darkness - Shluchim.org

‫בס״ד‬
how to
defeat
darkness
feature:
White Russian Chanukah
A Modern Day Miracle
Psychoneuroimmunology
Exclusive Interview with
Dr. Arnie Gotfryd
Celebrity Chef’s Latke
This Years Top 8
Chanukah Events
The iJew Community
Meet Rabbi Pickle
inside:
holiday
guide
inside
farbrengen
Dedicated to the love
and inspiration of the
Lubavitcher Rebbe
Winter 5770/2009
Volume 12 | Issue 2
a little nosh for the soul
how to
defeat
on the cover:
darkness
feature:
darkness’ last
stand against...you.
Pyschoimmunology
In all my time as editor of
Pyschoimmunology
this magazine, I’ve never
Pyschoimmunology
seen the world so dark.
Pyschoimmunology
review | products
soul market
what’s new in review
a Modern day Chanukah Miracle
Send us your comments to [email protected]
exclusive Interview with
dr. arnie gotfryd
exclusive Interview with
dr. arnie gotfryd
have internet, will eat
exclusive Interview with
dr. arnie gotfryd
exclusive Interview with
dr. arnie gotfryd
I remember the Rebbe
once said that darkness is
most intense right before
day break. And we’re all looking forward to the
sunrise of that New Day. That’s why this issue is
our light issue. It’s not so much about light as
it is about our light hero. Come on, we all have
a hero. Hero worshipers have the gamut covered
from Babe Ruth to Bill Gates. But, in our global
search of a hero I think our generation now seeks
a kind of heroism that has nothing to do with
bats and balls or pennies and dimes. It’s the heroism of beating the darkness. Keeping that little
flame you have inside and letting it shine away
the darkness. Our hero on the cover is the guy
who knows that any journey may be his last, that
danger lurks everywhere, yet he does not break
down. Our hero is the one who was told “You’ll
never make it,” yet, with a little candle in his
hand he pushes forward. Our hero conquers his
will, is slow to anger, and maintains his focus.
This issue is all about you. Yes, you the reader,
you are our warrior of light. You are our hero and
we salute you.
inside:
NOW THERE IS A KOSHER DELI
IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
holIday
guIde
InsIde
Your biggest fan,
Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, Editor
About the photographer Levi Tenenbaum:
Levi is an award winning photographer currently based
in Los Angeles California. Having completed both Yeshivah and studies in photography, he fuses his Talmudic
talents with his savvy photographer’s eye. His artistic
direction? “Reality is where I live every day. Composing hyper-real imagery allows me to live beyond those
restrictions.”
>>
EDITOR IN CHIEF: Rabbi Chaim N. Cunin
EDITOR: Rabbi Shmuel Marcus
Distribution: Rabbi Avraham Green
MANAGING EDITOR: Rachel Moss
COPY EDITORS: Ita Marcus, Lisa Burstein
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Dr. Arnie Gotfryd, Dr.
Ben Sherman, Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, Eli Marcus,
Sarah Lehat, Miriam Lieberman, Rachel Moss
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS: Rabbi Levi Cunin (Jay
Leno’s Rabbi), Jared Sundell, Yosef Marcus
ART DIRECTOR & DESIGN: Nechama Marcus
contact: [email protected]
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Levi Tenenbaum
contributing ARTISTS: Marc Lumer, Sarah Lehat
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Uri, Dina, Natan, Yitzchak, Moshe and
Gilana Sara Pikover for continuing the Rebbe’s Farbrengen.
Website: www.farbrengen.com
©2010 by Chabad of California
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce any portion
of Farbrengen in any form, without prior written permission from the
publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages
Printed in the USA
food
{our staff’s favorite}
rye bread
pastrami
smoked turkey
dijon mustard
mayonnaise
lettuce
kosher pickles
tomatoes
Remember to heat up
your meat and toast the
bread slightly.
brought
to you by...
The
Kosher
Pickle Factory
is
co-sponsored
by a grant from the OK
Kosher Certification (the
OK). Today, among the
world’s most respected
kosher symbols, the OK
has established a sterling reputation with uncompromising integrity.
With more than 10 million consumers seeking
kosher products in the
United States alone, the
OK has attracted such
food giants and products as Kraft, ConAgra,
Keebler, Snapple and
Perrier. Companies recognize the OK’s proprietary kosher technology
as cutting edge, enabling
superior customer service. The Kosher Pickle
Factory hopes to educate and entertain all
while keeping it kosher.
More at www.ok.org.
ic
editor's cho
e
Where did the classic old Jewish butcher go? You know, the one who knew you
by name and always smelled of smoked turkey? The happy man from Eastern Europe
who taught you how to use the brisket? This
old man now lives in a Miami high-rise, but don't
worry, he set up a user friendly website koshermeatstore.com, and he has the meats cut just the
way you like it. Fresh deli comes to your door no
matter where you live. There are hundreds of items
from Beef, Veal, Lamb, Chicken, Turkey, and Deli,
all online with images you can view and almost
smell. The new virtual kosher butcher cuts every
piece of meat fresh just for you, as soon your order
is placed. My personal favorite is that koshermeatstore.com has absolutely no minimum order requirements and the butcher won't ask, "So, when
you going to get married?" Try some smoked turkey
at www.koshermeatstore.com.
meet rabbi pickle
on kosher awareness &
traveling half-sours
Here is some news from the world of Kosher Pickles
you weren't expecting. What could be new about half
sours and full sours? Try munching on this. A Rabbi
Pickle is on a mission to teach thousands of people
across the world how to keep kosher. With thousands
of products going kosher each year, "You're already
eating more kosher than you think," says a Rabbi
Pickle. The flagship product of the Rabbi, is his traveling Kosher Pickle Factory where he demonstrates
how to make a pickle while exploring the secrets of
the kosher diet and why it's so important for your
soul and spiritual health. Find a kosher workshop
near you at www.rabbipickle.com
THE KING OF
KOSHER MUNCHIES
Let me introduce you to the new
kosher snack that has just hit
shelves in the United States: Mr.
Wheat. Don’t let the formal name
scare you; this rice cake alternative knows how to party. Try Mr.
Wheat’s Crispy Wheat Sea Salt its
high in fiber yet not heavy at snack
time. The nutritious whole-grain
snack has become my favorite.
Find Mr. Wheat’s Crispy Wheat at
your local kosher market or visit
www.mrwheat.com.
judaica
TWINKLE
TWINKLE
LITTLE CHASID
My First Niggunim is a masterpiece for the baby in the stroller
and for those pushing the stroller. Classical chasidic melodies
come to life through tinkering
bells and airy harps. Master pianist Yaron Gershovsky is joined
by sweet fluttering flutes and
dancing fiddles, as the meditative
and transcendent qualities of niggunim come through with each
instrument thoughtfully chosen
for its gentleness, grace, and
charm, encouraging relaxation,
comfort, and hopefully a little
sleep, since it is nap time.
My First Niggunim Audio CD is
sold at www.chabadmusic.com.
Artist: Benny Friedman // Album Title: Taamu // in stores
In today’s Jewish music scene we’ve discovered a new artist named Benny Friedman. The debut album is titled Taamu and it is a form of chasidic music that fuses the most up-to-date recording abilities and a young soulful chasidic singer. And that makes for easy listening, yet upbeat, overall
fun. If you’re new to modern chasidic music this is a great start. The influences from the king of chasidic
music, his uncle Avraham Fried, are apparent. The album also features some new composers including
8th Day, who’s title song is by far my favorite. Check out Benny’s album at www.bennysmusic.com.
new music
Send us your new albums, products or any other soul findings to [email protected]
cover | feature
Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (1789-1866), once said:
Light
vs
evil
“The mandate of the
whole of Creation is
stated almost immediately. They translate it
as ‘Let there be light’.
Instead, read, ‘It
should become Light.’
Meaning that all the
world --even the
darkness-- should become a source of light
and wisdom.”
-“365 Meditations,” Tzvi Freeman
Read online book on chabad.org
by Dr. Ben Sherman
The Baal Shem Tov loved light.
“Once, the students of the Baal Shem Tov had only a
single candle and, despite their efforts, could not obtain any more. // “When the Baal Shem Tov entered
the room, he told his disciples to go outside and
collect the icicles that hung from the roof. He then
I
f you’re anything like
me, than you want
light to win over darkness. You want to laugh as
the villain goes down in
a ball of fire. You want to
see the H1N1 virus stopped
and done with. So, how do
we lovers of light beat the
darkness?
What do I mean by darkness? Well,
darkness can come in many colors and
sizes. It could be the failed job interview. The overdrawn bank account. The
nagging in-law from Jersey. The sharp
pain in your lower back. Or perhaps, it’s
just that funny sound coming from the
kitchen sink. So how do we beat these
sudden attacks of darkness? It may be
simpler then you think.
A wise man once told me “sometimes
all you need to do is shed new light on
it and somehow, life’s greatest challenges are quickly transformed into, exactly
that, life’s greatest challenges.”
To begin, you’ll first need to shed
a new light on your personal darkness.
My personal trainer reminds me every
Tuesday morning at 6am that muscle is
only created with resistance. Profound,
no? Imagine if you were trained to view
each life-resistance as a spiritual pushup? Perhaps, the burn of a failed job
interview will only embolden you and
make you an emotional heavyweight
ready to grab yet a better job?
Spiritual seekers have long sought
out the secret to beating darkness.
There’s even a chapter in the Tanya,
(the chasidic classic known as the bible
of Chabad philosophy written by Rabbi
Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812)
that could have been titled “How to
instructed them to arrange the ‘ice candles’ about
the room and light them. The ice burned like wax,
flooding the room with light.” // Rabbi Menachem
Mendel fell silent. Then, with a note of yearning in
his voice, he said: “For the Baal Shem Tov’s chassidim, ice burned and yielded light. Today’s chassidim
sit in well-heated and well-lighted rooms, and yet it
is cold and dark...”
knock-out your inner darkness in three
nique to master, nor a goal to achieve,
short rounds.” Here’s a direct quote:
nor even a state to surrender to. It’s
“When two people wrestle, each trying
what we are at our core. We can always
to throw down the other, if one of them
hear our tiny voice of hope, by virtue of
moves with sloth and lethargy, he will
our own inner life force and soul that is
be easily defeated even if he is stronger
truly a part of G-d. Even the darkness
than his fellow. So, too, in battling one’s
knows that it is actually there just to
own darkness, one can prevail over it ...
be beaten.
but only with alacrity that comes from a
As a lamplighter, you never know
joyous heart that is free from any worry
what light you’ll set off in someone
or sadness.”
else’s mind. Like they say, a smile is
It’s pretty clear that you’ll need a poscontagious.
itive outlook before you strap on those
Ben Sherman is a family physician living in
gloves. So, how do you free yourself of
Mission Viejo, CA. Sherman is a staff writer
for Farbrengen Magazine.
worry or sadness when life is bringing
you down?
Now that you are a spiritual boxer you’ll need to focus carefully. When a camera
a fool-proof guide
focuses on the wrong object,
to being life-proof
it puts all the truly important
Tip #18 on achieving happiness
things in a blur. Your trainer
courtesy of the Chasidic masters.
is going to want to make sure
Once, a crying man came to the holy
that you’re focused on all the
Maggid of Mezeritch in hopes of finding a
good things going on right
solution on how to deal with his suffering.
now in your life, and on how
The Rebbe suggested that the man visit his
much more real and endurdisciple Reb Zushe.
ing they are than that funny
The man arrived at Reb Zushe’s bare
sound that’s coming from
and almost empty home and Reb Zushe
under the sink. For example,
welcomed him in happily. The visitor
when the pain in your back
couldn’t think of anyone who suffered
starts taking center stage in
more hardship in his life than did Reb Zuyour life you better hit your
sha: a frightful pauper, there was never
inner auto focus key in your
enough to eat in Reb Zusha’s home, and
mind, and flip through some
his family was beset with all sorts of affamily photos or take a walk
flictions and illnesses. Yet, Reb Zushe was
in the park. Do whatever it
always happy and cheerful, and constantly
takes to get that smile back
expressing his gratitude to the Al-mighty
on your face before the darkfor all His kindness.
ness gives you a body slam.
But what was is his secret? How does
According to the chasidhe do it? The visitor finally decided to
ic masters, darkness never
reveal the reason for his visit and that
really had a chance. The
took Reb Zushe by surprise. “Why did our
founder of Chabad wrote
Rebbe send you to me?” He asked. “How
that our soul is “literally a
would I know? He should have sent you to
part of G-d.” So light or joy,
someone who has experienced suffering...”
ultimately, is not a tech-
holiday | best events
Chabad Magazine’s Top 8
Chanukah Events
Dec. 10, 2009 6:00pm
Thursday in Virginia
Chanukah party
Pentagon Row
(Outdoor Rink)
Admission: $10
in advance, $12
at the door.
Includes skate
rental.
Food sold separately. (*In case of
heavy rain, rink will be closed.)
www.chabadaa.org
From the estimated 7,122 public Menorahs that will be lit in
approximately 50 countries
this year, we chose only 8. You
can find the other 7,114 events
at virtualchanukah.com.
Dec. 13, 2009 4:00pm
Sunday in San Antonio
Chanukah On The
River a much-anticipated annual event
will be staged at the
beautiful downtown
San Antonio riverfront
area for a menorah
boat ride, menorah lighting and
Chanukah concert with world famous Chasidic rock group 8th Day.
www.chabadsa.com
Friday Dec. 11 6:00pm
Shabbat in New York
Come see the world’s
largest menorah.
Located in Manhattan, the 32-foot high,
gold colored 4,000
pound steel structure is a symbol
of light in the city that doesn’t
sleep. The lighting will occur at
5:00p.m. on 5th Avenue and 59th
Street, by Central Park, between
the Plaza and the Pierre Hotels.
www.rijewish.org
www.lubavitchyouth.org
Dec. 12, 2009 7:00pm
Saturday Night in New York
Chanukah kiosk, Kosher
food, discounted tickets,
lots of Chanukah fun.
www.chabadwesthempstead.org
Dec. 11-18, 2009, tba
chanukah in your house
The Guide
Dec. 14, 2009 5:00pm
Monday in NYC
Menorah lighting
at one of America’s
oldest structures,
the Blackwell
House on Roosevelt
Island which dates
back to 1796.
Check out one of New York’s hidden gems while enjoying a fresh
doughnut at the Menorah Lighting
at the Blackwell House at 6pm.
Chabad of West
Hempstead will
be lighting a giant Menorah on
the ice between
periods at the
NHL hockey
game NY Islanders vs Boston
Bruins. Game starts at 7:00pm.
Chanukah,
feel
the
heat
date Dec. 15, 2009
location Miami Heat Game
time 7:30 pm
Join the NBA for a little Chanukah
game when the Miami Heat take on
the visiting Toronto Raptors at the
famous American Airlines Arena
(601 Biscayne Blvd Miami, FL 33132)
It’s the Chabad’s Jewish Heritage
Night and you’ll enjoy a Concert and
Menorah Lighting. Kosher Food will
be on hand for purchase.
www.jewishheritagenight.com
Dec. 15, 2009, 5:00pm
Tuesday in Houston
It’s another
NBA menorah
lighting when
the Houston
Rockets play the
Detroit Pistons
at the Toyota
Center in Houston. Hot Latkes
and Hands-on Activities will
make this show a slam dunk.
www.chabadhouston.org
Join your family for your own special Chanukah Menorah Lighting. Be sure to play
some dreidel and give the kids some Chanukah gelt. See holiday guide for more info.
Did Chanukah
happen years
ago or is it
happening
right now?
Looking at the events today,
you start to wonder. The story
of a little light pushing away
an empire of darkness, human sensibility defying terror and brute force, life and
growth overcoming destruction—the battle is very much
alive within each of us, and in the world outside of us.
The victory of light over darkness is the cosmic mega
drama—the ongoing story of all that is. This victory occurs at every winter solstice and at the dawn of each
day. It is found in every decision to do good in the face
of evil, to be kind where there is cruelty and to build
where others destroy.
Chanukah is more
than a holiday; it is
an eight-day spiritual
journey. In this tradition, we present Chanukah in a New Light.
Many people know
the story of Chanukah, the triumph of a
small group of Jews
who challenged their
Greek oppressors and
a little oil that miraculously kindled the
lights of the menorah
for eight days. The
spirit of Chanukah is
experienced when we
apply its joy, warmth
and light to our lives—
not only in our homes
with our loved ones,
but with the entire
world.
175 BCE
Alexander
the
Great was the leader
of the Greek Empire
who by the age of 21
had conquered most
of the known world.
He
respected
the
Jews. He didn’t want
to wage war against
tiny Judea; he only
required heavy taxes.
The Talmud details
many conversations
that young Alexander
had with the Jewish
Sages, many of whom
traveled to Greece to
tutor royalty.
After Alexander’s
death, the Greek empire was split into three
territories:
Greece,
Egypt and Syria. In
175 B.C.E., Antiochus
IV rose to power over
the Syrian territories,
which included Israel.
The Syrian Greeks,
called Seleucids, were
not interested in co-existence, but in assimilation.
The Talmud, the Book of the Maccabees, Josephus and other works detail the events of Chanukah. Antiochus IV sent his ministers to force
Greek culture on the people of Israel. Most Jews
conformed. What else could they do against the
might of the empire? The Zohar says of this period: “The Greeks darkened the eyes of Israel with
their decrees.”
The festival of Chanukah is about light overcoming darkness. Our world is currently experiencing a particularly dark time. We have become
apprehensive, even about opening the letters in
our mailbox. Our sons, daughters, friends and
neighbors are halfway around the world, fighting
an enemy that has no borders.
“The soul of man is a lamp of G-d” (Proverbs
23:27). Our challenge, whether we are on the
front lines or fighting rush hour at home, is to
bring light into the world. The reason the Chanukah candles are lit after nightfall is to remind us
that even in our darkest moments, we have the
potential to illuminate if we kindle a flame.
Spiritual Annihilation
Antiochus IV, called Epiphanies (the Illustrious) by his friends and Epimanes (the Madman)
by his enemies, did not build ghettos, force conversions or set out to annihilate the Jewish people, as Pharaoh or Nebuchadnezzar had plotted
before him. Neither did he intend to destroy their
culture. Instead, he outlawed the observance of
specific mitzvot (Divine actions), predicting that
when the Jews would cease to observe these precepts, it would lead to the end of Judaism as a
unique religion and nation. He wanted the Jews
to be just another conquered tribe. And so, he declared war against their souls.
The Greeks were great philosophers. They acknowledged the mitzvot as part of a great culture,
and the Torah as a great work of Jewish literature. What they would not tolerate was that “G-d,
Creator of the Universe, ordained the practice of
these mitzvot.” In the words of the prayer recited
on Chanukah, the Greeks set out to have the Jews
forget “[G-d’s] Torah,” and to cease observing
“[G-d’s] commandments.”
Whenever we do a mitzvah, we become G–d’s
autograph on His masterpiece, declaring for all
that this is not a jungle where the strong devour
the weak. It is a beautiful garden, filled with the
light of its Creator.
War and Peace
Hellenism, the Greek culture, meant accepting
its pagan gods and Greek philosophy. Jews who
were sympathetic to the Hellenistic view quickly
gained power and prominence. But many Jews
remained loyal to their beliefs. Eliezer, a Kohen
(Jewish priest), was executed because he refused
What does a soul
look like? Look at the
flame of a candle. A
flame is bright, jumping, never resting;
the natural desire of
a soul is to “jump up”
to G-d, to break free of
physical limitations.
to abandon his Jewish faith. Many Jewish women
were murdered for having their sons circumcised.
Seven sons of Chana, a simple Jewish woman, were
put to death for refusing to bow down to pagan gods.
The big trouble for the Seleucids began in the
village of Mod’in, when the aged Kohen Mattisyahu
cried out, “Whoever is for G-d, join me!” Thus, the
fight for religious freedom began.
King Solomon wrote, “Everything has its season
… A time to be born, a time to die … A time for war,
a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes). In Judaism, peace is
the ultimate goal. Yet if one is being attacked, Jewish
law forbids a passive stance. Peace and the sanctity
of human life require, at times, that one must defend
one’s self, one’s family and one’s country.
Despite the fact that the Maccabees were fewer in
strength and in numbers, they stood up against the
oppressor with complete faith in G-d’s mercy. One
lesson of Chanukah is that when we resolve to introduce spirituality into our lives, G-d assists us well
beyond our limitations. G-d tells His children, “Make
for Me a small opening, like the eye of a needle, and
I will open for you an opening through which caravans can enter” (Midrash). We simply need to begin
the process for G-d to help us attain that which we
perceived as unattainable.
Pure Light
Antiochus IV outlawed three specific mitzvot and
rendered their practice punishable by death. These
mitzvot were “Shabbat,” which is a testimony to the
fact that there is a Creator Who rested on the seventh
day; “Blessing the New Month,” which determines
when Jews can sanctify their holidays; and “Circumcision,” which imbues holiness into the human body.
The spiritual ghetto that Antiochus IV tried to force
on the Jewish people was a world without a Creator,
time without sanctity and people with no connection
to the Divine.
Though a person might have a burning desire to
be spiritual, a concrete action is needed to ignite a
flame. Lacking the oil of genuine substance, one’s
passion can quickly fade, failing to introduce any enduring light into the world. A life without mitzvot is
like a wick without oil—it yields little or no light.
There are nine branches on the Chanukah meno-
when darkness invades G-d’s world
we search for the hidden “single
jar of pure oil”, the pure and indestructible spark of Creation, which
radiates goodness and holiness.
rah, even though Chanukah is celebrated for eight days. The ninth
branch is the shammash, the “servant” candle, which stands apart
from the other candles. This candle is lit so that when we make use
of the Chanukah light, we do so from the shammash, and not from
the eight Chanukah flames.
“…These [eight Chanukah] flames are kodesh (holy). We are not
permitted to make use of them, only to gaze at them” (Chanukah
liturgy).
The Hebrew word “kodesh” literally means separate and beyond.
In Judaism, although we can appreciate holy objects and observances on many levels, they are essentially higher than our finite
understanding and perception, since they are rooted in the Infinite.
It was this “holiness” that the Greeks failed to destroy. And it is this
holiness that is manifested in the lights of Chanukah.
The War
Mattisyahu the Kohen, and his five sons, began to challenge the
Greek strongholds with a group of followers called the Maccabees.
Historical sources estimate their numbers at 6,000, while Antiochus
IV sent 40,000 troops to overwhelm them. Yehudis, a young widow,
used cunning tactics to assassinate Holofernes, a vicious Seleucid
general. After significant losses in the cities of Shechem and Beit
Choron, Antiochus IV sent an additional 65,000 troops. The Maccabees fought bitter, yet intelligent, battles that are studied by military
tacticians to this very day. After three years and thousands of lives,
Israel was finally free.
On Chanukah, we celebrate two miracles: the victory of the Maccabees over the forces of Antiochus IV in the battlefield, and the
miracle of the oil which burned for eight days. The victory in the
battlefield was miraculous, but it was physical, limited by time and
space. The miracle of the oil, which enabled the Jewish people to
resume the service in the holy Temple, was spiritual. Jews around
the world emulate this miracle and spirituality today by observing
Chanukah.
The Chanukah struggle is found within each of us. Chasidic
teachings explain that we have two souls. One soul is drawn to the
spiritual, the other to the physical. We may reconcile this duality by
being involved with the material world, but toward a spiritual end.
This is one reason why there are so many mitzvot in the Torah, all
of them involving physical action. When the physical is engaged for
spiritual purposes, the conflict is transformed into peace and harmony. A world of peace begins with inner peace. When one makes
peace within, it has an effect on his or her home, environment and
eventually the entire world.
The Soul of a Flame
The name “Chanukah” is rooted in several different, yet related,
sources. It comes from “kah,” the Hebrew equivalent of 25, and
“chanu,” meaning rest. It is also connected with the words “inauguration” (chanukat) and “education” (chinuch).
On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the Maccabees
rested from their battle. They marched victoriously into the holy Temple in Jerusalem, ready to reinaugurate the holy service. They would
forever serve as role models, or educators, to future generations.
What does a soul look like? Look at the flame of a candle.
A flame is bright, jumping, never resting; the natural desire of
a soul is to “jump up” to G-d, to break free of physical limitations. The wick and candle anchor a flame; a physical body
grounds the soul, forcing the soul to do its job, to give light
and warmth. The human body, precious and holy, is likened
to the holy Temple. The Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chasidism,
always advised against asceticism, fasts and hurting the body.
Better, he would say, to use your body to perform a deed of
kindness.
Kindness is contagious. When our soul tells our body to do
a kind deed, both the soul and body are affected. Eventually,
other souls around us awaken and influence their bodies to
do the same. Before long, we create an international epidemic
of kindness. This is one reason why the Chanukah menorah
is placed where it can be seen from the street, either in the
doorway across from the mezuzah or near a window, reminding us of our duty to share the spiritual light of warmth and
wisdom with our surroundings.
Untouchable
Victory turned bittersweet when the Maccabees found
that the Temple was desecrated and the pure oil needed to
light the menorah was defiled. Miraculously, the Maccabees
discovered a single jar of pure oil, with the seal of the Kohen Gadol (Jewish high priest) intact. With this oil, the Holy
Temple was reinaugurated.
Why didn’t the Seleucids just destroy the oil, as opposed
to defiling it? Oil is a symbol for holiness. It can permeate
anything. Yet when placed in water, it rises to the top. Defiled, not destroyed, oil is exactly what Antiochus IV wanted.
He allowed the Jews to adhere to their culture and keep their
laws, as long as it was “touched” by the Greek ideals and
philosophy.
Chasidic teachings explain that despite any entity that
tries to sever our connection to G-dliness, the essence of a
soul can never be defiled. This spark of holiness continuously burns and longs to be fanned into a great flame. The
universe was created to perpetuate light, and it is inherently
good (Genesis). But there are times when darkness invades G-
d’s world. At such times, we search for the hidden “single jar
of pure oil” (Chanukah liturgy), the pure and indestructible
spark of Creation, which radiates goodness and holiness.
The Eighth Night
The Maccabees had done all that was physically possible,
but the small jar of oil was only enough to light the candles
of the menorah for one day. To prepare more oil would require a process of at least seven days. After defeating the
world’s most powerful army and gaining religious freedom
for generations to come, the Maccabees were not about to
give up. They lit the menorah with the little oil they found,
and miraculously, the menorah shone for eight days, plus
2000 years, as Chanukah continues to illuminate our home
and world today.
However miraculous their victory, some would attribute
the Maccabean military success to their superior strategy.
The last night of the holiday is called Zot Chanukah, “This is
Chanukah.” Our Sages explain that “zot” refers to something
when it is revealed and tangible, “when it can be pointed to
with a finger.” When the Jewish people witnessed a scientific
impossibility, the miracle of the oil, there was no denying
G-d’s presence.
Why does G-d perform miracles? Without miracles, such
as the oil found in the holy Temple, one might believe that the
laws of physics define reality. However, once we see the inexplicable, we witness a transcendent reality and attain a higher
consciousness. We can then look back at physics, point with
our finger and realize, “This too is a miracle.”
The Baal Shem Tov said, “The difference between nature
and a miracle is the frequency.”
The Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, teaches that the ultimate
miracle is not the splitting of the sea, manna from heaven, or
the sun standing still. It is described as the subtle and, at the
same time, dramatic transformation of the universe that will
occur with the arrival of Moshiach. At that time, nature itself
will uncover its miraculous essence. What is now perceived as
a wall between the physical and spiritual will be revealed as a
bridge. How can we bring about this miracle? With the light
of our collective mitzvot.
holiday | at home
Lighting a
Menorah
{book Review} by rachel moss
1
Shammash
Saturday, Dec. 12
After Shabbat Ends
& Havdalah is Recited
Blessings No. 1 & 2
How & When
A Chanukah menorah has eight
candle holders in one straight
row of equal height. The shammash (servant candle)—an additional candle which is used
to light the menorah—is placed
higher or set aside from the
others. A menorah which uses
electric candles can be used
as a Chanukah decoration, but
does not achieve the mitzvah of
lighting the menorah.
Part of the Chanukah mitzvah is publicizing the miracle of
Chanukah, so we place the menorah in the doorway, opposite
the mezuzah, or by a window,
clearly visible to the outside.
Shammash
Friday, Dec. 11
Before Shabbat
Candle Lighting
Blessings No. 1, 2 & 3
Ever wonder why a
mystical group of
Chasidic Jews are
at your local mall
with a large menorah, a live band
and box full of
hot latkes?
1 2
Shammash
// Candles may be used, but
because of its role in the Chanukah miracle, a menorah of
oil is especially significant. //
On Friday afternoon, we light
the Chanukah candles just before the Shabbat candles. (On
Shabbat, the holy day of rest, it
is prohibited to ignite a flame.)
On Saturday, the Chanukah
menorah is not lit until the end
of Shabbat, after the Havdalah
prayer is recited. // On the first
night of Chanukah, before lighting the Shabbat candles, gather
the family for the lighting of the
Games&Gelt
Kabbalah of Oil
To celebrate the
miracle of the oil,
it is traditional
to eat fried foods,
such as potato latkes
(pancakes) and sufganiot (Israeli-style
doughnuts). To produce oil, intense pressure is put on the olive. Chasidus explains
that many times people experience pressures in life. Yet, “G-d does not overburden
His creations.” The purpose of this pressure is to unleash one’s potential and hidden strength. // We also eat dairy products
on Chanukah to commemorate the Jewish
heroine, Yehudis. In 164 B.C.E., the Greek
general Holofernes besieged the village of
Bethulia. After intense fighting, Yehudis rebuked the town elders who were about to
surrender. She then approached Holofernes
to offer her services as a spy. She met Holofernes in his tent and offered him salty
cheese, followed by wine to quench his
thirst, causing him to fall asleep. Yehudis
beheaded him and escaped. When the Greek
soldiers found his corpse, they retreated in
fear. Yehudis saved her village and countless lives with the help of a little cheese.
Dreidel, a Short History.
The game of dreidel is one of the oldest recorded games in history. Around 170
B.C.E., the Greeks who occupied Israel
deemed Jewish rituals punishable by death.
menorah. Before lighting, say
the appropriate blessings (see
below). Use the shammash to
light the first candle on your
far right of the menorah. // On
the second night, light an additional candle to the left of the
candle lit the night before. Light
the “new” candle first, followed
by the one directly to its right.
Repeat this pattern each night
of Chanukah (see diagram below). The candles must burn
for at least half an hour. After
lighting the candles, recite the
“Hanairos Hallolu” (side).
3 Easy Steps to
Celebrate at Home
Teachers and their students defiantly studied in secret and, when patrols came by,
would pretend to be playing an innocent
game. The dreidel (or sevivon in Hebrew) is
a four-sided spinning top. A Hebrew letter
is written on each side: Nun, Gimel, Hay
and Shin, representing the phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham—A Great Miracle Happened
There. In Israel, the Shin is replaced with a
Peh, for the word “Po,” Here. // Each player
begins with a certain amount of coins, candy or any kind of token. Each player puts a
token into the pot. The youngest player often spins the dreidel first. The letter facing
upward determines the payoff. Nun = nothing, Gimel = everything, Hay = half, Shin/
Peh = add two tokens to the pot.
Splurge on Charity
On Chanukah, it is traditional to give gelt (money)
to children. Maimonides
explains that the Greeks attempted to defile not only
Jewish rituals, but also their
property. The triumph of Chanukah is celebrated by giving gelt, often designated for
charity.
Charity is one of the greatest mitzvot
because a person puts time, energy, body
and mind to work. When he or she gives
to the needy, all his or her work is elevated
beyond the physical.
Sunday, Dec. 13
After nightfall
Blessings No. 1 & 2
1
2
3
Shammash
Monday, Dec. 14
After nightfall
Blessings No. 1 & 2
1
2 3
4
Shammash
Tuesday, Dec. 15
After nightfall
Blessings No. 1 & 2
1
2 3
4
5
Shammash
Wednesday, Dec. 16
After nightfall
Blessings No. 1 & 2
1
2 3
4
5
6
Shammash
Thursday, Dec. 17
After nightfall
Blessings No. 1 & 2
Friday, Dec. 18
Before Shabbat
Candle Lighting
Blessings No. 1 & 2
1
2 3
4
5
6
7
Shammash
1
2 3
4
5
6
7
Heaven on Earth
By Rabbi Faitel Levin
Reflections on the Theology of
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson,
the Lubavitcher Rebbe
8
Why are they not at home
meditating or praying? The
answer is found in a fascinating book that for the
first time ever, explores the
Lubavitcher Rebbe`s theology - the philosophy that
spurred the growth of Chabad
Chasidism into a worldwide
movement. Better known for
the global social and educational programs he created,
the Rebbe`s profound genius
is brought into sharp focus
in this thoughtfully written
work. The author explores
the metaphysical implications of placing the essence
of holiness squarely within
the mundane. A spiritual
prayer in no more G-dly
than a physical mitzvah.
This radical outlook is then
applied to offer a distinctly
Lubavitch perspective on
Jewish observance , the soul,
the afterlife, and Jewish outreach.
Heaven on Earth tackles
this intellectual task with
the layperson in mind, and
the author`s skillful use of
everyday analogies - from
laser beams to chocolate ice
cream - keeps this heavenly
exploration down to Earth.
Heaven On Earth ($20.00)
is sold at www.kehot.com
or at your local Jewish
bookstore.
The Blessings
1 Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-
vwwc
nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de
sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vo-no
Le-had-lik Ner Cha-nu-kah.
2 Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu
Me-lech Ho-olom She-o-so Ni
sim La-avo-sei-nu Bayo-mim
Ho-heim Bi-z'man Ha-zeh.
3 Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu
Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu
EXCITING NEW
CHILDREN’S BOOK SERIES
Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu Liz-man
Ha-zeh.
Blessing #3 is only recited on the
Do a Mitzva!
Easy Step-by-Step Guides
first evening (or the first time one
kindles the lights this Chanukah).
SHABBAT • HOLIDAYS • LIFECYCLES
Hanairos Hallolu
We kindle these lights (to commemorate) the saving acts,
miracles and wonders which You
have performed for our forefathers,
in those days at this time, through
Your holy Kohanim. Throughout the
eight days of Chanukah, these light
are sacred, and we are not permitted to make use of them, but only
to look at them, in order to offer
thanks and praise to Your great
Name for Your miracles, for Your
wonders and for Your salvations.
Ÿ Tales from the Midrash & Talmud
Ÿ Fun for All Ages Ÿ Tear-Proof Pages
Ÿ Oversized Format
AT YOUR FAVORITE BOOKSTORE
ORDER NOW AT WWW.UNCLEYOSSI.COM
www.MitzvahExpress.com
musings | perspective
a brief history of the
public menorah
my white
russian
chanukah;
a modern day miracle
A True Story by Rabbi Shmuel Marcus
A
merican children
are taught never to
ride with a stranger.
America is technologically
advanced; America is on the
cutting edge of craziness. The
former Soviet Union is lagging
behind; people still hitchhike.
I watch and learn. Taxis are more expensive, and they
don’t take cigarettes as payment. You put your hand out, and
a car quickly slows down. You say a street name, the driver
says two bucks, you say one, he says forget it and drives off.
You stop the next car and say the same street name. He says
get in; you do. If you don’t settle on a price beforehand, you
take the risk of hearing a wordless grunt when you get out.
It was a cold morning, and I couldn’t wait to be sitting in
a warm car. I put my hand out. A small blue car stops, and at
once, as if it is an old friend of the family, I get into the car
without asking or telling. We drive in silence down Pushkinskaya Street towards the shul.
In my haste I have forgotten to set a price. When I try to
pay, my driver refuses to take the amount shown. He refuses
any payment for the ride. I am confused, and it is too early in
the morning to argue. What don’t you understand? He says.
Look at me. I’m a Jew; my name is Cohen, I should charge a
Yeshiva boy to get to shul? I thanked him and later bought a
coke with the money.
Snow falls and stays. Flake after flake, the earth foams
with clouded slush. Sincere snow trucks make rounds. The
ice hardens. The sidewalk slips into an endless street. The
vendors and beggars surf the cold with grace.
Tonight is one of those nights when all I want to do is
cuddle up with my cat. But that would be impossible for two
reasons. First, tonight is the fifth night of Chanukah. Second,
I have no cat.
Tonight hundreds of Russian Jews will publicly celebrate
religious freedom. Tonight Kharkov’s Minister of Religion,
Vladimir Voldovsky, will join Kharkov’s Chief Rabbi, Moshe
Moskowitz, for the lighting of the giant Chanukah menorah.
Tonight we will celebrate the victory of light over darkness.
Or at least we’ll try.
Where did the menorah come from? Who built it? Maybe
the Maccabees themselves?
Kharkov’s menorah was created by students, the first group
of Lubavitch students to come to Kharkov. What do young
yeshiva boys know about constructing a giant Menorah from
less than scratch? But I’ll save that for another story. Like One
Hundred Ways to Build a Menorah in Russia. Or The Menorah
That Was Made of Snow. In Ukraine you don’t ask, “Where
did it come from?” If you have it, you use it. And tonight the
menorah stands tall, facing every street in the world, starting
with Ulitsa Pushkinskaya.
Tonight the Chief Rabbi and the Minister of Religion will
arrive on time, and with a rented cherry picker, the two will
light the five kerosene lanterns. The glass cover will keep the
flame alive all night, and the warmth will melt the frozen heart
of man. That is the plan.
That’s what’s supposed to happen. That’s what we advertised. That’s what the hundreds gathered came to see. But Russian life is what happens when you have plans.
Tonight Yossi is inside the shul, trying to get the frozen
lanterns to start. Outside hundreds are waiting in the cold. The
Russian crane driver is angry and wants to leave. My fingers
are frozen and smell like gas.
I run to see how the lamps are doing, but a short man stops
me. Do you have a shovel? He offers to clear the snow off the
shul stairs. I tell him it is a good idea, but I can’t help him with
a shovel. Do you remember me? He points to a small blue car.
Cohen has come to celebrate, to be amongst Jews. Cohen wants
to do his part, but he already has. He came.
Now Yossi and Yefim have three lanterns working in the office. But how can we light only three lamps on the fifth night?
We need a Chanukah miracle, the miracle of lights.
The minister speaks a few words in Russian; the rabbi places the first working lantern, then the second, then the third. He
then slowly tries lighting the fourth and fifth. I close my eyes
for the miracle, but there is none. The music starts to play, and
the Jews dance in the snow. The crane drives off. Minutes later
two lights go out; only one lamp remains shining brightly. I
join hands and start to dance, to celebrate, to be amongst Jews.
Mr. Cohen smiles and claps his hands.
It is time to go home. I put my hand out, and a car stops.
We drive a little, and then I look back through the frosty window and see the miracle of lights. Seventy years of Communism, and one flame still burns. Russian Jews still know how
to dance. And hitchhiking is still safe.
Well, at least tonight.
Rabbi Shmuel Marcus is the editor of Farbrengen Magazine and author of
Chicken Kiev and The Ballad of the Yarmulkah Kid. Marcus is a singer
songwriter who performs under the name 8th Day. He lives with his wife
and kids in Cypress California where they run JewishCypress.com.
This story is an excerpt from "Chicken Kiev" a book
of heart warming stories of Jewish life in the former
Soviet Union from the perspective of a 20 year old
Rabbinical student. Buy online at kehot.com, $12.
It is estimated that Chabad
Lubavitch will light 7,122 public
menorahs in 50 countries this year.
34 years ago, there was only 1.
You could say this idea of lighting a
public menorah spread like fire. Here’s
a brief overview of how that large menorah ended up in your local mall.
2nd Century B.C.E. The
Jews lit the menorah in the
Second Temple in Jerusalem
at the time of the Maccabean
Revolt. Chanukah is established.
1975 A Public Menorah
lighting in S. Francisco
hopes to promote Jewish
awareness in the Bay area.
22 feet tall and made of
mahogany wood, this would
be the catalyst for all future
public menorahs.
1977 Largest ‘Kosher’ public menorah (32 feet high)
is erected in Central Park.
Designed by artist Yaakov
Agam and made out of
4,000 pounds of gold colored steel.
1979 President Jimmy
Carter walked to Lafayette
Park and lit the shammash
(the candle used to light
other candles) in the 30-foot
electric silver menorah. 5
US Presidents have participated since.
1987 Paris lights it’s first
public menorah, thousands
come to dance in the snow
and rain in support of religious freedom.
1990 The Rebbe participates in first Chanukah
Live’ simulcast featuring public menorah lightings from around the
world, including New York,
Moscow, Melbourne, Israel,
and Hong Kong.
2010 VirtualChanukah.com
lists thousands of menorah
lightings around the world.
food | cooking
journal
celebrity latke
hot tips from the best
Our Time Honored
hollywood’s
no name
dropping
policy:
sizzling latke
by Sarah Lehat
Jewish Chef David Slatkin likes to
mix up the traditional latke recipe
by throwing in some carrots, roasted peppers and garlic, in addition
to the typical fare of potatoes, onions, eggs and matzah meal.
Our Chabad Magazine
is not into name dropping. After all what
would be the point?
So, Donald Pliner put on
Tefillin in Miami Beach, big
deal, thousands of people
have put on Tefillin with
Chabad On Wheels parked
along Lincoln Road in South
Beach. Or the recent walk
sponsored by Sketchers Shoes
for Chabad's efforts on behalf
of children with special needs.
The main thing is that the
kids are being helped. There
are many reason's we don't
drop names in our magazine.
As you can imagine Ron
Artest of the Lakers shooting hoops for Chabad centers
in Los Angeles is more about
education than it is about
the Lakers. So, you may be
asking why we would use
celebrity chef's latke recipe
as opposed to using my own?
I'll be honest, it has nothing
to do with the fact that David
Slatkin cooks for Will Smith
and Tommy Lee Jones. It's
just that I'm not going to let
our no name dropping policy
get in the way of a good
hot latke. So, we hope you
enjoy this no name dropping
magazine, as we focus on the
essence of each mitzvah without getting caught up with the
external qualities. By the way,
I hope you'll join me at the
NYC Menorah lighting, Mayer
Mike Bloomberg did a great
job lighting it in the past.
He recommends serving your latkes with
an apple mango chutney for an unusual,
surprising and delectable mix of flavors.
For those of you who have burned your
latkes (or your pan) on repeated occasions,
you might want to take David up on this
advice: use a mix of 25% olive oil for flavor
along with 75% canola oil. According
to him, the higher smoking point of the
canola will allow you more cooking time
before the oil starts to smoke...and then
burn your Chanukah treat.
David is a highly acclaimed restaurateur
and chef in Los Angeles and the South Bay.
Known for his fusion of Latin, Caribbean,
Californian and Asian cuisines, he has
catered events for such clients as Will and
Jada Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Walt Disney,
CBS and Fox studios, as well as many more.
After training at the Culinary Institute of
America in New York, and landing a slew of
internships in prestigious hotels around the
country, he went on to open his very own
Fusion and David’s restaurants.
>>>Rachel Ray’s Latke
1 (24-ounce) bag shredded
potatoes for hash browns
1 large carrot, peeled
1 medium onion, peeled
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons matzo meal,
cracker meal or all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil, for frying
2 cups chunky apple sauce
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup sour cream
Directions: Heat 1/2-inch
oil in a large skillet over medium to medium high heat. To
test oil, add a piece of bread to
the pan. It should turn golden
brown in a ten-count. Adjust
heat, as necessary.
Place potatoes in a large
bowl. Using a hand grater,
grate the carrot and onion
into the bowl. Add eggs to
the bowl. Add salt and baking powder, then sprinkle
in meal or flour. Combine
vegetables and meal with a
wooden spoon.
READ THIS: So, as you
can imagine, there are
some other folks reading
this same magazine in
other parts of the world.
// We think some 250,000
people are reading this
just like you are. You may
be near Cypress, CA, Manalapan NJ - Davenport, IA - Park Slope ,NY
- Coram ,NY - Bonita Springs, FL - Brooklyn, NY
U
Drop mixture into oil in
3-inch mounds, press down
gently with spatula to form
patties. Fry in batches of 4
to 6 patties depending on the
size of your skillet, 1-inch
apart, until golden, about 3
minutes on each side. Put
chunky applesauce and the
cinnamon stick in a saucepan over medium heat and
warm for 3 to 4 minutes.
Drain latkes on paper towels
or parchment lined tray.
Serve with apple sauce or
sour cream.
- Kansas City, MO - Omaha, NB - Miami, Beach,
FL - Tallahassee, FL - Hoboken, NJ - Toledo, OH
- Riverdale, NY - Grand Rapids, MI - Minnetonka,
MN - Minneapolis, MN - St. Paul, MN - Northbrook, IL - Satellite Beach, FL - Los, Angeles,
CA, Tulsa, OK - Cheadle, UK - Westminster,
CO, Orange County, CA - Houston, TX - or even
United Kingdom. We are all united by a common
interest in our own Jewishness and we like that.
// So, pass this magazine around to your friends,
let's spread the light. We love the feedback so
keep it coming to [email protected].
1
interview | science
Explore the great cyber frontier:
“Mind Over Matter” is compiled from the Rebbe’s works on science, technology and medicine. It covers such diverse topics as proof of the Creator, origin of the species, aviation,
fate vs. freedom, geometry, medicine and more. Published by Shamir. Sold at www.kehot.
com, or read on www.chabad.org.
Psychoneuroimmunology.
We’re not sure what that means either, but it sounds cool. In fact, as the editor
of a Jewish magazine I’m always in search of cool things as they relate to
psychoneuroimmunology. That’s why I called Dr. Gotfryd and pleaded for an
exclusive interview for this issue.
that the same scientists say
are at least 16 billion years
old. How can there be stars
older than the universe they
are in? The problem remains
unresolved.
But the deeper issue with
the dating game is that such
conjectures are absolutely
unverifiable since they involve immense extrapolations backwards over aeons
of unobserved time under
unknown conditions. That’s
not what we should call scientific proof by any stretch
of the imagination.
>How
about prayers for
the sick? Now that medicine
has advanced to where it is
today, with all its understanding about the body and
illness, doesn’t prayer seem
like a bit of placebo?
D
r. Arnie Gotfryd, Ph.D. is an accomplished environmental scientist and an observant Jew. Gotfryd
understands secular and religious perspectives
from both sides of the fence. He earned Canada’s
first doctorate in Applied Ecology and taught an awardwinning, accredited course on Faith and Science at the
University of Toronto. His teachings offer fresh insights
into old-time religion.
>As a man dedicated to both science and Torah, how do
you deal with scientific proof that the world is older than
5770 years old?
Well, how old would you like the world to be? When I was a
kid, it was 18 billion years old, then it was 10, then back up to
16. Now it’s 13.7. According to a recent astrophysics article by
Nobel physics expert Moshe Carmeli, that 13.7 billion year age
is believed to be a cosmological constant (or fixed number) ever
since the first cosmological day. In other words, the universe was
created old. The Torah’s view is essentially the same.
Also, for those who claim that it’s proven that the universe
is at most 14 billion years old, there is the problem of quasars
I’m not sure that biology takes us farther away
from belief in miracles. On
the contrary. For instance,
Antony Flew, once deemed
the world’s leading atheist
philosopher, has recently recanted on his faithlessness,
ascribing his change of heart
to his studies of genetics and
biological complexity.
About prayer and medicine, statistical surveys of
American physicians clearly
show that the overwhelming majority of doctors believe that faith can heal, and
a large majority of those
believe that the prayers of
others can also bring about
healing. In fact a triple-blind
study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine
shows that heart patients in
a hospital got better faster
and with fewer complications when prayed for. In
that study, neither the caregivers, the patients, nor their
families even knew that a
prayer study was taking
place at the time.
Besides, what is wrong,
pray tell, with the placebo
effect? It is based on the
well-documented fact that
believing you will get better,
for whatever reason, boosts
your immune system, cancels stress, fights disease,
and causes healing. Every
doctor knows that. There
is even a medical specialty,
psychoneuroimmunology,
which is wholly dedicated to
mind-based medicine.
We see huge conflicts
these days between religion
and science. Why can’t it just
be live and let live?
This is a very important
question that deserves consideration by every thinking person. A “live and let
live” philosophy implies two
things: First, that we cannot
objectively determine who is
right and who is wrong. And
second, that everyone has
a right to his opinion. Both
these conditions are violated
in the big debates, such as
Creation vs. Evolution. Each
side claims they are objectively right and each side
maintains that opinions are
irrelevant in the face of capital “T” Truth.
On one hand, the intolerance of some scientists is
surely inappropriate. Thanks to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, Einstein’s
relativity, and Bohr’s quantum theory,
science in the last 100 years has realized
that its observations are subjective, it’s
conclusions uncertain and tentative. If
so, the scientist’s overriding trait should
rather be humility.
On the other hand, what right do the
religious have to be intolerant? Granted,
their truths are to them absolute and inviolate and yes, religions often disagree.
But most religions also mandate the
qualities of respect, decency, peace and
love, even toward adherents of another
belief system, including the agnostics or
atheists among some scientists.
>Some people say that faith is a
product of how our brains are wired.
Maybe it’s less about truth and more
about biology.
A story is told of the chasid, Berel, who
was pacing his room one night holding a
candle and calling over and over, “Berel,
that the Kohen tribe is of patrilineal descent from one common ancestor 3,300
years ago, i.e., Moses’ brother, Aaron.
>Is this a scientific faith or a religious one?
My contention is that at some point,
they come together.
>There’s a lot of talk in science and
the media these days about how our
perceptions create reality and everything is subjective. That seems pretty
far from the objective reality and rules
of a divinely commanded Torah. How do
you reconcile these vastly different approaches?
Paul Davies, an Australian physicist
and science writer, is a devout believer in
a supreme intelligence that creates and
sustains the world, while at the same
time he slams biblical religion as silly
and foolish.
I think if he were versed in the Torah, and especially Chabad Chasidus,
he might sing a different tune. While
cosmologists speak of the “anthropic
“There is more to Torah than most people think.
Scholars on both sides of the fence, whether religious or scientific, seem to agree that we can’t
prove scientifically that there is a G-d. Why not?”
where are you.” A friend overheard and
asked if he’d gone mad. He said, “No, you
are the fool. When I die, you’ll say ‘Berel
is gone!’ but will that be true? Physically,
every part of me will be present. The Berel
that you will be looking for then, I’m looking for now.”
There is a soul, a consciousness, a
non-physical mind, call it what you will,
that is increasingly invoked by the brain
scientists. Why was the Dalai Lama chosen to deliver the keynote for the 2005
neuroscience conference and its 14,000
attendees? Because it is the spirit that
impels the flesh and there is plenty of
peer-reviewed research to support that
conclusion. Yes, the brain is hard wired
for faith. But faith is not part of the wiring. It just resides there.
Then there’s the question of what we
put our faith in. Today’s National Post
reports progress in the research of Karl
Skorecki, a University of Toronto professor who discovered the Y-chromosome
markers that validate Judaism’s claim
principle,” that says the universe was
set up from the outset for human life,
the Mishna states, “For my sake was the
world created.” While physics speaks
of observers creating reality, Chasidus
speaks of “think good, it will be good.”
While science talks about “an indivisible wholeness beyond space-time which
is the ultimate ground of reality,” Maimonides says the same thing about the
Creator. While ecology advises, “Act
local, think global,” Torah teaches that
with one small act, one can either destroy or save the world.
There is more to Torah than most
people think. Scholars on both sides of
the fence, whether religious or scientific,
seem to agree that we can’t prove scientifically that there is a G-d. Why not?
Science in general works by disproof,
not by proof. We propose theories, then
test them experimentally. If the experiments show our ideas to be wrong, we
reject the theory. If the experiments
work, out the theory is supported, but
not proven, since more observations
may yet be made to challenge the theory.
In this sense, one can neither prove nor
disprove the existence of G-d.
But there is another type of proof, a
more natural definition, which is that if
an idea explains the observations better
than any other, we have what is called
conclusive proof, meaning sufficient to
base our future actions.
If we consider the stand at Sinai, with
millions of personal witnesses to the giving of the Torah by G-d, and the unbroken
chain of tradition for some 100 generations, including hundreds of thousands of
individuals in each generation reconfirming that event, then we have sufficient
proof to conclude positively. Is there an
alternative explanation that is more feasible? Aliens? Mass hypnosis? Mass collusion? The best explanation is the traditional one, strange as that may seem.
>Wouldn’t it be possible to verify the
existence of a Creator by looking for
some sort of unequivocal imprint left
on the world around us?
I think most people have a sense of
some greater intelligence, a creative
force, some greater purpose, when
they look at the world around them
- the sun, the moon, the mountains,
trees, bugs, clouds, the ocean.
Formally, we can speak of teleology,
the argument from design, which says
that orderly design in nature implies an
ordering cause, an intelligent Creator.
The modern incarnation of this concept
is the anthropic principle. Then there
is the fact that from time to time, our
prayers are answered.
To my mind, the biggest proof is the
fact that we exist as creatures who can
even contemplate the existence of G-d.
For why else would a G-d have created the
world, if not for the purpose that beings
such as ourselves should find out about
Him and establish a relationship with Him.
This is where science leaves off, for
the scientist can only describe how the
world works, but in no way can he answer why the world works that way. For
that, we need the Torah.
Read more at www.arniegotfryd.com.
moshiach | ijew
Artwork by Chabad Graphic
Designer Menachem Krinsky
www.menachemkrinsky.com
Take the Shabbat Shalom application for example,
it tells you the exact time
when you should light candles on Friday and the exact
time Shabbat ends. And for
any location in the world. Is
it too late to call your in-laws
in Israel? Just flip through the
different cities and countries,
to see what the local time is
and what time they start or
end Shabbat. Download this
app for free today, unless
your reading this on Shabbat
of course.
>>>
welcome to the
iJew community
iJew
there’s an
in my
iPhone
No one mentioned it at the annual
conspiracy theory conference, but
I still think that technology is out
to make us all better Jews. Sure,
call me crazy, but I have proof.
Here’s a group of people
that pray together daily, yet
live miles apart from each
other. The new Siddur 4.0
actually is a real time Jewish prayer book that configures the prayers based on the
day of the week or season
and shows the closest minyan to your current location.
Sure, the app also tells you
the perfect times for each of
the daily prayers based on
your location, Torah portion
of the week and upcoming
holidays. But, here comes the
cool part. This futuristic Siddur app has a map feature
the spiritual side
of your iPod by Miriam Leiberman
I once heard an interview
with Peter Himmelman and
Rabbi Simon Jacobson about
the spirituality of music.
Peter, who is both rock and roll legend and chasidic Jew, was talking
about the reason music is perhaps
the art form that’s become so popu-
lar (as opposed to sculpting or painting for example). Peter claimed that
music is the art form with the least
amount of physicality. It made total
sense to me the moment he made
that connection.
Just think about architecture, if you
can consider that an art form, is huge,
it’s material. Sculptures are a little
bit more refined, but it’s still dealing
with material objects and things. Music has no physical substance at all.
that tracks other users across
the globe allowing users to
post names of people in need
of prayers. This is perhaps, the
largest minyan in the iJew
Community. According Barry
Schwartz of Rustybrick.com,
“There are over 8,000 Siddur
users around the world,” says,
Schwartz from him New York
office, “When it comes to our
other Jewish apps we can see
over 50,000 users.” That’s a
nice size Jewish community.
So, where do they eat?
That’s when Barry thought
of the Kosher App. After landing in an airport far from New
York, a hungry programmer
conceived of an app that can
locate a kosher restaurant
and also provide the kosher
certification information including the rabbi’s name. So,
when he launched the Kosher
App he included the blessings and prayers over food,
although he already had them
in his iSiddur.
Rabbi Shmuel Marcus lives with his
wife and children in Cypress California where they run Chabad of Cypress.
Marcus is a singer-songwriter who
performs under the name 8th Day. He
is also the author of Chicken Kiev, The
Ballad of the Yarmulka Kid, and is currently the editor of this magazine.
Read more at www.meaningfullife.com.
Maybe it is for this reason that it’s the
art form that most instantaneously
has an effect on a person on a spiritual level.
That's why I think you should be very
careful with your music intake. There
is this unseen soul transmission from
performer to audience that happens
in the artist listener dynamic, that is
perhaps, more powerful than a painting depicting a message or idea.
So listen carefully.