Dear Friends,
The Jewish people, and peace-loving people the world over, are counting their blessings and gathering their thoughts after the newly dubbed 12-Day War with Iran. 12 days of intense tension within Israel, at a time when the country is already embroiled in a long conflict with Hamas. 12 days spent in and out of bomb shelters, and 12 nights with very little sleep for the Jewish nation and its allies.
And yet how many more days have we been at war before? Literally and figuratively; physically and spiritually. How many other nations have risen up against us? How many Israeli parents have feared for the safety of their children? How far has pernicious confusion spread its tentacles worldwide? Every generation has put in its time on the battlefield; fighting for our right to exist, and live a proud Jewish life.
And yet how many more days have we been at war before? Literally and figuratively; physically and spiritually. How many other nations have risen up against us? How many Israeli parents have feared for the safety of their children? How far has pernicious confusion spread its tentacles worldwide? Every generation has put in its time on the battlefield; fighting for our right to exist, and live a proud Jewish life.
So we express our immense gratitude to G-d, to the IDF and the IAF, and to the United States for stepping up to do the right thing and make the world a safer place. Perhaps you can say a sincere Shechiyanu blessing, and pray for continued quiet and widespread peace in the region following the cease-fire.
SHEHECHEYANU VKIMYANU VHIGIYANU LIZMAN HAZEH!
And we also reflect. Taking stock of what we're feeling, what we've learned, and how to move forward. Luckily we have a deep well of Jewish tradition and thought from which we can draw some much-needed and time-tested inspiration.
This coming Sunday is Gimmel Tammuz, the third day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, which is the yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the most recent leader of the Chabad movement. It marks 31 years since the Rebbe, as he was known, left this world, but his teachings remain very much alive in the hearts and minds of people across the globe.
It is because of his momentous leadership that my wife, Ettie, and I came to Naples to serve the community here. When faced with struggle, whether in my personal life or for the Jewish people as a whole, I always return to the many lessons the Rebbe taught me. I've shared many thoughts in honor of Rebbe's anniversary of passing before. This time around, there are three that stand out to me.
The first is to be a leader in your own right; don't stand idly by. There is a famous anecdote about a man who joined the paratroopers. He went up in the plane and when his commander gave the countdown he didn't jump the first time. His commander counted down again 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...nothing. It was the same story with his third and fourth attempts. The man was paralyzed with fear. His commander said "I don't understand, if you're afraid, why are you here?" The man replied, "I just wanted to be around people who are not afraid."
The Rebbe responded to this in no uncertain terms––you must jump. You must roll up your sleeves and get involved. Use your unique talents and passions to make the world a better place. It was said of the Rebbe that he didn't create followers, he created leaders. You and I are each one of those leaders, and we must use our powers for the greater good.
The second is to maintain moral clarity. There are so many in today's world who would have you believe that up is down and down is up. There are entire organizations dedicated to convincing the world that light is darkness and darkness is light. But do not be fooled, and do not give up the fight for what is right.
That which is just must be defended. The Rebbe continually verbalized gratitude to the United States, calling it a "Kingdom of Kindness." A place where Jews could live safely as Jews. In a world so divided and fueled by hate, America took a stand and used its force to take out a threat not only to Israel, but to peace-loving people the world over. That which is right is not always popular, but keep in mind that evil does not rest on any strength of its own; it only leeches from the strength we give it. Casting light into the darkness removes its power, and it only requires a little light to dispel a lot of darkness.
The last is to remember that you matter. Everyone is irreplaceable. This is something I find myself reminding people of frequently. Depression and feelings of hopelessness are rampant. People feel confused, sad, and unsure of what value they can bring to the world. But the Rebbe was insistent that no two people have the same mission on this earth--no one else can contribute what you are meant to contribute. We all have a role in making this world a proper vessel for goodness, kindness, and holiness, and you must stand up and be counted!
If the Divine Creator of everything we see has seen fit to include you, you can rest assured that you are very important indeed. The world needs your energy to heal. Don't let the chaos around you rob you of that very important knowledge. Without YOUR light--not just anyone's, but YOURS--the darkness gets a little bit darker.
I find these lessons extra powerful knowing that the Rebbe was no stranger to heartbreak. He lost many family members in the Holocaust, and he and his wife never had children, to name a couple. Yet despite his hardships, his ability to focus on the positive was unwavering.
This past Tuesday, I was blessed to be able to join my sister, Hindy, for the yahrtzeit of her two-year-old son. They dedicated a new Torah scroll in his memory, and gathered the entire community together to celebrate. I truly don't have the words to express how powerful it was to behold my own sibling transforming an impossible personal experience into a communal opportunity to be hopeful against all odds. The pain of losing a child is inexplicable; immeasurable. But instead of letting the darkness swallow them, they fought back with light. And that is what we all must do.
Sometimes life is painful. It is scary. It is baffling, frustrating, infuriating. But we can acknowledge the negative while still shifting our focus to the positive. We give strength to the light we all have the power to generate, not to the darkness around us.
12 days, 12 years, or 12 lifetimes--the battle remains the same. We stand up for what is right and we do it together.
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Thank you Rebbe for infusing such a powerful purpose in our lives and the lives of countless others. We are so grateful to be able to share your vision and philosophies here at Chabad of Naples where daily we endeavor to feel and share this sense of love and fellowship under an umbrella of our Jewish faith and culture.
On Sunday, I will be joining people from across the globe who will gather to pay respects at the Rebbe's ohel resting place. It would be my honor to include you and your loved ones in my prayers on this day.
Please email me your name at [email protected]. If there's a specific need you would like me to pray for. please mention it as well.
This Shabbos, wherever you are in the world, let's take a few moments with family or friends to learn some of the Rebbe's teachings, discuss the Rebbe's life and vision, and rededicate ourselves to the the values and causes that are close to our souls.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Fishel Zaklos