. Stopping at that point emphasizes the importance of such an attitude.

On the other hand, we know the place is far from perfect. The floor is a little crooked, this and that aren't what they should be. Is a clean, new coat of paint on the outside pretending to be something we're not?

The Alter Rebbe was the founder of Chabad, and known to be big on personal honesty and integrity, always encouraging his Chassidim to be true to themselves. Someone once came to the Alter Rebbe complaining about a specific Chassid who was pretending to be holier than he really was, while his insides were far from perfect, he was carrying on like a man of spiritual stature.

Instead of criticizing this wannabe Chassid, the Alter Rebbe told the complainer, "Ich Hob Lib Dem Farb - I like that coat of paint". Some pretending is good. Pretending to be better than we are, may rub off positively on us, and we may grow into that.

by Motti Wein

It kind of works this way in life's stages. When we are younger, our parents care for our needs, and do so much for us. Then a time comes, when we have to do it on our own, and we come to better appreciate where blessings come from, and rely on G-d - who cares and looks out for us.

by Justin Hirsch

And that got me thinking. After all, they remained the same people after the name change. While the commentaries explain that this changed their spiritual make-up and allowed them to have children and other blessings, this also held an important lesson for me. No matter what people call you, no matter what names you have, what is most important is how you are inside.

The Red Sox lost the first three games to a mighty team in baseball. People kept talking of a curse. And here they were in the very last inning of the fourth and final game. But they didn't give up, and didn't let the curse and the despair get in the way. When all seemed lost, they made a remarkable turnaround, leading off the greatest comeback in ALCS history. As the Talmud says: "Even with a sharp sword above our necks, we should never despair of hope."

The Jewish word for a comeback and a personal transformation is "Teshuvah". In many places the Torah and Talmud speak of the great power in Teshuvah, allowing a person to make a complete 180, even when it seems least possible.

We'll write the story some other time.

This ties right into the Parsha of Breishit. When creating Man, G-d says, "Let Us Make Man." All the commentaries ask, who is "us"? Who else but G-d created us? And they go to explain that G-d was speaking to angels (who He created earlier) to involve them in the process. This set the precedent for involving and including others in all our human endeavors, and working together as a team, rather than going it alone.

Parents invest a lot of time, effort and love in their children. Those precious, special "Kodak Moments" make it all worth it. Some parents are luckier, and they frequently have such moments. For others, it is not as often, but still very appreciated when they do come.

We're lucky at Shabbos House to merit "streaming Kodak moments" and greatly appreciate this enormous blessing.

True, there are many who argue (and at times rightfully so) that all of the media is biased, and none of it is objective without slant. But overall, the News section of the Newspaper tries to be objective, focus on facts and information. And while the Sports page has stats and info on games, it also includes a lot of emotional hyperbole, exaggerated emotional expressions and comparisons.

While some prefer the news, others prefer the sports section. Both are important parts of the newspaper.

Same is true of Torah. Part of it keeps our emotion out. After all, its G-d's word, so what we feel about it makes little difference. But on the other hand, G-d's desires our emotional experience and involvement, so it does have an effect. As with a newspaper, we start with the news (in this case, G-d's word) and move through to the Sports section (our emotional slant). Simchat Torah requires that we get all happy and emotional about it. Otherwise what would make us dance?

In 1786 Sukkot came late in the year, and an especially cold winter set in early. Many of the Chassidim who traveled to spend the holiday with their Rebbe, the Alter Rebbe - Rabbi Schneor Zalman of Liadi, took sick. A well-known Chassid, R' Pinchas Raizes, brought this to the attention of the Alter Rebbe.

The Rebbe put his head into his hands, and became very thoughtful and contemplative. Then he raised his head, and in his trademark singsong told R' Pinchas: "Torah is called "a fiery law", everyone should come to the Hakafot celebration, and the fire of the Torah will overcome the fire of their fever."

There was considerable deliberation and argument amongst Chassidim and non-Chassidim how to apply these words of the Rebbe to those who were severely ill, especially considering the horrid weather outdoors. We'll leave this fascinating part of the story for another time.

The main message for tonight, is that by sipping a little of the wine of the Alter Rebbe's Kiddush, all the sick and infirm were rejuvenated that night. While of course, I'm neither doctor nor Tzadik, and if you do have an ailment or feel under the weather you'd be wise to visit the University Health Center, the message is that doing a Mitzvah can do you a lot of good.

Hot cider, delicious soup and festive meals in this Sukkah have been known for their good works. So enjoy!

A rich merchant stopped. He had an Etrog but had no interest in staying. No amount of money could sway him, but he agreed when the celebrated and beloved saintly Rabbi of Berditchev, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, promised him to share with him his portion in the world to come.

That night he wanted to join his host in the Sukkah but was rebuffed. He couldn't believe it! Which Jew would refuse a guest a meal in a Sukkah? But he went off to another Sukkah, and was rejected again. And then another.

(By the way, no Mitzvah should be observed through theft, but some Mitzvahs are even more so - you must have permission for it to be valid. Sukkah is one of them. Parking a mobile-Sukkah in a "No-Parking" spot could be a Halachic problem.)

Finally he discovered that the Rabbi was behind this unusual refusal of the townspeople. He quickly made his way to the Rabbi's Sukkah. The Rabbi got straight to the point. He said that he would lift the ban and allow him entry to any Sukkah in town - if he would relinquish his claim to the share in the world to come. The Jew was upset, but how could he eat outside of a Sukkah on the holiday? So he agreed.

The Rabbi was thrilled. He turned his eyes to heaven and said, "Look at Your children! See how they cherish Your commandments, even without thought of reward or benefit." He explained to the guest that he would indeed receive the share in the world to come, but he only wished to demonstrate the dedication Jews have for Judaism, even beyond any reward or benefit.

Yes, there's a lot to be gained by hanging out together and eating good food in the Sukkah. We benefit from it. But there's also simply the Mitzvah that we do, benefit or not.

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!

I've told this joke a number of times before, but it is especially relevant on Sukkot. The Sukkah holiday has a special binding and unifying quality, helps our community "gel" together. But it only works if you "let" yourself be "in the bag" (or in the Sukkah).
 

In the interrogations the Jews confessed to a variety of Jewish observances and prayers, ranging from Shema and Aleinu (primary Jewish prayers) to Jewish custom regarding nail-cutting and Shabbos Adafina food, ranging from fundamental issues of faith to detailed (almost trivial) customs.

Often people dismiss customs underestimating their enduring significance. It is often the customs that get passed down when not all the fundamental issues get through. Customs are important!

Rabbi Lew's father, Dovid Lew was a real-estate attorney in Williamsburg. It so happened that his final exam was late on a Friday, and he tried to quietly leave early, but was caught. The one administering the test wondered why one would jeopardize so much schooling and future career for an early exit. Dovid was very clear. The exam was important to him, and so was his future career. But neither was as important as his observance of Shabbos. His conviction made a deep impression and he was allowed home, and passed the test.

Diversity and variety is also Raizy's subplot in preparing the holiday meals, she tried hard to cook a whole bunch of different foods to keep the 3 day holiday meals interesting. As if preparing so many meals for so many people, isn't enough in itself. Thank you!

The Rebbe kept asking him if there was some Mitzvah that his father did with some feeling, and the chassid couldn't think of anything. Then he remembered his father's excitement in building a Sukkah. So much so, that he would give the Schach (green cover) a little kiss before placing on the Sukkah.

"Ah, you see" the Rebbe pointed out, "your father DOES have feeling for Mitzvahs!"

This story is said in thanks to all the students who helped build this Sukkah, especially to Jason Kersch and Saul Maslansky, who put in many hours of work. But to Jason and Saul, building a Sukkah is not merely a job but a labor of love, which they truly enjoy.

There's another reason for telling this story about a son's concern for his father. Ronen Segal ('99)'s father passed away on Erev Yom Kippur, an untimely death at the age of 62. He went in for a gall-bladder surgery, but didn't make it out. And (in a roller-coaster of emotion), Ronen's wife Chana Raizel gave birth to a baby girl a few days afterwards. May the family enjoy much Nachas from her, in good health and with much happiness.

We dedicate this first holiday meal to the memory of Yisroel ben Mordechai Segal.

1) This is a shameless plug for Simchat Torah! While many view Yom Kippur as the climax, in Chassidic perspective the spiritual high continues even higher on Sukkot and even higher on Simchat Torah! So be sure to join us at Shabbos House for a really special celebration...

2) Yom Kippur is not only about tapping our hearts and being remorseful about the past. Nathan Tobin pointed out to me a cute look Yom Kippur, reflecting a ton of Chassidic thought: "Day of At-One-Ment". This is the holiest day of the year and an opportunity to dedicate ourselves in the deepest and most meaningful ways, with our whole essence. Like this Chassid, who gave it his "all".

Craig Brimmer

But then I thought back to my concern the night before about the Giant VS Broncos Game, and realized that we spend too much time on little, petty things which fade away when the important things come into play. When this day comes around, it helps us realign our priorities and concerns.

Harriet Roffe

On the way back to America, we spent almost two weeks in Israel. After so much visiting other people's lands, cultures, religions and treasures, going to Israel was the perfect closure to this exciting trip. We weren't outsiders anymore. When I came to the Kotel, I felt like I belonged, and I looked out at the tourists taking pictures. All that travel, helped me better appreciate our own heritage and land.

Yishai Cohen

Max Wein

Here at Albany, all kinds of challenges to this covenant come up all the time. It can even come subtly in the form of a roommate encouragement that we join in something that may not be appropriate for someone with this covenant. It is up to us to stand strong and keep the covenant.

While there's much to ask for, both on the personal level and on the communal and global stage, both materially and spiritually - there's also so much to be thankful for. Often we take our blessings for granted and don't appreciate them the way we ought to.

So in addition to asking for more and for better, we need to also have the sensitivity and thoughtfulness to appreciate all that we already do have.

I'd like to take this opportunity to once again thank all the students who take a real part in making Shabbos House events - with love, joy and much thoughtfulness. This week, especially, we would not have been able to have such a Friday Night and such a Shabbos Lunch without all your help.

And, of course, a huge thanks to Raizy, who made the extra effort despite her not feeling well this week.

On each table tonight there is a Table-Card. On one side there is a picture of the former Twin Towers - World Trade Center, framed by an old-fashioned scales. Scales are a symbol of the month of Tishrei, of the High Holidays, when G-d "weighs" our good deeds against our sins. But that's not why they're on this card. They're here to represent a message written by Maimonides.

"We should always view the world as in balance. One deed (either positive or negative) can tip the scale and make a world of difference." (Maimonides) It did not take a lot of people to bring down the World Trade Center. Only a few dozen directly had a hand in this horrible deed which caused so much death, suffering and hardship. While it is easier to destroy than to build, Maimonides message is that we ought to feel that it only takes one person, one deed, to change the world for the better. And the more people changing the world for the better, the better!

Earlier this week a reporter from a local newspaper called for my take on a story they're doing about Yom Kippur. An organization based in California is concerned that 20-somethings are not coming to synagogue and are not getting involved in the Jewish community. So they are funding a national televised Yom Kippur service, to bring Yom Kippur right into the comfort of their living room. And the reporter want to know my take on this new proposal.

Hey, aside for any issues about televising a Yom Kippur service, I think they've got it all wrong. Too many congregations, for too many years, overplay the High Holidays. There's just too much emphasis on these three days a year, which while very important, do not reflect the spectrum of Jewish Living. And the problem is that too much Yom Kippur makes people think that Judaism is about Rabbis and Cantors, long prayers and speeches and no food or celebration.

They're way off mark! They want to reach young people by bringing Yom Kippur into their homes!? Let them promote Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Purim.. or even a Shabbat meal!

At Shabbos House - of course we care about Yom Kippur. We'll have services on-campus and we'll do our best to make it meaningful. But this place is more about Sukkot and Simchat Torah, festive ways to celebrate our Judaism!

http://www.timesunion.com/aspstories/story.asp?storyID=285712

Max Motti Wein

(1) The early part of the wedding ceremony was held at the MADA Center, run by Laiky, the bride's father, Rabbi Cohen. (It was followed by a reception in the magnificent, historic and prestigious Cong. Shaar HaShomayim in Westmount). The MADA Center is located in a shopping center on a busy Montreal street comprising two parts, a synagogue with a yeshiva for Israeli-Hebrew speakers, and a soup-kitchen with hot meals for those in need. Running a soup kitchen is an amazing act of charity to begin with, but what really amazed us was how some of its "patrons" came to the wedding as honored guests. Imagine!

(2) Thank G-d, Raizy and I both come from large families. So for all the Rubins to trek up to Montreal for the wedding (and the following weekend) is a whole logistical nightmare. Or it could have been, were it not for the remarkable hospitality of a generous Montreal family. Now that their children are grown, they open their homes to out-of-town families celebrating a wedding in Montreal. They stock the fridge for their guests, give them free reign throughout the home, and come home in the evening as guests in their own home. If I wouldn't see it, I would not believe it. And so my parents and my siblings, and all ten grandchildren romped around the house, and enjoyed a true at-home feel, that made the whole wedding (and the following weekend) an even more enjoyable affair. Their hospitality and selflessness was so outstanding. Now only did they offer a place to stay, but they really made you feel like it was your own.

"Can I hide here?" he asked the surprised woodsman. The woodsman showed him around. It was a simple bare room, with a bed and an ice-chest. The king opted for under the bed. Minutes later, breathless bandits banged on the woodsman's door and demanded to be let in. They asked the woodsman if they saw a wealthily clad individual run past, and the woodsman denied that he had. They looked around the bare room for good measure, and then shoved the bed around a little. Then they hurried off.

When they left, the relieved king got out from under the bed, and profusely thanked the woodsman for saving his life. He introd