Rabbi's Blog - Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho

The Call for an Audit

Friday, March 28, 2025 - 7:16 AM

In the current political climate we hear a fortune about spending fortunes. There’s DOGE, focused on cutting costs in the federal government. There’s Governor Desantis’ visit to Idaho to promote a balanced budget. There’s members of Congress giving themselves a raise. And, much more.

When it comes to public dollars – everyone has an opinion.

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This week’s Parsha, Pekudei, opens with the call for an audit. The Jews demanded an accounting of all the donations they had given to construct the Mishkan. Moshe complied, with an independent audit, as the Torah states:

“These are the numbers of the Mishkan, the Mishkan of the Testimony, which were counted at Moshe’s command; this was th…Read More »

Help Yourself!

Friday, March 21, 2025 - 8:25 AM

Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn once was asked by his father, the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, to travel someplace in order to assist a businessman in need.

Upon returning he declared to his father, “I have fulfilled your request. I helped this fellow in the best way possible.”

“You are mistaken,” his father replied. “You did not help the businessman. You helped yourself. The Almighty helped the businessman and you merited to serve as His messenger.”

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In the parsha of Vayakhel, we read about the contributions to the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Jewish people were very generous and donated more than sufficient materials for its construction. In fact, Moshe commanded them to stop. It was too much:

The…Read More »

When Adults Act Like Kids

Friday, March 14, 2025 - 6:44 AM

On a recent family trip, we all hiked up a mountain together. It was fairly easy for the first part. But, as we neared the peak, we needed to shift to climbing vertically and using ladders to get to the next level. I asked my three-year-old if he wanted to continue or to head back down. “Tatty,” he said, “I’m going to the top. Are you coming?”

He did make it to the top. With more energy than I had, I must admit. I may be stronger, but I was no match for his youthful energy.

As we celebrate Purim, I’m reminded of this distinction between young and old. A lot of us consider Purim to be a child-oriented festival. Dressing in costume and exchanging food. Eating treats and swinging our Graggers. It all… Read More »

Celebrated Status

Friday, March 7, 2025 - 7:55 AM

Purim will be held in a week, on March 13-14. It is considered the most joyous festival of the year. Yet, it’s not mentioned in the Torah. It’s a Rabbinic holiday, enacted to commemorate the story of Jewish salvation from the evil decree of Haman in Ancient Persia.

How can a Rabbinic festival elicit more joy than G-d’s festive occasions in the Torah?

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In this week’s parsha, Tetzaveh, we are taught about the sacred attire of the kohanim (priests) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). A kohen was only permitted to perform the sacred tasks if he was garbed in the four holy vestments. The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) was required to wear eight special garments every time he entered the sacred space. His garments wer… Read More »