It was a short 10 years ago on a starry night in S. Diego that we began our life's journey together. So much to be thankful for!
Five beautiful kids, a wonderful community, and the most loving and caring wife and mom in the world!
A short thought about giving thanks. Nothing new takes place when you thank. It is simply about taking the time to appreciate what we already have. However, by doing so, we completely change our experience. The same reality, but now it's one that is deeply meaningful. We now have the energy and positivity to change our very future for the better.
The truth is, that this concept is so important, that we start each and every day reciting the Modeh Ani - "I offer thanks to You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your faithfulness is great."
These are the first words we utter every morning—while still lying in bed. Our first conscious moments are spent thanking G‑d for the gift of life. Starting our day with this most basic appreciation and mindfulness puts us on a track towards of blessings and success.
So much to be thankful for.
From the Rabbi's Desk
#Thankful
Air Quality & Fish
The air we breathe.
We don't think about it often. The crisp evening air. The breeze ruffling her hair. Papers scattered in the wind. Footnotes to the story describing an external effect of air.
And every now and then we remember what air really is. Gasping for breath after a quick sprint. Coming up for air in the pool. A week plus of some of the worst air quality in the world.
It was only a year ago when we were face to face with the Tubbs Fire - then the most destructive fire in CA history. Now, the Camp Fire has eclipsed it, and it's not even 50% contained. In addition to the rising number of fatalities and nearly 10,000 homes burned, the effects of the fires are far-reaching. Schools closed. The Golden Gate Bridge's fog replaced with a think smokey haze.
Instead of our usual laundry list of wishes and pursuits, we simply wish for the most basic commodity; clean, fresh, life-giving, soul-nourishing air.
It reminds me of a story with Rabbi Akiva. Under Roman rule, the Jews were forbidden from gathering to study Torah. Nevertheless, hiding from the eyes of the guards, Rabbi Akiva continued to teach his students. If caught, he faced certain death.
One day, he was asked why he would risk his very life just to give the class. He answered with a parable:
A fox came to a stream and witnessed the fish hastily swimming to and fro. Inquiring about the peculiar frenzy, the fish explained that they were attempting to avoid the fishermen's' nets. "Why don't you join me on the riverbank"? asked the sly fox. "In here, we are at risk of being caught, however, if we leave the water, our fate is guaranteed".
As a fish lives in water, finished Rabbi Akiva, so is a Jew's life inspired by Torah.
The air quality will eventually get better, but let us use this moment to focus on how important our soul-nourishing values are. As the slogan goes: The Love in the Air is Thicker than the Smoke.
Digging Wells
Digging wells. That's what Isaac did.
I'm sure that's not the only thing he did, and he had a very fruitful existence with many accomplishments, but for some reason, the Torah shares that random bit of info with us.
A well teaches us the beautiful fusion of effort and blessing.
We've got to dig, and there's a certain amount of toil involved. In fact, it might seem like instead of getting to a life-nourishing refreshing stream of water, we are just getting sweaty and covered in dirt. Yet, if you stick to it, eventually you break through.
The water you discover, you didn't put there, it's not there as a result of your efforts, you can't even say that you earned it. Yet, if we throw ourselves into our work - or into whatever goal we hope to achieve, a connection to Hashem that we wish to forge - and we do it with dedication and commitment, Hashem makes available life-sustaining blessings.
May we all invest our energies in good and noble pursuits and be blessed with a disproportionate amount of goodness.
The Life of 11
Tonight, let’s light up the world!!!
Will 11 women join me in lighting Shabbat candles (in your own home), in honor of the 11 righteous souls who were murdered in Pittsburgh. Light is the only way to dispel darkness.
Please email me at [email protected] if you would like to take part in this special mitzvah. Blessings and instructions can be found here
Candle lighting is at 5:52 in Petaluma
- Devorah
Our matriarch Sarah's tent had 3 miracles. A cloud, representing the divine presence hovered over it. The Challah, baked on Friday, stayedfresh week to week. And the Shabbat candles would continue to burn until candle lighting time the following Friday evening.
The entire Torah portion discusses matters that occurred after Sarah's passing, e.g. the burial arrangements, finding Isaac a bride as part of his consolation, etc. And yet, the very name of the portion is "The Life of Sarah". What gives?
It was at this moment, that Abraham and Isaac decided, that it would not be the end. They would not allow for Sarah to be gone forever. Rather they would perpetuate her life, living by the values that she stood for, creating Sarah's legacy. They chose to have Sarah become post-mortem the Mother of the Jewish nation.
After our brothers and sisters in Pittsburgh were hatefully gunned down, we have the power to keep them alive. They paid the ultimate sacrifice because they valued their tradition, gathering in Synagogue, celebrating Shabbat.
Let's create their legacy, by proudly celebrating our Jewishness, lighting Shabbat candles, or choosing any Mitzvah in their memory.
Then the "Tree of Life" will continue to grow, by virtue of the beautiful "fruit" - the many Mitzvahs inspired globally. Then like Sarah before them, the title of the story will be about their Life.