Rabbi's Blog

I have the amazing fortune of spending Shabbat at a class reunion with friends from my yeshiva days. I’m reconnecting with buddies from Massachusetts, Israel, Greece, Miami, London, and beyond. It’s so special.

More special than the fond memories and nostalgia is hearing their successes and life stories. It truly feels so uplifting as each one fargins the other and celebrates their families and journeys.

Some are Rabbis. Some are businessmen. Some are professionals.

But, we are all brothers. And the farbrengens betray a true sense of pride we have in each other.

This week’s double parsha of Acharei-Kedoshim includes the famous words, “Love your fellow as yourself.” The Torah doesn’t just tell us to lo… Read More »

In a conversation today, my wife and I mentioned to someone that we have twelve children.  During the conversation, this person causally mentioned our combined family. Apparently, it never dawned upon her that these children might all be the offspring of both of us.  She may have meant well, but it demonstrates a societal bias.

In fact, none of our children were combined at birth either, as we do not have any twins. Actually, we do have a set of Irish twins, who are currently the same age.

I will remain forever proud of my dear wife, the mother of all my children.

Our society prides itself on understanding the human psyche and investing in what’s best for our youth. Yet, the assumption is that less is more. If we have jus… Read More »

Cleaning the house before Pesach is a long and important process. The Torah doesn’t allow us to own any Chametz at all throughout the days of Passover.

When we have finally cleaned the house of Chametz, sold our Chametz, and searched for Chametz, we are ready to settle in to a Chametz-free zone for Pesach.

The kitchen is changed over from Chametz to Kosher-for-Pesach utensils and dishes. Cupboards with Chametz are out of bounds. It’s a full kitchen makeover – but just for about a week.

Then comes the conclusion of Pesach. As soon as Passover is over, we tear it all down and put away the Passover dishes until next year.

It’s amazing how quickly we go from Pesach to Chametz. It took us weeks of preparation to get t… Read More »

Israeli diplomat Yehuda Avner once visited with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The conversation turned to the role of the Rebbe.

The Rebbe explained that each person is a candle, and, “I help them light the candle, to help every man and woman fulfill the purpose for which they were created.”

Toward the end of the meeting, Mr. Avner asked the Rebbe, “Has the Rebbe lit my candle?”

“No,” the Rebbe responded.  “I have given you the match. Only you can light your own candle.”

What did the Rebbe mean that, “only you can light your own candle?” Why can’t the Rebbe ignite my candle? Certainly, the Rebbe has inspired thousands of people. Isn’t that considered “lighting my… Read More »

What’s the most Jewish food eaten on Pesach?

Matzah Balls? Brisket?

What’s the most important food on Rosh Hashanah?

Apple dipped in honey? Round Challah?

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If you have a peek at the Book of Vayikra, which we start reading today, you might be fooled into skipping through it. The first two books of the Torah have lots of fun history and life lessons. But, now we will spend a couple of months navigating some very technical laws about the Temple, ritual purity, priestly rites, and various types of sacrifices. Oh, and sexual morality gets thrown in as well.

The parsha, as well as the book itself, focuses primarily on the laws of sacrifices. “Boring, technical, and ancient,” might be what you are thinking.

But, act… Read More »

America is celebrating it’s 250^th year.

The motto E Pluribus Unum, translated as, “Out of many, one,” is found on the Great Seal of the United States as well as on some US coins.  Its origins date back to 1776 when the committee met to develop a seal.  Originally, the meaning was obvious: out of many states (or colonies) emerge a single nation.

Nowadays, it has also come to represent the diverse nature of the American people.  Out of many races, religions and ethnicities – one nation has emerged.

The beauty of America is not that Idaho and New York are identical. It’s that they are unique – yet still come together to form one country.  Each state is critical. Yet each state’s … Read More »

No, there aren’t any secret tunnels from our Chabad House to Tehran. And, while there is a long list of finalists for Antisemite of the Week, Tucker Carlson certainly sits at the top.

I won’t give screen time to his antics. But, his remarks give me cause for introspection. The Baal Shem Tov taught that everything we see or hear must be a lesson in our own life and relationship with G-d.

If the word spreading on social media is that Jews are unique and that we have grand aspirations, then let’s analyze that ourselves. Not from a geopolitical perspective – which is driven by bigotry and conspiracies. Rather, from a point of reflection, spirituality, and mission.

Let’s look at this week’s parsha Ki Tisa f… Read More »

As my kids try on their Purim costumes, they kvell at the idea that getting dressed up is actually a Jewish thing. In our society, many people get decked out in costumes, say in October for example. But, that is a shallow act devoid of meaning. It celebrates death – not life.

What’s the meaning of costumes on Purim?

First, we need to understand the meaning of clothing altogether. Yes, you need clothing for warmth and modesty. But, is there meaning to different types of clothing – besides from their fashion statement?

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In Judaism, we have always relied on tactile reminders. In contrast to modern gizmos of efficiency, Jewish aides don’t simply serve as tools.  Rather, they are the keys to our souls.

Wearing … Read More »

As my daughter gets better at skiing, she is able to do more and more on her own. However, she still sometimes needs me to give her a boost to get her started on tough terrain.

Eventually, she will be like the rest of them, zooming off and leaving Tatty and Mommy in the distance…

I smile as I see my children become independent – and eventually outpace me.

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When G-d instructs the Jewish people to build Him a Sanctuary He says, “Speak to the children of Israel, and have them take for Me a donation; from every person whose heart inspires him to generosity, you shall take My donation.”

This week’s parsha, Teruma, describes the many details of the Mishkan.  The Jewish people were very generous and offere… Read More »

Say I am in need of some eggs for the meal I am in the midst of preparing. No time to run to the supermarket – it’s nearly dinner. But the recipe calls for eggs and the guests are coming soon.

So I run to the neighbor and borrow a dozen eggs. The next day I’ll go to the supermarket, purchase a dozen eggs and drop them at my neighbor’s home - and everyone is happy.

But let’s say my car broke down and I need to get somewhere urgently. Once again my neighbor comes to the rescue. She happily offers me her brand new Tesla so I can get to my appointment on time.

What do you think her reaction would be if I showed up a few hours later with a 1999 Chevrolet instead of her Tesla? What if I showed up with a similar Te… Read More »

Rebbetzin Esther is in New York with thousands of her colleagues. They are enriching themselves at the International Kinus HaShluchos (which you can watch on Sunday). Meanwhile, I’m enriching my relationship with my kids. It’s a win-win.

Esther gets to meet colleagues from all over the world, drawing inspiration from their successes and challenges. She scoops up their ideas and inspiration, enthused to come back to Boise, energized and excited.

The kinus reminds me of the great pioneers;  the men and women who traveled to the other side of the world – before Chabad was a household name. This week Chabad marked the passing of Rebbetzin Rochel Pinson, the Shlucha to Tunisia. She was 102 years old. Despite upheaval, da… Read More »

At a wedding in Israel this week, I watched with curiosity as the Chupah concluded with the breaking of the glass. The reason we break the glass at the end of the marital ceremony is to recall that our joy is incomplete when our Holy Temple still lies in ruins.

The verse in Tehillim (Psalms 137) talks about the Jewish people wailing on the Rivers of Babylon: “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to my palate, if I do not remember you, if I do not bring up Jerusalem at the beginning of my joy.”

Yet, here we were in the Holy Land itself, observing the very same custom. Should we still mourn when Israel now boasts more Jews than any other country in the world? Should we be full of … Read More »

Harley Finkelstein is the President of Shopify. But, what he’s famous for this week is wrapping tefillin at the National Retail Federation. He said that he initially put on tefillin outside the mega-event. But, now Jews need to be loud and proud, so he’s putting on tefillin right at the Shopify booth for all to see.

He is an inspiration to many young professional Jews. I returned this week from the Chabad Young Professionals International Encounter in NYC. We brought a small group from Idaho to join a diverse crowd from all over the world. It was a true inspiration seeing so many hundreds and hundreds of Jews wearing their Judaism loudly and proudly.

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In July, 1999 I was traveling from Uganda to Kenya with a friend.  Si… Read More »