Hanna's Dvar Torah

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What is the “moment of silence” and why did the Rebbe encourage it?

Two thieves broke into a clothing store and started to empty it. As they were carrying the goods, one thief looked at the label of a dress, sees the expensive price and said in shock: “They are such thieves!”.

The Talmud tells us that a thief is like and idol-worshipper. But what is the connection between those two sins? One is about our relationship with G-d, and the other our relationship with fellow people. Also, why is there mention only about the thief who steals secretly at night and not the robber who steals openly and violently?

The robber does not care about anyone. He does not fear G-d but does not fear people either. On the other hand, the thief comes in hiding. He is scared to see people. But G-d? He does not care about Him, he does not fear Him… This is like idolatry because it shows the thief’s approach to G-d…

In 1983, the Rebbe said that the only way to raise and educate honest people is based on the faith in G-d. Each one of us needs to know that G-d always watches over us and cares about our actions. We may escape the policeman, but we can never hide from G-d. We need to act with honesty at every single moment.

The Rebbe proposed and encouraged to have a daily “Moment of Silence” in all schools, including public schools. A moment for all pupils, regardless of their religion, where each one will think about G-d and what He wants from the people. This has become a routine in many schools in the United States. The Rebbe insisted that the “Moment of Silence” does not concern only Jews, or only religious people but every one of us, in order to have an honest society.

Ας αρχίσουμε και εμείς να αφιερώνουμε ένα λεπτό κάθε μέρα σκεπτόμενοι τον Θ-ό. Ας ενθαρρύνουμε τους φίλους και συγγενείς μας να κάνουν το ίδιο. Και το σημαντικότερο, ας έχουμε πάντα στο μυαλό ότι ο Θ-ός μας κοιτά συνεχώς, και αυτό θα μας οδηγήσει να πράττουμε καλύτερα.

Let us start ourselves to dedicate one moment every day to think about G-d. Le us encourage our friends and relatives to do the same. And most importantly, le us always have in mind that G-d watches over us and this will lead us to behave better.

Shabbat Shalom,

Hanna

Find out more about the Moment of Silence here. 

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We talk, talk, talk… We tell our adventures, we share our dreams and concerns, we exchange opinions about important topics. But sometimes, we also gossip, we criticize the rest of the world. Does it disturb anyone? After all, we did harm to no one, we just talked…

The Talmud has a different opinion. It explains that the evil tongue and the gossip hurt three people: the speaker, the listener, and the one that is being talked about. But what is the last one guilty of? Is it his or her fault that other people spoke about him or her?

Words have the very strong power to uncover things which are hidden. Speech reveals our hidden thoughts to others but also uncovers and strengthens our characteristics and feelings. When I say about someone that s/he is cruel, at the same moment I strengthen and reveal his cruelty. This is not exactly what I intended to do…

On the other hand, I can use this power for the good. If I praise the generosity of someone, I will strengthen it. Incredible, isn’t it?

Of course, besides for the spiritual power of the words, there is also the practical effect. Words that we say spread around can cause big damage or bring great help, depending of what we choose to say.

Let us decide to avoid saying bad words about others, even if we feel that they deserve them. If we speak, we may strengthen their negative traits. Let us try to see and point out the good characteristics of other people. We will all benefit from it.  

Shabbat Shalom,

Hanna

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One comic used to say: “There are 3 types of people: those who know how to count, and those who don’t…” 😉

In this week’s Parasha Shemini, we see a strange count.

When the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was ready, Moses and Aharon had 7 days for rehearsals before the Service at the Temple started normally. Then, on the 8^th day, the service of the Mishkan started formally and the Divine Presence appeared. But why is it called the 8^th day? Would it not be more appropriate to call it the 1^st day?

The question becomes stronger when we understand the tremendous difference between the 7 first days and the 8^th. During the preparations, the Jews did whatever they could as humans with limited capabilities. The Divine Presence that appeared on the 8^th day was very high and infinite, it was something on a totally different level. Why then, do we count all the days together?

The answer is that, indeed, the 8^th day was much more special than the previous 7, but it happened because of the 7 days of preparation. Even though the human actions were limited, it was thanks to them that G-d accorded a much bigger result, which we could not have achieve on our own.

Sometimes, we get discouraged and we think that some things are unattainable for us. We feel that we do not have the necessary strength and we give up before even trying. Here the Torah teaches us that we have the possibility to achieve it! We will do what we can on our side and G-d will complete the parts that we did not have the capability to achieve.

Let us not be afraid from something that seems difficult and out of reach from us. Let us dare, let us do whatever we are capable of and G-d will complete what is needed and help us achieve it.

Shabbat Shalom,

Hanna