News update: Tuesday 18th May 2012

Rabbi A.M.Sufrin MBE 
Executive Director

So how was your week? Hope it was productive. A Gentle reminder, this Monday evening 21st at Chabad Gants Hill  open for men and women, Joanna Caras evening, hosted by the JWC ladies events. However a unique evening open to MEN and WOMEN, (see poster for more details) an evening not to be missed, make sure that you are a part of it. Its a special story with a special message, a special cause and with you will make it a special evening, see you there, book now!! 

Thought for the week 

This week we read the portions of "Behar & Bechukosai", bringing the conclusion to the third book of the Torah "Vayikro" (Leviticus) and on Shabbos afternoon we read Chapter 5 of Ethics of Our Fathers.

Another double Sedra and so much to learn. The fifth portion is generally known as the "Tochecho (rebukes)" it is read in an undertone so as not to highlight the negatives of the Torah. But the following story gives us another and fresh look at this challenging portion, as taught by the Lubavitcher Rebbe zy'o

Once the Mitteler Rebbe was sent on a mission by his father. He had to spend Shabbos in a small town on the way. The chassidim in the town were happy to be able to host such a great man. They carefully watched every movement which he made. To their amazement, the Mitteler Rebbe fainted in the middle of the Torah reading.

After the Mitteler Rebbe regained consciousness, the chassidim asked if they should call a doctor.

“No,” replied the Mitteler Rebbe. “I am not sick. I fainted because I was shocked by the severe words in the Torah reading.”

The chassidim knew that the tochachah,(rebuke) which describe how HaShem will punish people who do not observe His mitzvos, is indeed severe. Still they didn’t understand. “Surely, you have heard this portion before. What disturbed you so much this time?” they asked the Mitteler Rebbe.

The Mitteler Rebbe answered, “It’s as if I’ve never heard these words before. Until today, I always heard this portion read by my father. Today, it sounded so different.”

Didn’t the Alter Rebbe (1st Lubavitcher Rebbe) read the same words? Why did it sound so different this time?

The strong words of the tochachah didn’t sound so severe to the Mitteler Rebbe because he heard it from his father.

And every Jew is able to hear the tochachah in the very same way if he listens closely, remembering the words are coming from our Father, HaShem.

Our fathers do everything they can for our good. Sometimes we understand how the things they do help us, and sometimes we don’t. No matter what happens, we do know that our fathers want to help us.

The same is true about HaShem. Everything that HaShem does is a blessing. Sometimes we can see His blessings immediately and sometimes we don’t, but everything HaShem does is for our own good.

Our Sages tell us that Nachum Ish Gamzu would always say gam zu letovah, “This is also for the good,” and that Rabbi Akiva would say, kol man d’ovid Rochmana l’tov ovid, “Everything that HaShem does is for the best.” They knew how to see HaShem’s goodness in everything which happened to them.

Its now down to us to incorporate such a beautiful message into our daily lives No matter how challenging they may be.

Have a wonderful shabbos!!