Baruch Hashem!

Shalom Y’all,

It is amazing how two simple words can express so much.

We all heard the saying ‘there is no atheist in a fox hole.’ I am not sure about the accuracy of it, however it does seem more usual for people to reach out and seek help, advice, blessings, etc. in times of need, and much less so for them to follow up when things turn out alright, when things are good.

My teacher, mentor and guide, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, OBM would receive hundreds of pieces of mail a day. These letters where usually full of requests for blessings in all areas of life, family, health and livelihood. In his response, The Rebbe would often ask that people share the good news as well.

Following a class about the soul, Dr. M. once shared with me that he finds time daily to think about and thank G-d for all the good things and blessings in his life. It was inspirational to hear that. If we focused, we can all find plenty to thank Hashem for.

Recently, DovBer and I had an awesome trip to Israel for Zach Kaplan’s Bar Mitzvah. We had safe travels, stayed healthy, a fun time and learned quite a bit as well, plenty of reason to be grateful to Hashem.

Wendy K., who used to live in OKC and helped us here at Chabad, recently posted her face book page;
BARUCH HASHEM! Out of pregnancy I was blessed with the most perfect baby girl AND this morning learned I lost my life-threatening food allergy! Food challenge was successful, big weight I can stop carrying around. G-D work in amazing ways!

I hope you take a few moments to think about all the things in your life you can thank G-d for.

When you’re done thinking -- express it by saying Baruch Hashem – Thank G-d! When someone asks you how you are doing, again you can respond Baruch Hashem, well! How is business, Baruch Hashem, fine!

The Baal Shemtov taught that the sound of those two simple words is music to G-d’s ears.

Shabat Shalom,
Rabbi Ovadia Goldman

Community Rosh Hashana Dinner

Wednesday September 4, following services

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Chaim’s Deli and Dogs

Sunday September 22, 2013

Details to follow

Begins Wednesday October 27, 2013

I'll ask this only once: What has Israel ever done to us?
Demonised by many, the embattled state treats Palestinians better than most, says a puzzled Carol Hunt

War

By Yanki Tauber

To love one's fellow as oneself, the Talmud tells us, is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary. "There is no service like the service of love," declares the Zohar. "Peace" is not just a word, says another Talmudic adage -- it is the very name of G-d; indeed, "the Torah was given only to make peace in the world." To again cite the Talmud, "Three traits distinguish the people of Israel: they are compassionate, bashful and charitable"; if someone lacks these traits, we are led to doubt their Jewishness. Even when we are compelled, as a society, to punish criminals or wage wars, we do so reluctantly, without passion, certainly without hate.

Love is the hallmark of Judaism. Some of us even claim that we taught that word to the world.

This Shabbat, however, we will stand in our synagogues and listen to a reading from the Torah (Deuteronomy 25:17-19) that tells us to hate. "Remember what Amalek did to you..." we read. "Eradicate the memory of Amalek from under the heavens; do not forget!"

Amalek was not the only nation to attack us; in the course of our 4,000 year history, there were many others who did the same, and worse. Yet Amalek is singled out as the very essence of evil. There was no rational reason for Amalek's attack on us, no conceivable gain in doing so. Amalek simply hates goodness and seeks to destroy it wherever it flourishes in G-d's world.

Yes, we are enjoined to love all G-d's creatures and creations, including the less loveable ones amongst them. But when pure hatred rears its head, it must be destroyed. Because if you love G-d's world, you don't feed love to the forces that would destroy it.

In the wise words of our sages: "He who is compassionate to the cruel, ends up being cruel to the compassionate."

G ‑ d says to us: “You messed up? Then try again. You blew it? Then her e is what you have to do. You forgot? Then next time, try to remember. You forgot a second time? Try a third time.”
- Rabbi Manis Friedman

A man said to his wife one day, 'I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.

'The wife responded, 'Allow me to explain.

Our creator made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;

He made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!

(Thanks to Dr. Paul Silverstein)