Dear Friends,
Shabbat shalom from Prague! Now that's not a greeting you hear every week but it’s every bit as sincere as it would be coming from the heart of Naples.
I feel blessed to be here with my children and Ettie, celebrating her niece’s (oldest brother's daughter’s) wedding. Ettie's brother Rabbi Manis and his wife Dini, the Chabad Rabbi and Rebbitzin of Prague, have been serving here for 23 years, illuminating souls and creating a vibrant Jewish community. This wedding is a testament to their incredible community as hundreds of dear friends joined in the celebration, sharing their joy. It's an historic wedding, and also very meaningful for her parents since this is the first Barash grandchild to get married. Most of Ettie's family including siblings came, which created the perfect environment for a magical family reunion.
Ettie always admired her older brother and in fact, when we were dating, she always dreamed of establishing a Chabad center just as he did. How special to come full circle as we are here to celebrate with his family, who ignited so much of the inspiration for us! We will return on Sunday, rejuvenated and bringing renewed inspiration.
We will be with you in spirit only this Shabbat, as Rabbi Choni Teitelbaum will lead services followed by kiddush sponsored by the Mizrachi family in honor of his father's birthday. Mazel tov on this blessed occasion!
This week’s Torah portion is Behhaalotecha. It talks about kindling lamps: Aaron, the high priest, was commanded to raise the lights. Every literal story has a message for all times and here the spiritual meaning is that each of us is meant to kindle lamps, as we are asked to illuminate souls and inspire each other to do good by filling the world with light.
In keeping with the message of sharing mitzvot, we enjoyed another very special moment. I had told Mendel and Yitzi wherever we go, we bring our Tefilin because it’s not only about putting it on ourselves but it’s also about sharing with others.
As we were taking a little tour and found ourselves on the Charles Bridge, we heard a few people speaking Hebrew and we ended up putting Tefilin on them. The last time he put on was at his bar mitzvah and we all danced and rejoiced together. How special it was to share and participate in such a meaningful event, not missing an opportunity to kindle yet another lamp.
Good Shabbas from the Zaklos family in Prague!