Rabbi's Blog - Chabad of the Bay Area

Reflections on this special day

Friday, January 30, 2015 - 3:23 PM

Today marks a special event in the Jewish calendar, the Yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Joseph Yitzchak Schneerson, OBM, the sixth Rebbe of Lubavitch, who passed away on the 10th of Shevat 5710 (1950), as well as the date when the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the seventh Rebbe of Chabad Lubavitch, assumed the mantle of leadership in 1951.

One of the thoughts I've been reflecting on today is the Rebbe's constant call and encouragement for each and every one of us, every Jew, and indeed every person, to continue to grow in their positive achievements in life, both spiritually and materially, to never be completely satisfied with accomplishments in the realm of goodness and holiness, but rather to always strive for more!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yitzi Schmukler

Bring the Sheep Home

Friday, January 23, 2015 - 2:49 PM

The Jewish people were told to bring into their homes the sheep that would be used for the Passover offering 4 days prior to when they were to actually slaughter and roast it, on the 14th of Nissan (what would later on be Passover Eve).

Sheep were held sacred in Egypt as a deity. Since many of the Jews had themselves fallen into idolatrous practice, slaughtering a sheep and eating it would require courage and demonstrate that they were abandoning the idolatrous ways of their pagan neighbors.

But why the need to prepare it four days in advance? This, explains the Rebbe, is to forestall anyone arguing later on that the only reason they obeyed was because they were rushed into it and not given time to reflect on what they were about to do. Observing the sheep in their homes for four days would allow the gravity of what they were doing, and its inherent message, to sink in properly, ensuring that the break with idolatry would be a genuine one.

Je suis Juif!

Friday, January 9, 2015 - 1:43 PM

Growing up in Quebec, I didn't have to know french to learn the word Juif. Whether it was during a summer-camp outing or riding the Montreal Metro, it was not unusual for someone to call out "Juif!"

The civilized world was horrified by the vicious terror attack against the employees of the Charlie Hebdo paper. "Je suis Charlie" was how many chose to express their sympathy and outrage.

Today, when Jews were taken hostage and murdered in Paris, will we see signs of "Je suis Juif"?

Why indeed were these Jewish people targeted? We know that the newspaper was targeted because of the terrorists aim of intimidating voices of free speech. What was the aim of targeting Jews at a grocery store? What was their sin?

We know the answer, and there really is no other explanation -- They were targeted simply because of who they are: Jews.

The western world has by and large deluded itself about the nature of the threat that faces it. We hope and pray that sooner rather than later they realize that there is no "compromise" big enough or good enough that will mollify this source of hatred and violence. Yes, it is against Israel and it is against the Jews, it is against the West and it is against Freedom.

May we quickly see the day when goodness, righteousness and true peace prevails in the world, with the arrival of the era of Geulah (Redemption) for all mankind.

A Jew in Exile

Friday, January 2, 2015 - 1:09 PM

Before Jacob's passing he designated that Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Menashe, will be counted just like his own sons, and each be leaders of their own tribes. "Your two sons who were born to you in Egypt, before I came to you - will be mine. Ephraim and Menash will be to me just like Reuben and Shimon."

Why did they deserve this great honor, and why does Jacob mention when and where they were born?

It was precisely the fact that they were born and raised in Egypt, in an alien culture, yet raised to be true to their heritage, that impressed Jacob so much. It was one thing to be "a good Jew" when living in Jacob's household in the land of Canaan, but quite another to be raised and to live as a model Jew in the pagan and morally challenging culture of Egypt. This is what was so remarkable about Joseph and his sons.

The welcoming and non-judgmental western culture we live in today is a wonderful blessing; our challenge, however, is to be sure to utilize that opportunity to live true to our heritage and to be a shining example of what it means to be a Jew – indeed, precisely in a world of unbridled freedom and opportunity.