5/25/08
BBQ in Teaneck?
Rebbe has expressed interest in a RRRR BBQ at some point in June, before Rebbe sails to Eretz Israel in early July.
I'm thinking Teaneck - Bellino's or Mischel parents, perhaps? on a Sunday evening this June...
Anyone around?
I'm thinking Teaneck - Bellino's or Mischel parents, perhaps? on a Sunday evening this June...
Anyone around?
Daas Rebbe! Submit your Questions!
Ever wonder about Rebbe's opinion on Mexican immigration? Owning pets? The Ring Ding vs. the Yodel?
Now is your chance!
Submit your Questions!
Rebbe has agreed to participate in a Question and Answer Session, exclusive to the Ruach Revival!
We will accept questions for the next few weeks before meeting with Rebbe to discuss life's most pressing issues...
5/23/08
5/17/08
Shabbos at the Reichman's
I had lunch at the Reichman's today. It was wonderful! The table was full with guests, and the food was delicious. I believe that there were representatives from more than twelve U.S. States present. It was really amazing to see.
Rebbe spoke about Shmitta and Yovel through the lens of Individuality vs. Collective. Specifically, he noted the tension between the two, and asked: which does Judaism focus on? Rebbe, quoting the Shem Mishmuel then explained that Yetziat Mitzrayim (Exodus) was representative of the Collective, while Har Sinai (Mount Sinai- Revelation), was actually an Individualistic event. Yovel, and to a lesser extent, Shmittah, are times when the focus shifts from the Individual (ie- wealth gathering), to the Collective. Yovel allows the collective body to regain what is theirs, Smitta allows the same, and allows those who are less fortunate to partake. The answer is thus that Judaism focuses both on the needs of the Individual and the Collective.
We also spoke about the efficiency of the Yovel and Shmittah system. I asked Rebbe how the system made sense from an Economic standpoint. Rebbe pointed out that only loans which orginally were structured to come due during Shmitta would be cancelled, and that, as a result, smart lenders would schedule the repayment for the Eighth year. Thus, in Rebbe's view, the halacha of Shmitta results in a net gain for borrowers-- lenders will usually grant an extra year to avoid loan cancellation.
Lastly, I spoke with Rebbe about the events in China. I asked what our obligations were regarding the suffering there and in Tibet, Darfur, etc. Rebbe replied that Jews do have a duty to be the moral conscience of the world, and that we should use our power of influence and access to media to publicly come out against the forces which perpetuate this suffering. Further, we should urge our non-Jewish brethren to take action to help the suffering. We should do so, however, while still keeping our own Jewish communal needs paramount. Thus, allocation of resources should be considered carefully, and should usually weigh in favor of Jewish causes, while still working to end human suffering in the world at large.
Rebbe spoke about Shmitta and Yovel through the lens of Individuality vs. Collective. Specifically, he noted the tension between the two, and asked: which does Judaism focus on? Rebbe, quoting the Shem Mishmuel then explained that Yetziat Mitzrayim (Exodus) was representative of the Collective, while Har Sinai (Mount Sinai- Revelation), was actually an Individualistic event. Yovel, and to a lesser extent, Shmittah, are times when the focus shifts from the Individual (ie- wealth gathering), to the Collective. Yovel allows the collective body to regain what is theirs, Smitta allows the same, and allows those who are less fortunate to partake. The answer is thus that Judaism focuses both on the needs of the Individual and the Collective.
We also spoke about the efficiency of the Yovel and Shmittah system. I asked Rebbe how the system made sense from an Economic standpoint. Rebbe pointed out that only loans which orginally were structured to come due during Shmitta would be cancelled, and that, as a result, smart lenders would schedule the repayment for the Eighth year. Thus, in Rebbe's view, the halacha of Shmitta results in a net gain for borrowers-- lenders will usually grant an extra year to avoid loan cancellation.
Lastly, I spoke with Rebbe about the events in China. I asked what our obligations were regarding the suffering there and in Tibet, Darfur, etc. Rebbe replied that Jews do have a duty to be the moral conscience of the world, and that we should use our power of influence and access to media to publicly come out against the forces which perpetuate this suffering. Further, we should urge our non-Jewish brethren to take action to help the suffering. We should do so, however, while still keeping our own Jewish communal needs paramount. Thus, allocation of resources should be considered carefully, and should usually weigh in favor of Jewish causes, while still working to end human suffering in the world at large.
5/13/08
VICTROY WEEK!
Yidden-
This week of the omer is the week of Netzach, or Victory. It is therefore appropriate to commemorate this week with song and remembrance. Some examples include singing the Rebbe Reichman Victory niggun composed by Rebbe, or Didon Netzach composed by our Lubavich tag team partners.
However, my brothers in France do things a little different, as seen here.
Viva La Rebbe, Viva Le Revolution...And Viva La Victoire.
Kol Tuv,
Lig'et
This week of the omer is the week of Netzach, or Victory. It is therefore appropriate to commemorate this week with song and remembrance. Some examples include singing the Rebbe Reichman Victory niggun composed by Rebbe, or Didon Netzach composed by our Lubavich tag team partners.
However, my brothers in France do things a little different, as seen here.
Viva La Rebbe, Viva Le Revolution...And Viva La Victoire.
Kol Tuv,
Lig'et
4/10/08
To Redemption!4/8/08
Danimuncle!
Mazel Tov to the Danimal on the birth of a baby nephew!
May the young Bloom be zocheh to follow in the footsteps of Rebbe, his Uncle, and the the other young soldiers of the revolution!
Jerks, Jerks
It is by now well known that Rebbe reveals to us the deepest of teachings on Purim. This year was no exception.
Upon speaking to Rebbe during the height of the Seudah, Rebbe repeatedly stated, so that we would not forget, that Haman and Achashverosh were JERKS, JERKS, JERKS! Only a JERK would think he could destroy Klal Yisroel!
Why did Rebbe describe our hated enemies, may their memories be blotted out, with specifically this term?
With a little gematria, the answer is obvious:
Jerk (gimmel / yud / reish /kuf) = 313
Haman = 95
Saddam = 105
Snag = 113
Snag + Haman + Saddam = Jerk
3/23/08
3/19/08
Join us for Seudah
Fellow Jews (even snags, in the spirit of the great day):
Join the Danimal, Akiva Ben Canaan, our Field Commander, Corporal Izzy and many other great Jews for Seudah in Fair Lawn, NJ - we'll start just before Chatzos at about 1pm...
48 Kingsland Court
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Besoros Tovos
Join the Danimal, Akiva Ben Canaan, our Field Commander, Corporal Izzy and many other great Jews for Seudah in Fair Lawn, NJ - we'll start just before Chatzos at about 1pm...
48 Kingsland Court
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Besoros Tovos
3/7/08
Davening with Rebbe
Yidden-
After the unspeakable events that happened yesterday, many people have been asking "How are we bring Adar in with Simcha if we feel so much pain?" I also had this question, and decided that the best way to get the answer would be to go to Rosh Chodesh davening with Rebbe.
The minyan was packed with members and followers of the Revolution, as well as all of our brothers from other movements. You could tell this wouldn't be an ordinary Rebbe davening from the moment it started. During Sacharis, Rebbe's voice was filled with more intensity and concentration than usual. He spent more time than usual during the brochos of Shema, and we felt his tefilos during Chazaras HaShatz.
When Hallel came up, even more people walked in, just to hear Rebbe daven Hallel on this polar day. Rebbe used mostly slow niggunim, like "Machnisai Rachamin," "Ana Hashem," and "Ve'LeYerushalayim" for Hallel. Rebbe's voice had the longing to be close to Hashem in this difficult time, and was a very memorable experience. After Torah reading and Musaf, I wished Rebbe a good Chodesh and could see the pain and anguish on his face. At the same time, he gave me a big smile and wished me a good chodesh and good shabbos. The time was 10:00.
Only a day after this great tradgedy, I dont know what to say/do that will make anything better. All I know is that spending time davening with Rebbe provided me with Nechama, even if it was microscopic compared to the pain we feel. The closeness to Hashem that Rebbe brought to his congregation gave a few moments of clarity in this time of confusion.
I don't know if this provides any answers to anyone, and I didn't intend this to be an answer to our sfakos. All I wanted to share with our following is an experience I had with Rebbe, and be makir tov to Rebbe for providing light in a time of darkness.
May we only share in Sichas in the future.
Good Shabbos.
After the unspeakable events that happened yesterday, many people have been asking "How are we bring Adar in with Simcha if we feel so much pain?" I also had this question, and decided that the best way to get the answer would be to go to Rosh Chodesh davening with Rebbe.
The minyan was packed with members and followers of the Revolution, as well as all of our brothers from other movements. You could tell this wouldn't be an ordinary Rebbe davening from the moment it started. During Sacharis, Rebbe's voice was filled with more intensity and concentration than usual. He spent more time than usual during the brochos of Shema, and we felt his tefilos during Chazaras HaShatz.
When Hallel came up, even more people walked in, just to hear Rebbe daven Hallel on this polar day. Rebbe used mostly slow niggunim, like "Machnisai Rachamin," "Ana Hashem," and "Ve'LeYerushalayim" for Hallel. Rebbe's voice had the longing to be close to Hashem in this difficult time, and was a very memorable experience. After Torah reading and Musaf, I wished Rebbe a good Chodesh and could see the pain and anguish on his face. At the same time, he gave me a big smile and wished me a good chodesh and good shabbos. The time was 10:00.
Only a day after this great tradgedy, I dont know what to say/do that will make anything better. All I know is that spending time davening with Rebbe provided me with Nechama, even if it was microscopic compared to the pain we feel. The closeness to Hashem that Rebbe brought to his congregation gave a few moments of clarity in this time of confusion.
I don't know if this provides any answers to anyone, and I didn't intend this to be an answer to our sfakos. All I wanted to share with our following is an experience I had with Rebbe, and be makir tov to Rebbe for providing light in a time of darkness.
May we only share in Sichas in the future.
Good Shabbos.
3/6/08
Thinking of our brothers in Jerusalem...
More often than not, it seems, the saddest events occur during what is supposed to be our happiest month. A few years ago, just before Purim, the Seidenfeld family in Teaneck was torn apart by a fire, just before Purim. And now, so many young high school boys in Merkaz Harav, their lives destroyed...
Every year, we struggle with the same question; what does our Father in Heaven want from us in such a month?
May God have mercy on His children.
Every year, we struggle with the same question; what does our Father in Heaven want from us in such a month?
May God have mercy on His children.
3/3/08
Thoughts on Gan Rebbe
Upon discussion of Gan Rebbe with our fearless field commander, we had a fascinating thought. We have all experienced Rebbe as a fixer of broken vessels, as one who mends the broken-hearted. But if we should establish a Gan Rebbe, and then Rebbe Elementary, and then RRRRHS, and our children are shepherded, personally, by Rebbe from beginning to end - will there be any broken pieces for Rebbe to glue back together?
A vital part of our experience, what makes us followers of Rebbe, is our shared experience of isolation and brokenness at some point in our pre-Rebbe existence. Will our children, saturated with the light of Rebbe from day 1, be able to share this experience of Rebbe as a mender with their parents? Will the lack of this shared experience drive a wedge between parent and child, between the older and younger generations of the RRRR?!?
Must we first break our children before sending them to Rebbe? Or is the world broken enough, so that it will accomplish the job on its own, anyway?
A vital part of our experience, what makes us followers of Rebbe, is our shared experience of isolation and brokenness at some point in our pre-Rebbe existence. Will our children, saturated with the light of Rebbe from day 1, be able to share this experience of Rebbe as a mender with their parents? Will the lack of this shared experience drive a wedge between parent and child, between the older and younger generations of the RRRR?!?
Must we first break our children before sending them to Rebbe? Or is the world broken enough, so that it will accomplish the job on its own, anyway?
2/28/08
2/26/08
Gan Rebbe
As the time for school year applications for next year approaches, many members of Rebbe's army are currently mulling their options for where to send their children. ASHAR, where, for decades, tender kinderlach were fed frozen pizza wheels and stapler weilding, kibbutz hardened female Israeli army veterans reigned supreme, is is no longer an option (due to fire, snags, and the retirement of Mrs. Needleman). And do we really want Trinidadian ladies tending to our sweet ones, with their yashka necklaces waving in our childrens' faces as they pick them up from their strollers?
The answer, of course, is Gan Rebbe. But while Rebbe can light up our childrens' faces with Rebbe Nachman stories in the afternoon, after shiur, who will safeguard the future of the revolution in the mornings?
I nominate Vanil Yogurt as Apple Juice monitor.
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