Category — Shemini

Morris, the Governor’s most trusted assistant, died in his sleep one night. The Governor had depended on Morris for advice on every subject, from pending bills to wardrobe decisions. In addition, Morris had been his closest friend.

At the funeral, one eager beaver made his way to the Governor’s side. “Governor,” the man said, “is there a chance that I could take Morris’ place?”

“Certainly,” the governor replied. “But you’d better hurry. I think the undertaker is almost finished.”

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Rabbi Sholom Ber, the fifth Rebbe in the Chabad dynasty, once advised one of his Chassidim to become a Shochet (ritual slaughterer). The Chossid was reluctant: “But Rebbe, I’m afraid! It’s a big responsibility!”

The Rebbe smiled, and said: “Who then should I appoint as a Shochet? Someone who is not afraid? Your apprehension, shows on your fear of heaven and sincerity!”

Boy oh boy! Tell that to the wannabee celebrities and politicians out there… “I’m the best for the job!” “My experience shows that I can tackle any issue!” As if we can have 100% confidence in their ability to weather any storm…

Where’s the realization and [hence] apprehension of the responsibility that leadership requires? Isn’t it ironic that at the same time when speeches upon speeches of self idolizing hopeful’s, are being hounded into our ears constantly; polls show that 75% of Americans believe that there is a big lack of leadership in our country?

In this weeks Torah portion (see Rashi) we find a scene, where the newly appointed high priest Aharon, who’s time had arrived to sacrifice his first offering to G-d, stood on the side reluctant to begin his line of duty.

His brother Moshe came over to him and said: “Aharon! Why are you fearful? – Lekach nivcharta – You were chosen for this position!”

The holy Baal Shem Tov took those two words “Lekach nivcharta” and shined a deeper light into them;

It was at that moment, when Moshe saw the fear and hesitation of his brother Aharon to accept the highest position, that he finally understood that “Lekach nivcharta – it was because of your fear of heaven, that you were selected.”

Of course one must have the skills and calling for the ‘job’ of leadership, but some humility is just as much as an ingredient for the making of true leadership.

Take our Rebbe as an example; for a full year after his father-in-law’s passing, he refused to accept the mantle of leadership of the Chabad movement. Only a year later did he reluctantly agree, and the rest is history…

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If only this email would be forwarded to the wannabees, we would save billions of tax payers’ money on political campaigns….

Three hermits move into a cave together and for the first seven years they don’t speak to each other. Then one morning a horse runs by the mouth of the cave.

Seven years later, the first hermit says, “That was a pretty white horse that ran by.”

Seven more years go by and the second hermit says, “That horse wasn’t white; he was black.”

Yet another seven years go by and the third hermit starts packing his bags. The other two look at him and he says, “If all you two are going to do is argue, then I’m leaving.”

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Under the influence of most of Earth’s major religions, many have been led to believe that spirituality translates as “shunning the physical and living a nun-like existence.” The further one distances himself from worldliness, the closer he becomes to the divine, they say.

A man sitting atop a mountain clothed in rags, eating only the bare minimum and meditating for hours on end gives the impression of being “spiritual”.

A guru who hasn’t opened his mouth in a decade is considered a hero almost in all religious circles. All, that is, besides for Judaism, where the reverse is the truth.

To bring an example: On Shabbat, our day of rest, we are commanded to eat the best of foods. We celebrate Passover with Matza, horseradish and eggs.

When one reaches the milestone of Bar Mitzvah age, he celebrates with a feast; a Chanukah party doesn’t begin without doughnuts and Latkes.

You would think our religion was thought up by some chef. What about spirituality and holiness? What about rags, closed eyes and starved bodies? Wouldn’t Passover have more meaning if we were to refrain from speech for eight days? And wouldn’t Shabbat feel more divine if our “resting” involved cleansing our mundane bodies through fasting?

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Judaism doesn’t define spirituality as abandonment of the world. If G-d’s will was for us to live like angels, this physical world would be superfluous. Can we ever presume to attain the levels of Michael and Gabriel, even after decades of isolation?

We live in this world to elevate the mundane, i.e. to eat food and make a blessing, to use the hive of a cow for Mezuzahs and to bring joy, love, happiness and meaning to our lives and the lives of others.

Money is good when used for the right purposes. Eyes are useful for looking at the correct things. Fame is an asset if it leads to positive things.

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So is Mt. Everest closest to G-d? Well if you’re eating your Shabbat meal at 27,352 feet, then hey – I guess you’re the closest you could get to G-d…