Rabbi Mendy's Blog - Chabad Chai

How passionate are you?

Friday, July 26, 2024 - 11:42 AM

Where is your passion? The answer to that question speaks volumes about who you are. While we often do various things and wear many different hats, our passion uniquely reveals our essence. So, while many in our community might say they're proud of being Jewish, the truth can be seen in how they live their lives. Their willingness to take action even when others won't is the true expression of our passion, our core.

This week's Torah portion, Pinchas, emphasizes the importance of action. We learn about Pinchas, a man who took action when others froze because, as the Torah says, "he was passionate" about his faith in G-d and G-d's Torah. While others claimed to care about upholding Jewish faith and tradition, he demonstrated commitment through his swift response to the events around him. Pinchas knew that talk is cheap, and a passion for Jewish life meant being bold when others failed to do so.

Today, we are in a crisis, with challenges threatening our homeland and our people worldwide. We are being asked to step up and take action when so many seem set against us. How we respond to this moment will determine how passionate we are about our Jewish identity and the survival and success of Jewish life.

Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. So each of us must ask ourselves and demand of ourselves to step up and show the world the integrity, joy, and pride in who we are. The beauty of passion is that it's contagious, so let's reveal it within ourselves and watch it spread to others.

Mission: Reveal your true passion for your Jewish identity by acting even when others won't. Then, let your passion ignite others.

Even the bad is really good, so don't let it stop you

Friday, July 19, 2024 - 2:22 PM

Life is tough. There always seems to be something challenging us to the point that we question why G-d would do such a thing to us. How do we manage when we face such obstacles?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Balak. There, we learn about Bilaam, an evil prophet who was hired by Moabite King Balak to curse the Jewish people. Bilaam knew that everything comes from G-d, including his ability to curse the Jewish people and channel destruction down upon them. Even as he traveled to the mountaintops to carry out the task for which he was hired, he continued to ask Hashem for permission to curse the Jewish people. Ultimately, G-d forced him to bless the Jewish nation, and some of his blessings would go down as the most profound in the Torah.

This story highlights the simple truth that everything comes from Hashem. Even when difficulty comes your way, it's part of G-d's plan and serves a purpose that is possibly beyond comprehension. We must focus on our part and continue to move forward in our mission, and when we do, then G-d will transform the seemingly "curses" we face into blessings.

Hashem loves us and wants only what's best for us; when we know this, the challenges we face become less daunting, and we are empowered to overcome the obstacles, using them to propel ourselves to new heights.

How can I cope when It makes no sense?

Friday, July 12, 2024 - 1:01 PM

This world is not for the faint of heart. We know that from the University of Life. G-d created you with tremendous intellect and emotion and encouraged us to use it to better ourselves and the world around us. Yet, the events of this world regularly test the limits of our mind and heart. Knowing that everything happening in our world is by G-d's hand only further challenges us. So how do we manage? How do we not only cope but succeed in our mission of bettering ourselves and making the world more divine?

The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Chukas. There, we learn about Moses's siblings Aaron and Miriam's death and Moshe's failure to draw water from the rock, which led to his consequence: not entering the land of Israel. Such a heavy Parsha truly boggles the minds. These three leaders were giants of the Jewish people. Each of them contributed to the birth of our nation and our liberation from Egypt. Yet, small, seemingly trivial mistakes led to giant consequences and their ultimate death in the desert.

The only way to comprehend these events is not to comprehend them and train yourself to accept that. That is why this week's portion is named Chukas, a reference to the Torah's ultimate statute to cleanse people from ritual impurity using ashes from a Red Heffer. This "Chok" decree is beyond comprehension and tests the faith and commitment of our people to adhere to this commandment despite its irrationality. This Mitzvah is a stark reminder of the necessity to accept G-d's decrees when we can't understand them. To train ourselves to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. This seeming paradox is only possible because we possess a soul within each of us that is inextricably linked with its source, G-d almighty. This Neshama forms an unbreakable bond with Hashem that transcends logic, rationale, comprehension, and feeling. Similar to the connection a parent shares with a child. While they might better enjoy each other's company when their actions please the other, their relationship is such that even when they don't appreciate the behavior of the other, their love for each other is unchanged.

The Torah's guide for life in this world demands that we use our intellect and emotions as much as possible to further our relationship with G-d and fulfill our mission. Yet, we must not miss a beat when events transcend understanding. We can do this, and we must; together, we will reinforce each other and explore the depth of our connection to G-d, going beyond rationality to the depths of our souls.

Power is overated, here's what you should seek

Friday, July 5, 2024 - 12:59 PM

What is power? They say you only know if you have it. The truth is power has inspired and motivated people since the beginning of time, but power is overrated; the lust for it usually corrupts us and pains those around us. How do we resist it temptation?

The answer lies in this week's Parsha when Korach rebels against Moshe and Aaron, complaining that they have placed themselves above the rest of the nation. Moshe, rather than defend himself, is wholly focused on his mission and simply says everything I've done has been by G-d's command. Essentially, he is telling them that it's not about me but what I can do to fulfill Hashem's desire to make the world more divine and a better place for all people.

This week, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Rebbe's passing; I hope you'll join us on Tuesday evening for a special event in honor of this occasion. The Rebbe, like Moshe, was utterly uninterested in power, though it was readily available to him. The Rebbe's only desire was to help others better themselves and empower them to help others. Influence, not power, is the true measure of a person, and not the kind you find on Instagram. The Rebbe constantly asked the question what can I do to help this person in front of me? How can I use this moment to improve G-d's world? When you place these intentions at the heart of who you are and the guiding force in every choice you make, you will create a legacy that inspires others to follow your lead.

Let us take a lesson from Moshe and The Rebbe and stop thinking about ourselves and how much power we have. Instead, let us consider how the right choices can elevate those around us and bring our whole world closer to the coming of Moshiach, with peace and tranquility for our world.

Mission: This week, choose influence over power and devote your life to the service of G-d and your fellow humans. There's nothing more powerful than that.