Rabbi's Blog

This week, I was able to go to California to celebrate my niece's wedding. It was a lovely party and simultaneously a beautiful spiritual event. Tuesday morning, a few siblings and I went to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook to experience the sunrise.

The other part of the overlook has a set of stairs. However, they are not built according to code and are a few times the height of a regular step. I am still feeling the pain of those Culver City Stairs; feeling muscles I didn't know I had. 

The pain is because I am blessed with a body that Hashem gave me and a functioning system that reminds me if you use a dormant muscle, you will feel it.

Rabbi Moshe Wohlberg would ask Yeshiva boys at Chassidic gatherings, "Are you alive because you are alive? Or are you alive because you weren't hit by a truck?"

Meaning, you can be alive simply because your body is still working, or you can live a life worth living. 

Feeling my body reminds me that there are muscles I am not using physically. What about my spiritual muscles? Are there any that I am not utilizing? What are the steps I need to take to make sure I am spiritually alive?

What comes up for you when you ask yourself, “Am I truly living? Or am I just alive because I am not dead?”

Have a Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

P.S. Inspired by this class from Rabbi YY Jacobson

Running a Chabad House like Harford Chabad is a labor of love. It can also be stressful, with many moving parts to juggle.

Our forefather Abraham was the first person in the world to open a Chabad House (an organization to promote spreading the belief in Hashem and the proper behavior that follows from that belief). As the verse says, “Abraham opened an inn in Beersheba. There, he proclaimed the name of G-d, G-d of the Universe.”

Abraham’s success was not that everyone who came through his doors became “orthodox” or “Torah observant.” Abraham’s success was that he created a community of people who believed in 1 G-d. 

He had four types of community members: 

The inspired, the students, the minyanaires, and the community shluchim.

• The inspired are the people I call “the coffee and beer community members.” They enjoy hanging out and are inspired to live more G-dly merely by basking in Abraham’s warmth and passionate love for G-d. They realized he was speaking the truth and were inspired despite not necessarily being able to follow everything he taught.
• Abraham’s students studied Torah under his tutelage. Their involvement was through adult education classes given by Abraham or Sarah (the first ones to lead Torah Studies and Torah and Tea classes:)).
• The Minyanaires prayed because of their newfound appreciation of G-d's greatness. They began to pray and praise Hashem themselves.
• The Shluchim became community leaders. Not only understanding but also sharing their inspiration with others. They expanded Abraham's influence upon the world, opening mini centers of inspiration and inviting people into their homes to celebrate their Judaism.

It’s important to pay homage to the OG Shliach, the first Jew, Abraham. In addition, this resonates very much with me as I’ve met all four types living right here in Harford County. Knowing that Abraham lived within a community similar to ours, we can take an example from him and bring much G-dliness into this world by lighting up our little corner.

Which group or groups do you think you fit into? How can you add more G-dly light into your home, neighborhood, or community?

Have a good shabbos, 

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

The Jewish people are in exile. This is not something new! It's a state of being that has lasted nearly 2,000 years, since the Holy Temple was destroyed. We yearn for the day (may it be today) when we will be returned to the Holy Land with the coming of the Moshiach!

Galus, exile, is often seen as a punishment for our failings. In truth, exile is by design. G-d created the world with the intention of having a home in the lowest realms and the Messianic Era is the culmination of this plan.

G-d ordained the exile of the Jewish people when He made the "Covenant of the Parts" with Abraham, even before the Jewish people existed!

Ouch!! Why? For what purpose?

The spiritual job of the Jewish people is to uncover the true nature of creation. By using physical objects in the service of G-d, we reveal the Divine Essence in them. As the "sparks" of holiness embedded in creation were dispersed throughout the world, the Jewish people have been exiled and scattered across the globe to expose them.

Interestingly, the difference between the Hebrew word for redemption, geulah, and the Hebrew word for exile, golah is just one letter. The letter aleph transforms the word from meaning exile to meaning redemption.  Redemption is not about a radical change, it is just uncovering our truest self, G-d within us.

On a deeper level, galus is not just physical displacement. It is a time when G-d's presence is concealed. We may study Torah and follow the commandments, but do we feel G-d's closeness? Do we feel love or connection with G-d when doing mitzvot? Or is the Divine suppressed or hidden?

Two thousand years of spiritual darkness have not deterred us. Through fire and water, we've proven our fidelity to G-d. We are ready to be reconnected with our Creator, for the ultimate redemption!

Yes, the sparks have been elevated. Jews make a blessing over food in Bel Air, put up mezuzahs in Havre de Grace, and with world globalization, we sit in Harford County and light menorahs that are "made in China". Now it's time to unite and reconnect with our fellow and with Hashem to ensure the mitzvahs we do are intentionally to welcome the messianic era, the ultimate goal of G-d creating a physical world where He will feel comfortable to be revealed in.

May we merit to leave this exile today.

Good Shabbos, 

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman 

It's easy to get caught up in the negativity that surrounds us. From the news to social media, it seems like every day brings conflict, division, and chaos. But as Jews, we are called to rise above this negativity and focus on creating a world of unity between people and connection with Hashem.

One of the most powerful ways to do this is by recognizing that when we see negativity in others, and all of us do at some point, it can reflect our own inner struggles. This is a concept that is beautifully illustrated in the story of Noach's sons, Shem and Yephes, who covered their father's nakedness without looking at it.

According to the Baal Shem Tov, when we see negativity in others, and view it that way, it is because we are being shown our own inner negativity. However, if we see and focus on the practical angle, seeing this as information that we can now use to impact them for good, it is actually a message that we were chosen to help them.

Next time you see someone acting negatively, remember that it's not just about them - it's about you too. Take a step back, breathe deeply, and focus on the positive and practical angle. See the opportunity to influence and correct, rather than getting caught up in the negativity.

This is why it says about Noach’s sons, "They did not see their father's nakedness", all they saw was something to be corrected.

If I am not seeing the opportunity, and just the negativity, perhaps it’s time for me to do some soul searching, perhaps it’s my own inner negativity that needs fixing.

Does this resonate with you? 

Have a good Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

The age-old question: who is better, humans or animals? Can we truly claim superiority over the natural world, or are we just another species in the grand tapestry of creation? The Torah offers a fascinating perspective on this topic, one that challenges our assumptions about our place in the world.

In the early days of humanity, G-d 's instructions were clear: "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over... all the beasts" (Genesis 1:28). But what does it mean to "subdue" the earth? Is it a call to dominate and exploit, or to work in harmony with the natural world? The answer lies in the context of G-d 's original dietary instructions: "Every green plant I give you for food, and you shall have them for food" (Genesis 1:29). Humans were originally meant to eat like animals, only vegetables. In the times of Noah meat was added to the diet.

G-d 's rules are not meant to be arbitrary or oppressive, but rather to guide us in our relationship with the world. As creations of G-d, we are called to be responsible stewards of the earth, not a dominant dictator but a benevolent ruler.

The Hebrew word for "rule over" (רדו) is closely related to the word for "fall" (ירדו). This is no coincidence. True dominion over the earth requires humility and partnership with G-d. When we approach the world with a sense of refinement and responsibility, we can "dominate" in the sense of elevating the physical world for spiritual purposes. But when we forget our place and succumb to hedonistic materialism, we risk falling into the trap of exploitation and destruction.

So, what does it mean to be human? Are we simply stronger and smarter animals, or are we something more? The answer lies in our relationship with G-d and the world around us. By embracing our role as co-creators and stewards of the earth, we can fulfill our potential as humans and find true fulfillment in our relationship with G-d and the natural world.

So go control the world around you - and elevate it.

Looking forward to seeing you over the next few days,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman 

I wanted to share with you a powerful story from my father's book, "Why God Why - How to Believe in Heaven When it Hurts Like Hell." In the book, he recounts a conversation he had with one of my brothers who was struggling to understand why G-d allowed a family member to die from lung cancer. Instead of trying to provide a theological explanation, my father asked, "Do you want an answer, or do you want a hug?"

My brother's eyes welled up with tears and he replied, "I want a hug." This story resonates with me. It makes me think about the importance of Sukkot and Simchat Torah in our Jewish tradition.

Just as most Jews wouldn't eat a bagel without the lox or cream cheese, attending synagogue on Yom Kippur without participating in Sukkot and Simchat Torah is like a bagel without cream cheese.

These holidays offer us a chance to reconnect with Hashem and with each other.

After confessing our sins on Yom Kippur and being blessed with a new year, we sometimes doubt if we are we truly okay. Will our relationship with Hashem remain strong?

We ask Hashem, "Do you still love me, even though I made mistakes?" And Hashem's answer is, "Do you want an answer, or do you want a hug?"

In the sukkah, surrounded by the walls of Hashem's embrace, we find comfort and reassurance.

We shake the lulav and etrog, symbolizing our connection to all types of Jews.

We dance with a closed Torah on Simchas Torah, representing our shared connection to the Jewish tradition.

I hope to see you at one of our Sukkot events, where we can come together and experience the warmth and love of Hashem's embrace.

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman 

“Researchers in Denmark have developed a new drug that mimics the effects and benefits of strenuous exercise without moving a muscle!”

When I came across this paragraph of clickbait on the news, I knew I had to continue reading. After all, I am a big fan of strenuous exercise. Yes, you read it right: I am a big fan (just like “baseball fans” who like to talk and watch baseball but leave the playing to other people, I am also leaving strenuous exercise to others…)

But whom am I kidding? I heard that strenuous exercise is good for you. So if I can have my cake and eat it too, and avoid exercising—that sounds like a good deal.

The article reports that “... the drug has been shown.. to flush toxins and strengthen the heart.” 

“Flush toxins and strengthen the heart.” Why does this sentence sound familiar?

Oh, I know! It reminds me of a talk by the Rebbe in honor of Yom Kippur, where he discussed the question: how does Yom Kippur work? We all know it’s considered a day of atonement, but how do we achieve it?

Here is a quote from that discussion (from Likkutei Sichos, volume 4):

“Yom Kippur reveals within every Jew the essence connection of their soul with the Creator, and when this level is revealed, all flaws automatically fall away.”

So Yom Kippur is “strengthening our heart” (our connection to G-d) and “flushing all [tox]sins!”

There is one big difference between the new medicine and the much older Yom Kippur “pill”. Unlike the medicine, which mimics the 10k run, Yom Kippur, when we strengthen our connection to G-d, it’s not mimicking; it’s revealing our true essence. And then, our sins flush away. Oh, and it also has no negative side effects. Some positive side effects are happiness, torah study and connection with Gd)

May this Yom Kippur bring with it a stronger, revealed connection to G-d, and may all of our prayers be answered.

Wishing you a Gmar Chatima Tova, have an easy fast, good yom tov, good Shabbos, sending love, praying for the hostages, the safety of our brothers and sisters in the holy land, and for world peace with the coming of Moshiach!

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman
P.S. My gratitude to Rabbi Mendy Kaminker from Chabad of Hackensack for this article which inspired me - I did make minor edits

As we approach Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, when we crown Hashem as the ruler of the universe, I want to reflect on what it means to live as a Jew. While we often focus on the importance of dying as a Jew, I believe it's equally crucial to explore what it means to live like one.

The haftarah for the second day of Rosh Hashanah speaks of redemption, detailing how we will return to our ancient homeland of Israel and the wonders of the future Messianic age. It also explains why we will merit redemption and concludes with Hashem's love for us.

The secret of the haftarah lies in the powerful cry of Rachel, who weeps for her children. Her bitter tears move Hashem, who tells her that her children will return to their border. But why Rachel? Because she lived as a Jew.

Avraham was willing to sacrifice his son Yitzchak, and Yitzchak was willing to be sacrificed to die as a Jew, if Hashem desired. However, Rachel's story is different. When Yaacov and Rachel were to be married, Yaacov suspected that Laban, his future father-in-law, would deceive him by switching Rachel with her older sister Leah. Rachel and Yaacov prepared a secret signal to ensure that Yaacov would know it was truly Rachel. When Laban made the switch, Rachel realized that Leah would be embarrassed if discovered, so she gave her the signal. By doing so, Rachel sacrificed her own desires and happiness.

She gave up the man she loved and for the next 15 or so years, every time she saw Yaakov with Leah, she lived with the weight of that sacrifice. She could have been his only wife if he had married her first.

To live as a Jew is to make difficult decisions and live by those decisions every day, not begrudgingly, but with pride.

Hashem listens to Rachel not only because of her initial sacrifice but also because she continued to live with that sacrifice wholeheartedly, despite the personal cost.

I look forward to seeing you over Rosh Hashana. If you cannot join us at shul, please join us for Shofar in the Park on Thursday at 5:30 PM at Bynum Run.

May you be blessed with a good and sweet year.

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

On Sunday we celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Chabad Center for Jewish Life. I thought about the dynamic, constantly changing nature of Jewish life and the importance of remaining uncompromising on our foundational Torah based values. 

We are ensuring everyone has a home, but that home must be Torah based and firm in our commitment to our Jewish identity. 

This is expressed in this week's double Torah portion, titled Nitzvaim-Vayelech. The first word, Nitzavim, means "standing firm," while the second, Vayelech, means "going." These seemingly contradictory titles remind us that we are always moving forward, yet we must remain steadfast in our commitment to our values and traditions.

As we break ground on our new center, we are not only building a physical space, but also a community that will stand firm in its commitment to Jewish life. We are creating a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to learn, grow, and connect with one another.

The only way to truly grow and expand our horizons is through commitment and certainty in our path. When we stand firm and believe in who we are as Jews, that is how we are guaranteed to continue climbing higher.

When reading this portion on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah, we look back at the past year. We acknowledge that it was a difficult year for the Jewish people in Israel and around the world. We are more than ready to “Vayelech”, to move on to better and brighter times with the certainty of Jewish pride, knowing who we are and what we represent.

As we look to the future, we are reminded that even in the face of challenges and uncertainty, we are guaranteed that all is never lost and the door to repentance is always open. We are committed to staying steadfast in our commitment to G-d and to one another.

Each one of us needs to ask ourselves, what will I do to move forward in the year ahead which will create growth while remaining grounded in who we really are at our core, at our soul.

I wish you all a Good Shabbos and a Shanah Tovah Umesukah - a happy and sweet new year. 

May our new center be a beacon of Jewish pride and a symbol of our commitment to our community.

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

It’s apropos to have a groundbreaking, the placing of the cornerstone, for the new Chabad Center this Sunday.

In this week’s parsha, the Torah tells us that immediately upon entering the land of Israel, we are commanded to build an altar for Hashem: 'And it shall be on the day when you cross the Jordan to the land which the L-rd your G-d gives you, that you shall set up for yourself large stones... and you shall build there an altar to the L-rd your G-d... and you shall offer on it burnt-offerings to the L-rd your G-d, and you shall sacrifice peace-offerings, and eat there, and you shall rejoice...'

"And you shall build for the L-rd your G-d ". The obligation to build a home for Hashem rests upon each and every one of us. The verse is said in second person, as if Hashem is turning to each of us and saying: You yourself, through your own work and with your own strength, must build. Unlike the inheritance of the land "that the L-rd your G-d gives to you”.

When building a Shul, a Jewish Community Center, every community member gets involved to ensure a place where we can have an “altar”. A place where we make sacrifices to enhance our connection to Hashem.

There are two types of sacrifices mentioned in the above verse: The burnt offering and the peace offering. We see the relevance of both in our daily lives.

The burnt offering which was the first sacrifice of the day in the temple, is represented by the daily morning prayer which starts off our day, before eating and drinking or going to work. We all must make a living and go to work. How we go to work is represented by the peace offering. Once we are at work, in the daily engagements in worldly matters, it should be done in a manner that brings peace between the person offering, G-d, and other people. When we do our worldly job in a G-dly way, more people want to connect with Hashem!

Through all this one also merits "and you shall eat, and you shall rejoice...". Your physical sustenance and the sustenance of your household members will be in abundance and in a manner of joy and happiness.

Have a good Shabbos and looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman 

The parable is told about a king who went to war against a neighboring country, blessed with enormous natural resources. Despite the king recruiting all his armies, the soldiers of the neighboring country fought fiercely and defended their border. The king was about to fall in battle.

Distressed and desperate, he published a proclamation throughout his land: "Whoever finds a strategic move to conquer the neighboring border will be given permission to enter the royal treasure room for an hour and take from there whatever he desires". In that basement were precious treasures that the king's fathers had stored for generations. In his despair, the king was willing to abandon everything for the sake of victory.

An old, battle-hardened general responded to the challenge and proposed an orderly plan on how to confuse the enemy and breach the border. The plan proved to be brilliant and the king returned victorious.

Now, all waited to see the general's reward. What would he manage to take out of the legendary royal treasure room? However, the king did not intend to allow this. There were treasures worth millions that had been preserved for hundreds of years, they were the pride of the kingdom, and how could he let the general lay his hands on them?

An idea came to the king's mind to take advantage of this general’s addiction to classical music and good food. The king set up two tents at the entrance to the royal treasure room. The best catering companies in the country filled one tent. A symphony orchestra and children's choir "Voices from Heaven" was set up in the second tent.

The moment came for the general to enter the treasure area. Approaching, he was overwhelmed by the heavenly smells of food cooking. He had only one hour in the treasure room, yet he was sure he had enough time to enjoy both worlds. He ran from table to table, sampling the most delicious food.  Before he knew it, he had just thirty-five minutes left. Quickly, he headed towards the treasure room. Suddenly, the orchestra began to play as the choir started to sing. He felt his soul soaring and as if bewitched, he got stuck listening to the melody. By the time he came to his senses, the promised hour had passed...

We are currently in the Jewish month of Elul, 10 days in. There are many "acronyms" for Elul. One interesting one means "If one did not lie in wait, but God caused it to happen" (Exodus 21:13). This verse deals with the serious sin of a person who accidentally killed someone and is required to run to a city of refuge. Thus, "Elul" calls us all to run to a city of refuge.

Taking an example from the city of refuge where the exiled one moves from his familiar comfort zone, disconnecting from his routine of life and creates an alternative daily schedule. So too in Elul, we need to create a spiritual daily schedule while disconnecting from all the noise around.

As we navigate the challenges of Elul, we must be careful not to fall prey to distractions. The evil inclination is always looking for ways to thwart our good intentions, and the first week of Elul is no exception. With the start of school, we may find ourselves running between schools, adjusting to new teachers and schedules. In the second week, we may discover a flat tire, a debt that needs to be settled, or a sudden trip abroad. It's easy to get caught up in the chaos and lose sight of our spiritual goals.

Let us make a conscious effort to stay focused this month. Let us create a spiritual daily schedule and disconnect from the noise around us. Make time for ourselves and for our spiritual growth and development. We must connect with Hashem in a special way and prepare ourselves properly for the High Holidays.

As the verse reminds us, "If one did not lie in wait, but G-d caused it to happen". Despite our best efforts, we may find ourselves in a situation that is beyond our control. But it also reminds us that no matter what challenges we may face, we have the power to choose how we respond to those situations.

Choose spiritual connection!

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

Among the many mitzvot discussed in this week's Torah portion we discuss the prohibition against wanton destruction of something valuable. For example, the law that forbids cutting down a fruit tree when laying siege. In this context, the Torah makes the famous statement, “for man is a tree of the field”.

There are many vignettes explaining why a person is compared to a tree. Here are nine https://www.harfordchabad.org/2460857, if you wish to read more.

One insight I heard from Rabbi YY Jacobson resonates profoundly. The great sequoia trees in Northern California are some of the tallest, strongest, and most grand trees in the world. One would assume that their roots are some of the deepest in the world to withstand the extreme weather and winds that they endure. It was discovered that the roots are shallow, but what the roots lacked in depth, they made up for in breadth. 

This means - very significantly - the roots spread wide just beneath the surface and interlink with the roots of other trees. TOGETHER, all these relatively shallow roots hold onto each other for strength and nurture one another. This fortifies them so that they may be able to withstand whatever life and the environment may throw at them.

We are a community. A diverse community. When we connect and hold onto each other for support, we will remain upright, be fortified and strong to withstand life's inevitables. When interconnected, we will share much joy, peace, serenity, and growth.

Because "a person is a tree of the field".

Have a good Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

P.S. our connectedness has led us to be able to plan for the groundbreaking of the Harford Haven on Sunday, September 22 at 2pm! 

Hope you can join us!

On the Shabbat before Elul... there was a change in the air; one smelled already the Elul-scent, a teshuvah-wind was blowing - Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn

Rabbi Hanoch Teller shares a memorable experience that took place in his Jerusalem neighborhood one Yom Kippur Eve, the night before the Day of Atonement. On this special day many men and boys go to the mikvah, a ritual bath, to prepare themselves spiritually.

Rabbi Teller describes a young man named Jamie who was new to this mikvah. Jamie was a student at the nearby Ohr Somayach yeshivah, a school for newly observant Jews. He had a ponytail and an earring, hinting that he was relatively new to following Jewish traditions. But what made Jamie particularly self-conscious were his tattoos, which he tried to hide by keeping his arms folded. Unfortunately, this only made his attempts to conceal his tattoos more obvious.

As Jamie walked through the crowded mikvah he slipped on the wet floor, arms flailing, exposing his tattoos. The room fell silent as everyone noticed his immodest tattoos, which symbolized his past life and toughness. Now, they seemed to highlight his embarrassment.

In the middle of this tense silence an elderly man approached Jamie. He had his own set of tattoos. Numbers from a concentration camp, marking the suffering he had endured during the Holocaust. This older man’s tattoos were a painful reminder of a dark past. He tenderly told Jamie, “I too have a tattoo.  It looks like you and I have both come a long way.”

The Torah teaches when it talks about not mutilating the body; “For you are a holy people to the Lord, your G-d, and the Lord has chosen you to be a treasured people for Him, out of all the nations that are upon the earth."

Just as a treasure may have been buried for years, accumulating dust and dirt, so too our past experiences and struggles have left their mark on us. But just as a treasure can be cleaned, polished, and restored to its former glory, so too can we, as individuals, learn to overcome our past and shine in the present.

Tattoos tell a story as do our experiences and struggles. However, it is not the past that defines us! It's the present and future that we create. Each one of us is on a journey of growth and change, and with each step, we become a brighter, more radiant treasure.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

Ksiva v’Chasima Tova

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman