Educating the Extraordinary

On the way to “bless” the Benei Yisroel, Bilam’s donkey saw Hashem’s angel with a drawn sword in its hand. Fearing for its life and the life of its master, the donkey tried to prevent Bilam from proceeding with his journey. At first the donkey strayed from the path, then, when passing through a narrow passage, the donkey leaned into the wall, crushing Bilam’s foot. Finally, the donkey sat down on the road and refused to continue traveling.

Not having seen the angel himself, Bilam thought that the donkey was being disobedient. He reacted the way any master would when addressing a disobedient animal; he hit the donkey each of the three times it deviated from what he wanted it to do.

In the end, Hashem opened Bilam’s eyes, and he saw the angel who then criticized Bilam, “Why did you hit your donkey three times…?”

No Compromise

In honor of Yud Beis Tammuz – the Frierdiker Rebbe’s birthday and day of liberation from Soviet prison. 

When the Russian government systematically shut down the Jewish infrastructure in Russia, the Frierdiker Rebbe sent his students to reopen the Mikvaos, schools, etc. Without regard to personal suffering or hardship, these holy students carried out this mission, oftentimes giving up their very lives in doing so. HY”D.

Undeterred by the relentless efforts to of the Russian government, the Frierdiker Rebbe forged ahead.

Disregarding the terrible danger he was putting himself in, the Rebbe single-handedly ran the operation of keeping the Jewish flame alive in Russia.

A Blessing for Life

There is a custom among Zanz-Klausenberg Chassidim that the Rebbe throws apples to his followers, and it is said that the one who catches one is blessed with immense riches for the coming year.

Understandably, the large crowd of Chassidim who push to get an apple creates a potentially dangerous situation.

One year, the son of the Divrei Chaim of Zanz asked his father to abolish this custom. After refusing to uproot a custom that was kept for so many years, the son asked that the Rebbe at least announce that whoever will push, will receive ten years of poverty R”L instead of a blessing for riches. Again, the Rebbe refused. “The Chassidim come to be for Brochos, and I will give them the opposite?”

Of Seeds and Saplings - Part 3

Per a recent comment, here is a discussion on where, how and why compromises affect children.

To understand this we need to elaborate a little more on the analogy of the sapling... 

A sapling is pure and fragile. Its entire future hangs in the balance of proper nurture and protection throughout its "saplinghood". It requires proper nurture and care.

Of equal importance, it must also be guarded from extreme weather and protected from any damage. With a proper commitment, it will develop into a strong, healthy tree, capable of withstanding the toughest conditions and climates - even dents and scratches.

However, if it is exposed - even just barely - to rough elements, or sustains even a tiny damage early on, the effects will be evident in its poor development, and incapability of weathering even the slightest changes in climate later on.

Of Seeds and Saplings - Part 2

Psychiatrist: Do you hear voices?
Patient: No.
Psychiatrist: Do you ever think of hurting yourself?
Patient: No.
Psychiatrist: Do you steal?
Patient: No.
Psychiatrist: Do you drink? Smoke?
Patient: No, and no.
Psychiatrist: So why are you here?
Patient: Well… I have this problem; I tend to lie a little.

***

על כל פשעים תכסה האהבה

As humans, we often excuse or even ignore our faults or those of someone we love.

While this trait can be utilized to overcome differences between people and their loved ones, the Yetzer Hara utilizes this natural tendency to excuse the weakening of our resolve in giving our children a Torah-true Chinuch.

My Relationship with Hashem - Do I Have One?

Do I have a relationship with Hashem?

The simple answer is: Yes. Every single Jew has a personal and unique relationship with Hashem. 

But, do I sense my relationship with Hashem?  And if I do, does it bring up feelings of love? Anger? Indifference?  

***

Learning Torah and doing Mitzvos is valued by Hashem, even when it is done by rote or without specific intention to develop a relationship with Him. However, such an Avodah lacks the vitality and warmth that is the hallmark of a real relationship with Hashem. 

In order for our Avodah to have vitality, warmth and purpose, we need to give it meaning by developing our relationship with Hashem.

You may find the following "self-test" helpful for getting an idea of the current state of your relationship with Hashem, and use the ideas and inspiration below to further enhance it.

Of Seeds and Saplings - Part 1

The farmer's son was returning from the market with the crate of chickens his father had entrusted to him, when all of a sudden the box fell and broke open. Chickens scurried off in different directions, but the determined boy walked all over the neighborhood, scooping up the wayward birds and returned them to the repaired crate.

Hoping he had found them all, the boy returned home...

"Pa, the chickens got loose," the boy confessed sadly, "but I managed to find all twelve of them."

"Well, you did real good, son," the farmer beamed. "I sent you home with seven."

***

We Daven to Hashem that we merit seeing the results of our Avodah. Sometimes Hashem blesses us with results that surpass our expectations. Other times, we need a strong Emunah and Bitachon to stay committed...

One Baby, One Message

In one of the most famous court cases ever recorded, Shlomo Hamelech was asked to rule on a truly difficult case: the two women who each claimed that the baby belonged to them. The wise king ruled that the baby should be split (!), and each woman would get one half of the baby. 

Immediately one woman cried out in protest and said that she gives up her claim to the baby, lest the baby be hurt. Shlomo Hamelech then granted the baby to her, because she was obviously the natural mother, having exhibited the true motherly love to a child.

While the logic seems pretty straightforward, there is something puzzling about the ruling. How did Shlomo Hamelech take the risk of ordering to "split the baby"? Is it not possible that the other woman would have protested and ask not to cut it? Or, perhaps the real mother would be so shocked, that by the time she realized what was happening, her baby would be...?

How did Shlomo Hamelech take this risk?

We Are Now Dot Com

Mr. Fisherman once went to Mr. Sign-maker to design a placard for his marketplace stall. the sign would read: "We Sell Fresh Fish Daily Here". 

After figuring the cost of materials and labor Mr. Fisherman realized that he needed to seriously shorten his message to stay within his budget. 

"Well, obviously the fish would be sold "here", why else would I put the sign up at this stall? And I'm obviously selling the fish, not giving it away... and who else owns this stall if not the "we" standing there? And people can see that it's fish, and they can smell that it's fresh... and that we do this every day..." He left without making the sign.

***

While we are did not do away with our name completely, we did shorten our web address to www.hereforhashem.com .We hope this change will make it easier to share our blog with others... 

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Silly Fish

Based on a letter from the Rebbe - 10 Sivan 1981

There are things that Man is able to control and change, and those which he cannot.

In general, the faculties of thought, speech and action are given to Man to control. He can use his thoughts, speech and action as he wishes. However, his essence, being a Human, and the details of his creation such as his eye color, skin color, etc... These - his very being - he cannot change.

The essence of a Jew is the same. It cannot be changed.

Regardless of where a Jew lives, his level of education, religious observance, occupation, etc. since he is a Jew, a part of the Jewish nation, he or she is a child of Avraham, Yitzchok, Yakov, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah.