What's in your ear(pods) or you are what you consume.

Do you ever find yourself agitated or angsty for no reason? And then you remember that you saw a disturbing news piece, read a bothersome email, or someone said something that set you off?

I am not particularly interested in outer space. 

There, I said it, and it feels like a confession. For someone my age—Gen X, raised on rockets and Reagan and the promise of “the final frontier”—I’m aware this borders on heresy.

Although Pesach is over, the aura of the holiday and the spiritual effects of the Matzah and Wine remain inside of us having become part of who we are.

The idea of imagining slavery or being kept hostage is not a foreign idea.  These past two + years we have lived with the plight of the hostages, their suffering, their release and now their stories.

One of the most familiar passages of the Haggadah, a quote from a Mishna reads, "in every generation one is required to see themselves as if they left Egypt". 

When was the last time you brought an animal sacrifice?

In the opening of the third book of the Torah we are introduced to the Mitzvah of sacrifices.  We know the Torah is eternal and its application is at all times.

This week we end the second book of the Torah - Shemos. As is the tradition we announce and call up on strength three times - Chazak Chazak Vinischazek - be strong, be strong and be strengthened.  In Jewish teachings, three creates a permanence and enforces.  

We are living in truly miraculous times! Unlike the Purim story and throughout our history, we have super powers looking out for the interest of the Jewish People!

In a conversation recently with someone regarding the tension between the USA/Israel and Iran, I made a comment that the Iranian's are crazy and have a death wish.

The following is a story that I heard from my niece's new father in law - Rabbi Aryeh Solomon -  at their Sheva Brachos last Shabbos. 

Before my Yechidus (private audience), I prepared a Tzettel (a note) to give to the Rebbe, as was customary. In it I wrote about who I was, where I was holding in life, and what I hoped to accomplish in the future.

Idealism is a blessing and also totally unrealistic. Oh, I don't intend to throw the baby out with the bathwater. No, Idealism is what has brought change to the world.  Idealism has brought so much good to the world. But it only works when it moves out of its idealistic space into reality.

When the Previous Rebbe’s grandmother, Rebbetzin Rivkah, was eighteen, she fell ill and the physician ordered her to eat immediately upon awakening. She, however, did not wish to eat before davening, so she davened very early, then ate breakfast.

We live in blessed times with unique awareness about our inner world. With that comes an increase in anxiety wondering how we can get rid of the narratives that seem to interfere with living in alignment.

Are you forgetful? Do you ever forget to get something done because it is not on your to do list? Is it possible to get something done in the best possible manner by running away from doing the very thing?

At the beginning of this week's Parsha, the Torah gives us the ancestry of Moses and Aaron and their children. It is not the first or the last time the Torah gives us their pedigree. What is different is the association with their mothers as opposed to their fathers. 

(Generally in Torah tradition, tribal association is defined by the father, and identity by the mother.)

Our journey on this earth can feel taxing and burdensome at times. Yet the great mystics teach that these very challenges are the reason the soul descends into this world in the first place.

There is a strong debate these days about the value of therapy.  Therapy is all about the self. Looking into the dark places and trying to decipher their origins. Perhaps the approach ought to be to think less of the self and focus on the actions we need to take. If we take that approach then perhaps the darkness will dissipate on its own

In other words, do we need to resolve the issues that hold us back first or do we need to move forward and let the light guide the way?

After the Menorah was lit on the last night of Chanukah at Ponce City Market we took to dancing.  A dad was standing on the side with his son and I encouraged him and his son to join the circle. 

He was hesitant as his son didn't want to join.  I said to him "Be a proud Jew, Loud and Proud!" "That's right!" he said as he joined the circle, his son watching from the side. 

There are those people who seem to float a bit above the earth.  Nothing seems to get in. It appears that nothing fazes them.

Then there are those people who walk around as if the entire universe is sitting on their shoulders.  Everything is a burden, everything seems heavy.

Maya and Itay Regev, former hostages of Hamas captivity, joined Chabad Intown for an evening sharing their powerful story of survival, faith, and resilience. Through a moderated conversation, they reflected on their experiences and shared messages of gratitude and hope.