Rabbi's Blog - Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho

Don't Just Rebound

Friday, November 29, 2024 - 9:21 AM

With a broken heart, I landed in New York to join thousands of my colleagues at the annual Kinus Hashluchim (the International Conference of Chabad Lubavitch Emissaries). Sharing dinner with friends and brothers-in-arms, I was uplifted by the energy.

Despite the Kinus occurring during the Shiva after the tragic and heinous murder of our colleague Rabbi Tzvi Kogan הי"ד in the United Arab Emirates, we are marching forward.

One speaker reminded us that after the terrible terrorist massacre in Kfar Chabad, Israel in 1956, the Rebbe insisted on increasing activities and building Kfar Chabad ever more than before. It wasn’t enough to simply rebuild. The bounce back needs to be greater than the previous status quo.

So, the br… Read More »

Playing with Fire

Friday, November 22, 2024 - 8:48 AM

My daughters look forward to Friday. Truth be told, it’s a day with lots of work for them. Since it’s Erev Shabbos there’s a plethora of chores to get done. Cooking, cleaning, setting the table, baths and fresh clothes – Erev Shabbos is a busy day for everyone in our household.

Yet, the girls are excited because they will usher in Shabbat with the lighting of the candles. The older ones can’t wait to can help their younger sisters with this special mitzvah! Starting at three years old, they each light their own candle.

We once had a guest that frowned at this tradition. “How can you let a three-year old kindle a fire?” she exclaimed. “Aren’t you teaching her bad habits?”

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In t… Read More »

Insatiable Love

Friday, November 15, 2024 - 8:44 AM

Once upon a time, a fisherman was out on the lake and caught a huge fish. “This is wonderful!” he said aloud. “The Baron loves fish!” The fish thought, “Okay, there is hope for me. The Baron loves fish.”

The fisherman took the fish to the Baron’s palace, and notified the sentry that he had caught a great fish for the Baron. “Ah, such a beautiful fish! The Baron loves fish.”

Great,” thought the fish, “Confirmation.”

The fisherman presented it to the royal chef. “I will prepare this fish in the most perfect way.” The fish thought, “Indeed, I will receive special treatment! It’s my lucky day.”

Before preparing the fish, the chef and the… Read More »

Flight to Nowhere?

Friday, November 8, 2024 - 12:13 PM

Flights to nowhere are either joyous or frustrating.

During Covid, Qantas sold out a Flight to Nowhere in ten minutes. Evidently, people were quite bored and enjoyed the thrill. But, last week’s British Airways flight from London, UK to San Jose, Costa Rica turned around over the Atlantic and landed back in London, leaving many passengers deeply frustrated. It seems the cause was a water leak.

This week’s parsha is all about journeys. Avraham and Sarah, the first Jews, are instructed by G-d to, “Go from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.”

It’s obvious that they were people of great devotion and faith. They were told to travel, but not … Read More »

Voting Machines

Friday, November 1, 2024 - 10:27 AM

I’ll be honest. I’m hoping that in a week from now we will be living in a calmer society.

The political season brings with it much admirable emotions. The passion citizens have for their country. The values they hold dear. The devotion to volunteer for important causes.

But, I would need to have my head in the sand to ignore the detrimental effect it also has on our society. Politics is a nasty game. So much of it has become about putting down other people. It’s hard to avoid the insults. Our headspace is invaded by endless negativity and personal attacks.

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Chassidim often share the following anecdote:

As a small child, Reb Zalman Aharon (the “Raza”), the older brother of Rebbe Sholom DovBer of Luba…Read More »