From the Rabbi's Desk - Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma

The Beauty of Vacation

Friday, December 28, 2018 - 9:00 AM

Winter break. Holidays. Vacation.

However you may be spending your time, there's something beautiful about it. Less stress, more family, it's almost another world. A time to live out your dreams, experience a different reality, create lasting memories.

In fact, those moments may be so enjoyable that you are left wondering what is real life? Is it the 9 to 5 grind of everyday life, the commute, the bills, the never-ending to-do list? Or is life those fleeting days that we manage to get away and escape the rigors of the usual life?

The truth is that this juxtaposition plays itself out every single week. It's called Shabbat - or Shabbos. There seems to be one sort of flow during the week, as we tackle the frenzied pace of the mundane, and an entirely different aura when it comes to Shabbat - a time of serenity, connectedness, and peace.

This system is by design. It allows us to appreciate how special these special times are, reminding us that these are the moments we live for, these are the people and values that make all the toil worthwhile. And yet at the same time, the goal isn't just to get to the finish line and escape, but to return from that experience invigorated, motivated, and inspired. To take that clarity and energy, and invest it into the day to day, thus elevating our complete experience.

And that only happens when we are able to fuse the magic of Shabbat with the conventional mode of "normal" life. Then we have something Extra-ordinary.

Anchored

Friday, December 21, 2018 - 9:00 AM

Anchors. A brilliant invention that allows a ship to survive stormy seas without being battered against perilous rocks jutting out of waters.

It's a reality check. While the shipbuilder surely had all the confidence in the world that his vessel was seaworthy, it would be foolish to head out on a voyage without an emergency preparedness kit, thus ensuring the safety of those on board, despite what any external forces may throw their way.

Once these measures (markers on a hiking trail, GPS trackers, the North Star) are in place, one can traverse treacherous terrain and yet remain on course.

This is precisely what Jacob did prior to going to Egypt. Aware that Egypt wouldn't be a walk in the park for the fledgling Jewish Nation, Jacob sent Judah to establish a place to study Torah. This would be their anchor. This would ensure that they would be able to rise to any challenges. That they would be like a buoy and float blissfully above any waves.

It is for this reason, that Jacob was able to live his 17 best years in the Land of Egypt. Reunited with Joseph, and equipped with the proper toolset to "win" at life, even Egypt couldn't put a damper on it.

So in our own lives, let's find that anchor that holds us strong in the face of adversity. Whether it's Shabbat with your family, a weekly Torah study session, or any of the 611 other Mitzvahs, we have the ability to plug in and weather any storm. Rising above the fray, above the darkened clouds, where the now distant noise doesn't faze us.

The Oily Latke Deal

Friday, December 7, 2018 - 9:00 AM

What's the buzz about the Latke?

Why are we obsessed with eating oily foods on Chanukah? It's not like Jewish tradition doesn't have enough calories already...

So, of course, it has to do with the Miracle of the oil, and how the single cruse, enough to last only one day, burned for eight days straight.

But hang on a second! There was another miracle as well; the Maccabees emerged victorious over the Syrian-Greek army. The few won the many, the weak overcame the mighty. Why isn't this a central part of the celebration? Why is there no tradition of marching around with swords (or rolling pins) held high?

You see, if Chanukah had just been a military victory, we would not be celebrating it 2,000 years later. We won the battle because we needed to, not because we enjoy fighting. What do we celebrate? Light. And how light is the antithesis to darkness.

This is what the real war was about. The Greeks wanted to make our candles go dark, defile the oil, take away from us that which is holy and pure. Lighting a candelabra so you can see where you're going? Sure. But not as a Mitzvah in the Holy Temple with pure olive oil.

This was at the core of their philosophical difference. And this was only settled with the lighting of the Menorah and the miracle of the oil, sending a clear message that there is something special going on, that we will continue to shine bright!

So we light the Menorah, and (against the nutritionist's advice) eat jelly donuts and latkes fried in oil, to connect with our inner flame, our inner cruse of pure olive oil.

Shabbat Shalom & Happy Chanukah!