Dear Friends,
Nearly 250 people joined us for our Lag B'Omer barbecue, and we are still riding the wave of positive energy. Roberto and Thais outdid themselves once again with their incomparable hospitality. The music was vibrant, the food was delicious, and the smiles were beaming from every corner. Over and over people came up to us and said, "Thank you Rabbi and Ettie. We really needed this."
But what exactly did they need? A hot dog? A cool drink? A great burger? Far from it. Any of the individual components of the celebration could have been procured on their own — although nothing quite on the level of the Chabad Naples burgers (thank you Peter and Eric for their expert grilling). It's the togetherness they needed. That's what we all need. And that's the X factor of a community gathering. That's the meaning behind the expression "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." That's the je ne sais quoi of being part of something bigger than yourself, yet knowing deep down that you are an integral part of that whole.
The Torah portion this week says, "v'chi yamuch achicha… vehechzakta bo." Meaning, if your brother or sister falls on hard times and reaches out their hand, you should strengthen them. This goes far beyond making sure their material needs are met. Firstly, recognizing them as your brother or sister — taking a moment to see them for who they really are: a precious soul cut from the same cloth as your own. This infuses any help you give with dignity.
Secondly, giving them hope. Sparking joy, sharing a laugh. We are all in this crazy ride of life together, and the together is what makes it bearable. It's an appropriate lesson to draw from Lag B'Omer, as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai taught that Kabbalah is not meant to make us more mystical — it's meant to make us more real.
There is a story told about a devastating famine in Russia: A beggar, weak and starving, approached Leo Tolstoy for help. Tolstoy searched his pockets but found nothing. Instead, he took the man’s hand and said, “Don’t be angry with me, my brother. I have nothing with me.” The beggar’s face lit up and he replied, “But you called me ‘brother.’ That was the greatest gift you could give me.”
The Torah charges us this week to lift one another up. Everyone has something they can give. We may not all have deep pockets (although if you do, please give generously!), but we can all offer a kind word, a simple favor, a genuine smile, and a sincere “how are you really doing?”
How can you make someone feel seen? What needs to be healed? Where is God hiding? In the noise of modern life, how can you remind someone that we are in this together — that they were never meant to do it alone?
If you seek the opportunity to help others, you will find it. And you may hear for yourself: "Thank you. I really needed this."
The magical feeling we experienced on Lag B'Omer is a regular thing at Chabad Naples! Join us for our famous Shabbat service or one of our many programs, and mark your calendars for Shavuot, Friday, May 22, featuring a legendary dairy luncheon you won’t want to miss!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Fishel and Ettie Zaklos