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Rabbi Fishel's Blog

values that personally inspire me

Dear Friends,

Tonight we begin to commemorate the 29th year of the Rebbe’s passing. Since he did not name anyone to inherit his position, many wondered and worried about the future of Chabad.  In the ensuing years, Chabad’s exponential growth have proved those concerns to be insignificant.  Not only has his yahrzeit become a celebration of his life, but it is also about reflecting on and practicing the beliefs that he stood for and cherished.  From the heart, I personally thank the Rebbe for giving and instilling in me these ideas and life values which both Ettie and I try to live with and strive to pass to our children.

Here are just a few of the Rebbe’s values that personally inspire me, that really capture his legacy as a leader and mentor for all humanity.

1.       Look at the world in a positive way.  If you look through shattered lenses, that’s what you will see.  If you choose to see the world as a garden, you will see the goodness that blossoms all around.  It’s amazing how the Rebbe was no stranger to pain and suffering, having lost family members to the Holocaust and having seen the terror of world War 2, and yet the Rebbe chose to see what was positive in the world. His constant reminders to be upbeat and see things in this way.  Even when stories in the Torah seem locked in negativity, the Rebbe found a positive, uplifting perspective.  

2.       Everyone has a powerful mission. The Rebbe would say that birth is G-d's way of saying you matter.  If we are here, we are here to make the world a better place.  No two people are the same.  Each one is irreplaceable and therefore there is no excuse:  you must stand up and be counted.

3.       The Rebbe encouraged women to take leadership roles in establishing and operating Chabad centers.  More than any other Jewish leader, the Rebbe empowered the women, strengthening the partnership between husband and wife in this mission. I think about this so often as Rebbitzin Ettie partners with me in this endeavor. From the ground up, we always planned together in every single way, especially in establishing the incredible preschool.

4.       Create leaders not followers. The Rebbe certainly wanted us to be humble, but wanted leaders who would implement the same vision and ideals but would use their own brand of creativity and inspiration.  Each Chabad center you enter, while it mirrors the vision, will have its own personal flavor  and its own areas of focus tailored to serve within its community.

5.       This is a big lesson for today's world:  the Rebbe implored us to regard other human beings not just as beings but as souls.  If we focus on what makes us the same, the divine that’s within us, we stop allowing the differences to divide us.  The Rebbe embraced each individual unconditionally.  In today's world of division, more than ever we need attitudes that are  non-judgmental  and accepting .

6.  I remember the Rebbe's constant gratitude to America as a kind country where liberty and opportunity reigned, a country where we can live proudly as Jews connected to one another and connected to G-d.

Thank you Rebbe for infusing such a powerful purpose in my life and the lives of countless others.  I am so grateful to be able to share your vision and philosophies here at Chabad of Naples where daily we endeavor to feel and share this sense of love and fellowship under an umbrella of our Jewish faith and culture.

Tomorrow, I will be joining people from across the globe who will gather to pay respects at the Rebbe's ohel resting place. It would be my honor to include you and your loved ones in my prayers on this day.  Please email me your name.

This Shabbos, wherever you are in the world, let's take a few moments with family or friends to learn some of the Rebbe's teachings, discuss the Rebbe's life and vision, and rededicate ourselves to the the values and causes that are close to our souls. 

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

Embracing Friendship

Dear Friends,

In this week's Torah portion, Moses hits rock bottom. The man has had quite the resume of miracles and wonders—parting the Red Sea, food falling from the sky, water gushing out of rocks. But what does he get in return? A bunch of whiny Israelites complaining about their menu options. Talk about ungrateful! They're not even hungry, just bored. They long for the good ol' days of free fish and all the veggies you can imagine: cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.

Now, any leader would be ready to throw in the towel at this point. But what's truly remarkable is the depth of Moses' despair, which he shares with G-d in a no-holds-barred rant. He's like, "Why have You burdened me with these people? Did I give birth to them?” He even gets to the point of begging G-d to just end it all. It's like a melodramatic soap opera.

But instead of giving Moses a motivational speech, G-d pulls a practical move. He tells Moses to gather seventy elders to share the load. It's like saying, "You don't have to do this alone. Get yourself a support group." Even the Almighty recognizes the power of friendship.

Friends have a profound and significant impact on our lives—our habits, health, and success. So, choose your buddies wisely.

In the end, Moses learns the importance of companionship and the art of delegation. G-d helps him overcome his blues by reminding him that even the greatest prophet needs a little backup. So, surround yourself with good company and remember, friends can make all the difference.

And on that note, we would like to extend an invitation to join us for Shabbat and the Kiddush luncheon. It's a wonderful opportunity to surround yourself with friends, share in meaningful moments, and experience the joy of togetherness. We would be thrilled to have you join our community as we come together every Shabbat for celebration and connection. Looking forward to seeing you there! No Pressure:)

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie

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