(Rabbi) for the last time..... and a few blessings!

B"H

Please forgive the lack of personalization in this letter. Although it is written in an impersonal way, it is a most personal letter, and each word is written with you in mind. I hope you can appreciate its meaning.

 

With G-d's help we are finally approaching the wedding, which is going to take place this coming Tuesday the 14^th of Menachem-Av (August 4^th) in Johannesburg South Africa.

Kabbalah teaches that there are three times in life when the gates of heaven are open to each individual, when they can ask for anything and everything they need, and their prayers are answered.

The first time is when we are born, the second is at the Chuppa, and the third is right before the soul leaves the body.

Well… when we are born, most of us don't exactly know what to ask for… for besides food, warm clothes, a comfortable crib and a clean diaper, we aren't exactly 'high maintenance' when we weigh seven lb…

And when it comes time to leave this world, many a person does not have the clarity to be able to ask, and there isn't much more to ask for one's self at that time. Maybe a little prayer for family or friends can be squeezed in.

So we are left with the wedding day. The 'problem' with this chance, is that one can get so preoccupied with 'preparations' that he/she forgets what they are preparing for!

And before we know it the 20 something little youngster find themselves standing under the chuppa, not comprehending the awesomeness of the moment and not utilizing the opportunity to ask and beseech for all the happiness and blessings to pour down in abundance for the new home..

Not this time!

In just under 100 hours Chayale and I will be standing under the chuppa. For those few minutes the gates of heaven will be open for us, and we will have a private audience with the King of kings. We will ask of course that the home we build should be worthy of His presence, where healthy parents raise healthy children in a Jewish and Chassidic home, full with kindness, generosity and love.

 

At such a time, one runs the chance of becoming ego centered and focusing solely on one's own needs and not on those of those so dear to him/her. Those, who for the first two decades of their lives influenced them, grew with them, and touched them in ways that a mere 'thank you' can never do justice to everything they have done to help shape us to who we have become.

Not this time!

At this opportunity when we have a direct phone line with Hashem, we will ask Hashem that He pour down all His blessings on all those who are so dear to us: You.

Health.

Happiness.

That you bring healthy children into this world, without complication and any extra pain.

That you raise those children in a way that will make Hashem proud.

With Parnasa.

Long life.

And that you find your mission in life and have the strength to pursue it, and accomplish what must get done.

And of course: Clarity.

And any other blessing that you need.

Finally and most importantly, we will beg Hashem that He tear down the walls of exile and lead us to the era of no pain and eternal peace with the coming of the redemption speedily in our days!

 

Signing off for the last time with (Rabbi) in parenthesis…

(Rabbi) Levi Avtzon

   

Wedding date & 5 Reasons Why You Should Gossip

Bs"d

Wedding date

Be honest with yourself. We both know that you've always dreamt of a chance to see the African jungles…. Well now you've got the perfect opportunity!

With G-d's help we will be getting married in Johannesburg South Africa on the fourteenth of Av (August 4^th). And we would love for you to participate in our Simcha!

Put away 10 dollars a day for the next three and a half months for this dream vacation and wedding package, and you're on your way for the adventure of a lifetime…Simple enough…

We would live to thank you all for your blessings and warm wishes. May we only share simchas with each other forever and ever, until the greatest simcha of all – the coming of Moshiach!

 

Chayele and Levi

 

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5 Reasons Why You Should Gossip

                                                             

Teacher to Student: If I lend your father one hundred dollars, and he returns only fifty, how much money does he still owe me?

Student: Nothing.

Teacher: You don't know math!

Student: You don't know my father!

*

Here are five reasons why you should gossip:

1. Why? Who cares why! It makes you feel good. And like the famous 'American dream' slogan goes: "I'm not hurting anybody" – ye sure. 

2. The media and tabloids have shown the world that it is a moral obligation to bring to light everyone's dirty laundry. No, there is no such a thing as privacy; your life is my life, and your mistake is my appetizer.

Not to mention new inventions like 'Google earth', where all sense of privacy has been thrown back to the dark ages, before the days of newspapers, phones (that's a big one), and the whole media business.

3. Because you are G-d's warrior. And just as G-d cannot tolerate falsehood, so too, you as His fighter, have a moral obligation to search, find and spread the neighbors' secrets, so that he should not 'heaven forbid' receive false respect and feel haughty.

It's all in the name of G-d.

4. It is a custom amongst families and communities from way back when, that on many an occasion, especially around the dinner table, a human sacrifice is laid on the table/altar, and slaughtered with verbal knifes and daggers.

Ah, don't you remember the old lady/man sitting on the porch sipping homemade 'Borscht' (beet juice), and screaming on top of her lungs, across a six lane avenue, the greasy details of the newest slice of gossip? It's just the custom.

5. Because you never heard this story:

Rabbi Shmuel, the fourth Rebbe of Chabad, was once sitting in his office studying, while his two sons, Zalman and Sholom, were playing in the yard. His studies were suddenly disrupted by loud cries and screams coming from outside. He rushed outside, and saw his younger son, Sholom, lying helplessly in a pit.

He quickly pulled the boy out of the pit, then turned to Zalman and asked: "What is the meaning of this?"

Zalman angrily responded: "It's not fair; I am the older brother, so I should be the taller one, but Sholom is taller than me. So I threw him into a pit, and now I'm taller!"

"My son, said his father, if you want to be higher than your brother, don't put him down in a pit; you climb on a chair!"

So reason number 6 is: Why feel guilty that you're not the best you should be? Just point out the negative of everyone else and then let the guilt disappear. Throw him in the pit and you will be higher.

Moshiach Now!

Gut Shabbos!

Why the Rush?

Bs"d

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Why the Rush?

When did the Jews leave Egypt? Exactly at noon on the fifteenth of Nissan. When did they start counting down the 49 days to the giving of the Torah on Sinai? Just a few hours later on the sixteenth!

Let's think about it for a moment. The Jews hadn't even crossed the Red Sea yet, Pharaoh was still bound to chase them and bring them back to slavery, (as he so daringly tried to do, and only by the miraculous miracle of the splitting of the sea, and the drowning of the Egyptians was his evil plan averted.)

If that's the case, then why were they rushing to begin the countdown to the next milestone – Sinai, immediately after the exodus?

Moreover, we can be sure that the Jews had a pretty decent hint about what would transpire at Sinai. They knew that Sinai would spell the end of doing what they want without accountability, and a whole new way of life with so many limitations and consequences/punishment.

The Jews hadn't even had the chance to live like free men, and they were already counting down to a new form of slavery and accountability? Is there anything wrong with enjoying the delicious taste of freedom for a few days, without thinking about the next leg in this historic journey?

The answer my friend, can be found in the Declaration of Independence of the USA. Let's take a peek:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Yup, those magic words "endowed by their Creator" are our answer. For in them lay the difference between the American Revolution which made the country the beacon of freedom and liberty to the whole world until this very day; to so many other revolutions crying the same cry of "democracy" or "all men are created equal" (communism) which did not last.

Freedom without a Creator, or in other words, without the understanding that the freedom is a gift of G-d, and that only when serving and being accountable to G-d is freedom possible, is not freedom. It might sound like freedom, it might even taste for a moment like freedom, but it is not freedom. It isn't even a democracy. For if there are no divine principals to be accountable for, then there are no principals at all.

Just look at so many countries claiming to be democratic, and how far they really are from earning that title. Democracy without G-d is simply not possible.

Our ancestors 3300 years ago were yearning to live like free men with rights such as Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. So they rushed to Sinai to be given those rights, and to live a life of true freedom – as servants of the Creator.

Moshiach Now!

Gut Shabbos!

 (Rabbi) Levi Avtzon

 

As if you don’t have enough what to read this Pesach…

As if you don't have enough what to read this Pesach…

This year as every year we will sit down to the Seder and go through the 15 steps. It's been a year since we've done it and it excites us. The thoughts, the wine, the Matzah, the chicken soup, even the Maror…

Finally, way past midnight with our heads dizzy and our stomachs growling we will head to bed…

…only to wake up the next day and do the whole thing all over again...

Ever wondered if there is a deeper reason why we do the whole long process twice two days in a row?

Kabbalah teaches that the Matzah we eat on the first night of Pesach is food of faith, and on the second night it's food of healing.

How about we take it a step further and say that the whole Seder process follows those same themes?

Let us say that night # 1 is a 15 step process of spiritual growth – soul steps. And night # 2 follows with fifteen steps of physical, psychological and relationship growth – body steps.

So, even though we say the exact same words and do the same actions on both nights; they are two different journeys altogether.

Ready for two rides in one article? Here we go!

Soul – Night 1	The Steps of the Seder	Body – Night 2
Kiddush comes from the Hebrew word 'Kadosh' holy. The first step in tapping into our soul power is to realize that our soul is a piece of G-d, and that we have G-d-ly power to achieve anything we set our mind on.	Kadesh – Say the Kiddush on a full cup of wine	Wine brings happiness, and when going on this journey we can either do it with sadness and anger or with joy and elation. The Jewish way is the happy way. L'chaim! For a successful journey.
When journeying toward holiness we must first remove all the dirt and filth of sin and impurity.	Urchatz – Wash hands	All those notions you developed of yourself "I can't do this, I can't do that!" just wash them away. If we are to change, we must believe that we can change!
A few tears of remorse for the times we didn't do what G-d pleases are a vital step of repentance and growth.	Karpas – Dip a vegetable in salt water, reminding us of the tears our ancestors shed in slavery	On this journey you might have to confront hurts from your past which will cause pain and tears, don't be afraid to take them head on, it will only make you stronger.
There is no grey area between what G-d wants and that which is against His will. The grayness and lack of clarity between good and evil is broken for the two just cannot mix.	Yachatz – Break the middle matzah in half, and hide the bigger half	Ok, let's go. The first step in healing is the acknowledgment that we are all good and the mistakes we made don't make us bad people. Separate the action from the person.
'Cheshbon Hanefesh' (accounting of the soul) is a basic tenet in Judaism, where one looks retrospectively back at his life and makes an account of all the decisions and actions he's done.	Maggid – tell the story of exodus	Talk it out. To yourself, to a trusted friend. Talk it out. If that's too hard, write it down. Put your life story in front of you. And appreciate the G-dly Hand in all of it.
Ok, enough with dealing the past. Now we can wash away what was, and start looking ahead into the future.	Rochtza – Wash the hands for the Matzah	Ok, enough with dealing the past. The past is past; your future is in your hands. Don't let your history keep you hostage! Wash it off!
There are three Matzos resembling every type of Jew. When reciting this blessing we hold all three in our hands. This is a sign unity, which according words of the great sage Hillel: "This is the whole Torah, the rest is merely commentary." What a great way to begin the future!	Motzi – recite the blessing HaMotzi.	When looking toward the future, you are not alone. There is Someone up there who loves you and watches over you every second. Why, He even takes time to make wheat grow to sustain us. He is there. He is here. He is everywhere.
Matzah with its lack of yeast resembles humility. Bringing in a feeling of humility and a broken heart, is the next step in making ourselves a vessel for holiness.	Matzah – Say the blessings on the Matza and eat the Matzah	Humility is not only a vessel for G-dliness. It's also a vessel for wholesome relationships, with family, friends, and even with ourselves. Put your ego aside, and your life will take a leap for the better.
Earlier we shed tears of remorse. This time we shed tears of yearning and love to G-d to Whom we are working to get closer to one step at a time.	Maror – Recite a blessing on the bitter herbs, then eat it	"Happily ever after" is a nice slogan for story tellers, but an untrue line for humans who live in this universe. Pain is a fact of life, the question is the perspective on how to look at it and deal with it. If we can accept the challenges that come our way, we are guaranteed a happier and more peaceful life.
Humility mixed with love to G-d?! Wow that is the whole Chassidus on one foot! Way to go!	Korech – Make a sandwich of Matza and Maror and eat together	Every one of us has his own 'pekel' - baggage of good things and of the not so good, be it family, parnasa, nachas, etc. we all have our own 'pekel'. Mix 'em all together and thank G-d for your 'pekel'.
So, you've become holy! Does that mean that you have to climb onto the Himalayas and starve yourself for weeks with your eyes closed to become holier? No! The Jewish way is to live in the world and bring holiness into the physical.	Shulchan Orech – Eat a festive meal	Enjoy life! Eat, sleep, enjoy each precious moment. Ok, don't go overboard… but it doesn't mean you can't enjoy the sunshine, nature and all its blessing. After all it was all created for you!
Judaism doesn't shun individuality; quite the contrary, it encourages the person to discover their talents and use it in the service of the Creator.	Tzafun – Eat the Matza that was hidden	Oh, don't say that you're not special, and that there's nothing unique about you. For if that's the case, then why would have G-d put you in this world? Obviously because you can accomplish things that no one else can accomplish! Bring out the real you, let yourself shine!
When using the physical (Shulchan Orech) and our talents (Tzafun), make sure not to get carried away and forget who gave it to us, and why they exist.	Barech – Say the blessing after meals	A good tool for any relationship: say "Thank you!" compliment people and say nice things about them. Tell a kid he's an animal and he'll act like one. Tell him he's a saint and he'll be one!
Wow! What an opportunity of growth was given to us. A song of praise and thanks is sung to the Creator who gave us the chance to repent and become closer to Him.	Hallel – Sing praises to G-d	Even though we are dealing with the body, we must remember that in Judaism body and soul are deeply connected. This is your chance for thanking G-d for everything He's given you and continues to give!
Yes, our journey has been a success, but we cannot forget about the greater journey which began at the dawn of creation and is about to conclude – the coming of Moshiach. Stand up and cry: We Want Moshiach Now!	Nirtza – Next year in Jerusalem	Look onto the horizon and envision for yourself a future. Once you have a clear vision, now it's time to start the journey to become the best you can.

In Chabad we don't say "The Seder is over", because in essence the Seder never really ends. On the contrary, the journey has just begun…

Mazal Tov! I am engaged!

Dear Friends,

With many thanks to Hashem I would like to inform you of my engagement to Chayele Liberow from Johannesburg South Africa!

Our L'chaim/Vort/engagement celebration, will IY"H take place tonight Tuesday March 31^st at the hall of ULY at 570 Crown St. (entrance on Albany Ave.) We would love to see you there!

We'll keep you posted on all the exciting stuff to follow!

*

It's been a while since we shared some thoughts and Divrei Torah, what better time to refresh and restart than the present Simcha, so here we go!

 

Where it really counts!

G-d knows us. He knows that once in a while we need a dose of excitement in our lives, something out of the ordinary, an unusual occurrence.

So He throws in a 'High Holidays'. Two months later we have Chanukah. Purim, and soon after we're scraping the walls for imaginary chometz in honor of Pesach, followed by Shavuot, and before we know it, we're already blowing Shofar in preparation for another year…

Great idea! But after a while we get 'immune' to the mystique and holiness of these days as well.

So G-d came up with another idea – to make some Mitzvas which are so rare that it is basically impossible to become immune to its excitement.

Birchas Hachama is one such example. With its once in 28 years occurrence spiced with a dose of astronomy, plus a touch of out of worldliness makes it a perfect excitement generator.

Just look at the overall excitement Birchas Hachama generated all over the world. I sat and typed into Google search the words 'blessing of sun', and here was the number of links - 6,920,000. - Over six million! (Ok, some of the links were about astronomy and magazines… but you get the picture…) Oh, and if you search for Shabbat, you get 2 and a half million… teffilin gets barely a one third of a million… 

Wonderful! G-d got us excited. 

 

At the end of the day however, we must always remember that the Jewish way of life is in the day to day living, in the consistency, in the regular work/school day. Yom Kippur is nice, Birchas Hachama is mysterious, but where our commitment to Hashem is truly evident and tested in the normal, the regular.

In this weeks Torah portion G-d tells Moshe to 'Command' Aaron to fulfill all of his obligations as a Kohen. Rashi questions the strong language, why did Aaron need to be commanded? Wouldn't he have gladly done his unique job satisfactory?

Says Rashi: "The expression tzav ("command") implies an urging for now and for future generations." When the excitement and thrill of the starting line has passed, and its now the day to day life, this is where we need a commandment to keep our commitments…

 

*

 

Engaged for barely an hour, I can't exactly offer advice on marriage (or maybe this is when I can… like the joke of the woman who would lecture on the "Ten Commandments of child raring". When she had her first child she changed the speech to the "Ten tips on child raring, and when she had her second child she stopped lecturing all together…)

But it is obvious that all the above is applicable to marriage as well…

For now however, we are living the moment! And we are sure that you are sharing in our moment as well…

Moshiach Now!

Mazal Tov

Chayele and Levi

Is that what You have to say?

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Bs"d

Is that what You have to say?

 

We are told by our Sages that all Jews from all generations were present at the giving of the Torah at Sinai.

Now imagine you standing there. For many months, you have been preparing for this momentous occasion. You have counted down the days breathlessly. This was to be a one-time event, never before and never after. To see G-d Himself in all His glory, what a sight to behold!

Finally, the day arrives. After three days of intense prayer and preparation, the moment has come. With lighting and thunder, smoke and fire, G-d makes his first grand appearance before his chosen nation. Awesome!

With a fast-beating heart and a mind overwhelmed with emotion, you stand there with your pad and paper ready to transcribe the constitution of the Jewish people.

BOOM! G-d's voice is heard throughout the universe: "I am the Lord your G-d that has taken you out of Egypt."

OK, sounds fair. After all, He first has to introduce Himself! The second one, "Thou shall have no other G-d," doesn't raise too many eyebrows either; its common sense that one should remain loyal to his boss.

BOOM! "Don't use my name in vain!" The pad continues to fill up – no question marks, it's all totally logical.

The fourth clause changes direction. It is no longer about belief and respect, now it's about action: "Keep the Shabbat holy!" Wow!

Then you hear the words "Honor your father and mother." You pause for a second. Did G-d have to come down to this world to teach us about honoring our parents?

But you ponder for only a moment, quickly reminding yourself of the confrontation you had but a few minutes ago with your mom. Yes! What a real challenge it is to respect and honor your parents at all times!

You wait expectantly for the next set of five.

And then the big bang comes – "Don't kill!" You fall over backwards; all your journalistic training has not prepared you for this one!

"Don't commit adultery!" For Heaven's sake… "Don't' steel! Don't be jealous!"

There are 613 commandments in the Torah. Aren't any of them more "Jewish" and G-dly than murder, adultery, theft, lies and jealousy? Did G-d have nothing more important to share with us then basic civility and common sense?

It takes some time and, slowly, you understand. As you travel through history and meet the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Cossacks and, finally, the Holocaust, you understand that nothing is too obvious.

Unfortunately, personal morality has too often failed humankind. Social norms are relative, and sophistication is no guarantee of peace. As world-renowned Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel put it, "Cold-blooded murder and culture did not exclude each other. If the Holocaust proved anything, it is that a person can both love poems and kill children".  

The only absolute morality is Divine morality – a code of law made by G-d for man, not by man. History has proven it over and over again.

In His first address to the nation G-d put down the rule of all rules: "Do it because I said so. For that is the only way for common sense to remain common."

*

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor thy father and thy mother," she asked "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."

 

Moshiach Now!

Shabbat Shalom

(Rabbi) Levi Avtzon

4 = 0

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Bs"d

 

4 = 0

As the Jews stood with their faces towards the endless sea, Pharaoh with his troops close behind them, the Jews, unsure of what to expect, split into four opinions (what a surprise…).

Group One stood up and cried. "Guys, it's all over," they wept. "We have nowhere to turn and Egypt is out of the question. Let drown ourselves in the sea!"

Group Two countered, "Ok, nice try, we all thought we could do the impossible and escape from Mighty Egypt. It's time to raise the white flag, and go back as slaves."

Group Three was comprised of men who were proud and firm, "Fight the Egyptians! Fight the oppressor! We shall never return as slaves!"

And finally, Group Four, who were the most devout of them all, felt that the best solution was to pray to the Almighty for salvation, "Only He can help us!"

Well… when representatives from all four parties sent delegations before Moses, Moses turned to G-d and asked Him to tell the Jews what they should do.

What did G-d say? "Why are you crying to Me? Tell the Jews to move forward!"  No suicide, no prayer, no war and no surrender. G-d had commanded to travel to Sinai, so that's what had to be done! There's a sea in the way? The Egyptians are after you? Who cares! Just move on.

The Jews walked into the sea and the waters split!

 Now let's play a little 'elimination'. We can all agree that Group 1 had a weak case; after all had G-d taken the Jews out of Egypt only that they should commit suicide a few days later? Group 2 is also eliminated, due to the compelling question: did G-d make ten plagues and all the other miracles, only to be back at square one? So 1 and 2 are eliminated.

Groups 3 and 4 however seemingly had a pretty compelling case with their two noble flags of 'defiance' and 'prayer, what was problem with their logic?

This: G-d had told the Jews to move towards Sinai. He never mentioned anything about prayer, suicide, war or white flags, all He said was: "Go to Sinai to receive the Torah!" So that is what was expected from them, "Go!"

Then and now the road to good is constantly threatened by rivers and Egyptians, immorality and skepticism. So many 'noble' ideas and thoughts make their way to the discussions and Op-Ed's. The weak cry defeat, the proud declare war, and the pious call for prayer.

Although some of the ideas are more virtuous than others, they are all wrong nevertheless. Things must get accomplished, the world must be transformed, and G-d commands: "Move! Just move on! There is a mission to be accomplished in this world, and it cannot wait. Take on the problems head on (jump into the sea), and you will see that it was an illusion!"

 There are many opinions about the problem, but there is only one solution to the problem: Action!

* * *

"Doctor! I'm scared, this is my first surgery!"

"Don't worry; it's also my first surgery!"

Moshiach Now!

Shabbat Shalom

(Rabbi) Levi Avtzon

 

What a weird Topic!

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Bs"d

What a weird Topic!

 

A new nation was created, and now it's time for its founder to deliver his first speech and message to the newbie's.

The founder (G-d) will not be speaking directly to the people today; instead He has sent His chief of staff (Moses) to pass over the first order of business.

Let's pass the microphone over to Moses: "Umm… Mmmm…. Today we are going to discuss about the lunar cycle, to teach the courts of law how to set up the months of the year. Like this, if two people saw a moon on the…"

STOP! Cut.

Imagine the scene. The Jews are still in Egypt, still in slavery, and now for the very first time ever they will hear a Torah lesson. And it's about the moon.

For heaven sake! The moon?! Is that what's on the agenda?  

Are the moon and galaxies the hottest and most crucial topic to discuss with a newly formed nation?

Ahem, if only I had a say in the matter, I would suggest the Ten Commandments as a serious contender for the opening address, or better yet a general introduction to the Jewish mission. But astronomy? Is that the first thing you teach a child in preschool?    

The explanation is powerful. So powerful.

Think about it: When the Jewish court (Beit Din) decides to declare on a new month, based on the testimony of two witnesses who claim they saw the moon, what is happening is that they are causing the whole universe to follow their lead. The very existence of the creation lies on their decision.

 For example, the Torah teaches that on Rosh Hashanah a new unprecedented light enters the world, but who decides when Rosh Hashanah is? The Beit din! Based on whose testimony? Two simple Jews! On you and me the entire creation evolves!

Phenomenal!

Now do you understand?

In His premier lesson, G-d revealed to us the biggest secret and most vital piece of knowledge: Dear Jew you have the power to change and influence the world! Your actions have an effect on the universe! Be careful!

A lesson for all-time.

*

A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep. 

Moshiach now!

Shabbat Shalom!

(Rabbi) Levi Avtzon