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

What is Essential?

Friday, September 25, 2020 - 9:00 AM

If there is one thing covid-19 has taught us is the meaning of essential.

Essential workers. Essential Services. Do you have your essentials? And we've had the time to reflect on what is essential to us; health, family, shelter, values. Yes, that destination wedding would be so nice, but it's the wedding part that matters more than the destination. Yes, the family vacation could have been so much fun, but it's the family that matters more than the vacation.

Yom Kippur is just that; essential. It's the essence of the day that helps us connect to the essence of our soul, and connect to Hashem's essence.

We all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. The nine to five job, carpool, appointments, groceries, and the list goes on and on. But why are we doing it all? Sometimes we feel like we are running on a hamster wheel, like a train hurtling down the track forgetting to exit at the train station, we lose all sense of what and whom we are working for.

So on Yom Kippur, we strip away all of the distractions, focusing on essence. Who am I? Why am I here? Am I living up tom my G-d given potential? Can I allow my soul to shine without getting in its way?

And we pray that Hashem do the same. That he look past all of our missteps, because they are nothing more than muddy pants after a slip, or a hole in my shoe after walking where I shouldn't have. They don't change who I am. They can't change who I am. Because who I am - in my very essence - is a pure soul, an inextinguishable spark of Hashem.

Sweet New Year?

Friday, September 18, 2020 - 9:00 AM

September 18, 2020.png

Ever wondered why wish each other a Good and a Sweet new year?

I'll keep it short and sweet - just like our outdoor services tomorrow will be.

You can have something that is good, but not sweet. Think medicine.

You can have sweet that isn't good. Think that double-sized slice of chocolate cake at the smorgasbord after having consumed a Rosh Hashanah brisket dinner.

We trust that everything Hashem does is for the good. We don't always feel the goodness. Other things are enjoyable, yet they aren't necessarily aligned with our values.

We wish each other a year that is both good and sweet. In perfect harmony. May it be sweet. May it be healthy. May it be joyous. May it be successful. May it be full of love. May it be a year that all our prayers are answered in the most beautiful way, and may we celebrate together in Jerusalem.

Time Stood Still

Friday, September 11, 2020 - 9:00 AM

The world watched with shock. Seared into our memory. The September 11, 2020 - 1.jpg impossible. Terrorism on American soil. The invincible towers, so iconic of the free world, crumbling.

And then, 1,776 feet below, another unbelievable sight. Brave men and women running towards the flames, fire trucks, ambulances, and volunteer medics racing with sirens blazing into the inferno. Real-life heroes.

On that day we saw the very worst of humanity, and we saw its very best. And while the loss and destruction was devastating, it was this spirit and resolve that breathed new life into our country.

How apropos, that in this week's Torah portion it says, "Behold I have placed before you life and goodness, death and evil. And you should choose Life!"

September 11, 2020 - 2.jpg Not every evil is 9/11, and not every goodness requires the ultimate sacrifice. These two opposites come in every size; choice facing us at every juncture in life. Smile or scowl, help or hinder, get up or stay down, connect or separate.

We don't need to be facing a terrorist to be someone's hero. The sky does not have to be darkened with smoke and ash (from 9/11 or from California wildfires) for us to pierce through with a ray of sunshine.

So as Rosh Hashanah approaches next week, let's resolve to choose Life. For ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. A life of health and happiness, a life of connection and care, a life of Mitzvahs and bringing light into the world.

Switch the Channel!

Friday, September 4, 2020 - 9:00 AM

With the advent of the rotary phone, though tethered and expensive, the world became a bit smaller. September 4, 2020.jpg

Fast forward to the 21st century. Everyone's got a computer in their pocket. Local calls are a thing of the past. Streaming, FaceTime, Zoom; the entire world is easily within reach. And yet, the world is more massive than it's ever been. 500 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, more shows on Netflix than one could watch in a lifetime, more social media platforms than one could possibly keep up with. 54 million articles on Wikipedia. It's dizzying.

So we choose. We carefully (or not so carefully) curate what to read, which stations to watch, which personalities to "follow". It's incredible to have the power to choose our version of the world. We have the ability to filter out the chaos and noise, put on a lens of positivity, and focus on what is meaningful and uplifting.

So as Rosh Hashanah approaches, switch the channel. High Holidays season 5781 is playing now.