Rabbi's Blog - Harford Chabad

Your demons don't define you - fight back

Thursday, January 30, 2025 - 8:31 PM

"The whole world is a very narrow bridge, but the essential thing is not to be afraid." Don't be afraid to face your oppressors or demons.

As I began studying this week’s Torah portion, I noticed that when it says "Bo el Pharaoh" - come to Pharaoh (Exodus 10:1), it echoes an earlier text from Parshat Noah, "Bo el haTevah" - come into the ark (Genesis 7:1).

The Hebrew word "Teiva" תיבה.has two meanings: ark and word

Just as the ark sheltered Noah from the flood, the words of Torah shelter us in times of spiritual turbulence.

Pharaoh represents the oppressor - both external and internal. When we're called to "come to Pharaoh," we're invited into a spiritual process of confronting that which enslaves us.

Every soul has its own "Egypt" from which it must be liberated. However, we're not meant to face these challenges without protection.

Just as Noah built an ark before the floods came, we are to build our spiritual sanctuary before confronting our personal Pharaohs.

When facing our own "Pharaohs", whether they be abusive people, internal struggles, or systemic challenges, we can draw strength from this ancient wisdom.

We must alternate between engagement with challenges and retreating into a sacred space. We need to ‘come to Pharaoh’, recognize our challenges honestly and confront them head on while ‘coming to the ark’, building and maintaining our spiritual shelter through Torah study and prayer.

Have a good Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

Sacred sacrifice - Cool down and let go

Thursday, January 23, 2025 - 11:28 PM

Sometimes the most profound lessons come from unexpected sources. The frogs that invaded Egypt infiltrated every corner of Egyptian life, but the Torah specifically mentions their presence in the ovens, revealing a deeper spiritual significance about our journey of growth and G-dly connection.

The Talmud tells us that these frogs demonstrated extraordinary self-sacrifice by entering the burning ovens, going against their very nature as cold-blooded creatures. This teaching tells us about our own spiritual growth. Just as the frogs demonstrated that true dedication might require going against our natural inclinations (as frogs naturally shy away from hot places), we too need to examine where we direct our enthusiasm and energy.

In a spiritual sense, frogs symbolize our ability to "cool down" our passionate drives for matters that don't align with divine purpose.

Transformation often requires letting go of certain attachments to make room for deeper, more meaningful pursuits. As we navigate our own paths, may we find the courage to follow the example of those determined frogs, willing to go beyond our comfort zones in pursuit of higher purpose. Through this lens, every challenge becomes an opportunity for growth, every sacrifice a step toward elevation.

In the words of our sages, "According to the effort is the reward" (Pirkei Avot 5:23), reminding us that our spiritual journey, while sometimes demanding, leads to profound transformation and fulfillment.

Have a restful shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

Is G-d Trustworthy?

Thursday, January 16, 2025 - 2:09 PM

In G-d We Trust – it’s printed on every US currency!

Do you trust in G-d? Do you encounter moments that test it? I do. Even Moses, who was as close to the Divine as you can get, struggled with trust.

Trust isn't just positive thoughts or just believing in good outcomes. True trust is completely surrendering to Hashem and recognizing that He has our back. Always. Not only when circumstances appear challenging, where "there seems to be no natural way out”. Even in our regular day to day lives.

How is trust created between people? When I share something and am vulnerable with you and you take care of me, I now trust you more.

Rather than seeing a challenge as a setback, it can be a moment to deepen our relationship with Hashem. When we place our trust completely in Hashem, that He has our back and will take care of us like a loving parent, He comes through and fulfills our need and desire. We then lean into Him again, building and strengthening our relationship with Him.

Trust is a challenge. It’s not something that can be lip service. When we have true trust, we are calm. Moses was not calm, when Pharaoh found out he was protecting his fellow Jews. He ran away as he was worried that Pharaoh would have control over him and punish him. This was a momentary lack of trust that Hashem would have his back, after all, he was protecting Hashem’s children.

I work on my trust and think it is one of the most profound spiritual experiences. Not because it comes easily, but precisely because it challenges me to grow beyond my natural inclinations of fear and control. To “Let go and Let G-d”.

I pray to never be tested. However, through each challenge (or perceived challenge), we're invited to discover a deeper level of trust that connects us more firmly to Hashem.

May we all find strength to navigate our trust challenges with grace and wisdom, knowing that each difficulty carries within it seeds of greater spiritual growth.

Have a good Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman
P.S. Want to learn more? Check out gateoftrust.org

Finding Joy in things other than stuff

Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 10:19 PM

In the blessings of this week’s Torah portion, it talks about laundering clothes in wine. A metaphor for infusing our spiritual behaviors with joy.

Every mitzvah we perform creates a spiritual garment for our souls. However, these garments must be "laundered in wine". Our observance must be imbued with joy. This joy isn't merely superficial happiness, but rather a deep awareness of our real personal connection to the Divine, even in challenging times.

Watching the devastating fires in California, reminded me of life's inherent impermanence. Our physical "garments", our homes, possessions, and sense of security are temporary. True security comes not from stuff but from our relationship with Hashem. We also need to recognize that everything we have (or don’t have) is ultimately in Divine hands.

Yet, paradoxically, this recognition of impermanence can lead us to the deepest joy. When we understand that our true wealth lies in our connection to Hashem through Torah and mitzvot, we transform our perspective. Each commandment we fulfill becomes not just an obligation, but an opportunity to "connect to Hashem".

The siege of Jerusalem that we commemorate today, the 10th of Tevet, (Friday 1/10/2025) also teaches us about impermanence. Yet, it also teaches us about resilience and the enduring nature of spiritual connection.

In times when physical security feels uncertain, whether from ancient sieges or modern disasters, our tradition offers us this profound wisdom: true joy comes not from the illusion of permanence, but from the understanding that we can connect to something eternal through daily spiritual practices. Each mitzvah, performed with joy, creates a garment that transcends the physical world. A garment that is indeed "laundered in wine”.

May this bring us comfort and strength as we navigate our own challenges, helping us find joy even amidst uncertainty, knowing that our true security lies in our eternal connection to the Divine.

Have a good Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

Is Evil really Evil?

Thursday, January 2, 2025 - 6:53 PM

In our world, which sometimes feels chaotic and full of darkness, it's natural to question why bad things happen. But there's a profound truth that can change how we view negativity: nothing in G-d's world is purely evil. Even what appears as wrongdoing or sin has a deeper purpose in the divine plan.

Think about it like this: G-d, who created everything with infinite kindness and wisdom, wouldn't allow something to exist solely for destruction. What we see as "bad" in the moment is often like a seed being buried in dark soil – it looks like decay, but it's actually the beginning of new growth. Every challenging situation, every misstep, has the potential to awaken something greater within us and in the world.

This is why we approach G-d with hope and trust, asking Him to see beyond our surface-level actions to the potential for transformation hidden within them. Just as a parent knows their child's true nature beyond their mistakes, G-d sees the spark of goodness within every situation, waiting to be revealed. When we view our challenges through this lens, we can begin to understand how even our struggles can ultimately lead to greater light and blessing in the world.

I heard a great story: Almost ten years ago, Daniel Cohen was just waiting for a bus in Rishon Lezion when ... A terrorist attacked him from behind, stabbing him viciously. As Daniel was rushed to Asaf Harofeh hospital, something incredible happened. While repairing the damage from the stabbing, doctors discovered a life-threatening tumor that would have gone undetected. In saving his life from the attack, they ended up saving him from cancer too.

Here's what really got me thinking: When the terrorist was brought to trial, he actually quoted from the story of Yosef in the Torah. You know, where Yosef tells his brothers who sold him into slavery: "You intended evil against me, but G-d designed it for good." The terrorist tried to claim this justified his actions. Of course, it doesn't work that way – he chose to do evil and must face the consequences. But the parallel teaches us something profound about how G-d works in our world: even in our darkest moments, there can be a hidden purpose we can't see yet.

Sometimes life's biggest blessings come disguised as our greatest challenges. While we never justify evil actions, we can find comfort in knowing that G-d can weave even our hardest moments into something meaningful. It's not about understanding why bad things happen – it's about trusting that even in our darkest moments, G-d has a greater plan.

Have a good Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman