Rabbi Fishel's Blog

Dear Friends,

Dear Friends, 

We end this week and head into Shabbos with our minds on Israel. Our thoughts are with our brothers and sisters in the holy land, and we who find ourselves elsewhere in the world can only imagine the heavy feeling of an entire country holding its breath moment to moment. It is especially apropos that we read Shelach for this week's Torah Portion, in which the Jewish people send spies into Israel.

This Torah Portion holds a special place in my heart, not only because it was my Bar Mitzvah Torah Portion, but because of its timeless message for the Jewish nation as a whole and for every person as an individual. The Jews in the desert were nervous about entering the land of Israel, so G-d allowed them to send twelve spies to scope out the situation and report back.

When they returned, they famously frightened the others with their accounts of giants occupying the land, supported by the enormous fruit they brought back. And here is where they made their one and only error. Not in recounting the facts––there were actual giants inhabiting Israel at the time––but in jumping to the conclusion that their presence would thwart the Jews' ability to enter the land.

G-d had already told them that they would conquer Israel and settle there. That was the Jewish nation's mission and destiny. The purpose of sending the spies, therefore, was not to see IF they could enter the land, but rather HOW. 

And isn't this so often the case with us? Everyone has a mission in this life. Every soul, every Jew, every person, is indispensable. Now that mission will undoubtedly come with obstacles. But the question is not IF you can succeed, but HOW. G-d gives you the tools, the support, and the strength to be successful, so you can venture forth with confidence.

Right now it frankly feels like the world is falling apart. Every day can be a challenge to keep your head up amidst the rampant antisemitism and hateful chaos we read in every news headline. But against all odds, the Jewish people are still trying to figure out the best way to enter the land of Israel––literally! People are still making Aliyah or signing up to help defend or rebuild our homeland. 

So let this be your reminder. Whatever giants you are facing day to day. The question is not should you proceed. It is not will you be successful? You already have everything you need to complete your divine mission. The only question is not IF, but HOW. 

 Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos  

My heart is in Israel.

Israel is now at war with Iran, with the IDF engaged in the fight to defend the Holy Land and our brothers and sisters, and to bring peace to the region.

This is not just another war. This is not just another news cycle. This is a moment that will echo through history for generations.

As Israel goes into lockdown, with our hearts and eyes turned toward our homeland, it’s no coincidence that this week’s Torah portion recounts how, each time the Children of Israel set out on their perilous journeys, Moses would declare: “Arise, O G-d, and scatter Your enemies.”

Most of us are hundreds or thousands of miles away, in our own communities. Yet our very being cries out: How can we help? Is there anything we can do?

At this critical hour, Am Yisroel needs your prayers.

In a striking development, the Chief Rabbis of Israel have called on the public, in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines: Shabbat prayers should not be held in synagogues.

If Israelis can’t go to shul, we must go for them. Let our voices, our prayers, our presence in shul be not only for ourselves, but on behalf of our brothers and sisters who cannot gather. Now more than ever, our prayers must echo louder, stronger, and reach higher.

Here are a few suggestions I believe you’ll find meaningful:

Firstly, let’s gather tomorrow on Shabbat, June 14 at 11:00 a.m. to storm the Heavens on behalf of our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. Join us for prayers and to stand in solidarity at Chabad Naples in support of Israel. If you don't usually come to Shul, please consider joining the Chabad Naples family this Shabbat. 

Secondly, always remember we are all connected. By performing a Mitzvah here, we uplift our brethren in Israel.

I urge you to adopt a Mitzvah in honor of the Israeli people. For men, if you haven’t yet, perhaps consider donning Tefillin regularly, even if it is once a week. For women, consider lighting the Shabbat and holiday candles on time.

If you are not sure which Mitzvah to choose, please reach out to me or Ettie. We will be happy to help.

Know that every Mitzvah strengthens our spiritual connection, bringing protection to our brothers and sisters in Israel. So, please choose a Mitzvah soon.

Thirdly, if you have contacts in Israel—and I believe most of us do—drop them a line. A call or an email expressing your care, mentioning the Mitzvah you’re taking up for them, can be uplifting.

Lastly,  give Tzedakah. Invest in Israel Bonds. There are many commendable organizations that deserve your support. Please give where your heart leads you. You can also contribute through our website by clicking here. In the comments, please write “Israel Emergency Fund." Let's lift up Israel with heart and action.

Our prayers, mitzvot and acts of charity on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Israel are not symbolic, they are powerful, as they are critical. They draw down Divine blessing and protection. They help ensure that G d’s watchful eye remains upon the Land and its people, guarding them from harm.

This is an unprecedented time and we need every one of us to be strong and be counted. We can’t just sit by. What we do here makes a difference there.

If not now, then when? And if not us, then who?

Friends, let’s pray to G-d from the bottom of our hearts:

Please G-d, be with the heroic members of Israel's Air Force, the IDF, our brothers and sisters in Israel, and the American troops in the region.

Please G-d, be with Israel’s leadership, that they make the right decisions for the safety and security of Israel.

Please G-d, bring back all hostages to their families.

Please G-d, enough with this exile. Please bring us Moshiach and make our world whole again.

Am Yisroel Chai!

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

 2He causes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.

 A song for ascents.

I shall raise my eyes to the mountains, from where will my help come?

 2My help is from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Dear Friends,

Wednesday night’s event with Sapir Cohen and Sasha Troufanov was nothing short of extraordinary. With 350 strong and one heart, the atmosphere was electric—charged with emotion, hope, and Jewish pride.

As we gathered the day after Shavuot, the message of Jewish unity echoed powerfully through the evening. We came together from different backgrounds, affiliations, and walks of life, yet we stood as one people with one heart. Just like our ancestors at Mount Sinai, who were described in the Torah in the singular, “Vayichan sham Yisrael,” we, too, experienced that singularity last night—united in purpose, in prayer, and in love for our brothers and sisters.

So when the world, or the media, tries to tell us that we are hopelessly divided, fractured by politics or levels of observance, we’ll remember last night. We’ll remember the standing ovation, the shared tears, and the unshakable feeling of pride in being one family.

To Sapir and Sasha: Your courage lifted up the room. You reminded us of what we’re capable of as individuals and as a people. You are a living light in the darkness, and your strength inspires us all. We are forever changed.

To everyone who attended, thank you for being part of this unforgettable evening of strength, resilience, and unity.  

Thank you to all the generous sponsors who made this monumental evening possible. A special thank you to the incredible team of volunteers for a truly fabulous job!

And yet, even as we celebrated the miracle of Sasha and Sapir’s return, we cannot—we must not—forget the plight of those still in captivity.

Our precious brothers and sisters—men, women, children, and the elderly—continue to languish in the dark, suffocating tunnels beneath Gaza.

As of today, they have been held for 608 days. 608 DAYS!!!

How can this be?! How has the world allowed this to go on for so long?

We dare not become numb. We dare not grow complacent. We must not let our outrage wane or our prayers fade. Whether in the media, in the halls of Congress, in the White House, or in the heavens above, we must continue to raise our voices—loud, unwavering, and relentless—until every last hostage is brought home: those who are still alive, and those whose lives were so cruelly taken while in captivity but must be returned to their families and laid to rest with dignity and sanctity.

Bring them home. In peace. All of them. NOW.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos  

Dear Friends,

Wednesday night’s event with Sapir Cohen and Sasha Troufanov was nothing short of extraordinary. With 350 strong and one heart, the atmosphere was electric—charged with emotion, hope, and Jewish pride.

As we gathered the day after Shavuot, the message of Jewish unity echoed powerfully through the evening. We came together from different backgrounds, affiliations, and walks of life, yet we stood as one people with one heart. Just like our ancestors at Mount Sinai, who were described in the Torah in the singular, “Vayichan sham Yisrael,” we, too, experienced that singularity last night—united in purpose, in prayer, and in love for our brothers and sisters.

So when the world, or the media, tries to tell us that we are hopelessly divided, fractured by politics or levels of observance, we’ll remember last night. We’ll remember the standing ovation, the shared tears, and the unshakable feeling of pride in being one family.

To Sapir and Sasha: Your courage lifted up the room. You reminded us of what we’re capable of as individuals and as a people. You are a living light in the darkness, and your strength inspires us all. We are forever changed.

To everyone who attended, thank you for being part of this unforgettable evening of strength, resilience, and unity.  

Thank you to all the generous sponsors who made this monumental evening possible. A special thank you to the incredible team of volunteers for a truly fabulous job!

And yet, even as we celebrated the miracle of Sasha and Sapir’s return, we cannot—we must not—forget the plight of those still in captivity.

Our precious brothers and sisters—men, women, children, and the elderly—continue to languish in the dark, suffocating tunnels beneath Gaza.

As of today, they have been held for 608 days. 608 DAYS!!!

How can this be?! How has the world allowed this to go on for so long?

We dare not become numb. We dare not grow complacent. We must not let our outrage wane or our prayers fade. Whether in the media, in the halls of Congress, in the White House, or in the heavens above, we must continue to raise our voices—loud, unwavering, and relentless—until every last hostage is brought home: those who are still alive, and those whose lives were so cruelly taken while in captivity but must be returned to their families and laid to rest with dignity and sanctity.

Bring them home. In peace. All of them. NOW.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos  

SAD SAD DAY...

Dear Friends,

Our hearts are shattered by the murder of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside a function at the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC.

Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, two beautiful souls taken in an act of terror. Their dreams were stolen. Their future erased. Our sorrow and outrage are beyond words.

They were peacebuilders. Bridge-makers. Proud Jews. And for that, their lives were stolen.

This must be a wake-up call. Allowing antisemitism to fester, leads to murder and terror. Antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem. It is a blemish on the civilized world. It requires a whole of society response. This is a matter of life and death.

Let's honor their holy and precious souls, and as difficult as it seems, let's try to channel today's emotions into actions. Action in confronting our enemies, action in improving ourselves, strengthening our unity, increasing in mitzvot, and reciting prayers and Psalms in their loving memory. 

Let's join together this Shabbat at the Chabad of Naples Mishpacha to honor their precious souls. 

To their families, friends, and all who knew and loved them, we mourn with you. We hold you in our hearts and prayers during this unimaginable time.

This Shabbat as we conclude the book of Vayikra, we are reminded of the eternal command: “You shall not stand idly by the blood of your fellow” (Vayikra 19:16). We cannot be silent.

And with the words Chazak, Chazak, v’nitchazek — “Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another” — may we find the courage to carry each other forward with unity, purpose, and faith.

May their memories be a blessing.

We pray that God will finally wipe away all tears, heal the broken hearts, and bring true comfort to us all.

With love and resolve.

Am Yisroel Chai.

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

 Dear friends,

This is an exciting week coming up, and let me tell you why.

As a child, I remember Lag BaOmer was always a special holiday. And now, as an adult, it’s even more meaningful. The message behind it is deeply relevant—perhaps more now than ever.

This coming Thursday is a special day on the Jewish calendar. It marks the passing of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the Talmudic sage who introduced the study of Jewish mysticism to the masses.

It also marks the day when the plague stopped among the students of Rabbi Akiva.

And here is the powerful message:

When Rabbi Akiva lost 24,000 students, he didn’t become hopeless. He didn’t give up or give in. When the last funeral concluded, when the last shiva was observed, on Lag BaOmer he found five new students and started again.

Lag BaOmer is the celebration of never becoming hopeless or despondent. It is a day of tenacity, resilience, and a commitment to carry on and to continue our magnificent heritage and sacred mission in this world. The message is clear: keep the fire burning. Keep the passion, energy, and enthusiasm going. Live the legacy of Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, and the holy souls we’ve lost since October 7.

Let’s shine their light forward. We carry their mission. And we must never allow that light to dim.

Especially now, with everything going on in the world, it’s easy to feel drained. Sometimes it can feel like our inner flame is fading. But this is precisely when we need to dig deeper. To keep the fire of our neshama alive and glowing. To stay connected. To stay inspired. Because the world needs our light more than ever. Every mitzvah, every act of kindness, every moment of Jewish pride adds fuel to that flame. We don’t burn out. We burn brighter.

As we pray for ourselves and our families, let’s also pray for all those who will spend this Shabbos without their loved ones. Pray for the hostages and for the holy land of Israel, the Jewish people, and the world over—for light, love, and peace.

Lag BaOmer is a special day of unity. When God looks down and sees His children united, He opens the heavens and showers blessings upon us all.

Let’s come together this Thursday at 6 PM for a special community Lag BaOmer barbecue. The greatest blessing is when we stand united as a community. “How good and how pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together.” It will be a beautiful time to reconnect, to celebrate, and to uplift one another. Please RSVP by clicking here. We can’t wait to see you there.

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos 

Dear Friends,

The miracle of 1948 was repeated in 1967, again in 1973 - and we continue to pray for it to be repeated once more, half a century later, following October 7, 2023.

It is the miracle of the G-d of Israel saving the People of Israel from the hands of those who, time and again, declare their intent to destroy her. One of the most haunting images of October 7 is of Shiri clutching her children with all her might. Another face etched into our collective memory is that of Noa Argamani, torn from her partner at the Nova Festival, clinging to the back of a motorcycle.

Last week, Noa was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025. She is a global beacon of strength and resilience. Just days after her rescue, she was seen dancing with her father at a party. It raised eyebrows, but in that moment, she became the living embodiment of “we will dance again.” Despite 246 days in captivity, the loss of her mother, and her partner still in captivity, Noa knew the power of letting go and pushing towards a better future.

These two opposite images—one of holding on with all your might, and one of letting go with all your heart—tell the story of the Jewish people. We are a people who have held on—for dear life—through exile, loss, and pain. And yet, we are also a people who have learned, when necessary, to let go, to move forward, to rebuild, and to hope again.

Letting go is hard. Sometimes harder than holding on.

Letting go is never easy, but we come to learn how to do it throughout life.

 We are also a people who know how to hold on—to our history, our traditions, and to hope. Yehuda Halevi called us “asirei tikvah”—prisoners of hope. The only prison we Jews are proud to be in.

 Hope, is one thing we never let go of. The Jewish people have clung to it through centuries of exile, persecution, and heartbreak. We’ve imagined redemption again and again. And we still do. Despite being exiled to every corner of the globe.

This Shabbat, let’s do what we do best as a community, keep imagining, keep hoping, and know that together, we will all dance again

We pray for G-d’s continued protection and deliverance of the Jewish people from those who seek our harm.

But we also recommit.

We recommit to living more Jewishly. To shining more brightly. To giving the world the light that it so desperately needs - the light for which Hashem created the Jewish people and sent every soul, into this world: to illuminate it.

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

Dear Friends,

We hope your Pesach was beautiful, inspiring, and filling in both body and spirit.

Thank God at Chabad of Naples we were blessed with so many beautiful people joining us together for our BIG Family Seder at the Chabad Naples, well attended services, and many Yom Tov meals together sharing words of Torah, song and celebration.

****

As we approach the final days of the festival, here’s a powerful reminder rooted in our earliest history.

When G‑d promised Abraham and Sarah a child, it seemed completely impossible. They were old, long past the age of parenthood. But then G‑d took Abraham outside and said: “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. So shall your descendants be.”

Now pause and imagine that moment. Faced with a sky full of stars, Abraham could’ve laughed. He could’ve walked back inside. He could’ve said, “This is ridiculous.”

But he didn’t.

He looked up and he began counting.

One. Two. Three…

In response, G‑d said:

“כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ — So shall your children be.”

Not just as numerous as the stars, but like Abraham himself: the kind of people who begin counting, even when the task seems impossible.

That has always been the spirit of the Jewish people. In every generation we end the Seder with the words: “לשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בִּירוּשָׁלָיִם — Next year in Jerusalem.”

This wasn’t just a hope; it was a declaration, a commitment to making the impossible possible. And then, miraculously, the dream that seemed so far away was realized. The stars were counted.

As we head towards the final days of Pesach, and ask for our final redemption remember: impossible is just an idea. Inside it lives a promise: I’M POSSIBLE.

Keep counting. Keep believing. We are the children of Abraham and Sarah.

And we must keep believing—not just in the promises of the past, but in the hope of today. In the face of darkness, in the face of what feels impossible, we must hold onto faith and action. Just as Abraham looked up and began to count the stars, we must continue to count every soul, every prayer, every act of courage, and never give up hope that all the hostages will return home to freedom, to life, to light.

Which brings us to this moment of strength and clarity:

Mazal tov to former hostage Noa Argamani, named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025.

Recognized in the “Leaders” category, Noa’s strength and advocacy have captured hearts around the world. Abducted from the Nova music festival and held in Gaza for 246 days, her rescue by Israeli forces last June was a moment of national and global relief.

Since then, she’s refused to stay silent. She’s become a fierce voice for the 59 hostages still in captivity, including her partner, Avinatan Or. In February, she made history as the first released hostage to brief the UN Security Council. And she hasn’t stopped since.

Sharing the TIME honor, she wrote:

“I made a promise to bring them home, including my love, Avinatan. We must not stop. Bring Them All Home Now.”

Noa’s story is more than one of survival—it’s a testament to resilience, purpose, and the power of one voice.

Even in the darkest moments, she reminds us that strength can be found, hope can be shared, and action can ripple outward. As Noa said: “We must not stop.”

Because each of us, wherever we are, can choose to be a light. We all have the power to be “most influential” in our own corner of the world.

Chag Sameach!

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

Dear Friends,

As the holiday of Passover descends upon us, Ettie, Mendel, Yitzi, Chaya and Hinda join me in wishing you and yours a truly joyful Passover holiday. 

We are thinking of family and friends far and near and wishing you a very special holiday full of quality time and traditional experiences creating lifelong memories with family and friends.

**** 

A Path to True Happiness: The Jewish Way

Almost every young person begins life thinking happiness is about getting. If I get the right job, the right house, the right approval, or the right recognition, then I’ll be happy. But then life pulls you aside and teaches you something different.

True happiness, the kind that lasts, doesn’t come from what you get. It comes from what you give.

In Jewish tradition, we have a word for happiness: simcha. And what’s fascinating is that in all the pages of the Torah, you’ll never find simcha happening in isolation. Joy in Judaism is never about one person alone. It’s always something shared.

Let me give you two brief examples.

First, when a man gets married, the Torah exempts him from military service for an entire year. Why? To stay home and bring joy to his wife. Not so he can be happy or go on a honeymoon, but so he can make someone else happy. Because joy in Judaism doesn’t begin with me—it begins with you.

Second, the great festivals of the Jewish year—Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot—are called zman simchateinu, “seasons of our joy.” But listen carefully to who is invited. The Torah says, “You shall rejoice, you, your sons and daughters, your servants, the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow”. This is not just a guest list, it’s a worldview. Everyone belongs—the powerful and the vulnerable, the insiders and the outsiders.

If your joy isn’t big enough to hold someone else, it’s not joy yet.

As we prepare for Passover, let’s take a moment to see who we can invite or assist to help make their holiday joyful. It’s in the giving that we truly experience simcha.

And most of all, as we recount the story of our liberation, we cannot forget the 59 hostages still held in Gaza. We hold them deeply in our hearts. We will pray for them, cry out for them, and do everything we can—through mitzvot, through support, and through unity—so that they are reunited with their families now, this Passover. And then, together, we will all experience the truest and greatest joy.

Wishing you a meaningful, happy, and kosher Passover.

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos  

Dear Friends,

Can you believe it? Passover is already just a week away! As we prepare for Passover, let’s keep the following in mind.

One of the most remarkable statements in the Haggadah is, “Our ancestors started out as idol worshippers, but now G-d has brought us near to serve Him.”

I think it’s a remarkable statement because it goes against how ancient people typically defined themselves, idealizing and glamorizing their national founders. Jews, however, open their story with: “Our ancestor, Abraham’s father was a schlemiel; he worshiped sticks and stones…”

Why do we say this?

The Rebbe, offers a moving answer. Passover, by all accounts, is the most observed Jewish holiday in our times. Many Jews at the Seder are inspired by the sanctity and majesty of the evening. But some of our brothers and sisters who are disaffiliated fear they’ve discovered Judaism too late and that it’s now too difficult to reshape their lives to live Jewishly.

The Haggadah’s response is clear: “Don’t despair. Know that your predicament is no different from that of our people as a whole.”

“In the beginning, our ancestors were idol worshippers” – just pagans, no different from the people among whom they lived. However, “now G-d has brought us close to His service.”

We grew spiritually. The whole story of the Jewish people is one of rising from the very bottom, of emerging from the lowest depths. Any Jew who returns to Judaism today, despite a complete lack of background, encapsulates our entire Jewish history.

This passage reminds us that no matter how low we’ve fallen, no matter how far we think we’ve gone, we can always return to our faith and tradition. We are children of Abraham and Sarah. We can always come home.

I remember when I was a child at camp, we used to sing the song: “No matter where you may roam, you can always come back home.” Even if, for whatever reason, you’ve felt disillusioned or have not attended shul for a long time, come home to the beautiful Chabad of Naples family, where you’ll be welcomed with open arms and feel like family.

Come and join us tomorrow at 10:30 for Shabbat services, followed by the Kiddush luncheon.

Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom and an early Happy Passover!

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

Dear Friends,

As we prepare to celebrate the holiday of Passover, we are reminded of the quintessential Jewish story of freedom. The Exodus from Egypt, with its dramatic plagues, parted seas, and miraculous manna, is an epic tale of liberation that has inspired countless generations. This year of course, the discussion of freedom feels decidedly heavier, as our own brothers and sisters are still being held hostage in Gaza. This drums up a potent mixture of feelings––grief, anger, disbelief, and even guilt. Why do I get to be free when so many are not? Do I deserve my freedom? Am I doing enough with it?

But before we can try to answer any of those questions for ourselves, we need to begin with a simpler question: What does true freedom really mean? And how can we ensure that our own pursuit of freedom doesn't devolve into chaos and moral confusion?

The Torah's answer to this question is both profound and counterintuitive. True freedom, we are taught, is not simply the absence of external constraints, but rather the presence of internal values and principles. In other words, freedom is not just about being free from something, but also about being free for something – namely, a life of purpose, kindness, and compassion.

This idea is beautifully encapsulated in the Hebrew word for freedom, "cherut." While often translated as "freedom," "cherut" is more accurately rendered as "freedom with a purpose" or "directed freedom." This nuance is crucial, for it suggests that true freedom is not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end – the end being a life of moral responsibility, spiritual growth, and service to others.

Without this sense of purpose and direction, freedom can quickly degenerate into anarchy and moral ambivalence. When we are free to do as we please, without any guiding principles or values, we risk succumbing to our basest impulses and desires. We become slaves to our own whims, rather than masters of our own destiny.

This is precisely what happened to the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. Fresh from their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, they were initially ecstatic and grateful. But as time wore on, and the novelty of their freedom began to wear off, they started to give in to their selfish desires and impulses. They began to complain, to rebel, and to worship idols – demonstrating a profound lack of appreciation for the true meaning of their freedom.

In contrast, our sages taught that true freedom is not about doing as we please, but about doing as we ought. It is about living a life of purpose, principle, and kindness – a life that is guided by the values of the Torah and the wisdom of our traditions. Historically, the biggest battles the Jewish people have fought have been over our freedom to live Jewishly.

Passover this year brings with it not only reminders of ancient slavery, but images of modern slavery in real time. The Jewish people, and good people the world over, are in anguish over the hostages who have yet to be freed from their literal bondage. Truly, we cannot imagine the depths of suffering they are enduring every moment that ticks by. It seems that at our seders this year, the saltwater in which we dip our karpas may very well be our own tears. 

Thus we revisit our earlier question. Why me and not them? Why do I get to be free, and what am I doing with said freedom? Often we already wonder if we are doing enough with our lives. If we are making a difference in the world; traversing the most purposeful path. While we enjoy external freedom, internally we are far from free. So what can we do?

Let us return to the true meaning of freedom. Let us recall that our liberation from Egypt was not just a physical event, but a spiritual one – a call to live a life of intention, generosity, and connection. And let us strive to make our own freedom meaningful, by using it to serve others, to grow spiritually, to pray for the immediate release of those in bondage, to give charity, to give of our very selves; doing everything in our power to make the world a better place. Not just for the few nor the many, but for all.

In this way, we will truly merit the blessing of freedom, and we will be able to say, with the great Rabbi Hillel, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I?" 

Looking forward to welcoming you at Chabad Naples, where Shabbat is a celebration of freedom, connection, and true blessing. Wishing you a beautiful and meaningful Shabbat,

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos