Rabbi Mendy's Blog

It has been a long journey for our people and often a painful one. Even when we had thought we were finally out of the woods, we have continued to face challenges and obstacles, hate and persecution. How do we maintain our optimism and hope for a better future and a better world? 

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion Vayakhel. There, we learn about the construction of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle in the desert, and the enthusiasm for building a place where G-d's presence can dwell in this world. Though the Jewish people had experienced decades of suffering enslaved in Egypt, they excitedly embraced the opportunity to further their mission of making the world more divine. The mission empowered them to move forward no matter how traumatic the past was. 

Today, we have been living in constant turmoil. Since October 7th, we have experienced pain, sadness, joy, and Jubilation as our people in Israel and around the world continue to fight against the forces of evil. Sometimes, it can feel like we're fighting a losing battle, and we might feel depleted by this prospect. The key is to focus on the mission and the progress we're making every day in our communities. So many people are reconnecting to Jewish life and choosing to light a Shabbat candle, put on Tefillin, hang a Mezuzah, learn extra Torah, and help another human in need. These are the actions that advance our cause of bringing meaning and purpose to every part of G-d's universe. Yes, the going is tough, but look how much good we've done and how much more we do every day.

When you make your life into a Temple for G-d, then you become impenetrable to the negative forces around you. So invest yourself in Jewish life, and the pain of our past will never hold you down. 

Mission: Which Mitzvah will you choose to strengthen your temple? Make it a big one to counteract the forces of evil that seek to hole you back

Today is Purim, a day on which we celebrate our ability to overcome persecution and annihilation repeatedly. Some may wonder what is our secret. How have we grown stronger and stronger in the face of adversity?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion Ki Sisa, and the holiday of Purim. The Torah tells us that after G-d gave the the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, the Jewish people built a golden calf, thinking that Moses had abandoned them. Of course, Hashem was very disappointed with them, and Moshe argued they should be forgiven for they are a stiff-necked people. The commentary explains that Moses was illuding to our people's determination to stand true to our faith and tradition even when put under fire. This, of course, can be seen clearly in the story of Purim when many Jewish people completely abandoned their heritage and joined King Achashveirosh for a party of non-kosher food, promiscuity, and debauchery. Yet, when Haman conspired to kill us, everyone rallied together as one nation to support and defend each other. There was no daylight between observant or non-observant, learned or non-learned Jews. We were one people united by the soul we all share.

Our obstinance through history has often been used in one of two ways: a determination to blend into our surroundings and shed our Jewish identity in exchange for acceptance by the general public, or a determination to live Jewishly without compromise even in the face of tyranny. Today, we are once again being called to action in the face of the latest iteration of Jew-hatred in Israel and around the world. We are a stiff-necked people, but each of us must decide if we will use this characteristic to unite in strength or hibernate in fear. I know that ultimately, we will all feel the power of our soul inside of us and answer the call of our time to unite in light and defeat the darkness. Let's not wait a minute longer and use the unique energy of Purim to shine proudly and illuminate our world, bringing harmony, joy, light, and love to our world.
ngth of our routine, our disciplined approach to life, and the detailed structure of Jewish life. 

Today, when the world tells us to rush and produce or be left behind in the dust, we say slow and steady wins the race. We know that as long as we maintain our faith, our way of life, and our respect for tradition, we will continue to illuminate the world as we've done for thousands of years. So don't be daunted by the early success of some; many have flashed for a moment, but fewer have remained shining. Stay the course, and you'll add your light to the great force for good in human history, the Jewish people. 

Mission: Find the stubbornness in your character and channel it towards a fierce determination to live Jewishly, no matter what, no matter who, no matter when, and no matter where.

So many of us struggle to find our place in the world, achieve "success," and find this elusive fulfillment we all desperately seek. In a society that rushes from one moment to the next, we have been influenced to believe that success should happen instantly. Anything less leaves us defining ourselves as failures. How can we find a path forward in such an ever-demanding world with impossible self-imposed deadlines? 

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Tetzave, where we continue learning about the construction and operation of the Mishkah, the traveling Tabernacle the Jewish people used as they traveled through the desert on their way to Israel. G-d instructs Moshe that the Kohanim, the priests, should bring a daily offering each morning and afternoon, the same sacrifice brought each day at the same time. This routine continued unabated for hundreds of years as the Jewish people entered the land of Israel and their Temple moved from Gilgal to Shiloh to Nov and Givon. Regardless of their unique challenges and the persecutions of that time, the daily offering helped them stay grounded and focused and allowed them to keep pushing forward and overcome their obstacles. 

Throughout history, humans have thrived and succeeded, often overcoming challenges by creating routines that allowed them to stay focused on the task at hand and remain patient in seeing results. Many great empires have risen over the last 5,000 years, each making a good show in their day. However, eventually, they all flared out and disappeared. The Jewish people have continued to prosper and promote a life of faith, meaning, and purpose on the strength of our routine, our disciplined approach to life, and the detailed structure of Jewish life. 

Today, when the world tells us to rush and produce or be left behind in the dust, we say slow and steady wins the race. We know that as long as we maintain our faith, our way of life, and our respect for tradition, we will continue to illuminate the world as we've done for thousands of years. So don't be daunted by the early success of some; many have flashed for a moment, but fewer have remained shining. Stay the course, and you'll add your light to the great force for good in human history, the Jewish people. 

Pain and suffering our people know well, but we have always found comfort and conviction to move forward. Now, too, after such a tragic week, we ask ourselves how we cope. How do we continue living Jewishly, with pride and joy in who we are? 

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion Terumah where we learn about the construction of the first Temple, the Mishkan of the desert. Hashem commanded the Jewish people to build it in the face of the tragedy and the painful loss of so many after the golden calf. The Mishkan and, eventually, the Beit Hamikdash would become a refuge for our people in times of great persecution. Eventually, after both Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed, the Shul or Synagogue would take their place. 

This physical space would become a place where our people and community could unite and celebrate all we are — a home for Hashem where we could cry, lament, celebrate, and dance together. A place where the words of the Torah would fill the air, and the song of prayers would fill our hearts. No other place connects our people to each other quite the same way our Shuls do, and we all know there is tremendous comfort and power that we glean only when we come together. 

Today, we must return to our Shuls, community centers, and Synagogues. Though we won't find any answers to the terrible atrocities we've witnessed, we will find strength and love and the light we need to continue illuminating our world so we can fulfill our mission of bringing peace and harmony to G-d's universe with the coming of Moshiach speedily, amen! 

This week we learned the gut-wrenching fate of the beautiful Bibas children—Ariel and Kfir. They were grabbed from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz and brutally murdered—not because of anything they did or said, but simply because they were Jewish. 

Not like them. 

Hamas paraded their bodies through jeering, cheering crowds. Who cheers the murder of a child or the death of a baby? Israel cried, while Hamas jeered. Two peoples, living side by side, yet not like each other.

The phrase “not like us” has been used for centuries to justify hatred and inflict pain. But it doesn’t have to be that way—indeed, it should never be.

This Shabbat, as we welcome the new month of Adar—the month of Purim—we recall a chilling passage in the Megillah. Haman, the villain, tells King Achashverosh:

“There is a certain people, scattered among the nations… and their laws are different from every other nation.”

In other words, they’re not like us. And because of that, he wanted them gone.

But here’s the thing—we weren’t like them. Though scattered, the Jews remained one nation with one G‑d and one Torah. We didn’t respond by trying to change who we are. Instead, we fasted, prayed, and stood together. With G‑d’s miracles, the day meant for our downfall transformed into our greatest celebration.

Venahafoch Hu—everything flipped. Sadness became joy, fear turned into strength, and dispersion transformed into unity. That’s the power of Purim. That’s the power of Not Like Us.

Your unique identity is a reason to celebrate—a call to embrace the opportunities G‑d gives and to share His blessings with the world. In Adar, we dance, laugh, exchange gifts, and lean into what makes us distinct. Being different isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength.

Throughout history, many have tried to erase our differences. Yet, despite tragedies and threats—including the Holocaust—we endure. Not Like Us doesn’t mean less; it means unique, special, and proud. I am not like you. You are not like me. We are not like them. And that’s exactly how G‑d designed it—not to create division, but to forge connection; not to weaken the world, but to strengthen it; not so we could fight, but so we could help one another.

The Bibas family was taken simply because they were Jewish—because they were not like them. Shiri and Yarden chose their children's names with great care; Kfir and Ariel mean "lions" in Hebrew. Now, we need to roar for them—living bolder and prouder as Jews.

Your Invitation

Purim isn’t just a holiday—it’s a mindset. It’s a chance to transform darkness into light, to stand together, and to bring joy into the world. So here’s the invitation: do a mitzvah right now:

• Give tzedakah.
• Help someone in need.
• Put on tefillin.
• Light Shabbat candles.
• Share Mishloach Manot.
• Join a Megillah reading.
• Come to a Purim celebration.

Every mitzvah adds light; every act of goodness brings us closer to the world we envision. When things seem dark, the best we can do is shine even brighter.

As we prepare to celebrate Purim, may G‑d wipe away all tears, cure the world of cruelty, and erase sadness forever. May we soon experience the ultimate Venahafoch Hu—when pain turns to joy, exile to redemption, and darkness to eternal light.

May your mitzvot bring some comfort to the Bibas and Lifshitz families and hasten the arrival of Moshiach! Visit: onemitzvah.org/BIBAS to record your special Mitzvah in their honor. 

What does leadership look like? Why is our community struggling to find people willing to step up and take action to strengthen Jewish life? What is holding us back from stepping forward at a time when the Jewish people are so desperate for leaders? 

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion Beshalach. There, we learn how Moshe split the Red Sea and led the Jewish people through on dry land. Subsequently, Moshe began singing, and the Jewish people responded in kind. Moshe was many things over his years as the leader of the Bnei Yisroel, teacher, guide, judge, ruler, and yes, even singer-songwriter. How could Moshe manage so many different roles? To answer this, we must look at the first moment G-d called him to lead. Hashem asked Moshe to communicate with Pharoah, and Moshe was reticent to do so because he lacked the necessary enunciation skills due to his difficulty speaking. G-d told him, Moshe, don't worry, I will support you throughout, and you will succeed. You only need to step forward and do all in your power, and I will get the rest done. Moshe was trained to understand that his role was to serve the Jewish people; however, G-d deemed it necessary, and in turn, Hashem empowered him to be successful. 

We, too, must understand that our job isn't to know how everything will play out; we must only embrace the opportunities that perfectly suit us. If G-d has placed us in a position to be of service to our community and to our people, then we must possess the skills to succeed even if we don't see them. Our job isn't to understand precisely how. Our job is to say yes and let G-d lead the way. 

Mission:  This week, when a moment presents itself for you to do something positive and make a difference in your community, don't pause to consider if you're the perfect person for the job; just do it! 

Education is key. For generations, the Jewish people have prioritized study and learning, always revering the scholars and encouraging our children to gain wisdom. However, today's challenges seem to surround us; with little help from the outside world, how can education help us overcome these new obstacles?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Bo. There, we see Moshe emphasizing multiple times to the Jewish people the need to tell our children about the exodus from Egypt and how, specifically, G-d took us out of slavery. This directive forms the basis for the holiday of Pesach, Passover, and the daily requirement to remember the exodus from Egypt. However, its true value goes much further as it establishes the key to Jewish education and Jewish survival, teaching our children that our enduring success as a nation is a blessing from G-d, period. 

While we have succeeded in many respects in transmitting the importance of education from generation to generation of Jewish people, we have failed to convey the most essential element of Jewish instruction. We are the people of G-d, and faith and adherence to Hashem's path have empowered our continued growth despite the many empires that have tried to destroy us. Recently, we have lost sight of this simple truth and begun to believe that education in Ivy League schools, advanced degrees, or membership in elite clubs will inculcate us from potential threats and guarantee our continued success. Today, we're finally waking up to the reality that all of this is a fable, a fantasy we told ourselves to justify our deviation from Torah and Mitzvot and a newfound faith in these feeble institutions. 

Now, we must reorient ourselves to the truth we have carried for thousands of years: " We have no one to lean on except G-d in heaven." This belief must be the foundation of the education we give our children; everything starts from there. Then, and only then, will we have the necessary strength and resolve to overcome any obstacles we may face and grow stronger from them like the Jewish people of old. Until we finally see the completion of our Exodus from Egypt, the redemption from our current exile, and the return of our people back to our homeland with the coming Moshiach speedily, amen! 

Mission:  Let's refocus the message we give our youth. We must do all we can to advance in life, but our success is born from G-d's blessing. 

With everything the Jewish people face in the world today, why are so many in our community apathetic? Why do so many fail to see the writing on the wall and the urgency to get active and support Jewish life? 

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Va'era. Moshe reiterates to the Jewish people that the time for their liberation from Egypt has come, and the Torah tells us, "but they did not listen to him because their spirit was broken and because the labor was harsh." The Jewish people at the time were so adversely affected by their slavery, physically, emotionally, and physiologically, that they could not consider a life of greater purpose, a life of freedom to serve G-d fully. 

The Torah teaches us this simple truth: when the realities of life are overwhelmingly painful, we are often deaf to the cure for that pain. This can be clearly seen in our world today. Over the last few years, The Jewish people have been subjected to an increase of hatred, animosity, and resentment around the world. The challenges we face in Israel weigh on each of us daily, and the future seems fraught with fear. All of these factors have created tremendous anxiety for many in our community, that they can't see the solution is right in front of them. Yes, we need to wake each other up and inspire each other to live more Jewishly and be more active in our local communities, but we also need to be empathetic to those struggling to find their footing during this crisis. Their lack of response is not an indictment of their love for Jewish life but rather a cry for help, love and support, kindness, and compassion as they work to find the strength they need to follow your lead. 

Life can be harsh; we need to recognize that and channel the divine light we all possess to help each other rise above it and reconnect with its source. 

Mission:  Help others struggling to move forward in the current climate. Be patient, be loving, and you will see them reveal their Jewish pride.

As we close the book on 2024 and begin 2025, we see a lot pain and suffering. Our brothers and sisters in Israel continue to live under threat, and so many are still held hostage; we look forward to their immediate and safe return and the complete and total victory of our IDF soldiers. So many of our people continue to be persecuted across the world with a rise in violence and vile hatred against Jewish people. Where do we go from here? How do we inspire ourselves to rise to the challenge and continue spreading light in the face of darkness?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion Shemos. There, we learn about the start of Egyptian slavery and the brutal treatment of the Jewish people who cried out to G-d in pain. The Torah tells us, "But the more they were oppressed, the more they increased and the more they spread." This is an inverse response to pain and suffering; most people throughout history have buckled under the pressure and eventually disappeared altogether from the face of the map. But we, the Jewish people, have not only survived the worst persecutions imaginable, we've grown stronger from them; how?

The answer lies in our belief in Divine providence and divine presence. If everything in our lives is intentional, placed by G-d for a purpose, then this moment is no different. There must be something for me to accomplish here, as painful as it might be. If G-d is everywhere at all times, then now, too, G-d is with me; I am not Chas V'sholom abandoned to face these obstacles alone; I am right where I need to be with all of the divine force I need to overcome the challenges in front of me and expand my illumination of the world.

Let us not diminish the challenges we face today in Israel and worldwide. At the same time, let us not diminish the power of our people and the incredible energy G-d gives us to not only survive but thrive. Now is not the time to play defense but rather to go on the offensive, expanding our work of bringing meaning and purpose to the world. Our light unto nations must be intensified and shined ever further to places and people who have never seen it before. To do this, we must first live more Jewishly, for only when the light shines brightly within us can we share it with the world.

Will you join me in this holy mission? Will you commit to living more Jewishly in 2025 and beyond? What that means individually will be different for each of us, but we will be united in the ever-growing light we shine on the world. This is how we will end this exile and bring peace and harmony to our world.

Mission: Resolve to live more Jewishly by adding one new Mitzvah you will observe and 1 hour of Torah study each week. Unsure how? We're here to help :)

What is stopping us from being great? Why do we keep selling ourselves short? We have proven ourselves time and again both as individuals and collectively as the Jewish people, time and again. Yet, no matter our past, we struggle to move forward confidently, filled with self-doubt. How do we face our fears and finally realize our full potential?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Vayechi, the ultimate portion of the book of Breishis, Genesis. Vayechi means "and he lived" and refers to Yaakov, who spent the final seventeen years of his life in Egypt. These years were the best ones of his life even though he was living in a culture of promiscuity counter to Jewish values because his son Joseph, the viceroy of the Egyptian empire, was there to support him and his entire family, and they were, therefore, able to multiply and prosper.

Consider for a moment the challenges Joseph faced and how many opportunities he had to stop and throw in the towel. How often has life dealt him a bad hand, and how many years has he lived in the most challenging conditions imaginable? Yet, he never questioned that G-d had destined him for greatness and that everything he experienced would ultimately lead him to fulfill his destiny. This trust in Hashem and himself gave him the courage to keep pushing forward and never allow self-doubt or inadequacy to consume him. Joseph knew where he came from, the promise made to them and their ancestors before them.

We must also remember who we are and where we come from; our ability isn't determined by the challenges or limitations society seeks to place upon us. We are princes like Joseph; even when we're languishing in prison or targeted by hateful people, these are only momentary obstacles we must work through on the road to developing ourselves into the divine ambassadors G-d created us to be.

If you want to "live" life to the fullest, you must stop apologizing for who you are and live fully focused on the future, knowing that G-d has empowered you and destined you for greatness.

What qualifies someone as a leader? Do they always say and do the right thing? Such a bar might be too high for most of us, leaving our community paralyzed by our past mistakes. If we're such flawed individuals, what business do we have inspiring others to better themselves? Maybe we need to get off our high horses even if that leaves our people bereft of leaders.

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Vayigash, where we learn about Yehuda's confrontation with Yoseph as Binyamin's freedom hangs in the balance. Joseph was, of course, the viceroy of the Egyptian empire, a person who consistently chose the higher path and rose to incredible heights. Yehuda, on the other hand, is highlighted for many errors in judgment and missteps he took in life. Yet, the kingship was ultimately granted to Yehuda, whose descendants would be Kings David, Solomon, and ultimately Moshiach. Why? Yehuda represents the power of a Baal Teshuva, a master of return, one whose life is in flux but constantly focused on self-improvement. Yes, such a person makes errors at times, but the process of Teshuva reveals an incredible strength and passion for serving G-d they would never have realized without the internal struggle.

This is why Judah was chosen to be a leader, precisely because of his mistakes, not despite them. Judah shows us that we are capable of leadership if we're only willing to focus on growth and development; that's the only prerequisite to inspiring others.

As our matching campaign comes to a close tonight at the start of Shabbat, I am mesmerized by how many of you chose to become leaders and inspire others. Your generosity of spirit speaks to the incredible quality of our community. This new center we're building together will be a haven for growth and self-development where we will inspire each other to push ourselves forward, expanding our horizons and spreading the joy of Jewish life and learning across our city.

Mission: If you have yet to participate, channel your inner Judah and step forward. Be an inspiration to others, and may G-d bless you with a 2025 full of good health, happiness, and success in all you do! www.chabadchaicenter.com/build

Do you ever feel like G-d is hiding from you? I know I do. Life can be challenging sometimes, and we can quickly feel abandoned in those moments. The truth is Hashem is always present with us, supporting and guiding us even when we don't feel it. 

This idea is clearly highlighted in this week's torah portion, Mikeitz. There, we learn about Joseph's rise to power and the famine he predicted coming across Egypt and Israel. His brothers were compelled to come down for food to save their family from starvation. Joseph concealed his identity from them and concocted a plot where they were accused of being spies. The brothers must have felt helpless at that moment, trying to secure food for their families, and had no recourse forward. However, we know the truth: Joseph was conducting this charade so that they could grow from their past mistakes and move forward free of guilt and sin. Once they took ownership of their choices, Joseph revealed who he was and ensured he would take care of them. 

We are no different; when it seems that G-d has concealed himself from us, it is only for us to learn and grow. When we look inward instead of outward, we can find the light that may have been flickering inside of us, waiting to be fully kindled. That is the power of darkness; it compels us to find our flame and ignite it. 

As you light your Menorah this evening, remember that your soul is a candle waiting to be ignited. The darkness you may face in your life, the darkness we all face, is nothing more than G-d's way of telling us to illuminate! Reveal your divine energy and light up the world!

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!