Rabbi's Blog - Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho

Do Not Reckon

Friday, June 26, 2026 - 9:41 AM

During Stalin’s brutal rule, he targeted many enemies. Religion was one of them. Practicing Judaism was not officially outlawed. Instead, it was relentlessly crushed through state-sponsored suppression. Synagogues were confiscated and repurposed, religious education was banned, and mikvahs were filled with cement.

Supreme amongst the methods was going after the Jewish religious leaders. If they were persecuted and ceased to exist, the entire edifice of Jewish life would crumble.

To a large degree, Stalin and the Communists were successful.

But, there was one man who stood in his way. His name was Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Previous (sixth) Lubavitcher Rebbe. He was defiant in his battle to preserve Judaism, no matter the… Read More »

Opportunity Knocks

Friday, June 19, 2026 - 7:42 AM

This week’s parsha has a strange name. It’s called Korach, named after an infamous fellow who led a revolt against Moshe. The Torah tells about his rebellion and how he was swallowed up by the earth. True, the major theme of the parsha is Korach’s failed mutiny. But why name an entire parsha after a wicked person? We don’t even have a “Moshe” parsha in the Torah!

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We can better understand Korach’s character by posing yet another question: Why did Korach wait until this particular moment to challenge Moshe’s leadership? For an entire year and a half he did not voice his opposition to Moshe. But, now – after the story of the spies (see last week’s parsha Shelach), he suddenly… Read More »

Never Negotiate Against Yourself

Friday, June 12, 2026 - 6:13 AM

It’s hard to know with whom America is negotiating.

We hear conflicting reports by the hour – or minute – about whether a deal with Iran is imminent or not. Or, whether any real negotiations are actually happening.

It reminds me of the business saying, “Never negotiate against yourself!”

This principle might help us understand the fatal flaw in this week’s parsha.

In Parshat Shelach we read about Moshe sending spies to scout out the Land of Israel, then known as Canaan. Unfortunately, they returned with a negative report, leading to the catastrophic punishment of wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. Only, the next generation would enter the Promised Land.

How did the spies – who had witnes… Read More »

Give or Take

Friday, June 5, 2026 - 8:27 AM

My daughter informed us of a dilemma she has at her dormitory. She can choose roommates who will give her a great time or she can choose roommates who may not be her best friends, but who look up to her and need her leadership. This was the choice her dorm counselor gave her.

My wife and I left the decision with her. But, we were impressed to hear her say that she realizes that sometimes you gain more out of giving versus getting.

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In this week’s parsha Behaalotecha, G-d commands Moshe to share of his spirit with the seventy elders. By delegating some of his own spirit, the burden on Moshe would be lessened.

But if Moshe gifts a portion of his spirit, doesn’t that diminish Moshe? As the saying goes, “You can't have yo… Read More »