Rabbi's Blog - Chabad of the Bay Area

Snake on a stick

Friday, June 26, 2015 - 3:09 PM

In this Torah portion, after yet another eruption of discontent in which the people “speak against G d and Moses,” they were attacked by venomous snakes. When they repented, G-d instructed Moses to place a copper serpent upon a pole, and all who would gaze upon it would be healed.

(Incidentally, this is a possible source for the snake on a stick medical symbol).

How does gazing at a snake bring healing?

Rashi asks this question and explains “When Israel looked heavenward [toward the raised copper serpent] and subjected their hearts to their Father in heaven, they would be healed.”

-Adapted from Daily Lightpoints and Chabad.org

Reflections on an important day

Friday, June 19, 2015 - 1:37 PM

Tomorrow, Shabbat, is the 21st Yahrtzeit of the Rebbe, OBM. Tens of thousands of people from all over the world are visiting his resting place, known as The Ohel ("the tent") in Queens, NY, to pay their respects and to pray.

With every passing year, the Rebbe's impact on our generation continues to reverberate and grow. Our own work here, to reach out and serve the Jewish people throughout the Bay Area, is directly inspired by him and his teachings.

Personally, my wish on this day is that his life, vision and teachings continue to guide us and inspire us to reach out to every Jew with love and without any judgement, to teach and to uplift, to truly care for another and ultimately, to help bring the world to its foretold state of ultimate goodness and perfection, the era of Moshiach.

The mystery of challah

Friday, June 12, 2015 - 4:14 PM

The mitzvah of challah directs us to separate a portion of every (large) batch of dough that we bake and give it as a gift to the kohen.

From planting the grain to baking the dough, the making of bread involves a great degree of human effort and skill. Seen in a broader sense, the same is true for all of our efforts to provide for our needs and earn a livelihood through physical work within the confines of the natural world.

When the first thing we do is separate a portion of our dough as a gift to G-d, we are acknowledging that while we certainly must put in the effort and do our part, it is G-d’s ongoing process of creation and blessing that is the true source for our sustenance and success.

Illuminate your “today!”

Friday, June 5, 2015 - 1:36 PM

The Jews in the Sinai desert knew that it was time to break camp and travel when the cloud that hovered over the Mishkan (the moveable Temple used in the desert) began to move. When the cloud would rest they knew it was time to encamp. They’d always immediately setup the Miskhan, even if there stay was only for a few days, or perhaps even as short as a single day or night.

But why expend all that energy to build and take down the Mishkan for sojourn of a mere 12 hours?

Our life’s’ travels have a purpose. Sometimes it might seem to us that we are simply in the midst of a temporary phase, an interim step, so to speak. We might say to ourselves: “This is only temporary, why bother? When I get to where I want to be in life, that is when I will learn, pray, do this mitzvah or that mitzvah. But now is not yet the time…”

Says the Torah, every stage in life has its own important purpose and meaning. It is up to us to make sure that even the seemingly insignificant interim phases, are as filled with meaning and purpose as the extended permanent ones.

Or as the sage Hillel famously said, “If not now, then when?”