Rabbi's Blog - Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho

Can I Be Thankful, But Envious?

Friday, November 28, 2025 - 7:32 AM

Thanksgiving is designed to be a holiday of gratitude. Its roots stem from thanking Almighty G-d for the successful harvest. From the Pilgrims to Presidents Washington and Lincoln, its precise implementation shifted, but its goal was always a time to thank and praise the Almighty, while praying for the future.

Turkey and pumpkin pie remain staples at Americans’ Thanksgiving dinners. But, along with that have come the trappings of our modern society. To many, Thanksgiving is a great time for a vacation. Or for binge football watching. Or for family get-togethers. And, of course, it’s the start of the shopping craze in America.

All lovely things for those who can enjoy them. But, to many who have less, it might instead be a time… Read More »

Are You What You Wear?

Friday, November 21, 2025 - 7:01 AM

I went to the gym to work out. I put on gym clothes.

I needed to fix a broken pipe. I put on different clothes.

Am I a physical trainer? Am I a plumber?

Is the Fedex driver a Fedex driver at home?

We all wear alternate garments at certain times. What does that say about who we are?

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In this week’s parsha Toldot, Yaakov gets dressed up. By wearing his brother Esav’s garments, he stepped into the persona of Esav – albeit momentarily. Through this act of deception, he was able to garner the blessings from his father Yitzchak.

Why did Yaakov need to deceive his father (and brother) in order to receive the blessings? Could he not have made the argument that he is more deserving?

The Torah describes Esav as a man … Read More »

When Smaller is Bigger

Friday, November 14, 2025 - 8:57 AM

Despite the sea of black hats, I feel a bit overwhelmed. I’m in New York, attending the annual Kinus Hashluchim, the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries.

On the one hand, these are all my brothers-in-arms. It’s a fabulous, uplifting, and invigorating experience! A true delight for the soul!

On the other hand, Chabad has – Thank G-d – grown so much that I know less and less Shluchim as the years go on. And, the age gap with the newcomers continues to grow.

But, it’s not the lack of acquaintance that has me overwhelmed. It’s their success! I see young men – and their wives and families – who have accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. They have built communit… Read More »

Everything Counts

Friday, November 7, 2025 - 9:37 AM

Zohran Mamdani was elected the next Mayor of New York.

The Dodgers won the World Series.

The Boise State basketball team lost its season opener.

All of these events share something in common.

Mamdani’s election was the net result of every single vote cast for him. We shall see, what his tenure as Mayor of New York brings, but he was elected by each person’s vote.

The Blue Jays played 162 games and then won the playoffs to make it to the World Series. The competition went into extra innings of Game Seven. They lost by one point. Each out, including a runner arriving at the base less than a second after the ball, contributed to the final result.

The Broncos lost by one point. Against a Division II team. Who had a guard weari… Read More »