Obstacles. Why do we have them? What are they? How do we overcome them?
"The world's opinion is that if you can't crawl under an obstacle, then try to climb over, but I say you should start by going over". This is a quote from Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, whose birthday is today (born 1834).
If you were to walk into an equestrian arena, the sight is slightly puzzling. Why don't the horses simply walk around the obstacles? And for what reason were they put there in there in the first place? It would be a much cleaner look and ride without these contraptions prominently placed in traffic's direct path.
But the truth is, that these very obstacles help the majestic breed realize it's potential and power, soaring gracefully over the poles, mane flowing in the air. The hurdles no longer a deterrent, rather they bring out the very best in the thoroughbred. Springboards to perform, catalysts to launch the horses to a different plane.
Coming from Passover, the Hebrew name Pesach actually means leaping over. We were imbued with the ability to rise above, to tap into an elevated experience. To spring and vault over and beyond the challenges that confront us. When navigating the course of life in this manner, we can soar majestically above any hurdle. Suddenly, we find this inborn energy, spreading our wings to fly and experience the world from a higher vantage point.
Rabbi Shmuel (known as the Maharash) would sing a stirring melody expressing this idea. Here is a beautiful version by world-renowned pianist Yaron Gershovsky.
When a challenge is staring you in the face, instead of trying to navigate it's threatening presence, take the opportunity to soar.
From the Rabbi's Desk
Equestrian
Time Out!
Time.
The clock keeps ticking, sending us subtle messages. A meeting to attend, a flight to catch, a friend's birthday. It can be a simple matter of sitting in traffic for a few extra moments. At times it is winter giving way to spring. Sometimes it is an entire stage of life; a baby growing into a toddler, a bar mitzvah boy now a young man, a first-time parent cradling a new life in their arms.
Yet the seconds all tick just the same. On the one hand, they advance us to new opportunities and much-anticipated occasions. While on the other, those same moments pass, never to return.
Beginning on Passover, we count 49 days of the Omer, commemorating the countdown (or countup) that the Jews did when traveling from Egypt to Sinai and the giving of the Torah. Each evening after nightfall, we count "Today is one day of the Omer", etc.
It is the only time during the year when each day has its own unique Mitzvah. Each day counted individually. Counting yesterday was great but does not fill today's need.
The Omer count has a powerful message: Each and every day counts. Yesterday's failures do not limit me today. Yet today's successes don't allow me to ignore tomorrow. Every minute represents opportunity, every second has limitless possibilities to tap into.
Seize the moment. Turn a fleeting moment into a timeless one. Tackle a challenge. Hug a loved one. Mend a relationship. Make today shine bright!
Escaped!
The Seder was magical. A sold-out crowd of 50 had gathered, new and familiar faces, to celebrate the festival of freedom. Elegantly set tables, a delectable menu, authentic brick-oven baked Matzah, the atmosphere was one of liberty and freedom.
One of the themes of the Seder was to try and experience true personal Freedom. Overcoming whatever boundaries and shackles hold us back from achieving our personal goals and dreams.
In our quest to better relate to freedom, Devorah and I joined our family for one of the latest adventures to come to American shores; an Escape Room.
The carnival-themed room had a series of locks, keys, clues, and hints. The front door locks behind you until your team figures it all out. Entering into the brightly decorated fun zone, it seemed welcoming enough. Carnival games, a cotton candy machine, a mirror maze, we were transported to a wonderful place. But then there were treasure chests secured with locks, puzzles and cryptic messages on the walls, and the clock ticking down our allotted 60 minutes; we were stuck. As fun as the games were, we were not going to get out unless we buckled down and dealt wth our newfound reality; "imprisonment". Spoiler alert: we made it with 5 minutes and 38 seconds left.
After the thrill and adrenaline had worn off, I was thinking of how we can apply this to Pesach and to our quest for personal freedom
.
The first step is to see through the distractions, the things that make it seem like we're in a great place, and identify what is holding us back.
Then get uncomfortable with that reality. When the Jews first came to Egypt, they had actually opted into serving pharaoh with promises of pay. Egypt was the superpower of it's time and the promise of a future there was enticing. The Jews had to arrive at a consciousness and mindfulness that this was not the life of their dreams.
It's only once we choose to reject the current state, that we have the ability and motivation to pursue and attain freedom.
On Sunday, April 23rd, we begin an exploration of this journey - From Egypt to Sinai. How do we shed a slave mentality and become royalty? How do we become the Chosen Nation? We will explore this based on the light of the Kaballah. Information below.
Wishing you a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
Why is this email different than all other emails?
Passover. A wonderful time for family and community. We gather around the festive Seder table to relive the exodus out of Egypt.
And the highlight of the Seder is when the children ask the four questions.
We've heard them dozens of times, we sing the tune "Mah Nishtana - why is tonight different than all other nights?".
What, may I ask, are the answers to those questions? Now that's a good question. It seems like we set the stage for a dramatic scene, and then leave the show early. In the whole "shpiel" of the Haggadah (read at the Seder, retelling the story of Passover), we don't really address the questions directly. Why?
Passover is meant to be a night of questions. A night when curiosity and inquisitiveness
are encouraged. When I was a child, my father would reward us for each question that we asked throughout the Seder. To set the tone, my mother would spin a walnut like a dreidel, inevitably eliciting the question "why are you doing that, Mom?" The answer? "So that you should ask questions."
Slaves are not allowed a mind of their own. They don't have free will. They don't have the luxury of asking questions.
At the Seder, when we celebrate freedom and liberty, we highlight our ability to probe, to investigate, to explore. Not to simply take things at face value, but to do what Jews have done throughout the ages; challenge. Delve a little deeper, discover the "behind the scenes", revealing the beauty of our traditions.
If there's something you always wondered about, a particular tradition that never made sense to you, a Jewish custom that puzzled you, send those questions over and let's discuss. Perhaps there's a great answer, or maybe it's simply a great question.
This Passover, ask!
Wishing you and your family a happy and liberating Passover,
Rabbi Dovid and Devorah Bush