What Do We Have?

In another peculiar dialogue between Eisav and Yaakov Avinu we find a hidden message of how to view our lives. When they reconnect after so many years, Eisav offers Yaakov to take whatever he wants from his possessions because, as he says, "I have a lot" (33:9). Yaakov responds by saying no thank you, "I have everything" (33:11). 

It is fairly clear that Yaakov does not actually mean he has everything. Instead, he means to say that he has everything he needs. Whatever Eisav wants to give him is unnecessary. Yaakov, the "ish tam", man of completeness, is once again showing that he needs no more than what he already has. As Pirkei Avos explains, "Who is rich? He who is happy with his portion" (4:1).

Perhaps we can glean an even more fundamental message from this contrast, other than how to view our possessions. The perspective Eisav had was only in proportion to those around him. "A lot" is only based on the fact that others have less. Yaakov focused on what he himself needed, in which case he had everything. The significance of our gains do not depend on anyone other than ourselves. What we do is not judged based on how we rank amongst others, it's how we rank against our own potential. 

Have a great Shabbos.

Parshat Vayishlach - Surmount the Struggle!

Looking for inspiration? The parsha, without fail, is a great place to start...

So here goes story time:

After leaving the house of his father-in-law Lavan, Ya'akov now heads back home to Israel and is preparing to reunite with his twin brother Eisav. But Ya'akov wasn't exactly anticipating a reunion filled with brotherly love. His last encounter with Eisav before Ya'akov's departure to the land of Charan was not exactly an agreeable one between the two of them. Ya'akov had just taken the valuable blessing of the first born from his father Yitzchak --- a blessing that his older brother Eisav was expecting to receive (despite the deal that was made between them over some red lentil soup, Breishit 25:32). Ya'akov left home in a hurry after the event. Eisav was not too happy about the scenario, and their mother Rivka was concerned that Ya'akov's life might actually be in danger if he stayed around for too long. 

So now, four wives and twelve children later, Ya'akov is facing his brother once again and is not sure how his brother will greet him. Ya'akov sends men to check out what Eisav's up to, and it turns out that he's approaching with 400 men! 

Afraid of what Eisav might be intending with such a large group, Ya'akov prepares for every possible scenario. In case Eisav is ready to go to war, Ya'akov splits his family into two camps -- hopefully even if one camp falls, the other will survive! He prays to G-d for protection, and he sends gifts of animals to his brother to appease him.

But perhaps even more interesting than the actual encounter that ensues between the two (don't worry, Ya'akov and the future of the Jewish people leave the reunion alive and well), is an encounter that Ya'akov has just beforehand with a mysterious someone. Ya'akov ends up in a struggle one-on-one with a nameless individual until dawn, and commentators have to bring in all kinds of explanations as to what's actually going on, because it's just so unclear! (The often quoted interpretation is that it was actually an angel of Eisav that Ya'akov was fighting with!) 

Rabbi Blau of Yeshiva University told me a powerful message that comes out of the line up of these two stories one after the other -- of Ya'akov and his preparations to meet Eisav followed by his personal struggle. 

The moral of the story was that we have to be like Ya'akov.

And here's why:

Ya'akov was someone who anticipated challenges that he might face in his future and did everything that was in his power to prepare for them to the best of his ability. And we should do the same! But it is also important to realize, that as much as you prepare, there is always those challenges that you can't predict -- that struggle with an unknown individual, be that someone else or yourself, that you never saw coming. Life is all about the struggle! A life without challenge is a life without accomplishments.They say that if a fish isn't swimming against the current, that means it's dead. In more positive terms, the surest sign of life is if you're up for the challenge.

There's an important ending to this story. Even though Ya'akov gets injured in the struggle, he ultimately comes out on top and leaves as an individual who is so much greater because of it -- he doesn't just survive the struggle, but he leaves with a new name: Yisrael. This is the name that is a source of pride to our people. It is attached to our nation, our homeland, and should inspire us daily to overcome every struggle we face.

Post by, Sarina Miller

Life is a journey. And like any journey we take- we need to plan and think. We need to plan and think about the decisions that we make, and why we are making those decisions. If we aren't sure where we are headed- we need to ask for directions and discover the trail for ourselves.

Ask. Discover. Think. Plan. 

What Would You Attempt To Do If You Knew You Could Not Fail?

Many times when people speak about courage they describe scenarios of heroic bravery, like the selfless Israeli soldiers who at a very young age put their lives at risk to protect our people and our country. Sometimes we may become disheartened, thinking that if we can never achieve that kind of courage then we can never call ourselves heroic.

But in fact there is a kind of courage that we experience every day of our lives. These are the moments when we are faced with the question: Do I want to live a life of mediocrity or do I want my life to be extraordinary? These are the day to day decisions that impact our very being and the challenges that we face as individuals to improve our very lives.

Morrie Schwartz says in “Tuesdays with Morrie”: "So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." 

Choosing to live a meaningful life, that is courage.

Pray for Your Haters

I am part of a student group at college called Beat Therapy, which focuses on music therapy and music education. With a few other members, I went a few days ago to a local public school and played rhythm games with the students there. We had a blast, the music they created was incredible, the discussions were enlightening, but something above all else left a lasting impression on me. One of the students was wearing a sweatshirt with words on it. The words were: Pray for your Haters. I was really taken aback by this; what does that even mean? Then I started pondering it and realized how unbelievable it was that those words were on a sweatshirt.

The message just floored me: instead of doing harm or even wishing harm on your "enemies," pray for them.  Instead of increasing the negative emotions in this world, bring positivity to everything you do. I've thought about it for days. In every situation, we have more opportunities to bring good into this world than we can count. We have endless chances every day to bring good into this world- to bring Gd into this world in a very real way.

So, pray for your haters. Don't wish for something bad to happen; pray that something good will happen, pray that Gd will help them.

In the wise words of Qui-Gon Jinn in the Phantom Menace: "There is always a bigger fish." I think this can be use metaphorically towards our lives. No matter where we are or what position we are put in, there is always someone, or something, higher. 

Celebrate Your Appreciation

When we go somewhere, we know where we leave from. In the case of Yaakov Avinu, however, in this week's Parsha, the pasuk tells us first that he left B'er Sheva and then that he went to Charan! What is the significance in telling us that Yaakov left B'er Sheva?

Rashi tells us that the Torah emphasizes how Yaakov's leaving was more than a geographic relocation, but it also left B'er Sheva empty, deprived of the splendor that Yaakov provided.

The sad part of the story is how they only realized this after he left. Shlomo HaMelech says in one place that "He who found a wife has found goodness" (Mishlei 18:22). In another place, however, he says "And I find more bitter than death, the woman"(Koheles 7:26). The difference is in the tense of the statement. The Vilna Gaon explains that according to human nature the first pasuk speaks in the past tense- how things were good. The second is in the present, how one is constantly reminded of the bad.

In the spirit of giving thanks, let us not take anything for granted. Rather, let us recognize and outwardly appreciate all the good we have in our lives. Shabbat Shalom. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for.

:-)

Ki Va Moed - The Time Has Come

The following was written by a friend of mine who is in Israel for the year. I found it to be incredibly inspiring, and thought it might have the same effect on you.



As we all know it is not an uncommon phenomenon for Israel to be met by threats and danger by her vicious enemies. In an expression of concern we find ourselves perusing news channels, papers and websites for information and facts about the situation. Whilst facts are important, people are more so and it is for this reason that I am writi

ng this.

Being in Israel at this time is nothing short of a privilege. Whilst the threats are immanent and the people weary; there is an undeniable spirit of resilience and unity that presides, one that no journalist or report will ever capture. The sirens drone and rockets fly, yet I have found myself truly memorized by the morale of the people, pressed to find someone void of courage, hope and faith. I am not for one moment trying to negate the great danger and tragedy of the situation that faces Am Yisrael here in Israel, but rather wish to try and demonstrate the true heroism of our people, for whom this is but normal. Ironically all too many “out of towners” have said they feel safer here than they ever have in Chutz La Aretz, the answer, as to why is quite simple. In Israel fellow Jews, not hostile strangers, surrounds us. Media stations do not try and vilify the IDF, but rather send out the names of the wounded so people can daven for them. Jews do not feel vulnerable, but united, empowered as a people in our land. Perhaps the most reassuring of all is the people’s faith. Named operation “Amud Anan” by secular army officials, after the pillar of smoke that guided Bnei Yisrael out of Mizrayim in the Torah, it is impossible to think that Hashem is not with His people at this dire time. On the contrary, we join together and sing… “Atah Takum, T'rachem Tsiyon, ki et l'chenanah ki va moed.” “Rise up, comfort Zion, because it is time to be gracious to her, because her time has come!”

The time has indeed come. The time has come for Am Yisrael to defend itself. The time has come to end the ongoing terrorism that plagues our people. The time has come for Am Yisrael to live in peace.
Ki Va Moed.

How can I do something?

Throughout the past few days, we have been hearing about the tough situation that has been going on in Israel. We have all been going through many emotions. One of them being distance. I feel that this is a very present emotion for myself and many others. We all feel for our brothers and sisters in Israel, but we are at a loss of what to do.  I came across something that looks to me like an amazing opportunity.

On this site, you can fill out a very simple form about yourself, and in return you get a name of a solider or resident who is in need of your help. This is your special partner. You can do anything you want, in his merit, to help him through this time. Acts of kindness, learning, davening, saying brachos etc... are all acceptable!

By having this one name become a part of you- I think that we will all be able to feel a little bit closer, and hopefully with HaShem's help we will be able to accomplish GREAT things! 

Here is the link:
http://www.shmiraproject.com/SignUp.aspx

Self Realization and introspection

I believe that we are not just the sum of our actions. Rather, we are the summation of our actions and our perspectives, our thoughts and our intentions, our direction and purpose. We are judged by what we do and how we treat people, and with this in mind, we should consider how we treat people. I was always taught before one says something, one should think if it is helpful, true, and kind. These, I think, are principles that we should all try to live by. More than that, because we are not just the sum of our actions, but rather the combination of our actions and thoughts, then our actions should reflect our thoughts. Our actions should be intended for the betterment of self as well as the benefit of those around that person's said self. May we all continue in the pursuit of bettering ourselves and the respect of other people through our actions and thoughts.

The Inner Life Of A Cell

Ever learn biology and think this is super cool, but I can't really picture how this would work??

Students from Harvard made a video showing what's really going on inside us.

If you watch this video you'll be completely blown away by how miraculous the human body is!

Here is a link to the full 8 minute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrXykvorybo&feature=related
Here is the link to the full video with narrations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GigxU1UXZXo

We Are Unlike Any Other Nation

And Eretz Yisrael Is Unlike Any Other Land

"Eretz Yisrael is not something apart from the soul of the Jewish people, it is no mere national possession, serving as a means of unifying our people and buttressing its material or even its spiritual survival. Eretz Yisrael is part of the very essence of our nationhood; it is bound organically to its very life and inner being. Human reason, even at its most sublime, cannot begin to understand the unique holiness of Eretz Yisrael; it cannot stir the depths of love that are dormant within our people. - Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook ztl

We Will Stand With Israel Forever

Overview on the Parsha- Toldos

Taken from Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu

After 20 years of marriage, Yitzchak's prayers are answered and Rivka conceives twins. The pregnancy is extremely painful. G-d reveals to Rivka that the suffering is a microcosmic prelude to the worldwide conflict that will rage between the two great nations descended from these twins, Rome and Israel. Esav is born, and then Yaakov, holding on to Esavs heel. They grow and Esav becomes a hunter, a man of the physical world, whereas Yaakov sits in the tents of Torah developing his soul. On the day of their grandfather Avrahams funeral, Yaakov is cooking lentils, the traditional mourner's meal. Esav rushes in, ravenous from a hard days hunting, and sells his birthright (and its concomitant spiritual responsibilities) for a bowl of lentils, demonstrating his unworthiness for the position of firstborn. A famine strikes Canaan and Yitzchak thinks of escaping to Egypt, but G-d tells him that because he was bound as a sacrifice, he has become holy and must remain in the Holy Land. He relocates to Gerar in the land of the Philistines, where, to protect Rivka, he has to say she is his sister. The Philistines grow jealous of Yitzchak when he becomes immensely wealthy, and Avimelech the king asks him to leave. Yitzchak re-digs three wells dug by his father, prophetically alluding to the three future Temples. Avimelech, seeing that Yitzchak is blessed by G-d, makes a treaty with him. When Yitzchak senses his end approaching, he summons Esav to give him his blessings. Rivka, acting on a prophetic command that the blessings must go to Yaakov, arranges for Yaakov to impersonate Esav and receive the blessings. When Esav in frustration reveals to his father that Yaakov has bought the birthright, Yitzchak realizes that the birthright has been bestowed correctly on Yaakov and confirms the blessings he has given Yaakov. Esav vows to kill Yaakov, so Rivka sends Yaakov to her brother Lavan where he may find a suitable wife.

Loving Every Jew

"If only I would love the greatest tzaddik (righteous person) as much as Hashem loves the greatest rasha (wicked person)!"

-Baal Shem Tov

“Courage is... the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared and how not to fear what ought not to be feared.”
-David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister

As we keep Israel in our thoughts and prayers, we must remember that life in Israel continues. Although times can be devastating- too much time spent in bomb shelters, too many sounds of rockets- we cannot live in fear. We must remember that as we unite, we become stronger. Together, we ignite the beautiful flame that is the worldwide Jewish community. Together, from wherever we are in the world, we support Israel.

Prayer for Israeli Soldiers - Remy Kaskel

Please pray for the Israeli soldiers fighting in Gaza right now.


מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת חַיָּלֵי צְבָא הֲגַנָּה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, הָעוֹמְדִים עַל מִשְׁמַר אַרְצֵנוּ וְעָרֵי אֱלהֵינוּ מִגְּבוּל הַלְּבָנוֹן וְעַד מִדְבַּר מִצְרַיִם וּמִן הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל עַד לְבוֹא הָעֲרָבָה בַּיַּבָּשָׁה בָּאֲוִיר וּבַיָּם. יִתֵּן ה' אֶת אוֹיְבֵינוּ הַקָּמִים עָלֵינוּ נִגָּפִים לִפְנֵיהֶם. הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יִשְׁמֹר וְיַצִּיל אֶת חַיָלֵינוּ מִכָּל צָרָה וְצוּקָה וּמִכָּל נֶגַע וּמַחְלָה וְיִשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה וְהַצְלָחָה בְּכָל מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיהֶם. יַדְבֵּר שׂוֹנְאֵינוּ תַּחְתֵּיהֶם וִיעַטְרֵם בְּכֶתֶר יְשׁוּעָה וּבְעֲטֶרֶת נִצָּחוֹן. וִיקֻיַּם בָּהֶם הַכָּתוּב: כִּי ה' אֱלֹהֵיכֶם הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּכֶם לְהִלָּחֵם לָכֶם עִם איבֵיכֶם לְהוֹשִׁיעַ אֶתְכֶם: וְנאמַר אָמֵן

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob -- may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Forces, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God, from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May the Almighty cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighters from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under our soldiers’ sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is the Lord your God, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

Inspirational Poems by David Selis

I am the hope 

(Inspired by Jewish history and HaTikvah)

I am the hope of two thousand years

I am the hope!
I am the hope that carried the Jewish people through troubled times---
through the trauma of the destruction of the temple.

I am the hope--- the hope for a return to our homeland.
I am the hope-- the hope for the continuation of the Jewish people.

I am the hope that was fulfilled with the return from Galut Bavel under Ezra and Nechemia.
I am the hope that sustained our people as roman troops sacked the Holy city!
I am the hope which has sustained our people for two thousand years!

I am the hope which grew stronger as our enemies stood upon us to destroy us.
i am the hope which drove the pioneers to begin reclaiming the land .
I am the hope which has sustained, sustained and will sustain our people!

I am the hope which despite the horrors of the ghetto, did yet live in our hearts.
i am the hope for a better future in which our children will no longer  face persecution.

I am the hope that inspired Jews to fight in the Warsaw ghetto.

I am the hope--- the hope of two thousand years.
I am the hope- the hope for a return to our land.

I am the hope;
the hope which drove the burned remnant of the shoah to flood the gates of the land of our fathers.

I am the hope, the hope which is not lost and will never be lost.

I am the hope; the hope which is passed on to our children as they journey to the land of our fathers.
I am the hope; the hope that Jews and Arabs will one day live in peace.
I am the hope; for a better tomorrow; a tomorrow free of terror, war and violence.

I am the hope; to be a free people in our land!
I am the hope which brings us closer to the days of the Messiah!
I am the hope; the hope for live in a world which will be fully redeemed!

I am the flame

(Inspired by my experiences on NCSY Yarchie Kallah)

I am the flame

I am the flame which burns within each Jewish soul!

        I am the spark which when given fuel and air,

------------------blossoms into a flame which starts a blaze.  

    I am the spark which is lit at Yarchie Kallah.

I am the flame of Torah which consumes everything.---------

I am the inferno which overpowers all that confronts it.-------------------

Am I Really Free?

Rav Kook zt'l has an amazing quote on what it means to be free:

"There could be a freeman with the spirit of a slave, and there could be a slave with the spirit of a freeman; whoever is faithful to his self - he is a freeman, and whoever fills his life only with what is good and beautiful in the eyes of others - he is a slave."

So now ask yourself: which would you rather be?

How We Play the Hand

In a peculiar exchange of Parshas Toldos, Esav returns from the field to ask Yaakov "Let me swallow, please, that red, red [stuff]". Because of this request, the pasuk tells us, "they called him Edom", meaning "red" (Bereishis 25:30). 

This is not, however, the first encounter we see of Esav and redness. In fact, Esav was covered -already from the womb!- in red. Why is it that only now he was called "red" after this fairly vague and enigmatic statement regarding lentils? He was covered in red "like a hairy mantle" (Bereishis 25:25)! 

Regardless of what exactly Esav's statement implies, at the very least it reflects a perspective Esav cultivated on his own. His statement was a manifestation of some engrained attitude towards life. His naturally hairy body, on the other hand, was not his decision, it was merely a predisposition. 

We are all different, whether it be through our nature or our individually nurtured upbringings. The way we are judged and the legacy we leave is not based on how we are born or with what qualities we naturally contain. What matters is how we make the most of what we are given. 

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." - Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

TAKE THE SHOT

An amazing video about believing in yourself...

By Charlie Harary

You have what it takes.

Jewish Unity for Israel

Over 100 rockets from Gaza have hit Southern Israel in the past 24 hours. Situations like this should remind us that no matter who we are or where we stand, we are all one family!

Our hearts and our prayers are with our brothers and sisters in Israel.

How much are YOU willing to dig?

You Dig?

by Rabbi Shafner of Bais Abraham Congregation (aka Bais Abe) in St. Louis

In this weeks Torah portion, Toldot, the Torah tells us that, "Isaac re-dug the wells his father Abraham had dug, for the Philisteins had stopped them up.  Isaac renamed the wells just as his father Abrahm had."    If the Torah carefully picks and chooses what it tells us about our ancestors, why bother to tell us that they dug wells?  What are we meant to learn from this? 

The word for "well" in Hebrew is "Ba'er" which can also mean "to explain" or "to bring meaning to".  The Sefat Emet tells that our ancestors dug wells for water but that the Torah also means to tell us that they "dug into" the world to explain it to us in a unique way, to illuminate its spirituality which is often hidden.  This is the legacy our ancestors started and the gift they each gave to us in their own particular way through their "digging".  How do you dig the world to uncover its depth and spiritual meaning?

How Do You Tap Into Your Own Potential?

Buffalo Grove Chapter watched this video at Frappatorah and discussed the importance of finding the strength within you to grow and become a stronger person. 

"Theres nothing worse than having that feeling of what could have been"

Myself by Edgar Guest

This is an amazing poem that expresses an amazing attitude to have in life. I have it hanging on my mirror in my bedroom at home.

I have to live with myself and so
I want to be fit for myself to know,
I want to be able as days go by,
To look at myself straight in the eye.
I don't want to stand with the setting sun
And hate myself for the things I've done.

I don't want to hide on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself,
And fool myself as I come and go
Into thinking that nobody else will know
What kind of man I really am;
I don't want to dress myself in sham.

I want to go with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men's respect
And in this struggle for fame and pelf
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know
That I am a bluster and empty show.

I cannot hide myself from me;
I can see what others can never see;
I know what others can never know,
I cannot fool myself, and so

Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free.

The Dash Poem

This is a beautiful poem reminding us what life is really about

http://lindaellis.net/the-dash/the-dash-poem-by-linda-ellis/

(Due to copyright issues we can't post the actual poem, but if you click on the link it'll take you to where you can read it)

Doing Something Real

Hi everyone!

A friend sent this website to me and I think it's awesome. It's definitely worth browsing through-- I have it saved as a bookmark!

http://www.doingsomethingreal.com/#!home/mainPage

The Jewish Response to Hardship

When you look through the book of Beraishit it is hard not to be struck by the sheer tenacity of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs to not only persevere under sometimes crushing and challenging circumstances, but to emerge from the event and courageously shoulder on  engaging whatever next life places before them. This model of defying life’s frustrations and defeats and refusing to retire from the struggle no matter its difficulty finds expression in an interesting phrase that repeats itself in our Parsha.

R. Stuart Weiss offers this fascinating insight.

The Parsha we read yesterday speaks broadly of three events: The death of Sarah, the purchase of Me’arat Ha’machpela, and the shidduch and subsequent marriage of Rivkah and Yitzchok. A possible thread that connects these narratives is the use of the verb, va’yakam, to rise up, which repeats itself in all three cases. To illustrate:

- When Avraham is done mourning Sara, the pasuk says, “VAYAKAM Avraham, and Avraham arose…”

- And when Eliezer is sent to find a wife for Yitzchok, the verse says, “VAYAKAM vayelech, and he arose and went …”

- And to cap it all off, when Rivkah assents to the marriage, VATAKAM Rivka…va’taylachna, and Rivkah arose and went ….”

After the trauma of Sarah’s death, we would certainly have been sympathetic if Avraham had chosen to retire from the stage of history, but he does not. He’s alive and there’s more living to be done. There’s a son to be married off along with another 50 years to father six more children. And Avraham rises up!

Both Rivkah and Yitzchok’s “rising” would also signify a new and important chapter in their lives. Rivkah would leave a home filled with idolatry and chicanery for a new life of chesed and emes (kindness and truth) as she helps to forge our nation. And Yitzchok would emerge from the ordeal of the Akeida to find love and companionship with his wife and take his rightful place among our Forefathers.

The message here is quite plain. When faced with adversity and hardship, our spiritual DNA, “hard-wired” for us by our ancestors, kicks in. First we know to endure bravely and then “va’ya’kam,” to rise up and push forward.

What a metaphor for Jewish renewal this is! It is this behavior of vayakam, most recently witnessed when in the aftermath of Sandy’s devastation so many rose up and displayed the uncommon courage to reclaim and restore and the blessed ethic to help and share, that inspires and gives us all strength – chizuk! We salute them all.

(from Rabbi Jeffrey Bienenfeld)

Avraham's Healing Stone

The gemara says that Avraham Avinu wore a precious stone that would immediately heal any sick person who looked at it. But chazal also say that in the days of Avraham, there were no sick people!

So how do we explain this special stone that Avraham wore?

The Slominer Rebbe gives an incredible explanation:  

Avraham Avinu, like all great tzaddikim, was compared to the sun. Just like the sun gives life to all of the creations with its light and warmth, so too a tzaddik embodies the middot of chesed and ahava, by giving kindness and love to all people. It wasn’t the stone that did the actual healing, but it was Avraham himself. Anyone who saw Avraham would be healed immediately, because they saw that his entire character was one of kindness and sweetness. The people who were healed by Avraham weren’t those with physical sicknesses, but they were those who were suffering from a broken heart, from being overwhelmed by the stresses of life.  By looking at Avraham these people would recognize that there is such more to live for despite the challenges they were going through.

A true tzaddik will give life to a person by making them feel like a person, like they are worth the whole world. Rav Moshe Weinberger says that “the nature of a tzaddik is not being able to bear seeing people not being who they can be.”

Avraham Avinu teaches us how to be a genuine tzaddik. A tzaddik has the koach to heal broken hearts, to bring out the good in people to enable them to recognize their own greatness.

We should all strive to become a tzaddik, to embody the middot of chesed and ahava and empowering people to reach their potentials!

Have a beautiful Shabbos!

(Based on a shiur from Rav Moshe Weinberger: Avraham’s healing stone)

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What Do We Really Do In Midwest NCSY??

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What we think we do in Midwest NCSY

What we really do in Midwest NCSY

NCSY News - Rabbi Akiva Gutnicki

Hey Everyone, Rabbi Akiva from South Bend here. Just wanted to update you on the latest happenings from NCSY. 

Midwest NCSY convention was awesome! Imagine seeing Jews from all over the Midwest. Now put them on a bus for 10 hours and you start to understand the electricity in the air.
We went to Mall of America, the biggest mall in the US. Afterwards we got into the NCSY spirit with singing and dancing. Then came Shabbos and the fun continued. There was a boys vs girls shout feast. The girls trounced the guys.
The NCSY sessions had an awesome topic that was very real, namely, "Relationships and what makes them work." We defined what real love is. Relationships are much more than just being attracted to one another. There were real issues being discussed from NCSYers. One person talked about overcoming the hurdles that she was facing and really fighting for what she believes in.
After Shabbos we went to an awesome arcade and entertainment place. There were batting cages, bumber cars, and much more. One of the highlights of the Shabbaton was the kumtzits. Ask your NCSYers about it.

Read what our NCSYers said about the convention:
"The trip to Minnesota was life changing. I am so thankful I went. I look forward to future NCSY events." - Megan Widmoyer
"The convention was fun and inspirational." - Adin Sloman
"The convention was phenomenal. The advisers were the best around, each still young yet so mature. Each Rabbi made us feel so comfortable. They were the ones that made the trip so special." - Zachary Widmoyer

At our local chapter we had our annual bonfire event. It was a real blast. We had a huge bonfire thanks to our local expert, Rabbi Lindow. The food was awesome. We had Nachi's legendary eggplant parmesean, which won rave reviews. There was hot chocolate, marshmellows, and lots of other goodies. Other highlights was Rabbi Nebel giving billiard lessons to Megan Widmoyer, our new Vice President. Aaron Widmoyer, our newest NCSYer, enjoyed his first event.

The real highlight was Don Lerman with his saxophone and Zachary Widmoyer with his drums playing Jewish folk music.

Upcoming events include, "Strikes and Spares" (Sunday, Nov 18, 2-4 pm) with unlimited go karts, bowling, and arcades for only $8. What a steal!
We will be having lounge night a week from this Wednesday. (Nov 7th, 6:30-8:30 pm) with pizza.
Mark your calendar for December 7-8 as we will be having a local NCSY chapter convention, stay tuned for more details. It's going to be epic!!
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