Ten years ago this week was an event that changed countless lives. I myself grew up on the Coast, and although, thank G-d, my family was safe during the storm, we did lose our home and countless possessions.  The tangible reminders of untold memories were reduced to concrete slabs and staircases leading nowhere.  When I think about those days now, or try to explain them to others, I realize they were an experience completely foreign to someone who wasn’t there firsthand. As much as I might describe generators, MREs, shelters, four hour lines for gasoline, I cannot convey the feeling of the excruciating loss of routine, the disappearance of childhood haunts and the feeling that one’s life has been forever altered by events utterly out of your hands.

   There is a famous Midrash that describes Abraham discovering the existence of G-d. While wandering in a desert, he happens upon a beautiful palace, being consumed by an untamed fire! Upon not seeing anyone rushing to put out the fire, or even and the building’s care taker, Abraham yells out in disbelief, “Could it be that this palace has no owner!?” Suddenly, from inside a window in the burning building, the owner peers out and says, “I am the owner of this place.” Similarly Abraham realized the same is true of our world. Of course there is an owner.

  But why was the palace burning? The former Chief Rabbi of England Jonathan Sacks, explains this Midrash in a beautiful way. Avraham looked at the world, and saw a world on fire. Evil, sickness, death, injustice, the world seemed to be in a state of utter turmoil! So he wondered, “Can it be that no one is taking care of this chaotic world? Is it left to burn uncontrollably?!”

  When hearing this question, G-d “peers through the window”, and assures us that the world does indeed have an owner, who loves and takes care of it. True, we look around and see destruction, sometimes which defies our logic. But we must realize that the Owner is waiting for us to help put out the fire. G-d wants us to know that even amidst the negativity in our world, He is there. And He is waiting for us to pick up a bucket of water, a shovel, pen, or whatever other tools we may have, and help him put out the fire.

  The High Holidays are almost here! Please take a look at our schedule below, and join us for one of our exciting events!  Look out in your mailboxes this week for Chabad’s High Holiday Guide and schedule.

  May you be inscribed and sealed for a Good Year. K’siva v’Chasima Tovah.

  Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Akiva Hall

    Ten years ago this week was an event that changed countless lives. I myself grew up on the Coast, and although, thank G-d, my family was safe during the storm, we did lose our home and countless possessions.  The tangible reminders of untold memories were reduced to concrete slabs and staircases leading nowhere.  When I think about those days now, or try to explain them to others, I realize they were an experience completely foreign to someone who wasn’t there firsthand. As much as I might describe generators, MREs, shelters, four hour lines for gasoline, I cannot convey the feeling of the excruciating loss of routine, the disappearance of childhood haunts and the feeling that one’s life has been forever altered by events utterly out of your hands.

   There is a famous Midrash that describes Abraham discovering the existence of G-d. While wandering in a desert, he happens upon a beautiful palace, being consumed by an untamed fire! Upon not seeing anyone rushing to put out the fire, or even and the building’s care taker, Abraham yells out in disbelief, “Could it be that this palace has no owner!?” Suddenly, from inside a window in the burning building, the owner peers out and says, “I am the owner of this place.” Similarly Abraham realized the same is true of our world. Of course there is an owner.

  But why was the palace burning? The former Chief Rabbi of England Jonathan Sacks, explains this Midrash in a beautiful way. Avraham looked at the world, and saw a world on fire. Evil, sickness, death, injustice, the world seemed to be in a state of utter turmoil! So he wondered, “Can it be that no one is taking care of this chaotic world? Is it left to burn uncontrollably?!”

  When hearing this question, G-d “peers through the window”, and assures us that the world does indeed have an owner, who loves and takes care of it. True, we look around and see destruction, sometimes which defies our logic. But we must realize that the Owner is waiting for us to help put out the fire. G-d wants us to know that even amidst the negativity in our world, He is there. And He is waiting for us to pick up a bucket of water, a shovel, pen, or whatever other tools we may have, and help him put out the fire.

  The High Holidays are almost here! Please take a look at our schedule below, and join us for one of our exciting events!  Look out in your mailboxes this week for Chabad’s High Holiday Guide and schedule.

  May you be inscribed and sealed for a Good Year. K’siva v’Chasima Tovah.

  Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Akiva Hall

This week’s email is in honor of a very special women, Helen Brom, who even after her death, continues to be a force for good in the world.

We have often heard the term “The Chosen People” used in reference to the Jews, however many are unclear as to the meaning behind this seemingly elitist title. This description has at times been used by our enemies as proof of a “holier-than-thou” attitude, and conversely has been used by some Jews as a validation for near racist prejudice towards non-Jews. What does it mean to be “Chosen”? And by whom? And for what purpose?

   In the parsha, Moses addresses the Jewish people, saying, “Only your fathers did G-d love, and He chose you, their offspring, from all peoples.” And yet, in the next verse we are told that “He (G-d) does not show favor”! We learn from the episode of Joseph and his brothers the danger of favoritism. Could G-d so clearly “choose” the Jews and relegate the rest of humanity to second place?

 The Book of Koheles (Ecclesiastes) authored by King Solomon expresses a fundamental belief in our religion. “For everything there is a season, and a time for all that is under the sun.” The verse then goes on to list the opposite extremes of the human experience, declaring that there is nothing which does not have its time and place in G-d’s plan. This sentiment is also echoed in the Mishna (Pirkei Avos 4:3) “Do not despise any person, or disregard any thing, for there is no person that doesn’t have his hour, nor any thing that does not have its place.

 Clearly, there is nothing in our world that is superfluous. We see time and time again throughout the Torah that everyone is required to serve G-d with their unique talents. That’s why we have Kohanim, Levites, and Israelites. That is why we have special Mitzvot that are directed towords women, and other mitzvoth that are geared towards men. Every individual must serve G-d in the way that is innate to their character. No one else can accomplish this mission for them. This is why it is a grave mistake to believe that everyone’s service should be identical. If we all pretend that there are no differences between us,  that no one has strengths unique to themselves, then it is impossible for anyone to shine. But if we know that each person created by G-d has an individualized life-mission only they can fulfill, then EVERYONE will shine.   So it is true, the Jewish people were charged with being a “light unto the nations” by living a life dedicated to the Torah, a charge only they can fulfill. But at the same time and no less important, all people are commanded by G-d to be a living example of morality and integrity, filling the world with G-d consciousness. Both of these services are necessary and fit into G-ds plan. We are all chosen, for our individual roles in working to make our world a holier, G-dly place.

Wishing you and your family a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Akiva Hall