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What is the common point between all Jews?

Mon, 5 Oct 2020 3:30:00 PM

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What is the common point between a Jew in Greece, in New York, in Buenos Aires, in Yemen, in Morocco or in Poland? What is the common point between a Jew in Antiquity, a Jew of the Middle Ages, a Jew of the Renaissance, a Jew of modern times?

It is not the food we eat, nor the language we speak nor the way we dress, nor the professions we have. Some have blond hair, speak yiddish and eat gefilte fish, others have black hair, speak Ladino or Arabic and eat bourekitas... some spoke Aramaic or ancient Greek, some dressed in Babylonian tunics and others in Venetian dresses, some are wealthy bankers, other are poor peddlers...

Their only common point is the Torah, our timeless inheritance. Their only common point is the study and the practice of the Torah, which has passed through so many generations and countries, despite the persecutions. All study the same Bible and Talmud, all keep the same laws of Shabbat and Kashrut, all celebrate the same holidays... the menu of Shabbat may vary but the Shabbat is the same, the tune of the prayers may vary but they are all similar in content...

We start tomorrow night (Friday 9th of October 2020) the joyous holidays of Shmini Atseret and Simchat Torah.

We sing and dance with the Torah. We may celebrate in a different way this year because of covid-19, but we will celebrate with the same joy!

We rejoice in the gift that G-d has given us. We rejoice with the Torah, regardless of how much we study it, how much we observe it. We rejoice and dance with the closed Sefer Torah because we celebrate the intimate and timeless connection each Jew has with the Torah.

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!

What I learned from wearing a mask

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 8:51:00 AM

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Masks are part of our lives now, to protect ourselves and others from the COVID-19. We have now all learned that as we speak, laugh, or even just breathe, we emit microscopic aerosols that can travel or linger for hours in the air and can infect someone else.

Many times, we think that our actions don't really make a change, that our efforts don't have results, and that we don't have an influence on the world. Covid-19 showed us in a vivid way how much we do affect each other, even when we don't intend to do it, and even if we don't see or feel any change. Every action counts.

The Maimonides stated centuries ago that an individual can change the world: He said that we need to see the world as an even balance, with good actions on one side, and bad actions on the other. Our next good action can tip the whole world to the good side!

As we get ready for the new year, let's remember not to underestimate our power to make a positive difference in the world.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Mendel and Nehama Hendel

A watch for free!

Thu, 2 Jul 2020 11:55:00 AM

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A merchant in the market made an announcement: “I'm giving out this watch for free to whoever wants it!”. Soon enough someone approached him and asked for the watch. To his surprise the merchant asked him to pay 100 Euros for the watch. The person asked, "Didn't you say that it's for free?" The merchant answered: “Yes, it's for free to whoever wants it. But how do I know that you really want it? If you are ready to give 100 Euros for it, then I know that you really want it.”

The power of will is great. The Zohar teaches us that “everything depends on the will”. But doesn’t everyone want to live a moral and productive life and have a nice family? If everybody wants it, why is it not so easy to achieve it?

The answer is that we sometimes confuse between ‘want’ and ‘wish’. A wish is something we’d like to have, but we don’t really believe is possible, so we don’t make a big effort to get it: I wish I’d win the lottery, I wish I knew Hebrew, I wish I had another job…

A want on the other hand means that we understand that something is truly important to us, that we deeply desire it and therefore we are willing to do whatever is possible in order attain it. When we are committed to whatever we want and are ready to pay the price, then we can get it. When we show with our actions that we really want something, then we can reach it.

Let's reevaluate what moral values or mitzvot are really important for us and make a firm decision that we truly want it. With this attitude, the sky will be the limit and we will soon see how this lifestyle will become a reality.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Mendel and Nehama Hendel

45th anniversary

Sun, 7 Jun 2020 10:13:00 AM

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In honor of the anniversary of my parents on 13 Sivan, I republish the text I wrote last year.

This Shabbat, we are in Israel celebrating the 45th anniversary of my parents. That's quite impressive! So I asked my mother to give me a tip for successful relationships which I will share with you so we can all get, Beezrat Hashem in good health, to such milestones.

The most important, she said, is to realize that a relationship is not 50-50. A good relationship is one where each one gives his or her 100%.

When each one is centered on his or her own wellbeing and calculates how much he or she gave to the relationship and how much the other one should give, it's a recipe for arguments and fights. We are not in the relationship for what we can get out of it. We are not giving our 50% in order to get the other part's 50%. We need to give our 100% without checking and calculating what did I give and what did I receive. And when each one is totally devoted to the wellbeing of the other, then both benefit and the relationship can grow and flourish.

I was thinking that it's the same thing with our relationship with G-d.

We just celebrated the holiday of Shavuot and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Our sages tell us that our relationship with G-d is compared to a relationship between a husband and wife and the giving of the Torah is like the marriage ceremony.

The best relationship is when we give our 100%. We should not check after each Mitsva that we do what did G-d give us in return but to devote ourselves entirely to our relationship with Him. We should dedicate ourselves to a life of meaning and G-dliness and G-d from His side will look after our needs and bless us with all our necessities,

May we have success and blessings in all our relationships.

Back to normal?

Sun, 7 Jun 2020 9:53:00 AM

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Back to normal? Back to the new normal?

Around us, life seems to be going back slowly-slowly to previous rhythms. Businesses have opened, employees are going back to their office, cafes and restaurants are operating...

There is still a long way to get back to normal but there is a change in the air which is wonderful.

What is really important is the way we return to normal. Not only practically, keeping the health precautions, but also on a spiritual level.

I heard it from many people and also felt it myself: the lockdown period we just went through, even though it was very challenging, was also an opportunity. As it forced us to stop our daily routines and the running around, it also enabled us to think and to better realize which are our priorities in life. We spent more family time and got closer to our loved ones, not only those in our immediate environment but also others through technology. We got more clarity about what is actually necessary and what is important in our lives. We realized the importance of care, solidarity, and responsibility one for another.

As we are returning to our normal routine, let's not forget these important understandings and realizations. Let's not simply return to our old habits but utilize the opportunity to continue to grow spiritually.

I wish all of us a safe and meaningful return to our regular lives and that we all experience only good and happy occasions.

“Man plans, and G-d laughs”

Fri, 15 May 2020 7:42:00 AM

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Chaim was well-known for his indecision. He could not make any decision, for both simple as well as complicated matters. One day, he went with his wife Chaya to a coffee shop. as they sat down, the waiter asked Chaim: "Would you like tea or coffee?". After thinking for a long while, Chaim answered: you know what, I'll take half-half."

One of the biggest challenges for a human being is uncertainty. And this is what is especially difficult in the current coronavirus situation. We do not know how the situation will evolve now that the confinement was partially lifted. No one knows how the summer will look like. We do not know when a vaccine or another remedy will be found. We cannot make plans and envisage the future with confidence.

This makes it difficult practically and psychologically to handle. Yet, we forget that this is always the case: We never know what the future holds. We only think we do, and that we are in control of the situation, and therefore we get unsettled and frustrated when our plans fall through. Isn’t there a famous saying: “Man plans, and G-d laughs”?

Does that mean that there is no point in planning, in making efforts to advance? No! On the contrary! We are in this world to progress, to accomplish, and to change things around us for the better. Yet, we should not forget Who is really in charge. After we make all the efforts, we need to remember that the final result is not in our hands.

This timely message is found in this week’s Parasha, which speaks about the year of Shemita, the Sabbatical year. In Israel, farmers are not allowed to work their fields during the 7th year. How will they be able to sustain themselves? The Torah tells us that they will have such abundance during the 6th years that it will be enough for the 7th year as well.

This Mitzvah requires a lot of faith. It reminds us that even though we work hard to earn our livelihood, what is needed after our efforts is G-d's blessing. And when we do Mitzvot and make the right choices in our lives, we get extra blessings that will help us to overcome all challenges.

Let us strengthen our faith, let us not be affected by the perceived uncertainty and we shall overcome the Coronavirus challenge as well!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Mendel & Nehama Hendel

The GPS recalculates

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 6:25:00 AM

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This has probably happened to you. As you are driving following the instructions of the GPS, you take a wrong turn. The GPS then says: "Recalculating". It shows you how to get back on track and advance towards your destination.

The day of Pesach Sheni, the Second Passover (this year 08/05/20), gives us a similar message: It is never too late. No matter how many wrong turns we have taken in our life, we can always get back on track, fix our actions, amend our relationships, connect to G-d.

Pesach Sheni started in a very interesting way. Unlike other holidays, which were unilaterally commanded by G‑d, this holiday was initiated by the request of individuals.

On the first anniversary of the Exodus, Moses was approached by a small group of Jews who were ritually impure and thus excluded from offering, or partaking of, the Paschal lamb. “Why should we be deprived?” they said. “We, too, want to experience the spiritual freedom gained by participating in the Paschal service!”

In response, G d instructed that from that year and onwards, all those who weren’t capable of offering the Paschal Lamb in its proper time on the fourteenth of Nissan, due to impurity or distance from the Temple, should offer the Paschal lamb exactly one month later, on the fourteenth of Iyar.

The Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitschak Schneerson explained that “Pesach Sheni teaches us that ‘Nothing is ever lost: it’s never too late!’ Even someone who is impure, even someone who is far away, can still correct himself.” Every individual, no matter what his situation, always has the potential to “recalculate”, and get back on track.

Nowadays, we mark and commemorate Pesach Sheni by eating matzah (in the same way that we eat the afikoman-matzah at the Passover seder in remembrance of the Passover offering).

Let’s celebrate the second chances in life.

The 5 Stages of Grief about the Corona Pesach

Mon, 6 Apr 2020 4:01:00 AM

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Many of you are familiar with the Five Stages of Grief as theorized by Kübler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. People experiencing grief typically go through these five stages, and I thought that they can be applied to the current coronavirus situation and Pesach.

Our first reaction may be Denial: “No way, this is not possibly happening! It’s impossible to even think about a Seder without my family”.

Then comes the Anger: “Why does this happen to me? Why do I need to stay locked in my house? How can I not do Seder with my family?”

This can be followed by Depression: “This is awful. The Seder is going to be sad… I should maybe not bother to make a Seder this year…”

Some may try to Bargain: “Maybe we can flex the rules a bit. Maybe we can still get together and take precautions…” (If you are thinking about it, please reconsider. The most important value in Judaism is life, and we need to protect it at all costs).

The final stage is Acceptance and moving on, and some may get to it sooner, others later, and some may get directly there without going through all the stages. We can tell ourselves: “This is the current situation for all of us and there is a reason that this is happening, even if I don’t understand it. Let me find creative ways to celebrate a proper and meaningful Pesach even with the present limitations. Let me join the millions of Jews who will celebrate this year a Seder different from previous years."

We wish you Pesach Kasher Vesameach,

Rabbi Mendel and Nehama Hendel

Freedom in quarantine?

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 9:42:00 AM

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Dedicated for the speedy recovery of
Chaim Levi ben Chana Priva and Avraham Baruch ben Esie

Chodesh Tov! Today is the first day of the month of Nisan, the month of Pesach, the month of freedom.

Freedom? How can we speak about and celebrate freedom when we are confined in our houses due to the pandemic of Covid-19? What can give us the strength to stay strong and positive in such limiting conditions?

I saw a funny cartoon the other day about how our parents and grandparents were called to war in the most trying circumstances. We, on the other hand, are called to sit on our couches! This helps to keep things in proportion.

We can always learn from history. In the ghettos and the concentration camps, there were still people who stayed human, helped each other, shared a small piece of bread with someone else… “How is it possible for people to retain their humanity under such horrifying circumstances?" wondered Dr. Victor Frankel.

He was a psychiatrist who grew up in Vienna and during the Holocaust was sent along with many others from his community to the concentration camps. There, he witnessed something which amazed him: how people under such inhumane conditions, were able to keep their humanity.

It brought him to the following conclusion: “Everything you have in life can be taken from you except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation”. We don’t always choose the circumstances and many times we wish things would be different, but we can always choose how to react.

We are now facing a very challenging period with many limitations, but we have the freedom to choose what we will do with this situation: descend into anxiety and hopelessness, or react positively by increasing in good actions, by utilizing this time productively, by adding meaning to our lives, by strengthening our bonds with our family and friends. This will certainly add much good and light to the world, and help it overcome the challenge we are all facing.

May G-d grant a full and speedy recovery to all the sick. May G-d grant our world healing real soon, and especially the ultimate healing — the coming of Moshiach!

What is the connection between the coronavirus and coffee?

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 9:43:00 AM

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There are 3 ways in which people respond to challenges.

A young woman once went to her mother to tell her about her struggles and troubles in life. She felt she did not have the strength anymore and wanted to give it all up. The mother listened to her and then took her to the kitchen. There she placed 3 pots of water on a high fire until the water boiled. Then she placed a carrot in the first pot, an egg in the second and coffee beans in the third.

After half an hour, the mother took out the soft carrot and the boiled egg and poured the fragrant coffee into a cup.

"See," said the mother, "all three items faced the same challenge, the boiling water. But each one reacted differently: the carrot was hard and strong, but it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile and soft, but it reacted to the boiling water by becoming hard. The coffee, on the other hand, not only did not surrender but it transformed the hot water into a delicious beverage."

In front of the challenging coronavirus situation, we can react in three different ways: The stress, the uncertainty, and the difficult measures can cause us to lose our strength and to fall into depression and despair. Yet some people don't let the adverse conditions break them and they become strong and resilient. And finally, there are those who not only don't let adversity destroy them but utilize it to progress and transform the challenge into positivity and growth.

Let's be like the coffee beans, see the positive in the current situation and how we can grow from this challenge. Let us utilize this time to develop solidarity, patience, and faith. Let us take this opportunity to strengthen our relationships with our friends and family. Let us use those days indoors to learn, pray and connect to our inner self, which is often overlooked in our busy "outdoors" life. Let us make sure that we will not only emerge from this situation unscathed but come out better and more connected people.

An island of certainty

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 8:53:00 AM

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We are all concerned with the continuing expansion of the coronavirus. As days pass, cases multiply and more measures are taken, many thoughts pass through our minds.

I would like to share with you the thoughts of one of my friends, Rabbi Zalmen Wishedski, whose daughter went through leukemia last year.

“We learned many lessons last year during those long months when our Mussi was fighting leukemia. […] But the most meaningful of all of them was “Living with Uncertainty.”

When a person is being treated for Leukemia, no one knows how his day will look. He can’t plan anything. In the morning he may feel well, and after two hours he will be ill. He can be at home in the morning and be hospitalized by evening. For how long? “We’ll see. In an hour we will check and then we’ll know.” This can go on for hours, days and weeks.

We are programmed to live according to some plan and suddenly, when one is living in such uncertainty, things become confusing and upsetting. But then you understand that that is exactly the lesson that you are supposed to learn – the crash course.

And that is when you begin to cope and accept, and also to learn. The heart practices and trains and slowly, slowly it gets used to accepting the uncertainty with a smile. Usually this includes a look upwards.

You know what’s amazing? As the days pass and the uncertainty course is internalized, you suddenly understand that lack of certainty is not ee-vada’ut (uncertainty), but ee shel vada’ut – an island of certainty. The more you hand over your fate, time, money and life in general to Hashem, you acquire powerful amounts of certainty and trust, and they enter your heart and your life, and then – you live on an island of certainty.
[…]

We don’t know why and for what purpose the Master of the Universe decided to attack the world with the fear and anxiety of the Corona virus, but it is already clear that there is one central thing that is happening to almost all of us: plans are being disrupted. And they keep changing and getting disrupted again from one moment to the next.

But maybe Hashem just wanted to give us all a crash course – sharp and painful, interactive and replete with live demonstrations called “Life on the Island of Uncertainty”? I can say only one thing, from my experience: it is worthwhile to open one’s heart and listen to this course. You might yet discover that it is not uncertainty, but an “island of certainty.”

Rabbi Zalmen Wishedski, Basel, Switzerland

In these difficult times, it is important to follow the instructions of the competent authorities about protection from the coronavirus. Alongside with physical protection of ourselves and others, we need to strengthen ourselves spiritually, with faith, positivity and prayer.

With this in mind, I would like to propose to you to read Psalm 121 which we traditionally read in times of need.

Take good care of yourselves,

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Mendel and Nehama Hendel

Our office's door

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 5:17:00 AM

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When we arrived today to the office, we found the door decorated by our daughter Hanna, who is currently spending the academic semester here in Athens. We absolutely loved it!

Every time we pass by, we smile because we remember that we are lucky to have Hanna at home, but also that are now in the month of Adar, and our Sages tell us: "When the month of Adar enters, we increase in joy".

The joy of the holiday of Purim (which falls on the 14th of Adar) expands to the whole month and makes it a month of Mazal (good luck), of celebration and happiness. If we have a medical exam or operation, a commercial transaction or a court case, we try to schedule it for the month of Adar.

But now comes the million dollar question: how can I be happy when... (fill in here whatever you think stops you from being happy)?

Let's ask first another million dollar question, who is rich? (hahaha). The Pirke Avot (Ethics of our Fathers) gives us an surprising answer: "Whoever is happy with his lot". In other words, being rich is not a result of how much money you have in your bank account but a state of mind: being content with what you have.

The same goes for happiness: it's not a product of possessions or achievements but a state of mind! It's not a stage that we arrive to after we manage to... (fill in here whatever you think stops you from being happy). It's a choice we make at every moment of our lives.

Do you want to learn more about how to achieve this? Click here.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Mendel and Nehama Hendel

Stuck in Michigan

Fri, 7 Feb 2020 7:48:00 AM

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In memory of Miriam bat Chana

My grandmother, Miriam Popack, passed away last Friday at the age of 95, surrounded by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was very devoted to her family, but was also very active in the community, specifically in the women's Chabad Organization: Neshe Chabad. She was responsible for the yearly women's convention that took place in different states of the USA, with an inspiring program of lectures, workshops, entertainment, and bonding.

One year, the Convention took place in the State of Michigan. It was the winter, and at the end of the Convention, there was a snowstorm, the planes were grounded and the ladies could not leave the airport to get back to their homes for Shabbat. My grandmother called the office of the Rebbe to tell him that they are stuck in the airport and ask for a blessing. The secretary of the Rebbe called back and this was his answer: "The Rebbe asks, 'what does it mean to be stuck'?"

Of course, the Rebbe knew the meaning of the words, but my grandmother understood the message. A Jew is never stuck, if he or she finds himself somewhere, there is a reason for it. It was Friday, so the women decided it was a great opportunity to meet and inspire Jewish women to light Shabbat candles. Indeed, that Friday proved memorable: Many women were inspired, many friendships were created and much light was added to the world because these women were (not) 'stuck'.

I have learned a lot from my grandmother: kindness, hospitality, organization, attention to each person and every detail, dedication to the family, commitment and responsibility for the community. My grandmother was always very proud of her children and grandchildren. May we follow her shining example and always continue to make her proud. May her memory be blessed.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Mendel and Nehama Hendel

The "How" and the "Why"

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 9:22:00 AM

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The memory of the Holocaust is very important, not just this week but year-round. We remember our loved ones that perished in the most brutal way, we remember the cruelty and barbarity of the Nazis and vow “Never Again”. We also remember the heroic deeds of very special people Jews and non-Jews who risked their lives to help and save others.

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist and during the Second World War, he was sent to the concentration camp of Theresienstadt. There, as he himself and his fellow Jews were going through the most difficult and challenging circumstances, he observed that at times strong and healthy people did not manage to carry on, while others weaker people managed to hold on and survived. So, he tried to understand what is it that gave them strength?

He found that people who had a reason to live, something they wanted to accomplish, someone to care for, had a much bigger chance to endure the difficulties. This brought him to the understanding that if you have the "why", you will find the "how" - If you have a reason to live for, you will find the way to make it happen.

Let's remember and internalize it. Let's find meaning in our lives and actions, which will give us the "Why" and then the "How" will follow.

Let our lives and our positive influence on the world around us be a tribute to those who perished.

Rabbi Mendel Hendel

Thank you for the flat tire

Wed, 4 Dec 2019 9:23:00 AM

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This story happened to my friend Zalman last week in New York, during the international convention of Chabad Shluchim which I attended.

It was the afternoon right before the big banquet concluding the conference. Zalman had rented a car and parked it on a legal spot. Nevertheless, it was on the block adjacent to the one where all the buses to the big banquet were departing, and the police decided to tow away all parked cars for security reasons.

Someone called Zalman to tell him his car was being towed away. As he rushed there, he kept praying: "G-d, please let the car still be there, save me the headache and the money for getting it back, please G-d!". As he arrived, he saw that the block was empty of cars. There was only one car left. His car. As he approached, he discovered why: his car had a respectable flat tire. With the help of a passing fellow rabbi (whom he did not even know), they changed the tire and he took the car away. It was probably the first time in history that someone thanked G-d so profusely for a flat tire!

If Zalman simply had a flat tire, he would be quite upset. But now that he saw that it was for the good, he was delighted.

Not always are we able to see the reason why misfortunes happen to us. But we believe that everything happens for a reason and that G-d sends us only good. Sometimes revealed, and sometimes hidden.

I wish to all of us to only experience revealed good, but then, when a flat tire happens to us, to remember that it is a hidden good.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Mendel and Nehama Hendel