Rabbi's Blog - Chabad of the Bay Area

Taking a second look at number one

Friday, July 31, 2015 - 3:48 PM

This week's Torah portion includes the verses of the Shema, the most important prayer in all of Judaism.

In it we declare that "...Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One."

The simple meaning of this declaration is that there is only one G-d. But the deeper meaning is that G-d is the one and only true existence, and that there can be no existence 'outside' of G-d.

The Hebrew word for One, "Echad," consists of three letters: Alef, Chet, Dalet. Alef has the numerical value of 1, representing the Creator, Chet has the numerical value of 8, representing the 1 earth and 7 heavens, and Dalet has the numerical value of 4, representing the 4 directions (north, south, east and west). So the word Echad itself contains a hint to this fundamental concept: that there is One Creator (Alef) who is the only sovereign on earth and in the heavens (Chet), and in all four directions (Dalet).

The birth of Moshiach

Friday, July 24, 2015 - 3:14 PM

While Tisha B'av is normally thought of as a very sad day, the Talmud comments that "On Tisha B'av the redeemer of Israel (the Moshiach) was born."

What exactly does it mean?

Well, certainly when Moshiach comes we will clearly understand what the Talmud meant by that statement. But even prior to that time it conveys a comforting message:

Just when you think you are in the deepest darkness and at the height of despair, know that precisely there a silver lining lies, because this difficult time will give birth to a much better one, an era that will far eclipse the goodness of anything known before.

May we see it speedily in our days.

A Soul's Journey

Friday, July 17, 2015 - 3:45 PM

In this week's Torah portion Moses recounts the 42 journeys that the Israelites made in the desert.

The Baal Shem Tov, the famous Chassidic master, taught that these journeys are not to be regarded as merely a matter of history, but rather they map the story of our own lives. Our soul is sent down to earth with the intention for us to achieve personal spiritual progress, to grow and accomplish in a series of journeys, starting with going out of the boundaries of Egypt until arriving into the Promised Land.

Selfless Leadership

Friday, July 10, 2015 - 3:35 PM

In this week's Torah portion, Moses is told to prepare for his own passing.

If you can request something of G-d at a time like this, what would it be?

Well, here's what Moses says to G-d:

"Let G‑d, the G‑d of spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who will go forth before them and come before them, who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of G‑d will not be like sheep without a shepherd." (Numbers 27:16-17)

What an expression of Moses' dedicated and selfless leadership: That even at such a pivotal moment in his life, what's on his mind? The welfare of his people.

- Based on Rashi's commentary

The secret of the Jews

Friday, July 3, 2015 - 12:32 AM

In this week's Torah portion, the gentile prophet Bilaam is hired to curse the Jews, but is compelled by G-d to bless them instead.

One of his statements were: "How good are your tents, Jacob; your dwelling places, Israel!" (Recited in our daily morning prayers: "Mah Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov, Mishkenotecha Yisrael").

Bilaam, standing on a mountain overlooking the Jewish encampment, was struck by the modesty in the way the camp was set up. He observed how the Israelites had taken pains to ensure that -- out of a concern for privacy -- neighbors' tent openings never faced one another.

Since the days of our early ancestors, the Jewish people have always held dear the value of modesty. Bilaam noticed this and saw it as one of the secrets of Jewish strength and success both materially and spiritually. Modesty and discreetness helps in the formation of strong and healthy family units, which in turn, create the bedrock for a robust and enduring nation.