Rabbi's Corner - Chabad-Sutton

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Friday, February 22, 2019 - 1:32 PM

Dear Friend,

What a wonderful week it was!

In addition to the usual hectic goings-on at Chabad we had two wonderful community events (pictures attached), the grand finale of the ‘Six Great Thinkers – One Thousand Years of Jewish Thought’ and the women’s Challah Bake (Special thank you to internationally acclaimed Challah baker and best-selling author of 'Rising, the book of Challah' (who also happens to be Raizy’s sister), Rebbetzin Rochie Pinson.

Which leads me to this week’s Torah portion where we read of a most unusual fundraising drive: the wealthy do not give more than one half-shekel and the destitute must also somehow come up with a full half-shekel as a donation. The commentaries wonder: what is the meaning of this? Wouldn’t it make sense for the population to contribute an amount appropriate to their financial capacity? The answer: The focus here is to drive home the point that we are all an equal piece of a larger kaleidoscope, the community.

The beauty of this week’s beautiful programs is that it brought together and united so many members of our community. We are all different; we have varying political opinions, occupations, and world outlooks-- and yet, we are all one community.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite your ‘half-shekel’ to another great community event up ahead: the Chabad at Beekman-Sutton 1980’s themed Purim party (promotion attached). Come dressed in a 1980’s themed costume and receive a complimentary mini rubics cube (might I mention no need to bring the spray-paint).

May almighty Gd bless you, our entire community and all communities with a good Shabbos/Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Shmuel Metzger

PS: If you're a kid - or have one- don't miss an incredible event taking place THIS Sunday at Chabad, YOU SCRIBE! 2-4 pm. Click here to RSVP

Pictures from the women's Challah bake:

Baby Loves Shabbat Weekly Friday class:

Exploring Space and the Moon Landing at Manhattan Jewish Montessori this week:

< Less-Than Greater-Than>

Friday, February 15, 2019 - 2:09 PM

Dear Friend,

Hope you are well as we land safely into a restful and meaningful Shabbat/ Presidents Weekend.

Just this week on one of my journeys, I noticed an interesting anomaly at the Essex Street station; a platform that is both uptown and downtown (pictured above).

This got me thinking about a running theme at our Shabbat table discussions; as a people are we headed from or to the golden era of time? Some two thousand years ago the Rabbis of the Talmud had noted (Shabbat 112b) 'If the early generations are characterized as sons of angels, we are the sons of men. And if the early generations are characterized as the sons of men, we are akin to 'less-than humans', this sentiment is reflected in Jewish law as it is quite rare for the Achronim to dispute a law laid down by the earlier Rishonim ie we are headed way downtown intellectually.

With that said, as we approach the final lesson of the Winter 2019 'Six Great Thinkers - One Thousand Years Of Jewish Thought' it becomes crystal clear that there is a powerful evolution for the good taking place in Jewish thought in both breadth and depth especially pronounced in the realm of the esoteric. Rabbi Judah Halevi may not have had access to esoteric thought period, Maimonides is at the very least a closet Kabbalist, Nachmanides opens the gate to this wisdom, The Ari opens a floodgate albeit to a select few, The Bal Shem Tov develops this mystical thought further into Chassidic thought and makes it available to every last shtetel dweller And now for the grand finale: February 19, 7:30pm, 'The Rebbe- The Endgame: Essential Theology Through Global Activism. This evening will be in Farbrengen format. Don't miss it.

Ladies and gentleman, we find ourselves at the summit of downtown AND uptown, the best of times, the worst of times, one day further from the giving of the Torah; at the same time let us focus that we are fortunately one day, one hour, one split-second closer to the arrival of our righteous Moshiach and peace for mankind.

With every best wish,

Rabbi Shmuel Metzger

The Plural I

Friday, February 8, 2019 - 11:34 AM

Dear Friend,

A happy almost Shabbos to you.

This week's Torah portion begins with the commandment to build the Mishkan, (Shemos 25:8) "Make a home for me and I will dwell in them".

The classic commentaries and super-commentaries struggle to make sense of the switch from singular to plural in this verse. Should it not have been written, “and I will dwell in it?”

Allow me to give a sampling of their interpretations:

Basic
'Them' is an allusion to the Tabernacle, the Three temples in Jerusalem and the various synagogues and individual homes which serve as a 'safe space' for the sacred in this world.

Mystical
Rabbi Yeshayahu Horowitz's (1558-1628) magnum opus (best described as 'Pre-Chassidic Chassidic thought') interprets 'them' to mean, every single individual of the nation of Israel. The imposing architecture may be impressive; more impressive though, is an individual making her/himself a 'dwelling place' for Gd's presence with the study of Torah and performance of the Mitzvahs. I should mention that The Rebbe would quote this interpretation quite often.

An Alternative Explanation
May I suggest a third interpretation with a little twist: The human being is so very complex (and even complicated at times.) The book of Tanya begins with an existential question which may cross one's mind, "Am I essentially a good guy or a bad guy?". The author explains that the answer to this conundrum is not so simple. Wo/man is a hybrid of a holy soul which is a Chelek Eloka Mimal Mamosh - an actual fragment of Gd - and a Nefesh Habahamis - A self serving animal(istic) soul. These two paradoxical forces tethered together create a full circuit and wo/man springs to life. Now, compound that with chemicals and positive and not-so-positive life experiences and alas the gestalt of 'I' might feel like 'We'. Says Almighty Gd: Please allow Me in, to 'feel at home' in whatever role you play- thoughtful daughter, caring sister, loving spouse, dedicated father, no-nonsense employer, brilliant scholar, etcetera. Make Me at home as whomever and wherever you are.

Though this is indeed a monumental task, I bless you and your loved ones in the timeless words of Moses at the grand opening of the Mishkan: “May it be Gd's will that His blessed presence be found in all you do".

Warmly,
Rabbi Shmuel Metzger

PS The upcoming 'Six Great Minds - One Thousand Years Of Jewish Thought' on Tuesday evening will explore the fascinating life and times of the great 'Baal Shem Tov' founder of the Chassidic movement. This class is not to be missed! I know it's after a long day of work...I assure that you will not regret venturing into the cold night to attend this riveting class.

Double Your Fun

Friday, February 1, 2019 - 9:28 PM

Dear Friend,

Hope your week went well.

We are at the cusp of the very special "twin months" of Adar.

An introduction and some basic math: The Jewish calendar is essentially a lunar calendar (354 days and some change) however the Torah requires that the holidays be within a specific season; whereas there is an 11 day deficit annually, we 'fall behind' a full month every three years. The solution is a 'leap month' every few years. After a brief discussion in the Talmud, the sages conclude that the added month should be the happiest one ie the Purim month.

This year we enjoy this special calendar with Rosh Chodesh this coming week (Feb 5-6) and we celebrate Purim on the eve of March 20.

Speaking of which, mark your calendar for the eve of March 20th when Chabad at Beekman-Sutton will celebrate with a 1980's themed Purim party. You can come and dance with your Michael Jackson moondance shoes or if you wish just sit in the back and play Pac-Man, your call. The combinations and fun ideas are virtually endless. Our boombox will be blasting festive Jewish music all evening.

May almighty G-d bless you with double blessing now and always.

Stay warm and Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Shmuel Metzger

PS The 'Six Great Thinkers - One Thousand Years of Jewish Thought' winter series is going strong. To reserve click here

PPS check for a Kosher symbol on the Doublemint®
"Double Your Pleasure®, Double Your Fun™" or the knockoff "Dubble Bubble" as some chewing gums include gelatin which is sourced from a super non-kosher animal which shall remain unnamed.