Rabbi Mendy's Blog - Chabad Chai

stop doubting yourself, you've got this!

Friday, June 28, 2024 - 1:47 PM

Do you feel that life demands more of you than you're capable of? Do you feel stretched beyond your limits? I know; I feel it, too. What do we do? How do we manage life when it seems overwhelming? This classic challenge has two general solutions. Either reduce your workload and take things off your plate or expand your capacity, and you'll find the strength to do more than you imagined possible. So, which one is preferred?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Shelach. There, we learn about the spies Moshe sent to scout the land of Israel before their arrival at their new home. The spies observed the people that lived there, the cities, and even their produce; the spy's conclusion was definitive: we can't inhabit this land. They suffered from the same challenge facing many of us today: a lack of self-belief. They didn't realize the extent of their abilities.

Hindsight is 20/20, of course, but in the moment, how could they have known they could conquer and pacify a land teeming with giants and fortified cities? The answer is simple because G-d told them, "Go up and inherit your land." This clear directive from Hashem should have been enough to ignite their personal confidence that success was not only possible but guaranteed. As long as they did everything in their natural power to conquer the land, G-d would ensure their success. Their self-doubt led to a horrible report to Moshe and the Jewish people and their eventual punishment: their entire generation would wander the desert for forty years and never enter the land of Israel.

How often have we let ourselves down, not living up to our true potential because we were afraid of our greatness? How many times have the Jewish people resisted their destiny simply because others said they couldn't do it? We must hear G-d's voice calling us to be the nation we were chosen to be, a light unto nations, a people of purpose who live unconcerned by popular opinion and instead focused on Hashem's plan and what we can do to fulfill it.

Today, we face numerous challenges as a people and, no doubt, much more individually. Don't make the mistake of undervaluing your abilities and seeking the easy way out—retreating from community and responsibility and focusing only on yourself. This is not the time to lose faith in yourself. If Hashem puts us in this position, it means we have what it takes to succeed. We need only realize and actualize it, and a bright and beautiful future for the Jewish people is guaranteed.

Mission: When you feel stressed, take a minute and ask yourself why. Consider that the stress is a sign you are using muscles and abilities you've never used before and are growing stronger.

It's time we stopped playing defense

Friday, June 21, 2024 - 2:35 PM

It's time we stopped playing defense and started playing offense. What do I mean? The Jewish people have been around for thousands of years, but our identity has morphed over time. So who are we today? What defines us as Jewish people? Is it our enemies and their baseless hatred? Or is it something else?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion Behaaloscha. There, we learn that the Jewish people are referred to as both a "camp" and a "congregation." Of course, every word is specific and intentional, so why use different terms? They have two different meanings that tell us everything we need to know. A camp is something many different species employ to protect themselves from predators and environmental dangers. We know this definition well, as our people have faced the threat of persecution time and again, and at times, we've allowed ourselves to become defined by these evil empires. This is a travesty and sells ourselves short, denying our true greatness. That is why the Torah provides a better description Eida or congregation. The connotation is a group that shares a purpose and vision for the world, a people that unite to accomplish what no one can do alone. This definition speaks to our impact on the world and the true reason for our existence.

Today, we, too, face overwhelming challenges in Israel and around the world. We can easily fall prey to victimhood and allow the tyrants and terrorists of the world to define us by their hatred. This would further drain our morale and defeat us from the inside out. We must remind ourselves and our people that the Jewish people were first defined at Mt. Sinai when G-d gave them the Torah, and their mission in this world has never changed. We have been tasked with illuminating the darkness and elevating the mundane by revealing its holy potential. This is what should always unite us and define us, no matter what the hatters may say.

We are a congregation of lamplighters, a people that celebrate life and all of its potential. Now is our time to set aside our differences and celebrate the common goal we all share of making this world a home G-d with the coming of Moshiach speedily, amen!

Mission: Think of our purpose as Jewish people and find partners you can work with to fulfill our mission.

So many people are down in the dumps, what can I do?

Friday, June 14, 2024 - 2:32 PM

How do we bring equality to our fractured world? In a society that seeks to apply its various metrics to the populace, how do we ensure everyone counts equally in our community?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion Naso. The portion continues examining the census of the Levites, but it uses a peculiar word to say "count" Naso. Naso literally means to lift, so what connection does it have to the counting theme? The answer tells us all we need to know about civilization. Each person sees themselves in a certain way; better or worse, we're all an extension of our own self-image. Often, life has a way of pulling us down. As much as we try, the everyday travails of life can drain us of our energy and leave us demoralized about the future. How do we break this downward spiral? We need a friend to reach out and raise us up by adjusting our perspective and our point of view. A good friend can elevate us by reminding us of our inherent worth and G-d-given talents. When we reframe our lives, we begin to recognize our amazing limitless potential, and then we can start actualizing it.

If you want to bring equality to the world, start by recognizing your amazing potential and then helping others find it within themselves. Sometimes, it's hard to see it in yourself; if that's the case, focus on raising up your fellow human, and the feeling of helping others will restore your faith in yourself. Either way, take action and rise up. It's time we started viewing life from a higher plane.

Mission: This week, take a minute to help others see their full potential, and begin to see your own potential dramatically increase.

How is a person measured?

Friday, June 7, 2024 - 3:44 PM

Ask someone how many Jewish people there are in the world, and you might get numbers like 50 Million, 100 Million, 600 Million, or a Billion, as evidenced by the survey conducted by Humans of Judaism. Of course, we know the truth: we're less than 15 Million worldwide, or 0.2% of the world's overall population, still not back to our pre-Holocaust numbers.) This chasm between what people believe and reality boggles the mind and begs the question, why? Why do we seem to be more numerous than we actually are?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Bamdibar, the first of the fourth eponymous book. There, we learn about the census taken of the Jewish people as they travel through the desert. G-d tells Moshe to instruct them to each contribute a Half-Shekel coin, which will then be counted, rather than have them counted directly. There are a variety of reasons why Hashem instructed them to do so; one in particular really touched me this week. G-d is teaching Moshe and the Jewish people that they are measured not merely by their existence in this world but by their contribution to improving it.

This becomes our creed and motivation: our numbers don't matter, our impact does. We have taken this lesson as a guide in every industry we've touched, influencing, impacting, enhancing the world, and making our contribution felt beyond our existence.

This is not a mere theory but a reality that generations of Jewish people have exemplified throughout history. In recent years, few have embodied this principle better than Rabbi Moshe Kotlaskrsy, a beacon of inspiration, a pillar of support, and a mentor to thousands of Chabad Rabbis worldwide. In his role as Vice Chairman of Chabad International, he has tirelessly championed the growth of Jewish life, leaving an indelible impact on our community. As one man, he only counted as one, but his contributions measure in the hundreds of thousands, all because he dared to ask what else can I do to help others. What else can I do to further the mission of making this world home for G-d? What else can I do to bring Moshiach?

As his earthly mission sadly came to an end this week, we must rally to his cry and carry this mantle forward, constantly asking this question: what else can I contribute to the world around me to make it the divine dwelling G-d intended it to be? May his memory be a blessing for his family and us all, and may they find true comfort in knowing his incredible mark on this world.

Mission: Approach every moment as an opportunity to contribute and make an impact. Make the most of each positive possibility, and you'll leave an impact on this world you may never fully know. CLICK HERE for a story exemplifying this quality.