Rabbi Mendy's Blog

This quality will determine how long you live and your quality of life. Curious what it is? You may not like the answer because the chances are you are lacking this very thing. What is it?

The answer lies in this week's torah portion Vayeshev. There, we learn about two servants of Pharoes who are languishing in Israel with Joseph when they have a terrifying dream. Joseph, ever sensitive to those around him, asks them what has disturbed them so terribly. They tell him about a dream they each had, and he, in turn, interprets their dreams. The cupbearer, he says, will be reinstated, and the baker will be executed, and indeed, that's what comes to pass. The question commentary asks about the story is how he knew one would live and one would die from the content of one's dreams. 

The answer given tells us everything we need to know about life. The cupbearer speaks of a dream where he is actively serving his master Pharaoh to the best of his ability. In the baker's dream, the focus is on the events happening around him as if he is a spectator. This life approach told Joseph who would live and who would die. When a person resists taking responsibility for their life and future, they remove themselves from the world and are no longer fully present. In contrast, someone who is active in creating and promoting their vision and actively developing that vision into a new reality is fully alive in this world.  

We, too, have the same choice in front of us. Rather than sit on the sidelines hoping someone else will do the work that needs to be done, we must step forward and take charge. No more can we afford to just look out for ourselves and our families; if we're not proactive in supporting Jewish life in our community, we will wake up one day to see it withered, weakened, and eventually gone. We are all responsible for Jewish life in Tampa, and that's reflected in each of us doing everything we can to sustain it by participating in and supporting the many wonderful Jewish institutions in our community. The time for passing the buck is gone; now is the time for action, and if you're not giving up your time and resources till it hurts, you're not doing enough. 

This Chanukah, we must each light the Menorah and recognize that the world needs me and my light to dispel the darkness. 

No one else can do what I can do. There is no one else; there is only you!

I thought I was ready, but now I know I wasn't. Let me explain. This Monday, we will be hosting a grand tour of our newly purchased Center for Life and Learning, and then on Tuesday, we will launch a Million-dollar campaign to fund the renovation of our new space. The development of a future center is a project I've worked on and off for many years; it is one I've invested hundreds and hundreds of hours to make a reality. I thought I was ready for this next step a long time ago, but Hashem clearly knew better and compelled me to wait for this moment to move forward and build a beautiful space for our community. This begs the question, is it essential for Chabad Chai to have a big, beautiful home?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion Vayishlach. There, we learn about Yaakov confronting his evil twin, Eisav. Yaakov sent a message to him: I lived with our uncle Lavan before arriving here today. Why was this message so important? What was he trying to say? Rashi tells us that the Hebrew word Garti is the same letter as Taryag, which symbolizes the 613 Mitzvot of the Torah. Yakov was essentially telling his brother, I lived with Lavan, our uncle, a man who is materialistic and lives only for himself, and I never compromised on my ideals and my faith; I remained committed to observing the Mitzvot of the Torah. This is a powerful statement in stark contrast to Eisav, who, like Lavan, lives only for personal gratification.

What is most confusing is that Yaakov then starts sending gifts to his brother, highlighting his tremendous wealth, seemingly at odds with the spiritual image he had just highlighted.

The answer tells us how we should approach our interactions with this world. Yaakov understood that the true measure of success and the fulfillment of G-d's mission wasn't simply to live a spiritual life separated from the physical world but rather to embrace these material elements and harness their potential to bring more G-business to the world. Yaakov was telling Eisav and us, his future descendants, that the true measure of connection to G-d is not a life of asceticism but one immersed in the physical world and using all of its beauty for our divine mission.

When I began this journey to develop a new home for Chabad Chai, I thought a new building would instantly translate into greater attendance and participation in Chabad Chai's programs. The truth is I was wrong. Over the last 10 years, it has been the heart and soul of Chabad Chai's people and their desire to enhance their Jewish life that has spurred the growth we have seen in our community. Now that we have codified the heart and soul of who we are, we are ready to embrace this new beautiful Center for Life & Learning.

"Out of the depths, I cry to you," Kind David writes in Psalms. There's no call like the one from a broken heart, but is it worth the pain? 

I know it's not what you want to hear, but the hurt and discomfort you feel are necessary to propel you forward. It would be nice to win the lottery, and you might think it would solve all of your problems, but the truth is you would only discover your level of strength and determination if G-d orchestrated events that pushed you to the limit. 

This is highlighted so beautifully in this week's Torah portion, Vayeitzei. The torah tells us about Yaakov, our forefather's journey from Israel to his uncle Lavan's house, escaping the wrath of his evil twin Eisav. Yaakov paused to pray at Mt. Moriah, the future site of the Beit Hamikdash. In his prayer, he pleads with G-d to be with him on his journey and return him peacefully and successfully back to his parent's house once his mission is completed. Later on, he returns from Lavan's house to Israel with his wives and children and encounters Eisav's angel, with whom he wrestles for an entire night before he subdues him. Yakov always seems to be engaged in battle alone and far from home. Even his name symbolizes this perpetual struggle, Yakov from the Eikev, which means heel since he grabbed his brother's heel when he was born. 

Yakov is the only one of the forefathers whose children all followed in his footsteps, carrying his legacy of faith in G-d forward. This is a direct result of Yaakov's facing his struggles often alone and developing a conviction in himself he never knew he had. This confidence and determination were passed to his children, who became the tribes of Israel, carrying this strength down to every one of us. Had Yaakov not experienced internal turmoil, anguish, and anxiety, he may have never learned what we now know: G-d is always with you, and you can channel that divine energy to overcome any obstacle in your path. 

Today, we too carry this unlimited power, yet we hesitate to use it often content to float through life. It is Hashem's kindness that life struggles find us and compels us to reveal our ultimate strength, empowering us to actualize our full potential and fulfill our mission in this world, to bring Moshiach with peace and harmony for all. 

Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Mendy Dubrowski

Mission: Embrace your struggles, face them enthusiastically, knowing this is making you stronger. Now, get it done!