Rabbi's Blog

Rabbi Levi Cunin shares how a man who lived over 300 years ago had an impact on Malibu.

This weekend marks 18 years since the physical passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch global spiritual movement.

What does this have to do with Malibu? Everything.

Allow me to explain. A little over 300 years ago, a man who would become known as the Baal Shem Tov ("master of a good name") began to reveal a spiritual path of living. Based on ancient and mystical Jewish teachings, his words would go on to inspire generations including every race, color and creed.

The purpose of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings, as he saw it, was to inspire us to recognize, from the depths of our soul, each person's unique qualities, and to live  life with deep awareness and meaning... in constant joy.

What made his teachings unique was that he did not judge. Often when one is on a spiritual path, we find "spiritual arrogance,” that is, when a person believes that he or she is part of an elite who have "discovered" the truth, and all others are inferiors.

In contrast, Baal Shem Tov revealed an opposite approach of being "non judgmental."

When the Baal Shem Tov passed away, the torch of leadership eventually passed by his son to his most devoted student, the Rebbe Dov Ber of Mezritch. From that time until today, even in times when conditions were impossible, from the fires of the pogroms, to the ovens at Auschwitz, the flickering flame of the Baal Shemtovs teachings, continued to shine, sort of like the famous Energizer battery commercial. The Baal Shem Tov's legacy was to inspire people to reach higher, and live a life filled with the light of love and meaning.

In 1951 that torch that never went out was handed to the Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, also known simply as the Rebbe, a devout and learned scholar who himself had experienced the Holocaust.

Born on 1902, Rabbi Schneerson lived a life in what is described in our teachings as "htzna leches" (unpretentious and low-key). Only at the constant urging of the followers of these teachings, did he reluctantly accept the role of Rebbe.

During the next 43 years, he would go on to inspire people of all faiths  to challenge themselves, each  in his or her own way, to become kinder and do more good deeds.

As President Kennedy did with Peace Corps, so the Rebbe did with the establishments of world wide houses of light.  Just as President Kennedy's vision was for "regular" people to help the impoverished in other parts of the world, so the Rebbe's vision was for a kind of "spiritual corps" to dedicate each person's life in service to others. The Rebbe's "spiritual corps” inspired "regular" people to become leaders.

After the Rebbe's passing in 1994, the skeptics predicted an abrupt sudden stop to the "300 year old torch." But instead these houses -- centers of spirituality -- continued to blossom.

After that somber Saturday evening in June, 1994 I recall the sense of pain for all of us who were blessed to know this great man. Sitting with my dad, who was sent to Los Angeles by the Rebbe in 1965, we swelled up in tears as we comforted each other. Oddly, it was the same day OJ Simpson was fleeing from the police. It was then that my dad told me a message from the Rebbe from many years earlier: "If you ever find yourself in a moment of despair and hopelessness, don' allow yourself to get stuck! Instead, take all of that powerful energy and open up another house of light, another Chabad house! It was at that moment that we put our "thinking caps" aside. We simply got into the car to find a new location, and so Chabad of Malibu was established.

In Judaism, 18 is a significant number. And I share this story with you, because it was like a dream 18 years ago when we established Chabad here in Malibu. But it seems like it was just yesterday, when I heard the words straight from the master's mouth; one more action of goodness and kindness has the capacity to change the world, forever.

Shabbat Shalom!

A father who spends quality time with his children is rewarded, also exponentially. For both father and child, each hour is worth an amount that cannot be measured in dollars.

There is a story about a lawyer, who typically worked long hours. Often, he would come home after all of his family members were fast asleep. By that time, he was usually tired and irritable.

As he returned late one night, he was surprised by his 5-year-old son who was awake and patiently waiting for him.

The son did not waste much time: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure son, what it is?" replied the man.

"'How much do you make an hour?"

"Well, son, frankly that is really none of your business! Why do you ask such a thing?"

"Oh, I am so sorry, I did not mean to upset you, I just want to know."

The father thought for a moment and responded, "Well, I guess this is part of your education but you'll have to keep this one to yourself … I make $150 an hour."

There was a moment of silence which was followed by the son's next question; "Dad, may I please borrow $25?"

At this point, the father ran out of patience and responded, "'Is that why you asked me about how much money I make? Shame on you! Son, it’s late and you need to go to bed now!"

The young child quietly went to his room and shut the door.

After about an hour or so, the father had calmed down and began to feel badly about how he had spoken to his child. After all, his child was almost always respectful. Maybe he just needed something that costs $25. The father returned to his son's room.

"Are you asleep, son?" he asked.

"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.

"I've been thinking," said the father. "I was too hard on you earlier. It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $25 you asked for."

With a huge smile on his face, the little boy sat up.  "Oh, thank you daddy!" he yelled. Then, without missing a beat he reached under his pillow and pulled out a handful of crumpled up bills he had been saving over the year from his weekly allowance.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father. "Daddy, I have $150 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?"

As father’s day approaches, it is a good time for us fathers to remember the important, perhaps pivotal, role that we can play in the life of our children.  

Consider that the responsibility comes along with the privilege of fatherhood. Children who are afforded quality time with their father are positively impacted, exponentially!

And, one more thing: A father who spends quality time with his children is rewarded, also exponentially. For both father and child, each hour is worth an amount that cannot be measured in dollars.

To all the fathers out there: Happy Fathers Day!

Shabbat Shalom!

Consider what is going on all around us. Can our overall existence be one huge act of charity?

In one of his many teachings, the great 12th century Talmudist, physician, philosopher and communal leader, Mimonidies, describes how in charity, there are eight different levels.

Here is an abbreviated version, from the lowest to the highest.

1. When a person gives even unwillingly. 
2. One who gives parsimoniously but does so with a smile
3. Giving after being asked.
4. Giving directly to the person in need without waiting to be asked.
5. When the giver does not know who the recipient is but the recipient knows who the donor is.
6. When one gives and the recipient does not know who the donor is.
7. Total anonymity; Giving to the poor without knowing who the precise recipient is, and without the recipient knowing who the "donor" is.
8. Giving someone a job. Or entering into a partnership, so his/her hand will be strengthened to succeed autonomously.

Consider what is going on all around us. Can our overall existence be one huge act of charity?

For example, 20,000 species of bees pollinate most of the 225,000 different flower plants on the planet. To entice the bees to cross-pollinate, plants offer them their sweet nectar, which, in turn, the bees transform into honey – their only food source.

This is but a small example from the wondrous ways of nature and our reality. Indeed it seems that “charity” is an underlying principle in the system of our universe. Each creature has its sustenance placed before it in a profound way.

Perhaps Maimonides’s distinctions of charity can be applied to the most enigmatic gift of all, humanity.

For example, there are human beings that benefit from the gift (charity) of life, but currently find themselves receiving at the lowest rung of "charity" sadly, living life in a state of feeling unworthy or unwanted.

And the other end of the spectrum are those recipients who receive the gift of life with the same joy and hope as one who receives a new job or partnership opportunity. Indeed the ultimate partnership with the very gift of life, love and light is when we become givers ourselves!

Being the highest level recipient, is unique to humans. Animals for example, can only partner to a small degree. But us humans, in terms of the great possibilities gifted to us, when we perform random acts of goodness and kindness, we get to become "partners" with the source of life itself! 

What a gift!!

 Shabbat Shalom!