Rabbi Fishel's Blog

*Not One But TWO Surprise Bar Mitzvahs!*

Yesterday, I was referred by a Chabad colleague in Maryland to visit a wonderful woman in a local hospital, a resilient soul engaged in a fierce battle against a daunting illness. As I walked into the hospital room, I was immediately enveloped by the warm embrace of her big, beautiful family. In the midst of our conversation, I shared that I've been making an extra effort to don tefillin with people, to connect with our traditions and heritage in support of Israel. Then something extraordinary unfolded before my eyes. The woman's son, without hesitation, agreed to put on tefillin. But the story didn't end there.

Her husband, standing beside her, expressed that he had never had a bar mitzvah and had never experienced the ritual of putting on tefillin. I immediately announced, "Your bar mitzvah is right now," and he too wrapped tefillin and said the Shema prayer. 

Then another elderly family member shared that he, too, never had a bar mitzvah and never wrapped tefillin. And so, within minutes, a second bar mitzvah took place. 

Tears flowed freely, as we sang and celebrated a profound, unbreakable connection to our faith, to our heritage, and to one another. It was one of the most emotional moments I've encountered throughout all my years as a rabbi. 

Most importantly, this beautiful and poignant moment brought incredible joy to the woman who is courageously battling her illness. It was the best medicine in the world, a medicine of the heart and soul. In a single day, we celebrated not one, but two bar mitzvahs – of my new friends Moishe and Velvel. 

With the family's permission, I share this powerful experience with all of you. May it remind us all of the profound impact we can have on each other's lives, the strength that comes from embracing our heritage, and the immense power of unity. In these grave times in Israel and around the world, the Jewish spirit still beats strong. Am Yisrael Chai!

Dear Friends,

In the wake of the horrific atrocities committed against our dear brothers and sisters in Israel, and in recognition of the enormous challenges they are now facing in a war of unknown proportions, I will be joining a small delegation of Chabad rabbis from across the United States on a mission of support and solidarity to the Holy Land, departing this Sunday.

During this visit, we will be visiting with the brave soldiers of the IDF now stationed on front lines in the north and south and provide them with critical military gear to help keep them safe.. We will also visit hospitals with those who were wounded in the brutal attacks as well as families mourning for loved ones who were savagely murdered, hy”d.

Our mission, while brief, will be impactful, as we seek to provide both physical and emotional support to those affected by this crisis.

Beyond an opportunity to give practical expression to the feelings and passions that have been bubbling up inside me ever since I learned of the devastating attack, I see this as an opportunity to share the huge outpourings of love and support that have been forthcoming on Israel’s behalf from throughout our Collier County Community.

I will utilize the opportunity to distribute additional donations being made now to Israel Emergency Fund via our website to those who can benefit most from those funds.

I will convey the demonstrations of Jewish pride, strength, and resolve our community has been displaying in solidarity with our brethren during this time of peril and crisis.

I will let them know that they are absolutely not alone; that we in the diaspora stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in declaring “Am Yisrael Chai” – now and forever!

If you would like to have me deliver a personal card or letter from you and/or your family members to any or all of the aforementioned groups, please place your message(s) in an unsealed envelope(s), indicating on the outside for which group it is intended (ex. “soldiers”, “wounded”, or “families in mourning”) and drop it/them off at the Chabad Naples no later than 3:00 pm this Friday, October 20.

I will be happy to hand-deliver your uplifting and heartfelt message of “chizuk” (strength and reinforcement) to their intended recipients at this most critical time.

We know that our Naples community is filled with compassionate hearts and boundless love for our brothers and sisters in the holy land.

As we embark on this mission, I ask for your continued prayers and support. Our unity is a source of strength, and with blessings from Hashem, we pray for the complete recovery of the survivors, the immediate return of the hostages, and a swift end to the current crisis.

To contribute to this vital mission, please donate at www.chabadnaples.com/israel. 100% of every donation designated for Israel will go directly to emergency relief. 

May Hashem watch over our brothers and sisters in Israel, and may He grant them the strength to endure these challenging times. Together, let us stand united in faith, love, and support.

May He who makes peace on High make peace for us and for all Israel".

I look forward to sending your regards to our brothers and sisters in Israel…

With deep gratitude and warmest blessings,

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

PS - I plan to send periodic updates while in Israel via my personal Facebook page as well as report to you upon my return.

Dear Friends,

We are looking forward to a full house tomorrow for the Israel Solidarity Shabbat: '’Shabbat of Unity, Inspiration and Strength' at 11:00pm. Rest assured that proper security measures are in place.

Words cannot describe how we all feel right now. There are simply no terms available to describe the depth of the pain, the outrage, and the sadness of this past week.

But neither can words contain the strength of the Jewish People’s resolve, and the immense power of our faith and our unity. United as one and firm in our trust in G-d, Torah assures us victory over the evil people who are blinded by darkness.

This Friday evening, as we enter Shabbat in the comfort of our homes, hundreds of our brothers and sisters will be in the farthest place from peace and light.

What kind of Shabbat will it be for those in captivity, those on the front lines, those lying injured in hospitals, those reeling from loss of loved ones?

Let's add some extra light in the world and hope that somehow it reaches them.

Let's unite as a people with the beautiful mitzvah of Shabbat candles lighting up the world.

If you've never done it or not for a while, light a candle this Friday before sunset.

Do it for the merit of the captives, that they emerge from captivity to freedom, from darkness to light.

For the soldiers that they be safe and return home in peace.

For the injured and those who have lost loved ones, that they be healed and comforted.

After lighting the candles, cover your eyes and say the following blessing: "Baruch attah Ado-nai Elo-heinu melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat Kodesh." 

Then say or think your own prayers in your own words. 

May we all be blessed to see the time when the whole world will be Shabbat -- peaceful, kind, loving -- when G-d's presence will no longer be hidden.

Please see a selection of prayers, stories and insights which we hope can bring you some comfort, context, and encouragement.

- 7 Things You Can Do for Israel Now

-  Psalms for Times of Distress

-  I Am an IDF Fighter and My Faith Will Carry Me Through

-  Chabad Centers Near IDF Bases Lifelines for Soldiers Headed to War

- Israel Emergency Relief Fund

- Things That Make Me So Proud to Be a Jew Right Now

Let’s remember: We are all in this together. And together, with G-d’s help, we shall overcome.

We pray for healing for the injured, safe return for the hostages, and divine protection for our brave IDF soldiers.

With love,

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a great week!

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

Dear Friend,

The horrific fighting in Israel not only continues unabated, it is escalating with horrific consequences.

Together we must escalate our help and support to our precious brothers and sisters in Israel suffering such horror.

The pain is unbearable. It will become even more unbearable as the awareness of the enormity of the tragedy starts to be realized.

Scenes that have not been seen since the Holocaust awaken the global Jewish consciousness to the existence of antisemitism that we thought had been relegated to ‘Never Again’.

Many people are asking ‘what will be’?

Upon the conclusion of the Yom Kippur war, Rabbi Yisroel M. Lau (who later became chief Rabbi of Israel) visited the Rebbe and said that people are asking “What is going to be?” The Rebbe answered, ‘One shouldn’t ask, ‘What will be?’ We should ask, ‘What are we going to do?’

 In that vein, I would like to share a call to action.

As this is not a time to be paralyzed with pain or fear.

This is time for action.

Help we can. And must. In the ways available to us.

In physical ways

There are multiple organizations that need funds for the soldiers, the emergency workers, and for the families that have their lives disrupted. All of the funds raised will be distributed directly by Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos among people and organizations we know on the ground in Israel.

The funds will be used to support:

–   Victims of Terror

–   IDF Soldiers

–   Equipment

–   Food, Shelter & Hygiene

–   Spiritual Support

–   Trauma & Therapy

 www.chabadnaples.com/israel 

And we can help in spiritual ways, based on our holy traditions.

Firstly, we need to be strong in our faith and optimistic about the blessed outcome of this war. 

We are an eternal people. We will continue to exist and will continue to flourish. We will continue to be connected to our Torah and our faith, and we will continue to be connected to each other!

Our enemies want us to give up.

Our being positive is critical.

The books of Kabala point out that our positivity down here creates a Divine mirroring of positive energy from Heaven. 

Secondly, we need to deploy our spiritual ‘weapons’.

Torah teaches us (and history has repeatedly demonstrated to us) that the physical protection of each one of us — and, indeed, our very collective destiny! — is intrinsically connected to our spiritual activism.

When we pray or dedicate a good deed to our brothers and sisters in Israel, we create a spiritual defense shield for them that will help them through difficult and dangerous times.

In that vein, we have gathered below some of the directives that the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, shared with people worldwide during times of crisis in Israel; positive action we can each take for Israel and its people.

Beneath our superficial differences, we are all united.

We are ONE people.   

May Hashem protect our soldiers who are putting their lives on the line to protect our people and our land.

May Hashem bless and protect our hostages wherever they are and may they swiftly be reunited with their families safe and sound.

May the wounded be healed completely and swiftly.

May all our brothers and sisters in our Holy Land be able to live together in safety, security and Shalom.

And may all Jews world over be able to live openly and proudly Jewish lives in safety and security.

 Am Yisrael Chai!

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos