Angels from Ashes

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Have you ever found faith fueled in a fire?

Did you find something in the seemingly loss of everything?

The cataclysmic fires in Los Angeles this month have been beyond devastation and imagination.

Tragically many people lost their lives. Thousands of families lost their homes and all of their physical possessions completely incinerated by these tragic fires. Countless businesses were lost and huge swaths of infrastructure were destroyed.

No words can adequately describe the devastation and loss.

Nevertheless, amidst this landscape of loss, I believe that there have been islands of inspiration.

We have heard stories of neighbors helping neighbors.  Families, whose homes have been destroyed, have found refuge with friends whose homes were sparred.  Business giving free food, clothing, and services to those in need.

In addition, there were many stories of Houses of worship, Chabad Synagogues, Churches, and religious objects saved from the flames.  Miraculous to behold.

I would like to explore one story of an angel found among the ashes.

“In the midst of a devastating wildfire that destroyed their family home, Joshua Kotler and his wife Emily were left with nothing but their lives. However, from the ashes of their Altadena home, one precious item emerged: a menorah that had once belonged to Joshua’s grandmother, a Holocaust survivor.

The Kotler family, including their two daughters, Liberty, 4, and Eve, 2, had evacuated their home as the fire rapidly advanced. While they managed to flee with just a few clothes and the necessities, they never imagined the fire would destroy everything they had. Their home, perched at the top of a mountain, was completely consumed by the flames.

“We got out of our house safely, thank God,” Joshua told The New York Post, reflecting on their escape. The next morning, as firefighters surveyed the damage, Joshua and Emily returned to see what, if anything, had survived. Amid the devastation, the only item that remained unscathed was the menorah, a family heirloom passed down through generations.

“It was insanely powerful to find it,” Joshua said, choking up. “The night before, I had been crying on the phone with my cousin, regretting not grabbing it when we left. And then to find it, the only thing left from our entire house—it was just an insane feeling.”

While their home was lost, the Kotlers have found hope in this small but significant piece of history that now carries a new meaning: a reminder that even in the darkest moments, something precious can endure. “We’re alive. That’s all that matters,” Joshua reflected, holding his family close, grateful for their survival and the menorah that connected their past with their future.”

I looked to the torah for understanding and inspirations of faith fueled by fire. In Genesis 15:17 when G-d/Hashem appeared to Abram to signify his presence and first made his covenant with Abram.

Then I looked at Exodus 3:2, when Moses encountered the Burning Bush.  What was unusual about the Burning Bush was not that it was on fire, but that it was on fire and not consumed. While most people use focal vision most of the time, I believe that the magic and mystery in life takes place in the serendipity of our surroundings. Moses noticed out of his peripheral vision that it was on fire and not consumed. Moses stopped and looked towards the Burning Bush. The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses from the within the fire, then God/Hashem called out to Moses from within the flames “Moses, Moses” God/Hashem called. “Hinani, Here I am (and I am ready)” replied Moses.

This moment changed the course of human history because it catalyzed Moses to lead the Children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt to the Wilderness and finally to the Promised Land – the land of Israel.

In Exodus 16:4, the Children of Israel arrived in the wilderness fresh from their escape from Egypt. They only had that which they could carry on their backs. They lacked the basics. God/Hashem provided manna from heaven. In Exodus 16:26, God/Hashem gave the first sabbath. This combination of spiritual and physical sustenance, manna from heaven and faith in God/Hashem provided the foundation support for the Children of Israel during their time in the wilderness.

I fervently pray and hope that the Children of Los Angeles will find manna from heaven over the coming weeks and months to provide spiritual support as they recover and believe again in the future.

It is truly this manna from heaven and faith that can be the ultimate angel appearing from the ashes which will lead the community of  Los Angeles, the City of Angels, to the Promised land.

Author’s Note:

I have been hiking the hills of Malibu and Pacific Palisades for over 25 years while attending The Ashram.

I also lived in Santa Monica for two years and hiked in the Pacific Palisades (Paseo Miramar Trail) and Malibu 4 to 5 times a week.

I am sending my love and prayers to my LA friends wishing them hope and faith during this difficult time.

Appendix:

The LA neighborhood of Pacific Palisades was one of the areas that suffered the most damage. Amongst the ruins left in the fire’s wake, there was one building that was notably spared: Kehillat Israel.

Kehillat Israel is a reconstructionist synagogue. The congregation was founded in the 1950s and grew to include hundreds of families. In 1997 they opened their synagogue in Pacific Palisades.

When the LA fires hit, area around the synagogue was greatly affected. Buildings just across the street had been destroyed. Despite this, the synagogue itself was untouched by the fire. The survival of Kehillat Israel serves as a beacon of hope not just for its congregation but for all residents of LA.

You can read more about Kehillat Israel here.

At Pepperdine University in Malibu, a 20-foot wooden cross stands atop a hill overlooking the university. This hill was ravaged by the fires. Miraculously, the wooden cross was unharmed by the blaze. It now serves as a powerful symbol of hope. You can read more about it here.

The Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Pacific Palisades was tragically destroyed during the LA fires. When the fire department was going through the rubble, they were able to recover the church’s tabernacle intact. The tabernacle’s survival is a powerful sign of hope and faith. You can read more about it here.

You can read another powerful story of faith found in the wake of the fire here.

The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities: Forging Community, Hope, and Peace

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I am a strong believer in the power of faith and community to shine a light that drives back the world’s darkness. I want to highlight and organization that does just that, The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities (AGJC).

The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities is an organization formed to support the Jewish communities of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC is a regional political and economic union between the countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. While each country has its own individual Jewish community, the AGHC oversees resources and programs that benefit all of them. The AGHC helps to tend to both the physical and spiritual needs of Jews in the gulf.

The AGJC offers a variety of services and resources to Jews living in and visiting countries in the GCC.

They provide an up-to-date dashboard that lists the Shabbat times for major cities throughout the GCC.

The AGHC holds a weekly Pre-Shabbat virtual gathering online. These meetings include prayers, songs, and engaging speakers. They maintain an archive of these gatherings that you can view here.

The AGJC maintains a calendar of Jewish holidays as well as offering descriptions for each one here. The organization helps with obtaining objects of religious significance like yartzheit candles, tefillin, and Hanukkah sets to those that live in or are traveling to the Gulf.

For further information, please follow on X at @gulfjewish and visit the website: www.gulfjewish.org.

You can read more about the efforts of GCC countries to embrace the Jewish community and fight for the light of peace here, here, here, and here.

 

 

Modern Day Miracle: Modern Day Maccabees

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On December 8th 2024, the Syrian Dictator Bashar al-Assad was overthrown after 50 years of rule by the Assad family. Assad was a brutal dictator who killed 100,000s of his own people.

From 167 to 160 BCE, Judah the Maccabee led the Hasmonean Revolt to overthrow the Syrian Greek Army and allowed the Jewish people to live in Israel in peace and practice Judaism without persecution.

The parallels are obvious. The Syrian Greek army was enormous and used their fabled warring elephants in battle. On October 7, Iran funded both the Hamas massacre on Israel and a multi front war on Israel from the Houthis from Yemen, Hamas from Gaza, Hezbollah from Lebanon, and Assad from Syria. Over the past 12 months, much of the world attempted to not only isolate Israel but allowed attacks on Jews around the world and on US college campuses.

Nevertheless, Israel persisted and with determined courage, military creativity, and fearless faith. Israel was able to dramatically destroy much of the leadership and terrorist infrastructure of Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and now Assad.

Judah the Maccabee would not fold. Israel will not fold.

As we light the inspiring illumination of the menorah this Hanukkah, we can also revel in the light that Israel has shined for the world to see that Jews will fight for our right display their faith proudly and freely.

Further reading

You can read about the rededication of The Great Synagogue in Rome, another story of modern-day Maccabees here.

Soar like an eagle – Don’t squat like a duck! How I learned to stuff envelopes…with pride

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My first job was an unpaid internship working in Washington, D.C. in the House office building for Congressman Beau Boulter from the 13th district of Texas. I worked as a House intern during my high school senior spring semester. I had been accepted to Harvard and was excited to help the congressman change the world. I was full of ideals and energy but was somewhat surprised when my first job assignment was to stuff envelopes for his constituent mailings. Nevertheless, I recalled the advice I heard from Pat Riley the former All Star / legendary coach of the LA Lakers, Miami Heat, and NY Knicks who gave a lecture about “soaring like an eagle and not squatting like a duck”. Pat Riley described his experiences on the road during the NBA season when he stayed at various hotels. Although the ingredients were the same at each hotel — check-in/ check out, bed, towels and soap in the bathroom, and occasional room service. The experience at the hotels that Pat stayed varied widely! Some hotel staff made these basic ingredients so spectacular. And, some hotels made these elements mundane and disappointing. Pat Reilly said that you have the choice to soar like an eagle or squat like a duck.

When I looked at my monumental pile of envelopes to stuff, I recalled Pat Riley’s advice and could immediately feel the wind rushing past my ears as I soared like an eagle. I immediately figured out the most efficient way to stuff envelopes. I also learned to watch C-Span so that I was fully informed of the current debates on the House floor. My co-workers were amazed at how quickly I could stuff envelopes. They were also impressed with my understanding of the topics being debated on the House floor. Due to my energy and commitment to being the best envelope-stuffer on the House office staff, I was soon promoted to other tasks that required a broader set of responsibilities. For me, no task was too small or mundane. I was determined to exhibit my very best with whatever task/assignment given to me. My highlight project of my internship was writing a speech for my congressman which he read from the House floor. My promotion to write words that his lips read on the House floor was only possible because of my initial efforts to lick constituent envelopes with my tongue.

Are you a Duck or an Eagle?

Rejection and Resilience.

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Rejection is an inevitable part of every career. There will be jobs you apply for and do not get. It is alright to be disappointed, but it is crucial that you don’t allow yourself to become discouraged. The key to success is not in avoiding rejection but in having the resilience to bounce back from it over and over again.

My daughter Lucy once applied to a job she really wanted and was rejected. I wrote her this letter to help put this rejection in perspective:

Dear Lucy,

I am sorry that XYZ Company rejected you today. It is truly their loss. However, I want to make sure that you understand how it can truly be your gain.

As you pursue a career in business, rejection is a constant. Employers will turn you down. Prospects will turn you down. Investors will turn you down. Candidates will turn your offer to join your company down. However, none of these rejections should turn you upside down.

Resilience. Resilience. It is as important to me in business, as tradition is to me in celebrating Judaism.

I have been rejected countless times in my career. For jobs, by investors, by employees I have tried to hire. Nevertheless, I have been resilient and rebounded each and every time.

What is my secret that I want to share with you?

Persistence, Passion, and Patience.

As you have seen in the meeting you attended with CUSTOMER A, we failed in our initial effort.  It was truly one of the worst meetings I have had in my career. Did that stop me?  no, never, no how!  I just got back up, brushed off my knees, swallowed my pride, healed my ego, learned and reviewed and thought very very carefully.

As you can see with our recent CUSTOMER A success (thanks to your role and contribution), we have persisted and succeeded.

Lucy, you are a rock star! You will do amazing things.

I am so so proud of you beyond words.

Love,

Dad

Preserving Peace by Sitting Shiva

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Have you experienced a dear friend visiting your family shiva? How did their shiva visit make you feel?

We are so grateful for the leadership of UAE demonstrating their commitment to peace with Israel and understanding by sending Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaim, a member of the UAE’s Federal Supreme Council, to attend the shiva mourning gathering for murdered Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan, in Kfar Chabad, November 29, 2024.

On November 21, 2024, Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan was murdered in UAE in an apparent terror attack.

UAE Authorities actively coordinated with Israeli authorities and soon arrested three suspected terrorists. Rabbi Kogan was buried in Israel on November 25. Rabbi Kogan was a true pioneer of peace in the UAE.  Rabbi Kogan began his UAE journey in 2014 to establish a foundation for Jewish community.

Within hours of Rabbi Kogan’s funeral, President Trump’s Jewish child Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner pledged $1 million to build a Jewish center in honor of Rabbi Kogan. Immediately thereafter, Josh Kushner, Jared’s brother, and his wife Karla Koss, also gave $1 million to the Chabad center.

I would like to explore these recent events in the context of the Torah.

In Genesis 50, Jacob told Joseph shortly before dying that he had dug his own grave in Canaan and wanted to be buried there. Joseph respectfully followed his father’s wish and began 40 days of mourning.

Pharoah wanted to honor Jacob’s death in order to pay homage for all that Joseph did to help save the land of Egypt as Pharaoh’s key adviser. Pharaoh commanded Egypt to mourn for Jacob for 70 days, the typical period of mourning a pharaoh.

In Genesis 50:7, “Joseph went up to bury his father, and all Pharaoh’s servants, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt went up with him”

This was such a tremendous display of a mixed multitude of the descendants of Abraham/Isaac/Jacob joined by the Elders of Egypt and all of Pharaoh’s court to mourn the death of Jacob.

We are grateful for the leaders of UAE, Bahrain, Israel, and President Trump for their visionary formation of the Abraham Peace Accords.

Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaim, a member of the UAE’s Federal Supreme Council, flew to Israel to attend the shiva in Kfar Chabad, and told mourning family members and friends that the UAE vows that Kogan’s legacy will endure.  Dr. Nuaim said “The UAE will never allow extremists to divide us. Today, more than ever, our country is committed to openness & peace.”

The seemingly small act of attending a shiva speaks volumes about UAE’s Leadership’s commitment to the hope of peace, prosperity, spiritual access and acceptance as epitomized by the Abraham Peace Accords.

The Trump Family’s generous leadership gift to the UAE Chabad Center in honor of Rabbi Kogan reflects’ Jared Kushner’s stature as the architect of the Abraham Peace Accords that, under President Trump’s visionary leadership, brought a new paradigm of peaceful possibilities to the region. In addition, the Kushner brothers along with Ivanka trump’s leadership shows the true potential of sibling cooperation.

Although Genesis began with many examples of sibling conflict, the ultimate delivery of the Children of Israel was based on the cooperation of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam which brought the Children of Israel to the Promised Land.

Making peace is hard, preserving Peace is harder.  In Genesis 32, G-d (Hashem) told Jacob “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Peace is a constant struggle between humans and G-d.  Preserving peace requires relentless determination to constantly overcome.

While the tragic murder of Chabad Rabbi Kogan is a brutal reminder of the threats to Jews/Israelis, the profound UAE’s leadership’s commitment to a peaceful relationship with Israel by sending an emissary to sit shiva, similarly to Pharaoh sending his court to Jacob’s funeral, has helped preserve the peace and provide an inspiration for so many.

Additional Comments:

Breaking Matzo made a donation to Rivky Kogan in honor of Rabbi Kogan and remember his legacy of pioneering peace in the UAE.

Further Reading

Chabad Background in UAE

  • You can learn more about Jewish life in the UAE here.
  • You can read more about the historic Abraham Accords here.
  • You can read more about Jewish mourning rituals here.

Exodus and Mixed Multitude

In our interpretation, the “Israelites” in the wilderness was comprised of both Hebrew slaves who left Egypt and also some Egyptians who, together, became the Children of Israel, wandering in the wilderness and, ultimately, seeking the Promised Land. It is the shared journey of people of different backgrounds but shared purpose that can create peace and harmony in our lands.

Exodus 12:37-38: “And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much battle.”

Leviticus 24:10-16: “And the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and the son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp.”

Numbers 11:5: “And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting; and the children of Israel also wept”

 

Flying Fueled with Faith: Connections Between Abraham, Amsterdam, El Al, and Dubai

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Have you ever felt fueled by faith for an important mission? How did it feel? What catalyzed your faith?

Over the past week, I sought to weave a connection between the Pogrom against Jews in Amsterdam, the boycott of foreign airlines flying to Israel, the rescue mission of El Al Airlines, and the torah portion of Lech Lecha.

On November 7th, Jews and Israelis were targeted in a pogrom attack at a football (soccer) match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Dutch team Ajax in Amsterdam. Immediately following the game, a premeditated assault on Israeli and Jewish fans ensued with sadly ineffective local police protection. You can read more about this horrific attack here and here.

Israeli and Jewish fans were assaulted on the streets. They fled to safety in their hotel rooms and were instructed not to leave for fear of further targeted attacks. Ironically the Amsterdam Football Pogrom was two days after, November 9th, was the 86th anniversary of the Kristallnacht attack on Jews.

Given the extraordinary physical threat to nearly the 3,000 Israeli and Jewish fans trapped in Amsterdam, El Al Airlines organized an incredible rescue operation. The background of this rescue mission merits unpacking to explore the meaning of faith fueling flights.

This week, I also attended the Calcanist conference in Miami which was a gathering of leading Israeli and Jewish technology entrepreneurs and investors. Dina Ben Tal Ganancia the CEO of El Al spoke on one of the panels.

She discussed the unprecedented rescue operation, saying that “In the morning, we are an airline and sometimes at night we an army.”  She explained the extraordinary circumstances of the Amsterdam rescue mission which required the special permission of the Chief Rabbi to fly on Shabbat. You can read more about it here.

The concept of faith playing such a central role in El Al Airways connected me with this week’s parsha of Lech-Lecha. Abraham is the first patriarch of the Children of Israel. What was extraordinary about Abraham was not what accomplished, but what he believed. Abraham was the first to find faith in a monotheistic god. Abraham left his former family and community that worshiped multiple deities.

When I thought of the El Al mission to fly with faith and rescue Israelis and Jews, I was saddened by many global airlines’ boycott of Israel which meant that El Al was the last resort to get from Europe to Israel.

Abraham was the father to Ishmael which led to Islam, Isaac to Judaism, and later Jesus the father of Christianity.

When I reflected on the Abraham Peace Accords which honored Abraham and the connections of Judaism and Islam, I was heartened to read that UAE continues to fly to Israel and help connect Israel to the rest of the world. You can read about these continued flights here.

The UAE is determined to maintain the spiritual bond and commercial promise of the Abraham Accords to bring peace, prosperity, and spiritual access to the UAE, Israel, and the rest of the world.

I believe that these flights flying to and from Israel on El Al and UAE carriers (Fly Dubai and Etihad) have been fueled by faith and the pursuit of peaceful possibilities.

Further Reading

  • You can read more about the rescue flights out of Amsterdam here.
  • You can learn about the history of Anne Frank and here history in Amsterdam here.
  • You can learn more about the horrific Kristallnacht attacks here.
  • You can read more about the first flight between Dubai and Israel here.
  • You can read more about the historic Abraham Peace Accords, here, here, and here.

Shabbat Shekelim

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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?

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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?

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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.