Rabbi's Blog - Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho

A Yearlong Celebration

Friday, August 29, 2025 - 11:51 AM

What an unbelievable celebration! Last night, Idaho witnessed its first-ever Chassidic wedding. The energy and dancing were something from a different universe.

There were so many elements of our daughter’s wedding last night that I am still digesting – the emotional Chupah, the amazing Glatt Kosher dinner in one of Idaho’s most tasteful venues, and the lively dancing for hours and hours.

But, above them all, I’m absorbing the beauty of two souls merged as one. Seeing Mendel and Mushka together – smiling and supporting each other – is a joy that no word other than nachas can describe.

The celebration continues tomorrow with a Grand Kiddush luncheon and Sheva Brachos, sponsored by our loving and support… Read More »

Help Yourself

Friday, August 22, 2025 - 9:45 AM

As Esther and I prepare to bring our daughter, Mushka, to the Chupah next week, we are feeling endless gratitude coupled with an overwhelming sensation of pressure. Good pressure. The pressure that drives you to stay up way past your bedtime because something amazing needs to happen. The pressure that drives you to forget to eat lunch because you are simply too focused on the matter at hand.

Oh, did I mention that we will be holding the first Chassidic and certified kosher wedding in the history of Idaho? There’s a lot that goes into this. But, it’s a labor of absolute love for our daughter and future son-in-law.

*

The Talmud records a debate between the Roman governor Turnusrufus and the great Sage Rabbi Akiva:

Turnusrufus …Read More »

Mobile Torah

Friday, August 15, 2025 - 8:07 AM

In this week’s parsha, Eikev, Moshe talks about the Second Tablets. He recalls that G-d instructed him to make an Ark to house the Tablets. Interestingly, this Ark was not the Ark that stored the Tablets in the Sanctuary – that was built later. So what was the purpose of this Ark (aside from housing the Tablets until the Mishkan was built)?

The Talmud teaches that this Ark’s function was to go with the Jewish people at times of war. The Torah, symbolized by the Tablets and the Ark, traveled with the soldiers in their battles.

Apparently, this is not only an ancient tradition, but – as the pictures below demonstrate – continues today. There are many Torah scrolls in the IDF, and some of them go with the soldie… Read More »

Stay Proud and Stay Jewish

Friday, August 8, 2025 - 7:47 AM

A caring father recently made the following suggestion to me:

When taking children on outings for Chabad, perhaps the boys should not be wearing yarmulkes and the boys and girls don’t need to wear Chabad camp t-shirts that give away they are Jewish. In the current climate, safety is a concern.

I responded that I beg to differ. I certainly share his concern for the utmost safety of our children and ourselves. To that extent, we are very grateful to our volunteer security team at Chabad. It’s a priority!

But, hiding our Jewish identity does not make us safer. It makes us weaker.

And, it sends the very worst message to our children.

If Judaism is something I need to hide, they will muse, why bother? Instead of hiding the kippa… Read More »

Expelled from Sinai

Friday, August 1, 2025 - 7:58 AM

There is a saying in Yiddish, “Az gut iz gut, iz beser nisht beser?!” This translates to, “If good is good, is better not better?”

Put simply, this is a reminder to always strive for better, never to suffice with what we have accomplished. The Rebbe taught that in material matters we should always be satisfied with our lot. But when it comes to our spiritual journey, being satisfied is a shortcoming. It’s a fault to be strictly avoided.

In the twenty-first century it might be tempting to fall into a state of complacency. We may have challenges in the Holy Land and elsewhere, but they pale in comparison to the challenges of our ancestors.

Relative to historic terms, we Jews are safe and successful. We h… Read More »