Contemplation, Inspiration, Celebration
After spending last weekend at the Annual International Conference of Chabad Rabbis, surrounded by my colleagues and dearest friends from all over the world, needless to say I was and am still caught up in a medley of emotions and thoughts and ideas. Contemplation.
Touching base with dearest friends from Hanoi, Vietnam, Malmo, Sweden, Boulder, Colorado, Jerusalem, Israel and Turkey -- the off-schedule moments, the hallway conversations and reunions simply blow me away. I felt a different energy; an open honesty about the challenges, successes and (perceived) failures of Shlichus, an intimate appreciation for the real life blessings and the hopes to make tomorrow even brighter. With the conference preceding Thanksgiving, it makes us even more thankful for being able to give. I realize that we are far more blessed in the opportunities to give than in our opportunities to take: giving means we make a difference and everyone can apply this to his or her life -- it doesn’t matter how knowledgeable or how experienced you are, you are capable of giving, by adding just one mitzvah to your daily life. Inspiration.
When I meet people I tell them I deal in diamonds, precious and priceless gems -- that’s what my teacher the Rebbe OBM taught me: we are one family and every human being is precious.
As we celebrate this Shabbat, let us dedicate to ourselves and our families the great gift of family. Special memories are the greatest gift we can give each other and our children. Celebration.
Hopefully you're enjoying the long weekend ... perhaps you can come by for Shabbat celebration tomorrow.
Have a wonderful Shabbat!
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie