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The Kabbalah of Bread Part 1

Friday, June 25, 2010 - 7:11 PM

The Kabbalah of Bread

Of all the creatures we are the only ones who cannot live very well if we just eat unprocessed foods. Did you ever wonder why? What is our purpose? How is our purpose connected with bread?

Recently I watched a program about animals and their eating habits and it struck me how lucky they are. They don’t need to cook any food, no need to use food processors, or bake anything, no kitchens, no mess, no shopping, no cleaning and no BBQing. On the other hand we just went on a family trip and we had to take half the kitchen, and an entire grocery store with us in the car. Why is it that we have to go to such lengths to prepare our food? And the better we want it to taste the more we need to patchke, (a wonderful Yiddish word to describe what you do in the kitchen when you are trying to cook gourmet). Let’s take bread for example; we humans cannot eat the hard kernel, we can cook it and soften it and then eat it but it doesn’t taste so good. If we grind it and grind it until it is so thin that it turns into flour and then we mix it with water and other ingredients and then we bake it in an oven, ah! Then you have delicious bread.

According to Kabbalah this is a lesson for us, it is G-d’s way of teaching us about our purpose.

Everything else in creation fulfils its purpose by just being itself. We on the other hand if we just act ourselves we have not fulfilled our purpose. This is reflected in our food. For animals they don’t have to do anything to their food in order to eat it, we have to do something to many foods to modify it from its natural state in order to eat it. (I am sure there are those that would argue and say that we should eat like the animals and not modify the food at all and that it would be better for us, whether that is true is debatable, but regardless, the mere fact that we have the choice and that we enjoy it better in its modified state, according to Kabbalah is not an accident or a bad habit but rather the way G-d intended it for us. For example according to the Torah we are required to eat matzah on Passover and Challah on Shabbat, both are created using flour etc.)

Let’s take it one step further, each of us is supposed to become bread. How? Well first lets start with the kernel, the kernel represents you as you are naturally, tough and self aware and self centered, not a good candidate for relationships with other humans or with G-d.

The first thing you need to do is to grind that kernel down until it turns into flour. So jump right into the grinder, just kidding, it means to remove the tough exterior and self centeredness and to open your self up to be able to unite with others, it does not mean to throw yourself away. We cannot unite with others and with G-d while we are so tough and self absorbed. Only after we have broken down the kernel and ground it so fine so that it is flour only then are we ready. How do we do that practically? The act of grinding in a spiritual sense is the activity of perspective. Truly understanding our place in the world and realizing that it not about me. The world does not revolve around me and it is not about me.

This past week the chabad world celebrated the release of the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson from soviet prison in 1927 (for the full story click here). He was considered the lion of the Jewish people for his unwavering stand against the Soviets anti-religious onslaught and for his literal self sacrifice on behalf of Soviet Jewry. He was arrested many times in his life and was in constant danger of losing his life but he continued his indefatigable fight against those who wanted to eradicate Judaism. He ultimately succeeded in preserving Judaism and the now former Soviet Union is just another black stain on human history. Where did he get the courage and the strength, the fortitude to risk his life and stand up to one of the most ruthless regimes of our times? He practiced the above, he put himself and his personal concerns aside and gave all he had to a cause greater then himself. He ground his kernel into the finest and thinnest of flour. All that remained was a man with a dedication so strong that even the mighty Soviets could not crush him or his spirit.

G-d could have created us already in this refined state but he wanted us to participate in creation. This is our unique role in creation. But it is only the beginning.

To be continued…

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Zalman Marcus

Why I Love Jury Duty

Friday, June 18, 2010 - 7:13 PM

Why I Love Jury Duty

Can there be anything worse then getting a jury summons? They even call it a summons, although when you get there they try to explain to you that this is the greatest thing for our democracy.

But I actually loved it and it taught me many lessons.

1. It allowed me to stop my life long enough to think, to think about my life. We are so busy living we rarely have time to think about what we are doing, why we are doing what we’re doing, is it making us happy, is it fulfilling?

Now this might be scary for many people and not for the weak hearted. After all you may not have the answers to these questions and that can be unsettling to say the least.

But it is so important. How can we just ignore the most obvious questions facing our lives.

Therefore it can be a blessing when we have no choice but to think about it.

And what a place and time to do that. Just imagine sitting in a room with 100’s of people of all walks of life and nationalities. All residents of orange county but with very diverse beliefs and cultures.

I brought along plenty of food and reading material. This was a great place and time to think about my life and my purpose.

When am I the most alive? What do I know that I should really be doing? What is getting in my way?

Recently I was talking to a fellow who owns his own company and he described his daily schedule and basically he has no life. He has no time for anything else he is totally consumed by his business. It was so clear to me what was wrong with his picture, who needs such a big company, who needs so much money, for what purpose for what end. Everyone else’s life is so easy to dissect and analyze and advise. Our own life on the other hand can be more challenging. These moments of forced contemplation can be a good start to helping us ask these questions and find the answers that are in our soul. Every time I speak with people it amazes me how deep down they know what they should be doing and what the right thing for them to do is. Actually doing it and implementing it is the challenge.

So here are some questions to get you started:

If today was your last day on earth...

What would be your biggest regret?

How would you want your children to remember you?

What do you want your friends to say about you?

What would you say is your biggest contribution to this universe?

What makes you smile most?

While I was there I read something that gave me much to think about: A chosid went for a private audience with the first Chabad Rebbe. During the conversation the Rebbe enquired about his situation. He answered that he had lost everything and was in financial ruin. The Rebbe’s response was clarifying and timely. The Rebbe said, “You are needed to spread the light of Torah and to develop the personal relationship between man and G-d, G-d on the other hand, is responsible to make sure you are provided for. You do what you have to do and G-d will do what He has to do.”

May we find our fulfillment in the unique work G-d has created for each one of us and may G-d bless us with His abundant blessings.

I hope you have as much fun as I did at your next jury summons. The good news is we don’t have to wait until then, any and every day we can make the time to stop and think about the above questions and motivate ourselves to be quiet just long enough so that we can hear the strong but very quiet voice of our soul as it speaks to each one of us calling us to live and live more deeply and purposefully.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Zalman Marcus

P.s. We were sent home before lunch. G-d bless America. I love jury duty but 5 hours was more then enough.

Lessons From the Flotilla

Friday, June 11, 2010 - 5:06 PM

Lessons From the Flotilla

A 27 year study of optimists and pessimists has revealed that pessimists are much more accurate about reality then optimists. as a result pessimists rarely if ever change the reality since it is the reality and they accept it and resign themselves to it. Optimists ted to change reality over time, since they refuse to accept the reality they are constantly trying to change and eventually many of them do.

Today Israel is facing world wide condemnation once again for legitimately defending its people. The reality is that Israel has few friends in the world and it can be quite hostile out there. The reality can look very bleak. In the Torah, our eternal guide book, we have many lessons relating to the challenges we are facing.

The story of the spies that Moses sent to spy on the Canaanites is especially instructive. moses sends 12 of the top Jewish minds and visionaries to scout out the land and bring back a report. they do as they are told and scout out the land and 10 out of 12 concluded that the odds are stacked against them and that going to the land is not a good idea. The reality is that there are mighty nations there living in fortified cities. they are giant people and they are too strong for us. In the narration recorded in the Torah it shares another statement of the spies that we felt like grasshoppers in their eyes and that is how we were seen as well. rabbi Mendel of Kotzk commented on this statement and said that in these words we find the error of the spies, who care how they view us that should not be our concern, after all Hashem G-d is with us. the Rebbe adds to this and comments why does it first say that we felt like grasshoppers in our eyes and then it says that the giants felt the same way? why not say it in the reverse, they viewed as grasshoppers and we felt the same? The Rebbe sees in these words an eternal message for us, our view of ourselves is how others view us. If we think of ourselves as grasshoppers then that is how we will be perceived.

In all world events we need to ask ourselves how does this relate to my personal life and how can I improve? ultimately we have little control over world events, over our selves we have full control. the Torah says that each person is a miniature world and that by developing ourselves in this particular area we can have a global affect. each one of us has to ask ourselves how do we view ourselves? We are a minority in this country and in the world, the world around can look like giants and we can feel like grasshoppers. How do you feel and act? if you feel and act like a grasshopper, not proud of your Judaism, your Torah, your history and culture, your religion and rituals, then that is how you will be viewed. We need to be strong in our Jewish ways and and our Jewish ways of thinking. We should be proud of our heritage and not be afraid to wear it publicly.

They tell the story of the fellow who had never traveled on a train before but he heard great stories about the train. he finally was able to but a ticket so he went to the train station and went over to one of the windows and bought a ticket. He boarded the train and took a seat. As the train left the station the conductor came through the cabin checking every ones ticket. everyone took out their tickets and showed it to the conductor he pulled out his and became very nervous as his was a different color. Not knowing what to do and remembering the horror stories he had heard about being caught on a train without the right ticket he slid under his seat and tried to hide. as the conductor came by he noticed his coat sticking out from under the seat he bends down pulls the guy out and starts berating him for trying to steal his way on to the train and warns him of the terrible punishment awaiting him at the net station. as this is going on his ticket falls out of his pocket the conductor bends down and begins to laugh. now the man is completely confused. what is so funny he asks? the conductor responds, this is probably your first time on a train so you don't know that we have different classes on the train. you see this is coach and you unknowingly purchased a first class ticket, that is why the color is different. You have nothing to be ashamed of on the contrary you belong not under the seat but in first class.

When G-d is behind you you have a first class ticket don't view yourself as a third class grasshopper. if you do then even though you have a first class ticket you will be treated like a third class grasshopper.

Each one of us needs to stand tall and proud of our own Judaism. Israel needs to stand strong and have no fear for G-d has always been with us and is constantly with us, that is the only way to explain our miraculous survival until today. In our own modern history we have seen G-d standing with us. We saw the miracles in '48, '67, '73 and during the gulf war and many more including our current times. Hashem is with Israel and with each one of us.

The Flotilla

What is the lesson for us from the Flotilla? Everything we see and hear are all by divine providence. It is not a coincidence that you heard about this and watched the videos etc. there is a divine lesson in it waiting to be discovered.

each and every individual can be compared to the land of Israel. Each one of us has internal and external friends and enemies. Just as Israel does. Each f us has borders that we need to protect and secure. We are constantly having interactions with those friends and enemies in the form of ideas, emotions, desires and advice that we receive from internal and eternal sources.We need to be very vigilant about these ideas etc. to make sure that they wont harm us and our families. The things which are obviously bad and evil are easy to identify and stay away from or stop ourselves from those impulses and desires. However when our enemies dress in garments of peace and they try to convince us that they are benign that is even more dangerous. Many ideas out there that are brought to our borders, i.e. ears, and eyes, whether they come form our friends or from the media or other sources that look benign and peaceful but are really antithetical to us and to our way of life, we need to stop them and not allow them to penetrate and threaten our purity.

This can only work if you have a clear understanding of who you are, what you stand for and what you believe in. If you don't then you will have no idea if it is really good or not and you wont have the courage to stand firm in the face of increasing peer or other pressure.

We have a Torah that is our light and guide, that is where we as Jews should be getting our values from. there are many nice ideas that can complement the Torah and there are many ideas that are antithetical to the Torah. the obvious ones we don't need help with but the tricky ones are the views that on the surface look peaceful, don't seem to be at odds with the Torahs values but in reality they are.

We need to be very careful in what we embrace and what we teach to our impressionable children.

When we are able to be strong ourselves in both the above mentioned areas of life then that will give strength to those in power in Israel and around the world to be strong as well. and when we secure our own personal borders Hashem will surely secure the borders of Israel and the whole world and we will merit the time of Moshiach when the worlds lights will finally go on and the whole world will see the truth of what is truly right and wrong and we will all live in peace, harmony and prosperity.

Rabbi Zalman Marcus

My Spiritual Debt

Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 5:12 PM

My Spiritual Debt

In 1973 Moshe Levy risked his life to save the people of Israel, he is a hero in Israel and abroad and received Israel’s highest medal of recognition for his bravery.

For the full story click here (go to the one hour and 8 minute mark for his story and presentation).

Many years later he was addressing a graduating class in Israel and speaking to them about the importance of going to the army. He was asked by one of the students, “Why should I risk my life when there are others who are not going into the army?’, He responded with a question, if you borrowed $1000 would you feel obligated to pay it back? “Of course”, was the response. He continued, “I was on the battle field before you were born and I witnessed the loss of many lives, many of my own brigade. Many of them left behind families. They sacrificed their lives so that you could be born and that you could have your country. All they asked for in return was that you pay back the debt by doing what they did. No you don’t have to die but you need to stand up and defend the country for future generations.

I found this story particularly profound for me on many levels, just as we are all indebted to the soldiers in Israel and for their dedication, I began to think about the other debts I had.

My grand parents and great grand parents risked their lives and many of them died in their effort to make sure that there would be a Jewish tomorrow, so that I would have the opportunity to be a Jew today.

I am indebted to them, all they are asking of me is to stand strong and do what I must do to make sure Judaism is here for the next generation.

A few weeks ago we had a bar mitzvah for a young man whose family is from the former Soviet Union. The great grand father was there and presented his great grandson with a Talit. I was standing next to them as this was happening and I overheard the grandfather whisper into his great grandson’s ear, “Zalst blaieben a Yid”, “You should remain a Yid (Jewish)”. It sent chills down my spine. I could hear his father and grand father whispering those exact words into ear 70 years ago at his Bar Mitzvah and I could hear it being whispered into their ears when they were Bar Mitzvah’d.

This week is the yahrtzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Schneerson, who dedicated his life to the Jewish people and the world. (Click here for more information on his life and legacy.) I have a debt to pay to him as well; he dedicated his life so that I could have a more loving, caring, G-dly and spiritual world. All he asked for in return was that we do that for our children and for future generations. Give them a better and freer world, give them a more peaceful and G-dly world. A world filled with the light of the Torah, a light that illuminates the heart and mind and brings out the best in all of us.

I will be paying my debt by studying and teaching more Torah, by doing more mitzvot and by doing all I can to create a better and brighter future for all mankind.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Zalman Marcus

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