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

Not a Graduation

Friday, September 28, 2018 - 9:00 AM

This Sunday evening is the holiday of Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah).

Each week we read a portion from the Torah scroll in Shul (Synagogue) and after making our way through all of the "Five Books of Moses", we finally complete it on Simchat Torah. To celebrate, there is joyous dancing like at a wedding, encircling the Bima (the platform upon which the Torah is read) for seven rounds of dance.

In particular, the kids are at the center of the fun, waving flags, hoisted upon their parents' shoulders, twirling to the exuberant melodies. They are the ones who will be the leaders of tomorrow - and now they are being given a present: the history, the traditions, the knowledge, the connection. They are the chain that will link our future all the way back to Sinai.

But it's not just a graduation party. It's not just the end of the semester. On the very same day, the Torah is rolled back to the beginning, and the opening segment of Genesis is read.

Why? Because it's not about simply covering the material and passing an exam. It is about cultivating an inexhaustible curiosity to study, explore, and delve into the Torah and its messages. To find new meaning and relevance, to enjoy the journey.

In 8 days, Petaluma Hebrew - The Hebrew School Experience Redefined - will set out to create just such an atmosphere, where the kids won't want to miss a day. Through fun, interactive, Jewish Learning and discovery, it will be a place where one will hear the sounds of lively discussion, of singing, laughter, and prayer. Where the children will feel the warmth and spirit of Judaism. And where they'll love every minute of it.

Give the gift of Jewish education - register your child (or sponsor a scholarship) atwww.PetalumaHebrew.com
We are committed to providing every Jewish child with the stellar education they deserve, regardless of financial ability.

The Broken Sukkah

Sunday, September 23, 2018 - 9:00 AM

What we accomplish on the High Holidays through prayer and fasting, is accomplished on the festival of Sukkot through Joy!

In fact, the Midrash states that when we shake the Lulav (the palm branch) it is similar to a victory parade after a battle, confident that we were victorious on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and were blessed for a good and a sweet new year!

Unity is one of the central themes of the holiday; binding four very different species together, sitting together under the same roof (made from bamboo, palm fronds or other greenery).

In fact, the word Sukkah represents this same unity. The sukkah is a greenery-covered hut erected for the holiday, that commemorates G‑d sheltering our ancestors as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land. In the Talmud, there is (naturally) dissenting opinions as to how many walls a Sukkah must have to be Kosher. While one opinion maintains that it needs four walls, another argues and says that three is enough and there is even an opinion that two plus a bit is ok.

So what do I do if someone has a Sukkah unlike my own? What if someone thinks differently than I do? Can we get along? Can we sit at the same table?

Let's take a look at the Hebrew letters that spell the word Sukkah? סֻכָּה

ס - the Hebrew letter Samech is enclosed on all four sides - representing a four-walled Sukkah
כ - the Hebrew letter Kaf has one side completely open
ה - the Hebrew letter Hay has two solid walls and one partial
All three opinions unite in the same word.

The Ba'al Shem Tov the founder of Chassidism had a Sukkah that looked like it was stitched together - it relied on dozens of loopholes in Jewish Law. Some of the scholars in Mezhibuzh challenged him on its Kosher status. He vigorously argued its case, defending the dilapidated patchwork Sukkah. When all else failed to convince the scholars, the Ba'al Shem Tov went into a meditative state, and when he emerged from it he had a heavenly note in his hand attesting to the Sukkah's legitimacy.

Why did the Ba'al Shem Tov rely on these loopholes? Why not make a Sukkah that was 100% Kosher? The Ba'al Shem Tov in doing so was essentially guaranteeing that any other Sukkah put up by a diverse Jewish community, with varying levels of means and backgrounds, would all be considered Kosher.

Unity is when every Jew feels comfortable in the Sukkah.

Wishing you a joyous and unifying Sukkot!

Don't Just Pray!

Monday, September 17, 2018 - 9:00 AM

In less that 24 Hours Yom Kippur will begin. The holiest day of the year. The only one with 5 prayers.

Some might be thinking "5 prayers? Sounds like a bit too much". But what is prayer and what does holy mean? To put it simply, we are connecting. Connecting to our inner selves. The unique energy of Yom Kippur allows us to ascend and transcend through a journey of self-reflection and connection to Hashem.

Yes, we may gather in a Shul (synagogue) where the energy is magnified, but it is a personal, individual journey. The five prayers correspond to the five dimensions of our soul. We'll discuss more on that during the running commentary that accompanies our bi-lingual service so you never feel lost. The idea is that the words we are saying should resonate with us, uplifting us and inspiring us.

What if five prayers is too much for me? Well, choose one. Which one? Your choice!

Here's a snapshot of what each one brings to the Yom Kippur table (Hint - It's not food):

Kol Nidrei, Tuesday, 7:00pm
A solemn and soul-stirring prayer this haunting melody is "the annulment of our vows", representing leaving behind all negativity.

Yizkor Memorial Service, Wednesday, 11:45pm
During the morning prayers, we recite this prayer of remembrance, invoking our loved ones on high to lobby for us and secure a good and a sweet new year for ourselves and our families.

The Avodah (The Service), 12:00pm
Journey along with the high priest during this historical playback of what the Yom Kippur service used to look like during temple times, complete with 5 wardrobe changes and fascinating details. Includes the story of the Ten Martyrs.

Long Break Guaranteed

Afternoon Service, 5:45pm
A powerful lesson on the power of repentance from the story of Jonah and the Whale.

Neilah, 6:45pm
The crescendo and climax of the Yom Kippur experience. This inspiring and energy-laden prayer known as the "closing of the gates" is a time of deep connectedness, culminating with a single, powerful Shofar blast.

Break-Fast, 7:51pm
While technically not a service, this sumptuous repast always receives rave reviews... and it's not just because everyone is starving!

Come for one, or come for all. And leave your ticket at home - you won't be needing one.
Wishing you an easy fast, and an inspiring and meaningful Yom Kippur.

Happy New Year!

Sunday, September 9, 2018 - 9:00 AM

New Beginnings.

It's a special time of year when we get a fresh start. When we wipe the slate clean. We turn over a new leaf.

The big question is, how does that work?

Can we just restart the system and expect it to erase the history of all the data that we downloaded over the course of the previous year? Is this some sort of magical shortcut, in which we chant some prayers, blow a horn, and beat our chest several times, and voila, good as new?

The key is that we are not actually looking to become something different than we were yesterday. That would require a monumental effort, exceeding even the lengthiest of Rosh Hashanah services.

Rather, on this day, we simply are who we always were. We bounce back to our original self, with all its good intentions. We reach into our core self and reveal our true self.

When we come to Shul on Rosh Hashanah, It's like when you get together with a childhood friend, and the conversation flows right from where you left off. The purity and clarity of our youth manifest as it was before all of the accumulated jumble of files we collect.

The Shofar blast with its simple non-verbal call is our reminder to reach back into a place of simplicity, into our very essence. And with that factory reset, as a loving parent, Hashem says, that's the kid I always knew you were, and blesses us with a good and a sweet new year.

Devorah and I wish you a good and a sweet new year and look forward to celebrating together with you!