"Be Holy, for I am Holy", is G-d's instruction in this week's Torah reading.
The Torah proceeds to then give us the recipe for holiness. Love your fellow, don't take revenge, pursue justice, be honest in business and engage in only moral marital relationships.
On our journey of self growth, looking to reach great spiritual heights, we can easily become self absorbed. G-d is making it very clear for us here. The path to true holiness, a holiness that emulates G-dliness is through our behavior with our fellow human being.
Essentially, we discover G-d through our interaction with the people around us.
Living a life with kindness, honesty, respect and care, being there for one another, IS a holy life. There is no need to search for it. The need is to work hard at it every day!!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
Jteens join for an outdoor Teen Shabbat experience!
Cocktails, Candle Lighting, Kiddush, Dinner and Dessert
Lag Ba'omer Family Fun Night
Thursday, April 29 6pm-8pm
Full BBQ dinner! Cold beer for adults! Rides and giant inflatables! Cotton candy! Music!
Arts & crafts! Round the fire marshmallow roasting!
Admission includes all rides, attractions, crafts, all food and drinks and full BBQ dinner.
Join for a women's night out, creating your own beautiful flower arrangement, enjoy wine, cheese desserts and great discussion!
Reserve a table with your friends!
Discussing life in the light of Chabad Philosophy
On Zoom:
Meeting ID: 895 6598 0718
Passcode: tanya
Presented in English by Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman
MVP Mitzvah Volunteer Program
Thursdays 4-5pm
For boys and girls in Grades 6th- 8th
At each weekly program MVP's will prepare special personalized packages for seniors that will be delivered safely in time for Shabbat.
Join the weekly meetings at the Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn location, to prepare and personalize the packages and have some treats and fun while we work.
A BISSELE HUMOR
A Jewish grandmother once took her grandson to a séance. After making her magic, the crystal ball lady claimed she had made contact with the woman's deceased husband, Chaim. Indeed, they heard a male voice saying how everything was well with him on the other side and he answered all their questions. Then, little Harry the grandson piped up and asked, "Zayde, may I ask you one more question please. When did you learn to speak English so well?"
WEEKLY eTORAH
Our Parshah exhorts us to "be holy" and the reason given is "for I (G‑d) am holy." The Midrash adds that though we are encouraged to reach for G‑d's holiness, it will always remain beyond us.
What did the Midrash seek to accomplish by this statement? Try to reach Me but know that you never really will. What a disheartening thought!
In teaching his child to walk, a father will place the child on the floor and stand a little distance away. He will then reach to the child, encourage him to take his first step and thus reach his father. Encouraged by the thought, the child happily takes the step. Seeing this, the father now takes two steps back, hoping the child will follow suit.
A mature child may stop and wonder: why would his father foster an illusion of nearness only to later retreat? Why does he ask me to take a step forward only to become elusive once again? The father is looking to teach his son the true objective of life: it is not important to reach your father, it is important to walk on your own. This simple yet incredible piece of information will enable the child to take a lifetime of forward steps.
Our Father in Heaven interacts in the same way. He places us under the illusion that we can indeed reach him. However, the more we learn, the more we discover how humble and insignificant we truly are. The more we know, the more we learn how much we truly don't know. We may wonder in exasperation: why He would appear to be so close only to hide Himself once again.
The wise Jew remembers that the goal is not to reach Him but to learn to take forward steps. Indeed a lifetime of forward steps.
