Rabbi's Blog - Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho

Perfecting the Imperfect

Friday, March 27, 2026 - 8:50 AM

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 »

Don’t Skip the Boring Stuff

Friday, March 20, 2026 - 7:13 AM

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 »

E Pluribus Unum

Friday, March 13, 2026 - 7:35 AM

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 »

Sandwiched in Love

Friday, March 6, 2026 - 11:36 AM

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 »