A highlight of the Seder is always the children asking, “Why is this night different?”
In South Dakota, we are blessed that children in Gan have spent several weeks preparing for Passover, and amidst a packed community Seder with over 100 souls, there will be seventeen children proudly singing the Mah Nishtanah this evening. Education is crucial, especially at a time like this. That's why Chabad places such a strong emphasis on education. We should never be afraid to learn, to ask, and to explore. In the words of the Sages, “A bashful person cannot learn, neither can a short-tempered teach.” Last year at the Seder, after we sang Vehi Sheamda and recalled how “in each generation they rise to destroy us, but You save us,” someone asked me why it was still necessary to include that passage in the Seder service. In years gone by, this made sense, but now in the 2020s, when the world was more humane and enlightened, it seemed outdated and irrelevant. Unfortunately, this year we will be reciting this passage with greater understanding, but so too will the final words and crescendo of the Haggadah, “Next year in Jerusalem,” be said with greater fervor and more relevance than ever. Passover recalls how G-d took us out of Egypt and began the journey leading us to the Holy Land of Israel. It is G-d who created the universe and decided to gift the land to us. Nothing can ever change that. That's why this has been on the lips and in the hearts of all Jewish people ever since. As our sages tell us, in each generation, we are obligated to consider ourselves as if we personally left Egypt. We can never forget our beginning and how grateful we are to Hashem for making us a free people; to be His people. That is what the Seder service is about. Not grievances at those who wronged us. That won’t get us anywhere. But recognizing the great blessings and privileges we as Jews have received, and continue to receive, despite hardships we encounter along the way. This is a timely and reassuring message, especially when we look around and see what is going on in the world around us. We must remember that just as it was during the Exodus of Egypt that G-d Himself redeemed us from subjugation to freedom – '”I and not an angel, I and not a messenger, I, and none other than I” – so too, we will merit in our times, that G-d will be with us to take us out of our personal exiles, and ultimately redeem us all from exile into redemption with the coming of Moshiach. May you be blessed with a joyful Pesach, and merit the true meaning and celebration of “a time of freedom” – free from all worries, concerns and personal limitations, and with good health, happiness and prosperity. Next year in Jerusalem!
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Today marks the 122nd birthday of the Rebbe. This day is commemorated with intensified Torah study, and increased charitable acts. It is recognized annually as Education & Sharing Day by the President of the United States.
The Rebbe lived through the horrors of Stalinism, communism, and Nazism, witnessing the worst humanity has to offer. Yet he never lost hope in a brighter future. In a letter penned on his 53rd birthday, to Israel’s 2nd president Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, the Rebbe wrote: “From the day I went to cheder (Jewish elementary school), and even before that, the vision of the future redemption began to take shape in my imagination—the redemption of the Jewish people from their final exile. A redemption of such magnitude through which the purpose of their suffering, the harsh decrees and persecution of exile will be understood.” It is this sense of hope, and the possibility of realizing a world where, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, “swords will be turned into plowshares,” that the Rebbe not only lived himself, but urged us all, and demonstrated how, we can experience. If only we opened our eyes. Today, as we celebrate the Rebbe’s birthday, our brethren in Israel face renewed threats of annihilation and increasing international isolation. Just last week the world watched in horror as the Islamic Republic of Iran, led by its evil Ayatollah and cheered on by Jew-haters around the world, attempted to unleash fire and brimstone upon Israel, launching some 300 ballistic missiles and drones laden with explosives. Yet, what unfolded was nothing short of miraculous. No lives were lost, and the damage was minimal. It reminded me of when another evil tyrant, Saddam Hussein, threatened the Holy Land with chemical warfare. In 1990, as the world trembled with apprehension, one lone voice offered confidence and hope. From Chabad Headquarters in New York, the Rebbe cited the Biblical verse “the Land of Israel upon which G-d’s Eyes are watching from the beginning of the year to the end of the year” and “the guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers.” He confidently reassured the world that since that’s what G-d promised, that’s what will be. He also quoted an ancient Jewish passage that predicted a time when “the nations of the world will threaten each other... The king of Persia will provoke the king of Arabia, and the nations will be thrown into turmoil. Israel, too, will be in turmoil and terror, and will cry: `Where shall we go? What shall we do?' And G‑d will say to them: `My children, do not fear! All that I have done, I have done for your sake. Do not fear, for the time of your redemption has come...’” Remarkable footage captured individuals seeking the Rebbe's counsel during those uncertain times. Parents whose children were studying abroad in Israel asked if they should bring them back home, couples who had planned trips to Israel asked if they should cancel them, and a mother whose daughter was in Israel was terrified for her well-being and sought reassurance. To each one, the Rebbe confidently reassured them that Israel was safe and they should not fear to proceed with their plans. “Don’t even tell anyone you thought about not going,” the Rebbe said to one woman. This also hits close to home very personally. During the height of Saddam’s threats, in January 1991, Mussie as an infant, traveled with her mother to Israel, with the Rebbe’s blessing. Just like it was then, when tremendous miracles occurred, the same happened this week. Truly miracles in our times. There is much to admire about the Rebbe. But perhaps more than anything, the Rebbe’s broad shoulders and the personal responsibility he took for the well-being of others, is the most remarkable and inspiring aspect we can appreciate. He addressed the issues of the day in the most relevant and timely manner and provided guidance to a generation so perplexed. With his deep commitment to Torah and unwavering trust in the eternal word of G-d, he infused faith in a people, comforted the broken, and projected a realistic sense of calm and tranquility. The Rebbe showed us how we can free ourselves of our self-imposed restraints and society-imposed constraints, and vigorously urged us all to open our eyes to see G-d's miracles and experience the future redemption. Today on his birthday, let’s live just one step higher. It is time we open our eyes. This week, we mourn the passing of Joe Lieberman. He served four terms as U.S. senator from Connecticut and in 2000 was nominated for vice-president on the Democratic Party ticket, becoming the first Jewish candidate to represent a national party platform. Like many Jews, I will never forget seeing that make headlines.
Much has been written about his policies, and tributes have poured in from allies and rivals, all of whom recognize his uniqueness as a decent and honorable man, dedicated to his faith, family and country, and a staunch advocate for the Jewish people and Israel. The part of his story I would like to highlight today is that Joe Lieberman was also a very proud and observant Jew. As a man who kept Shabbat, there was a time he famously walked five miles from his home in Georgetown to Capitol Hill for an emergency vote on a Saturday. Less known is that he also kept kosher, wrapped tefillin every weekday morning, prayed three times daily, and regularly studied the weekly Torah portion. He was a regular synagogue attendee, and even during the busy campaign seasons, everyone knew that on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah, he would not be on the trail, but at services. He had a deep commitment to Torah observance, and he showed all of us that it’s really possible. In a public address several years ago, he related a humorous anecdote about how he managed to keep kosher while campaigning for vice president, and even while traveling abroad. “When I traveled, the Secret Service kept my hotel location classified for security reasons. Yet somehow, in city after city, when I arrived at the secret location, there was a kosher meal waiting for me there from the local Chabad.” Lieberman said he was never sure how Chabad accomplished that; did they have a connection at the CIA, or perhaps his mother told her Chabad rabbi where her son was going? His life and dedication can be a good lesson to all of us. We are not being asked to walk five miles to keep Shabbat, nor do we need to perform security gymnastics to keep kosher. Let us honor his memory by doing an additional mitzvah. This week let's be like Joe. This Sunday, we will celebrate Purim and read the Megillah. The two most famous words in the Megillah are “venahpoch hu - it was reversed,” alluding to the overturning of Haman’s genocidal decree against the Jews. More broadly, these words encapsulate the essence of the Purim miracle when everything was turned upside down.
It was these words that came to mind this week when I read a letter from over 1000 Jewish Hollywood figures, proudly standing up in defense of the Jewish people and steadfastly refusing to renounce or refute their Judaism. This stands in stark contrast to the actions of three infamous university presidents who couldn't bring themselves to condemn calls for the genocide of Jews. The irony that there could be more moral clarity and human decency in Hollywood than in today's academia, which clearly suffers from moral decay and ethical erosion, certainly took me by surprise. But then again, if that isn’t an example of “venahpoch hu,” I don’t know what is. Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi explained that Haman’s genocidal decree had an interesting loophole. If Jews renounced their faith and identity as “Mordecai's people,” Haman would leave them alone. Yet, remarkably, not one Jew even considered the option! This profound sense of faith and commitment stemmed from Esther, who risked her life to approach the king. Contrary to what may have seemed more rational, popular, or less risky behavior, Esther didn't abandon or refute her Judaism; she stood firm. As Mordechai told her, “If you remain silent at this time, relief and rescue will arise for the Jews from elsewhere, and you and your father's household will perish; and who knows whether it was for a time such as this that you ascended to the throne.” The lesson for us from Esther is clear. When we find ourselves at a crossroads or facing an important decision, where proudly expressing true Jewish values matters most, we must realize that we may have been gifted with our unique set of talents and abilities specifically “for a time such as this.” It might just be the very thing that you or I say or do at that moment, that will prove to be pivotal and alter the course of history. Queen Esther requested we read the Megillah on the 14th of Adar. Her wish has been honored by the Jewish people ever since, and the Book of Esther is included in the canon of our sacred texts. Join us on Sunday, March 22nd, the 14th of Adar, and hear the Megillah just as Esther requested. I recently participated in the signing of a bill that will make it easier for South Dakota law enforcement to hold antisemites accountable. Though anyone can stand in the street and say whatever they’d like, HB1076 makes it easier to protect Jews in our state from hateful conduct.
If sometime in the future, a Jewish child in South Dakota will be safer and more protected, it will be because of this bill. That is why I wholeheartedly supported it and am grateful to the South Dakota legislature for their overwhelming and bipartisan support, and to Governor Noem for making it a top priority this session. Will it destroy the haters and completely eradicate antisemitism? Unfortunately not. So what, if anything, can be done to stop Jew hatred? Some argue we should be less visible and hide our mezuzahs, megillas and menorahs. Others suggest we need to be less supportive of our brothers and sisters in Israel and that Israel should defend itself less, to pacify and win over the rest of the world. The news and rhetoric today can be frustrating and isolating. During the time of the Purim miracle Jews were threatened with genocide by the evil Haman. It all changed when Mordechai met a group of children and asked them what they learned that day, and they began reciting verses of Torah to him. It was at that moment that Mordechai knew the Jewish people would be okay. When there is proper Jewish education, there are knowledgeable Jews. When there are knowledgeable Jews, there are proud Jews, and where there are proud Jews there is a Jewish future. Incidentally, it was at that moment that Haman also knew that, try as he might, he would not succeed in getting rid of the Jews. When it comes to finding a career and making a living, we understand this idea well; if we want our children to succeed we must provide them with an education. We know this for their lifestyle and hobbies too. A parent recently told me they want their child to show an interest in soccer. So they started showing soccer games and championships on their TV screen at home and hope will build an interest in the child to sign up for the neighborhood soccer team. The same applies to Jewish identity and lifestyle. When a child can hold a siddur the right way up and read the Torah in its original Hebrew, they will be passionate as a teen and adult to attend services and participate in Torah classes. If they introduce themselves to their college friends as a proud Jew, it will only happen if they've been educated as one. This is also our best weapon against antisemitism, as we say in the Passover Haggadah “In every generation they rise up to destroy us, but the Torah that has stood by our ancestors and for us, and You (G-d) save us from them.” Yes, we must always do what we can to ensure hateful perpetrators are held accountable, but as individual Jews, we can’t forget that the most important thing is to focus on and invest in Jewish education. Imagine what the Jewish community would look like if every dollar spent on educating the world about antisemitism was spent instead on educating Jews about Judaism; Jewish education. Think about the astonishing fact that you and I are here today as Jews continuing our 3,500 year old heritage and tradition. Answer these questions to yourself Who are we? What in fact is our heritage and tradition? What makes us Jewish? The “Chosen People”? What is our purpose here on earth? What is our privilege and responsibility as a Jew in 2024? When we have a good sense of our Jewish identity, we may not be able to change the haters, but we will accomplish something far greater: We will have changed ourselves in ways that the antisemite will no longer be able to instill fear in us as they did before. When we are fully confident and proud of who we are, much of the antisemitism won’t matter anymore. And if there is indeed any way to change how others look at Jews, this itself might be the best approach after all. In the words of the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, "Non-Jews respect Jews who respect Judaism." This past Wednesday, Governor Noem signed HB1076 into law, incorporating the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of antisemitism into the Human Rights Code. This bill received overwhelming, and bipartisan, support in the Legislature.
Contrast that to Georgia, where for five years, the Klan (Neo-Nazis) and CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) joined forces to oppose the legislation. Incredibly, what brought the KKK and CAIR together, was their common Jew hatred. In preparing this bill, experts from national Jewish organizations offered insights into the legislation. Kenneth Marcus, Chairman of Brandeis Center for Human Rights told the committee that "passing this bill is the number one thing the State of South Dakota can do right now to protect Jews." These experts shared that while they encountered challenges and opposition in other states, their experience in South Dakota was unique. Here, legislators debated not whether to support the bill, but how to strengthen it further, intensify the fight against antisemitism, and provide even greater protection and support for the Jewish people and Israel. This reminds me yet again how fortunate we are that in South Dakota the vast majority of citizens stand in solidarity with the Jewish community. Later this month we will be celebrating Purim. Mordechai is referred to in the Megillah as “Mordechai Ha-Yehudi.” The term "היהוד Ha-Yehudi" holds several significant meanings: היהודי means "the Jew" from the word "Judea," in the Holy Land of Israel. It means the one who was מודה (“modeh”), recognizing and accepting G-d while rejecting the popular idol of the day, even at the risk of his life. And it means the one who is אודה (“odeh”), giving thanks. These three connotations carry relevance in our daily lives today. To be a Jew means recognizing our identity, origins, and heritage. Only by understanding and embracing these aspects can we truly live life to its fullest, all while maintaining an attitude of gratitude. This week, a Jewish woman in New York made one of the single largest charitable gifts ever: Ruth Gottesman donated one billion dollars to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to provide free tuition to all its students in perpetuity.
Upon reading this news, I felt a sense of pride seeing the Jewish value of tzedakah being done in such a remarkable manner. It also made me think about the instruction G-d gave Moses in this week's Torah portion, where he was tasked with taking a census of the Jewish people. The reason why countries or locales conduct censuses is to assess the strength of their population for military or tax purposes. A larger census typically signifies greater power. Yet, counting the Jews poses a challenge; because our numbers are consistently small it could portray us as vulnerable. In fact, there is an interesting Jewish tradition that we refrain from directly counting Jews by number because of fear of the evil eye. Instead, when necessary, we count through the words of a verse. For example, when counting ten men for a minyan, we recite a verse with ten words like "hoshiah, es, amecha, etc.," rather than counting "one, two, three," and so forth. This brings us to the specific details of G-d's instruction in this week's Torah portion: Moses was told to count the people indirectly, by asking each person to contribute a coin, which would then be counted. As the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks eloquently put it, while we may be small in number, our contribution is very big. Indeed, there have been no people who have contributed as much to the world as the Jewish people, whether in ethics, medicine, economics, sciences, arts, or, most importantly, in matters of G-dliness and spirituality. It's important to remember each morning as we awaken that this is also a fundamental aspect of Judaism: thanking G-d for giving us another day and recognizing that each of us has a significant contribution to make in improving the world. And we need not wait until we can write a billion-dollar check to do so. This week, Jews around the world, and all lovers of peace, rejoiced at the news of the miraculous rescue of Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Louis Har, 70, after 129 days in Hamas captivity. The stories the released have told of starvation, terrible medical treatments, physical and sexual abuse, are enough to horrify any decent human being.
So when they were rescued in a flawless and heroic operation with no IDF fatalities, all people of good conscience had reason to celebrate. But there was one specific detail in the story that caught my attention. As I listened to the recording of the soldiers' radio communications during the mission, after they eliminated the terrorists and located the hostages, one of them called over the radio the words that confirmed the mission had been accomplished: "The diamonds are in our hands." The US Secret Service famously assigns code names to individuals under their protection. Clinton was known as "Eagle," Bush was "Trailblazer," Obama "Renegade," and Trump "Mogul." The military also employs code names for missions; for example, the operation to eliminate Bin Laden was codenamed "Geronimo." For this mission, the IDF chose to use the code word "Diamonds." How appropriate and how Jewish! This is the way we should look at our fellow, and this also explains why Israel was willing to take extraordinary measures for such a daring mission to save hostages. It reminded me of a story. For decades, the Rebbe devoted three nights a week meeting privately with people in his office, where he listened, offered encouragement, advice, and blessings upon those who sought his guidance. Though they would begin in the evening, oftentimes these meetings went well into the night, sometimes until 6 or 7 AM, ensuring that each individual on the schedule for that evening had their chance to connect with him. As the demand grew and it became physically impossible to accommodate everyone, the Rebbe proposed something new. Starting on his 84th birthday, each Sunday he stood in the lobby between his office and Synagogue, and greeted each person briefly. Thousands flocked each week, forming lines that stretched around the block. The Rebbe would stand for as long as eight hours without pause, despite his advanced age, and personally engaged with each individual, offering guidance or a blessing, and handing them a dollar bill to donate to a charity of their choosing. He said that when two people meet, a third should also benefit. As a young child, I had the privilege of meeting the Rebbe several times during these occasions. Once an elderly woman asked him: "Rebbe, How do you do it? How is it that you do not tire of standing for hours and hours?" The Rebbe smiled and replied: "Every soul is a diamond. One does not tire from counting diamonds." Several weeks ago I got a call from a woman on the West Coast. She told me her father Rob lived in the Black Hills and his health was deteriorating. The doctors said he didn’t have much time left, and she wanted to know if a rabbi could spend some time with him. She was very thankful when I told her I would be glad to drive from Sioux Falls. "Oh, and one more thing," she asked. "Does your wife make chicken soup? He would love that!"
Later that day I called Rob to tell him I had spoken with his daughter and that I would be coming to visit him with a bowl of chicken soup. When he asked if my wife also knew how to make “kreplach,” I knew this was going to be a very special visit. Little could I have imagined just how inspirational it would be. After a long drive, I arrived at Rob’s place. He told me he had lived in the Black Hills for over fifty years. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, where he went to Hebrew school, his family went to Shul, and he had his Bar-Mitzvah. After serving honorably in the Navy he settled in South Dakota where he enjoyed the nature and freedom the state offers. We visited for over an hour. He told me that for all those years, he had no formal connection with Judaism. He often felt alone, but never forgot who he was. He said the attacks on Israel on October 7th, and hate marches against Jews in America since, had been deeply distressing and very awakening. He told me he was born as a Jew, and now that he felt his time had come, he wanted to be sure he would die as a Jew. When I asked him if he knew his Hebrew name, he proudly told me it was Ruven ben Avraham. I helped Rob put on Tefillin, his first time since leaving Philadelphia, but he still remembered the brachos and was able to say the Shema fluently. We also said Viduy together, the prayers traditionally said at the end of life. Not long after I visited, Ruven ben Avraham returned his soul to its maker. May his memory be a blessing. This evening is Yud Tes Kislev, the 19th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. It commemorates the liberation of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad, from Czarist imprisonment in 1798 for his Jewish beliefs and practices.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman, also known as the Alter Rebbe, laid the principles that guide Chabad to this day; the ability to have a meaningful relationship with G-d, based on wisdom, understanding and knowledge, the mechanisms we have as humans to keep our mind and intellect in control of our emotions and passions, and most importantly, the glue that must hold that all together, the fundamental and transformative Chabad approach to loving your fellow Jew as yourself. So why was he arrested? In 1788, Rabbi Shneur Zalman established Colel Chabad, a charitable fund to raise money for the impoverished Jewish community living in the Holy Land of Israel. At the time, the Holy Land was under Ottoman rule. Since Turkey was at war with Russia, his detractors fabricated false accusations of treason to create a pretext for his persecution, arrest, and incarceration by the Czarist regime. In the 235 years since its founding, Colel Chabad has operated without interruption providing for the Holy Land’s needy and most vulnerable. Incidentally, it is also another reminder that Jewish people have always been living in Israel, dating back over 3,300 years when the Israelites entered the land promised by G-d to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants to this day. About the importance of supporting our brothers and sisters in the land of Israel, the Alter Rebbe writes how one “should impose austerity on his own life and go far beyond the letter of the law [that one contributes 10% of their wealth].” This charity is so important that even those who struggle to make a livelihood “must give precedence [to supporting those living in Israel] over any fine apparel and family feasts, with meat and fish and all kinds of delicacies, for oneself and all of one’s household.” Over the last few weeks we have seen some of this spirit play out in real-time, as Jews from around the world have opened their hearts and generously contributed to our brothers and sisters in Israel as Hamas rockets rain down on their homes, schools and hospitals, terrorists shoot randomly in the streets of Jerusalem, and all of them face an unimaginable humanitarian crisis. As we say, 'In each generation, they rise up against us, but He (G-d) saves us from their hands.' Czarist Russia and the Ottoman Empire are long gone, but Yud Tes Kislev and the values taught by the Alter Rebbe are still celebrated, and the Jewish people still exist and thrive in the Holy Land of Israel. Like those who persecuted us centuries ago, our enemies and their enablers will no doubt disappear soon enough. Let us hope and pray it happens swiftly with no further loss of precious life so the people of Israel can live in peace. May G-d ensure the safe return of the hostages, bring healing to the wounded, and protect the brave men and women of the IDF and the people of Israel. As it's written, "The Guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers..." and "I shall grant peace upon the Land..." |
Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz BlogServing the spiritual needs of the South Dakota Jewish community. Based in Sioux Falls and travels the state. Archives
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