Dear Friend,
When we look in the mirror, we see what the mirror sees.
But is that all there is to us? Or is there more?
When Jacob dreamt of angels going up and down a ladder, it is said that the angels were trying to reconcile the fact that physical Jacob and the spiritual Jacob looked the same.
You see, most people look very different in the physical form from their spiritual identity, even though it is the same individual. The reason for this is that we often do not live up to our true self and potential.
Jacob was unique in that he was the same above and below, and the angels rarely saw this type of phenomenon.
We must evaluate how we see ourselves and share this vantage point with our children and youth. Our perspective is our reality, we often get caught up with the image in the mirror, and especially the image we project to other people.
However, it is far better and empowering to live up to our true soul identity, our spiritual selves, the part of us that is truly capable of great things, that is not bothered by silliness, is pure, holy, and close with G-d.
The trick is to merge the two and allow for our physical selves to feel and realize who we really are and how we need to act as a result.
So, get rid of the Mirror? Na!
Just use your mind and create a new mirror, one that is intellectual. By thinking of the spiritual you and learning about it, you will get more in touch with it until it will merge with your physical form.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
Directors
Shabbos Times
Friday, December 2
Candle Lighting: 4:10pm
Evening service: 4:15pm
Saturday, December 3 Morning service: 10:00am
Kiddush Brunch: 12:00pm Evening service: 4:10pm
Shabbos ends: 5:14pm
Kiddush Sponsored by Yuri and Polina Melnikov
In memory of Yuri's Grandmother Lyubov bas Moshe OB"M
May her memory be a blessing
Daily Minyan Times
December 4th - December 9th
Sunday Morning: 8:00am
Monday- Friday Morning: 7:00am
Sunday- Thursday Evening: 4:15pm
A BISSELE HUMOR
Bill, Jim, and Scott were at a convention together sharing a large suite at the top of a 75-story hotel. After a long day of meetings, they were shocked to hear that the elevators in their hotel were broken, and they would have to climb 75 flights of stairs to get to their room.
Bill said to Jim and Scott, "Let's break the monotony of this unpleasant task by concentrating on something interesting. I'll tell jokes for 25 flights, Jim can sing songs for the next 25 flights and Scott will tell sad stories for the rest of the way." On the 26th floor, Bill stopped telling jokes and Jim began to sing. At the 51st floor, Jim stopped singing and Scott began to tell sad stories.
"I will tell my saddest story first," he said. "I left the room key in the car."
WEEKLY eTORAH
Philosophers have long struggled with the great question of our freedom of choice on the one hand, and our belief in a higher destiny on the other. Is life determined by fate, or do we enjoy genuine freedom?
Generally, Judaism would seem to subscribe to a personal freedom in matters of morality, faith and the ethical choices we make in life. But when it comes to things like life and death, and even health and wealth, much as we would like to think we are in the driver’s seat, we do seem to be subject to forces beyond our control. Where we live, how long we will live, how comfortably we will live—these are all in G‑d’s hands. Where we can and must choose is what kind of life we will lead. Whether it will be a G‑dly, righteous, upstanding, decent and honest life—this is up to us, and us alone. G‑d steps back to grant us the freedom to determine how good, how kind and how Jewish we will, or will not, be.
And Jacob lifted his feet and went on his way (Genesis 29:1). This verse from our Parshah tells of Jacob’s journey in his escape from the wrath of Esau. He was en route to Haran, where he would eventually establish his family and lay the foundations for the Jewish people. But why the curious language, “And Jacob lifted his feet”? Does the Torah really need to tell us that in order to move, we have to first lift our feet? Was he stuck in a swamp or something?
So many of us look at our circumstances and shrug our shoulders, “Nu, what can you do?” If we were born into poverty or raised in a less-than-privileged environment, we resign ourselves to being doomed to failure. So many people have told me that they were part of the “lost generation” of Jews who had no Jewish education or upbringing. Their immigrant parents were so busy surviving in a new world that they had no time or headspace to raise their children with the Jewish value system they themselves had back in Europe. Tragically, these individuals felt that, Jewishly, they were lost forever.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks of blessed memory told the story of how, as a young philosophy student at Cambridge, he traveled the world visiting great leaders. When he came to see the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe asked him what he was doing for the Jewish students at Cambridge. He began by saying, “In the circumstances I currently find myself . . .” whereupon the Rebbe interrupted him and said, “No one ‘finds himself’ in circumstances. We create our own circumstances.”
Of course, there are times when we will find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control; but throughout life, we will find ample scope and opportunities to improve our own circumstances. G‑d gives each of us our own unique qualities, talents and potential, and it is up to us to use and develop these gifts. Life is full of inspiring examples of individuals who have overcome disabilities and disadvantages of one kind or another. In the Jewish world, many have risen to prominence from the humblest beginnings. The Torah is the birthright of every Jew. We just have to go out and claim it.
The words of our Parshah are quite deliberate and well-chosen after all. “Jacob lifted his feet and went on his way.” Some people follow their feet wherever they will take them. No matter the direction, they simply coast along, allowing their feet to lead them.
Not so Jacob. He was master of his feet and master of his circumstances. He set his feet on the right road, and became master of his destiny.
May we all be inspired to lift ourselves beyond our circumstances.
