Rabbi's Blog - Harford Chabad

Don't take it at face value - it's pain talking

Thursday, January 25, 2024 - 12:53 PM

When someone is helping you and things go awry, you might scream at them. Different versions of "What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?" come out of our mouths in those times of frustration. This is similar to what the Jews experienced when Moses led them out of Egypt. The Torah says: "The Egyptians chased after them and overtook them encamped by the sea; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">This idea from Moses can be applied in our own lives. When people say offensive or attacking things, more often than not, it's just their pain or fear talking.

When children say to me things like "I hate you," or adults say things like "I am not interested in G-d, Torah or organized religion," I try not to take it at face value. What most are saying is, "I am in pain; I have a fear." Faith and love are there, beneath the surface of that hurt or anxiety.

What people express when they are in pain shouldn't be taken at face value; try to see beyond the words.

Have a good Shabbos, and I hope you can join me in shul.

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

Come with Me

Friday, January 19, 2024 - 7:45 AM

"And G-d said to Moses: Go to Pharaoh, because I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I might show My signs in the midst of them" (Exodus 10:1)

We all want to invite others to explore their Jewish heritage. Often we tell others - you should check out this class (Advice for Life? Weekly Torah Class? Women's class on trust?) or we tell them to explore a community Shabbat, sending them the link to reserve. People are scared to explore new experiences; they have preconceived notions, it's going to be too religious, not religious enough, etc. The solution is "come with me" and "join me" as we go to an unknown experience.

We see something similar in the negative, when G-d says to Moses, "Come to Pharaoh." It would seem to make more sense to say "Go to Pharaoh," but G-d was telling Moses, you are not going alone. I am right here beside you as you enter Pharaoh's palace, supporting you and strengthening you. Reassured by Hashem's constant presence and protection, all the Pharaohs of life become insignificant. Whatever you may be facing, know that G-d is always at your side, giving you the support and strength you need to prevail.

When life forces you into an unpleasant situation where it is uncomfortable to act in line with your Jewish values, remember that G-d is with you, and walk with your head held high. When you want to explore a new experience, bring a friend so they can explore with someone supporting them, and always, whatever life throws your way, know that G-d is coming along for the ride, holding your hand all the while.

Have a great Shabbos and come join me at Shul tomorrow at 10:00 am (If it is safe ❄️❄️❄️).

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

Living Passionately

Thursday, January 11, 2024 - 10:24 PM

Across various religions, there exist guidelines and rules that encourage people to hold back from indulgence in the physical world and to disengage from worldly pursuits. In Judaism, a similar principle is emphasized, encouraging individuals not to overly focus on material desires. While it is permissible to enjoy the pleasures of life, there is a call to be mindful of choices that contribute to overall well-being.

In this week's Torah portion, when it discusses the plagues that afflicted Egypt. The plagues begin with the plague of blood rather than the plague of frogs. What distinguishes blood from frogs, and why does this order matter?

In Hebrew, Egypt is referred to as "Mitzrayim," which literally means limitations. The plagues, beginning in the Nile, are not merely punitive measures against the Egyptians but serve a deeper purpose – to guide us in understanding how to navigate our own constraints and limitations.

Blood represents life. Frogs are cold-blooded creatures. The symbolism here is profound. Life, full of vitality, is essential in our connection with the divine. The call is that before detaching from the physical world, we must infuse our actions with spiritual meaning and passion, with Torah and Mitzvot. Not because we have to but because it makes us alive.

Our behavior and expressions of G-dliness must be vibrant, passionate, and full of zest. By ensuring that our connection to the spiritual realm is alive and dynamic, we can then navigate the physical world with a reduced attachment to its allure.

The Torah suggests that once our spirituality is alive and passionate, our connection to the physical world can naturally diminish. It is a dance between the two realms, where a robust spiritual connection becomes the prerequisite for disengaging from excessive material pursuits.

As we reflect on these insights from the Torah portion, the message is clear: the intertwining of our spiritual and physical lives is a delicate balance. Rather than outright avoidance of the physical, the emphasis is on transforming our actions to be infused with spiritual vitality. This not only enriches our spiritual connection but also allows us to navigate the constraints of the physical world more judiciously. So, as we embark on the coming week, let us strive to have an alive and passionate connection with our spirituality, making our Shabbat and daily lives truly meaningful.

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

Choose Presence

Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 6:03 PM

Throughout life, we encounter various challenges and unexpected situations. Some of these arise from choices we consciously make, while others seem to happen by mere chance.

Consider a child brought up in a very observant household. Did they willingly embrace their parents' faith, navigating its challenges with genuine commitment, or did they simply follow rituals without true understanding? When doubts about the religion inevitably surface, individuals must decide whether to reaffirm their faith or abandon it altogether.

At the age of 16, I sought guidance from a mentor about my struggles with the Jewish faith. His response was profound: "AMAZING! Now you can start to have faith because you chose it as opposed to being raised with it." This choice, he explained, would lead to a mature faith rather than a mere adherence based on upbringing.

The story of Moshe illustrates this concept. Unlike his fellow Jews in Egypt, he was raised in Pharaoh's palace and had to actively choose to concern himself with the welfare of his brethren. When he witnessed an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew, Moshe made the conscious choice to intervene, ultimately leading to his fleeing after Pharaoh learned of the incident.

Moshe didn't lament his need to escape because it was a consequence of his own choices, not an imposition from others.

Reflect on your daily actions—how much do you do out of habit, merely because it's always been done that way? This week, take a moment to make intentional choices. Choose to spend quality time with a loved one, perform a mitzvah, or say a blessing before eating. Even if these actions are already part of your routine, doing them with conscious intent will deepen the experience. By choosing to be present, you take ownership of the moment, actively seeking ways to enhance and improve it.

Wishing you a meaningful Shabbos,

Kushi