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

Oversight

Friday, January 26, 2024 - 9:00 AM

What an oversight! What oversight!

Language is funny. The above two statements are quite the paradox.

While I decide whether to clip this paragraph, I wonder if that means to remove it or to attach it. Apparently, there is a fast rule that something fast can be anchored in place or moving quickly.

This is literally crazy. But not literally. It seems like we may have overlooked how much you can see from an overlook.

While I'm not a linguist, and etymology is a whole field of study, I think it's safe to say that not every word is perfectly precise. After all, so many words have evolved from other languages, colloquial expression, or creative license. I mean, you can Google it - but not before 1998.

Language is primarily a means of communication. So when I order a table from a furniture company, they don't send me a chair. Or a hot dog. I like to imagine that there was a convention of the great scholars of each nation during which they formally agreed on which formulation of letters and sounds should have which meaning.

Theoretically, if at next year's Linguist Convention, they would decide that a table is the new word for chair and vice versa, utter confusion would ensue for a few months, Ashley's would run a creative marketing campaign, and eventually, after some amount of protest, the change would be complete.

There is one language, however, where the meaning, letters, and formulation are intrinsic, precise, unchangeable.

Hebrew.

This language is not simply communication. It is energy. It is the transmission of, or the expression of that energy. It runs deep to the core of the Speaker or Author. It is the power Hashem used to create the world through speech - "Let There be Light". It is the reason the sages in the Talmud could not attribute an extra letter to a spelling mistake, but rather a deeper message. It is the reason why over millennia, every Torah scroll is identical.

It is the reason why although prayer is permitted in every language, it must be in a language you understand. Otherwise, it is hardly communication. However, prayer in Hebrew is allowed even if we don't understand the meaning of each word. Because this divinely authored language is pure, potent, and effective energy.

So while it may be awesome to be able to order a פלפל (falafel) and show off your vocabulary, or navigate the streets of Tel Aviv, that is just a perk. Being able to read Hebrew connects you with a language as old as the world, allows you access to the OG (original) message of the Torah, and tethers you to something authentic, precise, and deeply meaningful.

So if you've always wanted to master Hebrew Reading, here is your chance. We'll be starting a 5-week crash course, after which you will literally (as in actually) be able to read Hebrew. Check out the info below (and if the timing isn't great for you, reply to this email anyway, as we may be adjusting the schedule).

Jungle or Garden

Friday, January 19, 2024 - 9:00 PM

The Garden of Eden. Where is it?

I'm not sure what Google Maps would say, (although a family favorite was a Kosher NY restaurant called Garden of Eat-In). But the truth is, it's right here; Earth.

You may be looking out your window, or at news headlines, and seeing less garden and more jungle, and wondering where is the beauty? Not quite the Gardens of Versailles. In the tangled vines of business, politics, and self-centeredness, the flowers seem all but struggling to hang on. What hope is there to ever clean up this mess? Who made this mess in the first place?

The reality is the world started as a garden, and without proper attention, it is all but inevitable for it to become overgrown and unwelcoming. In fact, we also have the ability and the careless tendency to trample through the flower beds, leaving havoc in our wake.

But it is the same "we" who are the key to the solution. We hold another important position.

The Gardeners. We were entrusted and given the tools to be able to turn jungle into garden. To weed out negative and nurture the space back to beautiful life, with the scents, sights, and nutrients, that will be a delight to visit.

We are the conductor who turns random noise, into a harmonic symphony.

We are the artist who takes clashing splatters of paint and transforms it into a masterpiece of gradients and shades.

As we navigate the world around us, from family to workplace, from neighbors to global geopolitics, let's look at everything through the gentle, masterful, and visionary lens of the gardeners that we are meant to be.

Together, with time, work, persistence, and patience, adhering to the blueprints of the Creator of this space, we can restore, and dare I say, improve and upgrade our world to be the most picturesque, fragrant, and idyllic garden imaginable. One fit for Royalty.

Extension

Friday, January 5, 2024 - 9:00 PM

The room was silent.

Suddenly a student perked up, “ Morah Chaya, will the Jews ever be extinct?”

I looked at her and answered, “Well, that’s up to you.”

I continued and questioned, “Where are the nations of the Persian, Greek and Roman Empire?”

“Gone.” they all answered.

We are here. We are a miracle.

Each of us is a link in a chain going all the way up to Abraham and Isaac.

This is where it is up to you.

By showing up to Hebrew School, lighting Shabbat candles, putting on Tefilin, and learning Torah, you're ensuring you will carry on the Jewish torch for your family forever.

Despite the suffering of slavery, the Jews held on to Hashem’s promise of redemption.

In this week’s Torah portion the miraculous plagues started to bring the Jews closer to freedom.

When the Magicians could not imitate the plague of lice they proclaimed,

“Etzba Elokim Hee” It is the finger of G-d!

We are a miracle.

And we are here today.

May we see the “finger” of Hashem, and all haters will have no choice but to proclaim:

“It is the Finger of G-D! They are a miracle.”

So to answer your question dear student:

"No. we will NEVER be extinct."