ב"ה

Rabbi's Blog

Thanksgiving B"H

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - 7:39 AM

We need to be constantly aware of G-d's abundant blessings to us and to express our appreciation.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them —President John F. Kennedy.

A few weeks ago, when I submitted my column to Malibu Patch editor Jonathan Friedman, I was asked if the B"H at the top of the page was part of the column. After I explained what it means, we decided to leave it to another time, when I could address its meaning and importance.

Thanksgiving is upon us, so what better time than now: B"H is all about acknowledging and articulating our gratitude—giving thanks. B"H is an abbreviation for two Hebrew words: Boruch Hashem. Literally, these words mean "blessed be The Name"—referring to the name of G-d.

The two words comprise an age-old Jewish response to many different questions; "How are you?" The response would be, "Boruch Hashem, (I'm) fine."

If you take a stroll down Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, right around the time when the moms are picking up their children from school, you would hear these words so often that, if you did not know better, you might think "Boruch Hashem" is the name of some famous Israeli baseball player. Well, now you know!

Here are some other questions that elicit the "Boruch Hashem" as part of the answer: "How are you feeling?" "How was your trip?" "How are the kids?" "Were you able to get the bills paid?"

Saying Boruch Hashem is a way of taking a moment to recognize, and be grateful to, our Creator. I was taught that the act of being grateful begins from the moment we open our eyes. We need to be constantly aware of G-d's abundant blessings to us and to express our appreciation.

As a very young child, I remember how my mother would wake my siblings and me with a prayer of gratitude to Hashem. My wife Sarah and I are delighted to carry on this tradition, that dates back thousands of years, with our children. Living in this great country, the land of the free, we are grateful that our forbearers have set aside a time, where each of us, regardless of our religious persuasion, sets aside this day, to offer our thanks, Boruch Hashem.

Consider, also, what Abraham Lincoln proclaimed, in the midst of deeply troubled times in the American Civil War, in his 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation: "To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God." That's where you hear a statement like, Boruch Hashem!

Happy Thanksgiving, B"H!

Infinite Opportunities

Friday, November 18, 2011 - 8:57 PM

A life lesson can be learned from this story.

Every moment, every human activity, is an opportunity to connect with the Infinite. It is only your will that may stand in the way. But as soon as you wish, you are connected.—Bringing Heaven Down To Earth.

Everyone knew George and Cynthia Stetson. George sat on the board of several public companies and Cynthia was well-known for her extensive charitable work. Together, they had just won the "Entrepreneur Couple of the Year Award" from a prestigious and very secretive "52 society," run by a group of great dignitaries.

Mark Manahan, a 22-year-old student, worked during his free time as an au pair at the Stetson home. Young Mark had a deep love for music. Every moment he had away from his study or work, he would spend in music.

Both George and Cynthia took a liking to young Mark. He was honest, responsible and had fine and admirable character traits, and was always on time. But perhaps the most important to the Stetsons, their teenage son Sam looked up to Mark. He always seemed to have the correct approach and the words to get their 14-year-old son Sam to do the right thing. One day, George called young Mark into his study.

"You are really a great kid," George said. "And I was thinking how I really want to give you a jump start in your career. This coming Monday morning, I will be heading to my Palm Springs estate, where I have an art collection that I have been developing for the past 40 years. I have decided to give you the opportunity to come with me, and you will have exactly one hour to claim any of my art possessions as yours. The hour will begin at exactly 10 in the morning and promptly end at 11. Anything you take out the doors during that hour will belong to you."

"Mr. Stetson," said Mark. "This is so very kind of you but totally not necessary. You pay me well and you treat me with such kindness. Thank you, but no thank you."

People do not say no to George. So after a long discussion, with George telling Mark how he was being given a great opportunity at a young age, Mark agreed. The meeting was set for Monday.

"Make sure you come with a big truck so you can fit everything you get in one trip,” said George as he bid farewell to Mark.

It did not take long for Mark to realize this was indeed a great opportunity. Mark had made detailed plans on what he was going to do with the proceeds of his gift. It included Mark helping out his parents, paying off his student loan and starting his big dream of beginning a state-of-the-art music program for special-needs kids. What Mark did not know was that the acquisition of this wonderful gift would prove to be far from a walk in the park.

Mark enlisted a buddy who owned an old Chevy, and off they were early Monday morning, to the Stetson estate in the desert.

When the clock hit the 10 o'clock hour and the doors opened, Mark entered. With much excitement, he saw with his first glance the magnificent art adorning the walls. As he was about to reach for the first piece of art, the sudden sound of the most ethereal and magnificent music began to fill the rooms. Mark had always been a big music fan, but the music he was now hearing was so awesome and beautiful, he could do nothing but stop and listen.

Indeed, George Stetson had hired the most gifted musicians of the Philharmonic. He offered them a huge reward if they could captivate Mark to the degree that he leaves with nothing.

As the music stopped for a moment, it felt like only seconds had passed since Mark had entered the house. Mark took a quick look at his watch and to his great surprise, it was already 10:30. He quickly gathered himself to go see what items he could take, when suddenly the musicians were joined by another group, and before he knew it, Mark was swept away in the brilliance of the composition that sounded to him as if it had just landed from a higher dimension.

As the magnificent arrangement came to a close, and the musicians began walking out the door, Mark attempted to carry the original Picasso that was before him.

"I am so sorry, Mr. Manahan," the butler told Mark. "But it is already 11 o'clock. I have been instructed to tell you that whatever you have removed from the home before 11 o'clock is Mr. Stetson's gift to you. Everything else must remain."

Indeed, George did give Mark the gift of a lifetime, only it was very different than what Mark was expecting. It was a lesson that Mark would share with others, for years to come; about the daily opportunities we have in life, the limited time we have to achieve them and the strength that it takes to remain focused.

A Salute to Our Veterans

Thursday, November 10, 2011 - 7:08 PM

Our men and women in the U.S. military are ready and willing at any time to defend our nation.

The world endures by virtue of three things—justice, truth and peace—Rabbi Shimeon Ben Gamliel, Avot 1-18

The former Soviet Union was sustained by lawlessness, deception and tyranny. My maternal grandparents had to flee from Russia during the cold winter of 1946. Not like so many others who fled in the midst of World War II, but in its aftermath to escape the established anti-Semitism of the Soviet empire. And thank G-d that they were blessed to settle here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

They tell a story about Oscar, the world's best, most accomplished and talented tightrope walker. He lived in Paris. His show featured all types of stunts and tricks from 500 feet in the air. While supported only by a tight, strong, metallic rope, Oscar walked blindfolded in his final concluding act. People traveled from all around the world to witness and observe the spectacular act in which he would place someone in a wheelbarrow and walk backwards on the rope while blindfolded.

Mr. Henry Whitlaw, a well-to-do businessman from the United State's East Coast, heard so much about Oscar, but he was skeptical. Because he was fearful of flying, Henry was not able to travel to Paris. So he made a very generous offer to Oscar, who agreed to come to the USA to perform his act over Niagara Falls.

As Oscar began his show, the crowd of thousands felt the adrenalin rush. As soon as Oscar finished, and his volunteer made it down safely from the wheelbarrow, the crowd roared with applause. Without skipping a beat, Oscar walked over to Mr. Whitlaw and asked, "Do you now believe I can do it?"

"Believe? Mr. Whitlaw exclaimed. "Why, I just saw you do it with my very own eyes!

"Do you really believe?"

"Of course, Oscar, I am absolutely convinced!"

"Well, if that's the case, would you please hop into the wheelbarrow, I would like to do this act again … with you!"

Our country is filled with people who truly believe. We believe in America, and that law, truth and peace are genuine and authentic values. And then there are those who put their belief into action. They are on constant standby, ready and willing at any time, to take their seat in the wheelbarrow.

They are the men and women of our Armed Forces.

On this Veterans Day, I am honored—on behalf of all of us who love our country—to say, thank you! May G-d bless you and keep you safe, and may G-d bless the United States of America.

Shalom!

Embracing the Challenges

Friday, November 4, 2011 - 6:03 PM

Even as the forces of darkness work tirelessly to get us to fail, the forces of light are fervently praying for our souls to overcome the many challenges and reach our highest potential.

"All the challenges with which a person is presented are intended to bring him to a more elevated state." —Rabbi Sholom Dovber of Lubavitch

Jerry Sinclair, a very successful man in his 60s, began his life story in the Bronx, where both his parents worked full-time jobs just to make ends meet. When he turned 27, Jerry started a business that grew exponentially. Thus, at age 45, he was able to sell his company at a great profit and spend his time doing what he enjoyed most—researching cures for terminal illnesses and investing in businesses that had meaning and value.

Jerry was very proud of his son Michael, a 19-year-old college sophomore. Michael was a child with impeccable character. He had a natural desire to do what is right. Michael was kind to the poor and volunteered each Tuesday evening to cook at the local homeless shelter. Also, whenever Michael had the opportunity, he would get his dad to garnish support among his buddies to sponsor one charitable cause or another.

Having grown up through the rough and the thick, Jerry was always concerned that one day his son would be lured into a moral dilemma, and because of his lack of experience, Michael might not have what it takes to withstand the pressure. And who is to say that Jerry would still be around to help him make the right choice?

After giving much thought to his concerns, Jerry came up with a plan. He would do the unthinkable—set up a morally challenging test for Michael. Jerry hoped that because of his son's superior character traits, and because Jerry was still in this physical world to help and encourage his son to do what is right, Michael would rise to the occasion and pass this difficult test with flying colors and be stronger for it.

Michael's mom was not fond of the idea, but after hearing Jerry out, she agreed to go along with the plan.

Michael had a teacher named Lisa Rembrandt, whom he really liked. She was a married mother of two who was not just a professor in social science, but the type of teacher who all the students looked up to for leadership.

Jerry approached Lisa and expressed his concern about Michael and his future. He told her about his plan and asked if she would help him set up a real-life "moral dilemma" to confront Michael.

Poor Michael was about to experience a situation that would rock his life and leave him with sleepless nights. But if, as his father hoped, Michael were to overcome this difficult challenge, then he would transform from a boy to a man.

Lisa saw this as a great opportunity for Michael and a worthwhile "social studies" project. So with the blessings of his parents, Lisa became the "culprit" of Michael's dilemma. She began to actively entice him in many different ways.

At first, Michael was overcome with shock at her advances. Soon, he became very confused and perplexed. How can it be that Lisa—such an upstanding person—would seek to lure him down such a dark path?

What Michael did not know is that while Lisa was actively doing everything she could to get him to fall, she was praying, with all her might, that he would not be lured into this trap. Indeed, when Michael succeeded, as Jerry hoped would certainly be the case, Jerry planned to make a big party for Michael where he would reveal their "secret plot."

The above scenario is a modern-day adaption from an ancient parable in the Zohar, the fundamental works of the Kabbalah. It is a description of our souls' journey here on earth. The "challenges" we face are so that we may graduate to a higher level for a deeper connection. And even as the forces of darkness work tirelessly to get us to fall, the forces of light are fervently praying for our souls to overcome the many challenges and reach our highest potential.

When the soul fulfills this mission, day by day, all the transient pain and suffering connected with the soul's descent and life on this earth are outweighed by the great everlasting bliss that the soul enjoys in the success of the journey.

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