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Rabbi Fishel's Blog

Never lose your spirit

Dear Friends, 

Do you know how the Jews reacted when Moses came to tell them the news that they will be leaving Egypt? Think they partied and danced? Not quite… “And they did not listen to Moses out of shortness of breath.”

The Hebrew word for breath is Ruach. But Ruach also means “spirit”. This passage can be translated as "And they did not listen to Moses out of lack of spirit."

In the history of Egypt not a single slave had ever escaped. How could an entire nation ever walk free? Moses was a dreamer, they thought. It is just not realistic to hold out such high hopes, only to have them dashed yet again. And so the people were utterly despondent and spiritless and, therefore, they could not hear, i.e. absorb, Moses’ message.

It happens all too often. People become so set in their mediocrity that they give up hope of ever achieving the breakthrough. This is true for marriages, careers or our spiritual aspirations, we lose the desire to dream. 

The Torah is teaching us never to lose our ‘spirit’, our hopes, our dreams and resolve!

If you’re ever feeling like your Ruach—your spirit—needs a boost, I have the perfect remedy. Come to the world-famous Chabad of Naples on Shabbat. Join us at 11 a.m. for the Torah reading, and experience an atmosphere like no other.

Here, you’ll feel the warmth of community, the connection of family, and the love that transcends barriers. You're sure to leave with a renewed sense of spirit—a Ruach unlike anything you’ve felt before.

Let the incredible energy of Chabad of Naples remind you that your spirit can always soar.

Wishing you a Shabbat of inspiration and renewal,

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

From Pain to Prayer: A Call for Compassion and Hope

Dear Friends, 

Here are some words I shared at the beautiful Chanukah Festival that I hope can resonate as we enter Shabbat with emotions running high. Just as they were predicting rain during the event hours, a miracle came through, and we were able to sit together and celebrate. So too, it reminds us that in times of despair, despite predictions of gloom and doom, hope and faith can illuminate even the darkest moments.

This Shabbat, the words I’ll be thinking over and over are what God said to Moses in this week’s Torah portion: “I hear your cries, I’ve seen your affliction, and I will redeem you.” That’s the message I want to take into Shabbos, a message of hope, of light, and of faith. Despite the uncertainties and moral complexities, we pray to see all the remaining hostages safely returned to their families. And we pray that Israel achieve a swift and miraculous victory against her enemies, bringing peace to the land from the south to the north, from east to the west. Though these may seem like opposing hopes, we know that Hashem has a way to bring both into reality.

These will not be easy days ahead. So, let’s make sure of one thing: that we’re compassionate to one another. Let’s not allow anxiety to overwhelm us. Let’s come together as brothers and sisters to acknowledge the overwhelming pain and pray for the families of the hostages and the hostages themselves, the families of the IDF soldiers who gave their last full measure of devotion and the families of the IDF wounded, and the pain of all our brothers and sisters in Israel: those that are for the deal, because like all of us, they want “them home now,” and those that are against the deal, because like all of us, they don’t want to further incentivize hostage-taking, among other things.

We must rise above our differences of opinion and show unwavering support for Israel, especially when the world has turned its back on us.  

With all of these on our minds, we conclude with an urgent prayer that G-d, in His infinite love for each of His children, extend that love to the 98 remaining hostages, including Kfir Bibas who turns two tomorrow. May He swiftly and miraculously reunite them ALL with their families, bringing them home in safety and joy.

And may we merit to see the day when all evil is indeed removed from the earth, as all of G-d’s children shall live side by side, in good health, security, peace and tranquility. Amen!

**** 

Join us this Shabbat at the world-famous Shabbat of Naples services. Come at 11:00 AM for the Torah reading, insights, and a heartfelt message about the current moment, and the feelings we are all grappling with. 

With love,

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos  

 

From Pain to Prayer

Dear Friends, 

Here are some words I shared at the beautiful Chanukah Festival that I hope can resonate as we enter Shabbat with emotions running high. Just as they were predicting rain during the event hours, a miracle came through, and we were able to sit together and celebrate. So too, it reminds us that in times of despair, despite predictions of gloom and doom, hope and faith can illuminate even the darkest moments.

This Shabbat, the words I’ll be thinking over and over are what God said to Moses in this week’s Torah portion: “I hear your cries, I’ve seen your affliction, and I will redeem you.” That’s the message I want to take into Shabbos, a message of hope, of light, and of faith. Despite the uncertainties and moral complexities, we pray to see all the remaining hostages safely returned to their families. We pray for evil to be removed from this world. Though these may seem like opposing hopes, we know that Hashem has a way to bring both into reality.

These will not be easy days ahead. So, let’s make sure of one thing: that we’re compassionate to one another. Let’s not allow anxiety to overwhelm us. Let’s come together as brothers and sisters to acknowledge the overwhelming pain and pray for the families of the hostages and the hostages themselves, the families of the IDF soldiers who gave their last full measure of devotion and the families of the IDF wounded, and the pain of all our brothers and sisters in Israel: those that are for the deal, because like all of us, they want “them home now,” and those that are against the deal, because like all of us, they don’t want to further incentivize hostage-taking, among other things.

We must rise above our differences of opinion and show unwavering support for Israel, especially when the world has turned its back on us.  

With all of these on our minds, let us turn to God, to please have mercy on us and bring all of them home today, peacefully—the hostages and the soldiers fighting terror.

Join us this Shabbat at the world-famous Shabbat of Naples services. Come at 11:00 AM for the Torah reading, insights, and a heartfelt message about the current moment, and the feelings we are all grappling with. Watch this video for a message of inspiration and hope as we prepare to bring more light into the world.

With love,

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos  


Our hearts are in the West

 Dear Friends, 

As Shabbos approaches, our hearts are heavy with the devastation and tragedy we’ve witnessed over the past few days. The fires sweeping across Los Angeles have displaced families, destroyed homes, businesses, and houses of worship, and most heartbreakingly, claimed lives. For the bereaved families, Who By Fire is not just a piece of liturgy or a Leonard Cohen song—it is their reality.

This is an opportunity to reach out to friends or family you may know in affected areas. Even just a simple call, in addition to other ways of support, can let them know we are here for them. Let us also extend our deepest gratitude to the firefighters and all those risking everything to save lives and protect others.

Among the many heartbreaking losses, the Pasadena Jewish Temple was completely consumed by flames. Yet, even amidst the ashes, there were powerful moments of courage and faith. Community members risked everything to save the temple’s 13 Torah scrolls. Another powerful image was my dear colleague, Rabbi Chaim Hanoka, carrying salvaged Torahs back into the Chabad House of Pasadena. He was surrounded by a van filled with food and supplies for evacuees. The message was clear: though we have been burned, we will not allow our fire to consume us.

On Sunday, we start reading the Torah portion, which reminds us of resilience. Moses encounters a burning bush—a fire that burns but does not consume. This profound symbol speaks to us now: we must continue to move forward.

The year 2024 tested us all. We stumbled and fell, yet we rose again. We mourned, but we also found moments to sing. This is the resilience we must carry as we look ahead to a brighter 2025.

As we complete this week’s Torah portion—the final portion in Genesis—the congregation traditionally calls out in unison: Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek—Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another.

No words better express our wish for California, for the Jewish people, and for every one of us. Be strong. Be strong. Let us strengthen one another.

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos 


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