Dear Friends,
This week’s Torah portion, Parshas Balak, contains one of the most surprising moments in the entire Torah.
Bilam, hired to curse the Jewish people, opens his mouth… and instead, out come words of blessing:
"מה טבו אהליך יעקב משכנתיך ישראל..."
"How good are your tents, O Jacob… your dwelling places, O Israel."
He wanted to break us. Then he saw who we really are. He saw our homes, our values, the quiet strength we pass down. And he couldn’t help but bless us.
He saw our tents. He saw our families. He saw our future.
Many people ask about the Hebrew words engraved on the Aron Kodesh in our shul. It is those very words which Bilam uttered when he was overwhelmed by the holiness and dignity of the Jewish camp. They are the first thing we see as we face the Ark. They remind us of who we are and what we stand for.
This Shabbos, we’ll see that blessing in living form as we celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Peter (Pesach) Shmukler.
Peter and his family moved to Naples from Carmel, Indiana three years ago. They’ve brought their heart, their heritage, and their Hoosier pride (they’re big Indiana Pacers fans) into our Chabad Naples family. Peter plays soccer, learns with curiosity, and carries himself with kindness.
This Shabbat, he’ll wear a tallit gifted from family in Israel. His father Eddie will wear the tallit of Peter’s great-grandfather, also named Pesach. Four generations will be linked in one embrace of Torah.
What Bilam saw in our people is exactly what we see in Peter.
A good heart. A strong soul. A tent that brings light to others.
That same resilience, that same light, shines this week in another beautiful story.
Sapir Cohen and Sasha Troufanov, former hostages we were privileged to host here at Chabad of Naples, just got engaged.
Sapir was held captive for more than 50 days. Sasha was held for 498.
They have been through unimaginable darkness, through pain that words can barely convey. And yet, they have emerged into light. Not just surviving, but choosing to build, to bless, to love.
When they spoke here at Chabad Naples last month, we joked with them: "No pressure, but when you get engaged, you should do it here." We didn’t know then how close that moment was.
They were taken on October 7. They’ve emerged from darkness. And now they’re engaged and building a future. That is the Jewish story.
From a Bar Mitzvah to an engagement. From Indiana to Israel. From pain to joy. This week reminds us that we are a people who rise.
We rise like lions.
We turn curses into blessings.
We make our tents, our families, our communities, a place of light.
Mazel Tov to the Shmukler family. Mazel Tov to Sapir and Sasha. Mazel Tov to all of us. עם ישראל חי.
Wishing you a Shabbos filled with joy, strength, and proud Jewish light.
With love and blessings,
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos