What a difference a matzah can make ---
This Shabbat is special. It is called the Great Shabbat - "the great one" because the Jewish people finally stood up and confronted their oppressors.
this week is also the birthday of my teacher and mentor, the Rebbe of blessed memory. The Rebbe uplifted and inspired us all to be great, the best we could possibly be, to live fully, not half-inspired and merely glowing but to burst forth and shine brightly. So our goal for this Shabbat is to make life great. I am so grateful to the Rebbe for inspiring us to live up to our greatest potential, he taught us not to shrink or shirk from what life offers: whoever you were until now, this is your time to be even greater - - a leader. Think about it: when the Jewish people united to leave Egypt, they were unapologetic and not burdened by an inferiority complex.
Sometimes we look at Passover as nothing more than just a ritual retelling of the story of how we endured ancient bondage and were led to liberation. But we all know that on Passover we are commanded to taste the salt water and bitter herbs, to live through the tears and suffering, to eat the poor man's bread, to drink a few cups of wine to feel that elation and emotion of happiness. But here is the real question: is the story still relevant today? After all, we are free people! It’s America, the land of the free! What do we know of slavery? Oppression?
The answer is a resounding “Yes! Of course it is relevant!” We may be free and a shout out to America, the country which gave us freedom and enabled us to live as free people to do as we wish, to be proud of our heritage. But at times and to a certain extent although we may be free there are things that enslave us in a different manner. There can be a broken and shattered will; crushed dreams and ambitions; lost goals that you cherished so much; you future may seem bleak -- you feel uninspired, lacking stamina and energy, paralyzed . You are so addicted and glued to your Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat that you can’t have a regular dinner with your family or a proper discussion with a friend. You wish for a simpler, less complicated time.
This is this is what Passover is all about as we remind ourselves it's far easier to take a man out of prison that it is to take a prison out of man. When Passover comes the message we repeat to ourselves is that we can accomplish our dreams and our goals. Passover reminds us that no matter how dark and hopeless it seems, we can always come bouncing back with renewed energy and power.
For this I want to thank my dear Rebbe of blessed memory, for this is what he instilled in his students and encouraged them to share with everyone: YOU ARE GREAT! YOU have full potential! YOU CAN make a difference!
My wife and I were so privileged to be among the many in whom he instilled these beliefs.
You may not feel up to the task every day -- but wait -- that's you talking as an imprisoned, enslaved soul. Passover especially is a time and an opportunity to liberate yourself, to break out of those inhibiting and impoverished thoughts.
This will be our fifth year celebrating Passover in the sprawling campus --the Alex & Carol Glassman Chabad Naples Center and it has been almost 13 years since we established Chabad in Naples.
This is our story, the Jewish people’s story. We were given a sour plate and we turned it into a Seder plate.
Join us to celebrate and rejoice in our freedom!
It began with a matzoh ---
On the left:
The Rebbe always urged us to shoot for the stars. When we arrived in Naples in 2004, not knowing a soul, I headed straight for the mayor’s office, introduced myself to Mayor Bill Barnett and handed him some shmurah matzah. Since then we have become friends.
On the right: same characters, 12 years later and still friends, fresh shmurah matzah!
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos