Shabbat Shekelim

Have you ever felt that someone makes you feel whole? Have you taken the time to express your gratitude for helping your life become complete?

In Exodus 30:11-16: Shabbat Shekelim

“God commanded Moses that every Israelite pay 1/2 shekel to the community.”

I believe that this  torah portion offers special significance and meaning.

There are three (among many) interpretations that I found meaningful:

Community:

Everyone, regardless of stature, gave the same gift. This helped define each member of the community as an equal in the eyes of god.

Repentance / Atonement:

The 1/2 shekel is to atone for the sin of the golden calf and past transgressions.

Gratitude and Respect:

The 1/2 shekel also demonstrates that we are not complete on our own.  While we each can be independently strong, we cannot truly be whole without each other.  It takes humility and respect to acknowledge the contributions of others. Shalom in Hebrew means Peace. Shalem means Whole.  There is  poetry in the fact that you can achieve peace only when you are whole.

How to share this lesson today with your family, friends, and colleagues.

I have found the best way is to send simple messages for those that I love, care for, and am grateful to have in my life expressing my gratitude and appreciation.

 

 

Can You Find Serenity in a Sukkah on a Ship on a Stormy Sea?

In October, 2024, the United States Navy sent an aircraft carrier; the USS Abraham Lincoln, to the Arabian Sea to help defend Israel from the threat of the Iranian terrorist regime. The ship arrived in the region at the beginning of Succot. The Chabad-Lubavitch Chaplain Lieutenant Yohoshua Rubin arranged for the construction of a Sukkah on board the ship.

Rubin’s first hurdle was finding a spot on the carrier open to the sky, as required for a sukkah. Once he found a spot on the ship’s weather deck, there were forms to fill out and permissions to obtain.

Ultimately, it all came together in time for the Sukkot. The key ceremonial objects of the Lulav and Etrog were flown in from Bahrain by carrier onboard delivery aircraft…just in time for the arrival of the Holiday!

You can read more about this story here.

Let’s explore the Talmud on whether a succah on a ship is kosher?

In the Talmud, Sukkot 23a, Rabbi Gamliel and Rabbi Akiva argued about whether a succah on a ship can be kosher. Rabbi Akiva built a succah on a ship but later found it blown over by the wind. Rabbi Gamliel explained that a sukkah needs to be able to withstand wind to be kosher. However, Rabbi Akiva explained that there is a difference between wind of the land and wind of the sea. His succah was able to withstand the wind of the land but the wind of the sea was too much. Rabbi Akiva therefore concluded that a succah on a ship can in fact be kosher.

This Talmudic portion highlights two topics that I believe are worth exploring. The significance of a boat and the significance of water.

Let’s explore the torah for the meaning of a boat.  Two references come to mind.  Noah’s Ark in Genesis and Moses’ Basket during Exodus (You can read more about the parallels of these passages here.

Both Noah and Moses involved a boat (an ark for Noah and basket for Moses) which delivered them through the water to a new beginning. Although the waters were stormy and dangerous, based on their faith in Hashem (G-d), Moses and Noah were able to persevere.

Water highlights potential risks and dangers. The Great flood in Noah’s Ark destroyed the earth and its remaining inhabitants. Many Hebrew male babies were drowned in the Nile while Moses safely eluded death due to his basket and his rescue by Pharaoh’s daughter, Bitya. You can more about this rescue here.

Moses then safely delivered the Children of Israel across the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea) from Slavery in Egypt, to the Wilderness for 40 years, and later to the Promised Land, Eretz Yisrael.  Pharoah’s army which pursued the Children of Israel perished in the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea) which closed after the Children of Israel safely crossed over to dry land.

Being in water highlights our vulnerability to the elements.  A meaning of the succah is to reconnect ourselves in the outdoors and be vulnerable to the elements and the approaching winter season.

Why is the Succah not built solidly – to withstand the elements?

Let’s explore the fallacy of a firm foundation. In Japan, the tallest skyscrapers are built with a movable foundation in order to withstand earthquakes. Their durability is derived from their instability. This is a poetic connection with the Sukkah’s ephemeral and incidental construction – temporary and vulnerable, but significant.

Returning to Noah’s Ark and Moses’ Basket.  In the torah, they are described as a “Teva” and the dimensions and shape are of a rectangle.  This is not the most hydro dynamic shape for a floating vessel. In addition, the teva lacked a keel which is key for a boat’s effective navigation.   Nevertheless, despite not having keel and being shaped like a rectangle, Noah and Moses were able to navigate turbulent waters.

Conclusion:

The past year (2023 / 5784) since the October 7 Hamas Massacre has been the most challenging year for Jews and Israel since the Holocaust.   We have experienced greater vulnerability and threat than we have previously faced since WWII. Despite the horrors of October 7 and the complicit and complacent world views of indifference and virulence, I believe that Jews have become even stronger and more united. Our faith in Hashem (G-d) has helped the Children of Israel navigate these turbulent times and stormy seas. The lack of a keel did not deprive Jews of the spiritual steering drawn from faith of God.

Returning to the succah on the USS Abraham Lincoln. It is poetic and prophetic that our Succot of 2024 is exemplified by a succah on ship on a stormy sea. Despite the extra vulnerability and instability, we have been able to persevere. Despite the hate in the world, Israel and Jews have become even more united. Despite the hate within the world, we have found friendship and support from many allies outside of Israel and outside our Jewish community, such as Bahrain helping with the lulav and etrog.

Most importantly, we have found our fervent faith in Hashem (G-d) to provide spiritual support, even on a succah in a stormy sea.

Further Reading:

Bahrain has been a great supporter of Israel and Jews

  • In 2019, Bahrain was the first Arab country to publicly declare and defend Israel’s right to self-defense. You can read more about it here.
  • Bahrain was the first Arab country to have a Jewish Ambassador. You can read more about it here.
  • In 2015, King of Bahrain hosted a Hanukkah Menorah Celebration in the royal palace. You can read more about it here.

Japan and the Fallacy of Firm Foundations:

The high rises of Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama dominate the cityscapes around them. The towers give the impression of being as immovable and steadfast as a human-made structure can be. These towers are the fixed backdrop to daily urban life in Japan, as they are in any large and developed city in the world. While people and traffic bustle around them, they are fixed and still – the pins that hold the rest of the hectic city together.  It takes an earthquake to reveal that perspective to be an illusion. In Japan, skyscrapers have to be able to move. You can read more about this here.

Sukkot 23a

The mishna summarizes that this principle: Any case where, were the tree removed, the sukka would be able to remain standing in and of itself, it is fit, and one may ascend and enter it on the Festival, since the tree is not its primary support.

גְּמָ׳ מַנִּי מַתְנִיתִין — רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא הִיא. דְּתַנְיָא: הָעוֹשֶׂה סוּכָּתוֹ בְּרֹאשׁ הַסְּפִינָה — רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל פּוֹסֵל, וְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא מַכְשִׁיר.

GEMARA: The Gemara comments: In accordance with whose opinion is the mishna? It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Akiva, as it is taught in a baraita: In the case of one who establishes his sukka at the top of the ship, Rabban Gamliel deems it unfit and Rabbi Akiva deems it fit.

מַעֲשֶׂה בְּרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל וְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא שֶׁהָיוּ בָּאִין בִּסְפִינָה, עָמַד רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וְעָשָׂה סוּכָּה בְּרֹאשׁ הַסְּפִינָה. לְמָחָר נָשְׁבָה רוּחַ וַעֲקָרַתָּה. אָמַר לוֹ רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: עֲקִיבָא! הֵיכָן סוּכָּתְךָ?

There was an incident involving Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Akiva, who were coming on a ship. Rabbi Akiva arose and established a sukka at the top of the ship. The next day the wind blew and uprooted it. Rabban Gamliel said to him: Akiva, where is your sukka? It was unfit from the start.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא, הֵיכָא דְּאֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה לַעֲמוֹד בְּרוּחַ מְצוּיָה דְּיַבָּשָׁה — לֹא כְּלוּם הִיא. יְכוֹלָה לַעֲמוֹד בְּשֶׁאֵינָהּ מְצוּיָה דְּיַבָּשָׁה, כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא לָא פְּלִיגִי דִּכְשֵׁרָה. כִּי פְּלִיגִי בְּדִיכוֹלָה לַעֲמוֹד בְּרוּחַ מְצוּיָה דְּיַבָּשָׁה וְאֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה לַעֲמוֹד (בְּרוּחַ שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְצוּיָה דְּיַבָּשָׁה). רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל סָבַר: סוּכָּה דִּירַת קֶבַע בָּעֵינַן, וְכֵיוָן דְּאֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה לַעֲמוֹד בְּרוּחַ מְצוּיָה דְּיָם — לֹא כְּלוּם הִיא. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא סָבַר: סוּכָּה דִּירַת עֲרַאי בָּעֵינַן, וְכֵיוָן דִּיכוֹלָה לַעֲמוֹד בְּרוּחַ מְצוּיָה דְּיַבָּשָׁה — כְּשֵׁרָה.

Abaye said: Everyone agrees that in a case where the sukka is unable to withstand a typical land wind, the sukka is of no consequence and it is not even a temporary residence. If it is able to withstand even an atypical land wind, everyone agrees that the sukka is fit. Where they disagree is in a case where the sukka is able to withstand a typical land wind but is unable to withstand an atypical land wind, which is the equivalent of a typical sea wind. Rabban Gamliel holds: In order to fulfill the mitzva of sukka, we require a permanent residence, and since it is not able to withstand an atypical land wind, which is like a typical sea wind, it is of no consequence and is not a sukka at all. Rabbi Akiva holds: In order to fulfill the mitzva of sukka, we require a temporary residence, and since it is able to withstand a typical land wind, it is fit, although it is unable to withstand a typical sea wind.

You can read more about the Mishna here.

What is the difference between Faith and Belief?

As we look around ourselves and the world we are in, how do we gather and process information. How does this info impact our faith and beliefs.

Faith is defined by Webster as “trust in and loyalty to God” and “allegiance to duty or a person.”

I believe that the key ingredients of faith are God and loyalty.

Faith is for a lifetime, independent of current facts and circumstances.  Today’s rain does not mean that the weather will always be rainy.  A death in the family does not mean that our life will always be filled with sadness.

Faith helps us overcome short term challenges and obstacles, to look towards the future. Our experience of overcoming challenges makes us wiser and stronger.

We can explore Faith in the Torah in the story of Abraham. In Genesis 12, Abram developed his faith in God, a monotheistic deity.  In Genesis 22, Abraham responded to God’s calling with Hinani (Here I am). This first test faith was when God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.

Loyalty is an example of the durability of friendship where Faith in the person helps to shield them from short term challenges.  For example, when someone is falsely accused, a loyal friend will have faith to stand by them and provide moral support and love to help. Gossip and rumors do not impact true friendships.

Belief is defined by Webster as “a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing” and “conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence”.

Beliefs should change based on new facts and circumstances.

After my recent leg surgery, I could not walk. However, I had faith that I would eventually heal and be able to walk again. Overtime, as I healed, I realized that I could slowly, step by step, walk again. My beliefs changed as I got stronger and stronger. My loved ones supported my efforts and fueled my new beliefs. My faith remained resolute throughout my recuperation.

Sadly, there are some people who maintain fixed beliefs, independent of facts and circumstances. The calcification of these people’s minds with fixed beliefs paralyzes them in the past. They are unable to understand and adapt to changing facts and circumstances.

I would like to remember my mentor, professor, and friend Professor Henry Rosovsky who often spoke about the dangers of fixed mindsets.

Professor Rosovsky had a giant impact on the academic community, Harvard, and our world. He had a unique quality of being curious and compassionate. Henry had one of the most facile minds I had ever encountered. He also had one of the most loyal hearts.

Former President of Harvard Larry Bacow eloquently summarized the wisdom and impact of Professor Henry Rosovsky.

“Henry Rosovsky was a singularity. I never met anyone like him and doubt that I ever will. There is a wonderful word in Yiddish, Sechel, that is often translated as wisdom and Henry was certainly wise. But the full translation of Sechel is “the ability to think, to weigh, the strength to judge, and then to come to a decision” That was Henry, and we all miss him”

I greatly miss my regular luncheons with Henry at the Legal Seafood restaurant in Harvard Square. However, I firmly believe that we can all benefit from embracing his Sechel spirit to develop new beliefs and fortify our lives with faith.

Andy and Henry after a lunch at Legal Seafoods in Harvard Square in 2019

Further reading:

You can read more about Professor Henry Rosovsky here, here, and here.

 

What is the Key to King Solomon’s Wisdom?

What can we learn from King Solomon about how to seek truth in the face of complexity?

There are two stories of King Solomon which reveal his compassionate calibration of right and wrong in order to adjudicate truth. King Solomon combined wisdom, compassion, and faith in God to help him lead the Children of Israel.

King Solomon and the two feuding mothers:

King Solomon was approached by two woman both claiming to be the mother of the baby (1 Kings 3 Verses 16-28)

King Solomon asked for a sword so that he could cut the baby in half so each mother could have a portion of the baby. The true mother yelled “Stop…Give the baby to her”. In this fashion, King Solomon was able to clearly identify the true mother because of her obvious compassion towards the baby and not selfish focus on her own beliefs.

Today, we each have the opportunity to become a “King Solomon”.

Can we properly identify the true mother who cares about the lasting legacy and opportunity for generations to come?

The trajectory of a false mother’s is clear … and tragic:

I hope that you will stop the sword of cutting the baby in half and save our society from a further and insurmountable ignominious fall.

What did King Solomon dream for from God during a dream?

I looked to the Torah to explore when King Solomon had a dream. (1 Kings 3)

Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

King Solomon replied, “Please give your servant a listening heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”

King Solomon did not ask for riches or power or honor. He asked for something surprisingly simple. Something that would help him connect with himself and with his community. King Solomon’s listening heart allowed him to help communicate more fully with his community.

Splitting the proverbial baby in order to find fallacious fairness of two sides will truly, and singularly, result in wrong.

King Solomon was setting a test for the two mothers. It was a rationale exercise with an emotional connection. King Solomon certainly did not actually intend to cut the baby in half with his sword. He opened his listening heart to be aware of the emotional calibration of the mothers.

In Genesis 22:1, God put Abraham to a test. God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. One could also make the argument that God did not actually want Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. God really wanted to see whether or not Abraham had faith. Upon understanding that Abraham was even willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, his biological future, God sent the Angel to stop the sacrifice.

May we all learn from King Solomon’s test when facing complexity to spiritually combine our of faith in God, rational analysis with our mind, and emotional connection from heart.

1 Kings 3:

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a listening heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

How Good Can Come From Bad

When something bad happens, we often ask, “why did this happen?

How can we remain positive in the face of evil?

In Genesis 50:20, Joseph says “Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. This was to keep many people alive, as he is doing now.”

Let’s explore this quote in the context of the story of Joseph, who suffered the most in the book of Genesis.

Joseph was his father Jacob’s favorite among his 12 sons. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. Jacob’s gifting Joseph the technicolor dream coat epitomized the special treatment Joseph received. The brothers later sold Joseph into slavery and lied to their father that Joseph was killed. For the rest of Jacob’s life, he mourned the loss of his favorite son. Jacob and Joseph’s ultimate reunion was a beautiful moment of personal evolution for them both.

Joseph was then falsely accused of sexually assaulting his slave owner, Potiphar’s wife, and then locked in prison. In prison, fellow inmates noticed Joseph’s gift of presciently interpreting dreams and later referred Joseph to help Pharaoh manage the land of Egypt. Joseph rose to be the second most powerful man in Egypt and saved an entire region from famine.

While Joseph’s arrogance made some of his early suffering self-afflicted, his faith fortified him during his imprisonment and loss of his family.

Although Joseph’s early life was characterized by conflict with his siblings and suffering, he ultimately elevated himself and unified his family. He was able to bring together communities for togetherness with blessings of abundance, peace, and prosperity. Joseph suffered a lot during his life but he ultimately catalyzed so much good for so many.  Joseph’s faith in God carried him throughout his difficult challenges.

In addition, Joseph was also able to unify the Land of Egypt and the Children of Israel.  When “Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt” (Genesis 50:7)

The story of Genesis is marked by continual sibling rivalry and fighting.  Kane and Abel, then Isaac and Ishmael, then Jacob and Esau, and finally Joseph and his brothers. Genesis is concluded with the unity among Joseph and his brothers. Joseph is later buried in Israel by Moses.

Exodus teaches us the true power of faith in God and unity of community as Moses, Miriam, and Aaron are the first truly unified siblings (from their life beginning) and with their faith in God’s promise, they ultimately delivered the Children of Israel to the Promised Land as promised by God.

In the face of bad events, goodness is only possible with faith in God and through unity among community.  Love and support among the community.  While the story of Genesis is marked by sibling conflict in the beginning, Genesis ultimately ends with the resolution of conflict through faith in God and the unification of family and community, which after much suffering, brings about goodness.

Further Reading:

You can read more about the story of Joseph here.

Aesop told a fable about the strength of unity.  A father told his fighting sons to pick up a pile of twigs. First he asked his sons to break them one by one.  Easy. Then he asked one of his son to ties them together. None of the son’s could break the bundled sticks. The father taught the son’s the importance of coming together. You can read more about this story here.

Faith Vs. Fear: What do Moses and Eminem share in common?

How can you overcome fear in order to move forward?

I would like to explore Eminem’s song “Lose Yourself” from the film 8 Mile and Numbers 13 when Moses sent advance spies to explore the Land of Israel.

Fear is a captivity of the mind about facts and circumstances of the present encumbered by past experiences.

When fear grips your mind, this mental captivity spreads out to create paralysis of your body, making it so that you cannot move to the future.

How can you be aware of fear in the present and still be able to move to the future?

Faith.

With Faith, you can see beyond the present and believe in future possibilities. It does not mean that you are blind or unaware of the challenging circumstances of the present.  Faith fortifies you in the present to enable your movement to the future. There is no need to fear because God is with us (Numbers 14:9). You are filled with faith of future possibilities to carry you forward through present obstacles. Faith in God’s promise that we will live in the land of milk and honey with our children and children’s children and beyond.

In the movie, 8 Mile, Eminem faced his personal demons in order to create a better life for himself and his family.  In the final rap battle, Eminem sang “Lose Yourself” as a testament to his ability to move forward with faith and overcome his fear.

Eminem acknowledged his fears:

“His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti
He’s nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready
to drops bombs, but he keeps on forgetting
what he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud
He opens his mouth but the words won’t come out
He’s choking”

Nevertheless, Eminem also expressed his faith in the future which enabled him to overcome his fear in the present:

“You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime
.”

In Numbers 13, the Lord said to Moses: “Send men to explore Canaan, which I’m giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of their ancestors’ tribes.”

So at the Lord’s command, Moses sent these men from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites. Included in the 12 spies, was Caleb and Hoshea. (Number 13:2-3)

But Moses gave Hoshea, son of Nun, the name Joshua.

Forty days later, they came back from exploring the land.  They came back to Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. They gave their report and showed them the fruit from the land.

This is what they reported to Moses: “We went to the land where you sent us. It really is a land flowing with milk and honey. Here’s some of its fruit. But the people who live there are strong, and the cities have walls and are very large. We even saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites live in the Negev. The Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the mountain region. And the Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and all along the Jordan River.”

Caleb told the people to be quiet and listen to Moses. Caleb said, “Let’s go now and take possession of the land. We should be more than able to conquer it.” (Numbers 13: 25-30)

All twelve spies agreed that the Land of Israel was full of danger and risks. However, only two of the 12 spies, Caleb and Joshua had the confidence that they could successfully defeat the threatening armies and take possession of the land.  The other ten spies threatened to stone Caleb and Joshua to death.

What made Caleb and Joshua different?  First their names, Caleb means heart and Joshua means salvation (also the name of Jesus). They believed in the destiny that God had told Moses.  In Numbers 14, God told them that he had given the Land of Israel to the Children of Israel. They had fervent faith in a future where all of 12 tribes would live in the Land of Israel and have their children, and children’s children, and future generation live in the land of milk and honey.

It is fervent faith in God in the present that enables us to overcome the short-term challenges of the present and seek the future possibilities. As Eminem eloquently sang, You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime!”

God’s Promise of Living in the Land of Milk and Honey

  • On that day, God promised Avram to give his descendants the Land of Israel (Genesis 15:12-20 18)
  • So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8)

What is the difference between leaders and teachers?

  • Teachers use words to inspire ideas that can fuel faith and catalyze continued action to overcome fears in the future.
  • Leaders use action to inspire collective action in the moment to overcome fears of the present.

Further Viewing

You can enjoy Eminem’s Lose Yourself here.

 

 

 

What is the difference between Story and Plot?

Did you hear the story about …..?  Nearly always captures people attention and curiosity.

Can I list my reasons about….?  Often make the audience shut down.

I would like to share a couple of stories about how Stephen Sondheim and Hillel share stories.

Did you hear the story when Stephen Sondheim shared his story about West Side Story?

When Stephen Sondheim was interviewed about the Revival of West Side Story in 2021, 64 years after its initial debut in 1957, a reporter asked what he thought was the reason that West Side Story remained popular. The reporter also asked Sondheim how he felt about some of the recent changes to the characters and adaptation to the current decade.

Approaching 91 years old, Sondheim said that he learned a lot as he reflected on his life. He said that the various script revisions really did not impact the meaning or appeal of West Side Story.  The reporter asked. “So what is the Story of “West Side Story”? Sondheim thought for a moment. “Let me see if I can put this succinctly,” he said, taking a sip of his wine. “It’s about a young man who grows up by falling in love, and it kills him.” That is the story – timeless pursuit of love.  All of the other aspects of the play are the Plot.  They really do not matter.  It is the story that we remember.  The details of the plot are an afterthought.

Did you hear the story about when Hillel taught a student the Torah while standing on one foot? 

There was another incident involving one gentile who came before Shammai and said to Shammai: Convert me on condition that you teach me the entire Torah while I am standing on one foot. Shammai pushed him away with the builder’s cubit in his hand. This was a common measuring stick and Shammai was a builder by trade. The same gentile came before Hillel.

Hillel converted him and said to him: “That which is hateful to you do not do to another; that is the entire Torah, and the rest is its interpretation. Go study.” (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)

These stories both highlight the difference between a story and a plot. The story is the core backbone that resonates with the audience. The plot is all the details and scaffolding affixed to this core. Both Sondheim and Hillel understood that the true story in narrative is its simple truths that grip our emotions and imaginations.

Story Telling Exercises:

I would like to share two exercises you can do to help you tell your own story.

Story Pose:

Place your mobile phone on a table and prepare to record a video of yourself.

Stand on one leg in a yoga tree pose with your hands in the air.

Press record and get back in pose and for 30 seconds and tell your story aloud.

Repeat the previous step 2-3 times.

Listen to your stories and write the words down.

You can then determine your key message.

Why stand on one foot with you hands in the air?

Hillel taught the student the torah standing on one foot in Shabbat 31a.

Standing on one foot makes you focus on the essence of the story and not get lost in the plot. It forces you to speak in a concise manner. When you have to concentrate on balancing you can’t meander into long winded and unnecessary explanations and details.

In addition, the combination of standing on one foot and raising your hands in the air creates pressure and anxiety. This nervous anxiety can replicate the feeling of public speaking in front of an audience. On the other hand, sitting on your couch is too comfortable. Standing on one leg with your hands in the air like a tree pose simulates the experience of presenting publicly to an audience.

Dream cards

This is another exercise of sharing a story in a group setting. In this case, it is a short and concise dream that you are sharing. The short message on the dream card focuses on the Story and does not allow you to get lost in the plot. You can read more about this memorable creative exercise here.

My personal footnote:

My mom, Myra Yellin Goldfarb Outwater (of blessed memory), taught me and my brothers our love of Broadway. We saw all of Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway shows and listened to his music over and over again while my mom drove us around in her car. Myra was a Drama Desk Award writer for over 50 years and never once missed a weekly deadline.

Steve Jobs talking about Pixar and storytelling

Steve Jobs said “no amount of technology will turn a bad story into a good story” and that Pixar’s early films had to prioritize a good story because the cost of animating was so high. He also shared insights into Walt Disney’s approach to storytelling. You can see more of his story insights here.

Further reading

  • You can read more about Stephen Sondheim’s interview here and here.
  • You can read more about Hillel’s story here and here.

 

 

 

 

 

Popeye, a Can of Spinach, and a Boy Named Abdullah

Recently, I had a series of conversations with a few different friends that inspired me to write this blog.

The first conversation was with a friend named Sam.

Sam told me that he found that certain milestones no longer motivated him in the same manner they had earlier in his life. Sam is extraordinarily successful individual both personally and professionally. Additionally, he has overcome many challenges along the way.

Considering Sam’s search for new sources of motivation, I told him “Sam, you need to find a new can of spinach! Popeye routinely opened a can of spinach, gulped it down, and suddenly his strength was restored.” As Sam evolved and grew, he no longer reacted to his personal cans of spinach in the same way.

As we journey through life it is important that we take time to reflect. We must consider what aspects of our lives are constants and what are variables that need to adapt to our as we change and grow.

The second conversation was with a friend named Athena.

My friend Athena is a lifelong learner, continuously seeking new sources of knowledge and wisdom. Athena told me about how she found that children can be our greatest teachers. She described both learning from her teachers and from her students.

I learned that youth is not just a matter of biology. It can also be about philosophy. Youthful perspectives can stimulate fresh developments of the body and fight off calcification of the mind.

The final conversation that inspired me was one I had with a friend named Faisal. I had joined his family in Malta for a vacation.

One day, Faisal announced that we were going scuba diving. I had never been scuba diving before. Faisal is kind of a superman guy who is both athletic and adventurous. If I’m being perfectly honest, I was afraid.

During the drive to the diving spot, Faisal’s youngest son, Abdulla, a precocious 9-year-old, told me that he was not afraid and I did not need to be afraid either. He told me: “Uncle Andy, I will be right next to you. We can do it together! Trust me!”

The time to dive arrived. When I began to lower my head and mask below the water, I watched Abdulla and learned from his lead. My fear faded and my hopes soared. It was simply majestic to discover a new world under the water’s surface. I truly felt transformed. My trust and faith revealed an entire new world of possibilities.

On drive back from the dive, we passed the actual set of the 1980s “Popeye” movie filmed in Malta.

I didn’t consider the meaning of seeing the movie set of Popeye until my conversations with Sam and Athena.

Sam’s metaphorical loss of appetite for “Spinach” helped me reflect on our search for potential eternal sources of inspiration. Athena helped me think about our search for great teachers and the need for learning regardless of one’s biological age. Abdulla taught me to overcome fear.

When I combined these lessons from these three seemingly unrelated encounters, I realized that faith is my source of strength and that by trusting others, I could transform to cross new boundaries.

When I looked to the bible, the story of David vs. Goliath came to mind.
(In 1 Samuel 17, the story of David vs. Goliath unfolds.)

David knew who he was. He was not a warrior in military garb. He was a young and simple shepherd son whose source of strength was not a sword made by man, but his faith in G-d. Although he was the youngest, by defeating the Goliath, he was able to teach his community that one’s inner confidence emanates from an external source of faith.

While Popeye’s Can of Spinach can restore his strength and help win a fight. David’s faith in g-d, helped transform him into greatest potential, from a simple shepherd boy who defeated Goliath, to the leader and King of Israel.

With faith in G-d, it is not a limit of what we can be but rather what we can become.

I invite you to seek a new “Can of Spinach”, new teachers, and with renewed faith, to transform to cross new boundaries and evolve to new possibilities.

In 1 Samuel 17, the story of David vs. Goliath unfolds.

Goliath, the Philistine giant, an experienced warrior taunted the Children of Israel for 40 days. (10)  “Give me a man and let us fight each other”

 David, the youngest of 7 sons of Jesse, a simple shepherd who had not previously acted in war.

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

But David said to Saul, The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.  David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.

“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.  Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

Additional Reading:

You can read more about the Popeye Movie Set in Malta here.

Did you know that March 26th is National Spinach Day?

Andy’s maiden deep sea scuba dive, thanks to a boy named Abdullah!

Blessings of the Leap Year

Do you wish you had more time?
What if you could double your time and joy?

Each autumn we observe daylight savings time. We “fall back” and gain an extra hour. Some people are so happy to get to sleep a little longer on the weekend. There seems to be so much happiness generated from a single extra hour!

In the Gregorian Calendar, every four years is a leap year. During a leap year we add an extra day: February 29. This year, 2024, is a leap year. The Gregorian calendar is a Solar calendar with minor seasonal adjustment and one extra day every four years. Many holidays are locked to a specific day regardless of the year. This is why Christmas is always on December 25, Easter is always a Sunday, and Thanksgiving a Thursday.

In comparison, the Muslim calendar is lunar based with no seasonal adjustment. Therefore, Ramadan moves back 10 days each year in comparison to the Gregorian calendar.

The Jewish calendar adds a whole month (Adar 1) seven times in 19 years, “roughly” one year in three – actually Years 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 19. This is why Hanukkah can overlap with both Thanksgiving and New Year’s.  You can read more about the Jewish calendar here.

The significance of time and meaning of time is of paramount importance in the bible.

In Genesis, G-d mapped out the concept of the 7 days of creation.  Sacred time was outlined in Leviticus 23 when the festival framework was developed. You can read my eldest daughter’s discussion of Sacred Time in her Bat Mitzvah speech here.

In the book, Sabbath Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel explored the concept of Judaism being the celebration of a Temple of Time vs. a Temple of Space.

This distinction can be seen as an important persistence of Jewish celebration even in the darkest of times. Like the lighting of a menorah in a Concentration Camp during WWII or in the October 7 War in Gaza when the IDF celebrated the Maccabees while stationed in Gaza.

I would like to share an additional perspective on Adar 1 and Adar 2.

It is written in the Talmud in Taanit 29a: “When the month of Adar enters, we increase in joy”

I would like to share a recent joyous moment that I experienced at the beginning of this Leap Year.  On New Year’s Eve, Dec 31, 2023, my younger daughter Lucy visited me to celebrate New Years. Although it was just the two of us, our evening developed into a full and vibrant celebration of joy and jubilation. I had prepared a dinner of Lucy’s favorite recipes. Lucy suggested that we watch the Taylor Swift Eras Tour Video on Apple TV.  I promptly said yes! We watched the 3 hour concert while eating our New Year’s eve dinner. I was filled with joy to watch Lucy dance and dance. I also joined in and we danced together. As the clock count proceeded, we began our leap year of 2024 leaping and laughing.

Last weekend during Adar, Lucy visited me again and we reflected on our joyous NYE’s moment and agree that we will cherish it forever. These memories reminded me of when Miriam spontaneously grabbing a timbrel and lead the women in song and celebration of crossing the Sea of Reeds and reaching the wilderness safely (Exodus 15:20-27). It was a truly joyous moment for the children of Israel as they escaped slavery in Egypt

If we can experience joy from an extra hour (daylight savings time) or an extra day (February 29), imagine the possibilities of an entire extra month (Adar 2).

This special period of double Adar is an opportunity for a double portion of Adar’s joy.  It is an opportunity for double jubilee in seeing, believing, and celebrating with friends, family, and those around you.

Additional Reading:

  • You can watch video of Miriam Song by Debbie Friedman here.
  • You can read more about the celebration of sacred time here.
  • You can read more about the month of Adar here.

Taylor Swift’s Tokyo Travels and Lessons from the Torah: The Double Blessing of Giving to Others Before ourself

Have you ever had someone care about your well being more than their own?

On Taylor Swift’s recent trip (February 7-10, 2024) to Tokyo for her Eras Tour, there was speculation about whether she could perform the final show of her Tokyo concert and still make it to Las Vegas in time to celebrate and cheer on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs in the Superbowl. On social media, there was widespread concern and calculation about the logistic of her travels.

On February 2, 2024, the Embassy of Japan in the USA released a statement confirming that Taylor Swift would be able to both perform at her final concert in Tokyo and arrive in Las Vegas in time for the big game. In an homage to Taylor Swift fans, The Embassy of Japan incorporated the titles of some of Taylor Swift songs into the body of the official statement.

Just like the Japanese Embassy wrote lyrical references to connect with Taylor Swift; Taylor Swift spoke Japanese phrases to connect with her adoring Japanese fans.

With all the challenges currently facing the world, why did the Japanese Embassy feel that making an official statement on this matter was so important?

I believe that it reflects Japanese culture. As much as Japanese fans were looking forward to celebrating with Taylor Swift at her concert, they would not be able to fully enjoy the concert knowing that their own pleasure would preclude Taylor from celebrating Travis Kelce’s athletic achievements. While the Tokyo Eras concert would be a “once in a lifetime” celebration for the Japanese fans, missing her boyfriend’s Super Bowl appearance would potentially be a “once in a lifetime” disappointment to Taylor.  Accordingly, the Japanese Embassy prepared all the logistics necessary to enable Taylor Swift to both celebrate her Japanese audiences in Tokyo and celebrate as part of the Super Bowl audience in Las Vegas as well.

The double blessings of both Japanese fans enjoying the Taylor Swift concert and being able to wish her luck and great joyful sendoff to Taylor for her journey back to Las Vegas brought an even greater jubilation to the Japanese fans.

In her final encore, Taylor shouted to the audience  “Do you have time for one more song!?” Members of the audience near the front of the stage yelled back: ”Taylor, we have time, but do you?”  The Japanese fans did not want to cause any complications for Taylor’s Travels.

I looked to the Torah to find a comparable example of looking out for the welfare at other’s, even at one’s own expense.

In Genesis, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to plead with Joseph for food for Canaan due to the famine.  After a lifetime of the brothers persecuting Joseph which ultimately resulted in the brothers selling Joseph into slavery. Joseph’s disappearance created two separate negative situations: the brothers lied to Jacob and told him that Joseph was killed by a lion and showed his bloody colored coat. Jacob mourned for the rest of the years in his life.  In addition, Joseph was sent as slave to Egypt and ended up in jail.

….Now for the double joy / double blessing…

In Genesis 44:2 Joseph secretly placed a silver goblet in the bag of Benjamin (his true blood brother by their same birth mother Rachel).

When Joseph “searched” the bags of the brothers and “found” that Benjamin had “stolen” the silver cup, he pronounced that Benjamin would not be able to leave and needed to remain as a slave in Egypt.

Judah then stated.  I cannot imagine the pain that our father would experience knowing that both his sons would be gone – Joseph by death many years ago and now losing Benjamin.

Judah pleaded. Please take me as your servant instead of Benjamin. At this very moment, Joseph realized that his brothers had changed.

Judah was no longer of the philosophy of “I am not my brother’s keeper” from Genesis 4:9 when G-d asked Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” and he answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” knowing full well that he had killed Abel.

In the beginning, Judah and his brothers tormented Joseph and their father, Jacob, with no sense of shame or remorse.

In that moment of offering to switch slavery places with Benjamin to both protect Benjamin from harm and his father, Jacob, from further grief, Judah demonstrated his transformation from a bellicose and bullying brother to a sensitive sibling seeking spiritual harmony for Benjamin and his father, Jacob, and truly seeing the impact of selling Joseph into slavery.

Joseph then revealed his true identity to the brothers, and they had a full family reunion and reconciliation, and Jacob’s heart was healed and fulfilled.

Seeking the goodness for others at one’s one expense can bring double joy and double blessings.

I hope that you too can experience double joy and blessings during this additional gift of time and celebration of the double Adar of this Leap Year.