I just returned from New York where I traveled with Menny so that he could pray on his actual 13th birthday, at the holy resting place of our dear Rebbe. It was so special to see him make his first Bracha while laying his Tefillin, visit the grave of my mother of blessed memory, be called to the Torah for his first Aliyah in the Rebbe’s study at 770, and see him be enveloped with so much. Yet, on the night of his Bar Mitzvah, as he was about to crash after a long day, our host Daniel said “Menny, do you want to Daven with Minyan for your first Krias Shema D’Oraysa (biblically mandated recitation of the Shema)?”. He said “of course” and off we went to pray his first formal service as a Jewish man.

In this week’s double Torah portion, Acharei-Kedoshim, we are introduced to many of the interpersonal Mitzvos infused with kindness and compassion. The Torah commands us not to take revenge, not to hold grudges, not to hate your fellow in your heart and of course to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. Chavie and I strive to live our lives infused with these values of goodness, valuing humanity non-judgmentally. It’s not always easy and the “vibe” out there isn’t always one that invokes good feelings, but every time we choose to be kind, no matter how it’s received or reciprocated, we feel how right it us, doing our part to create a kind world and minimize animosity, division and chaos.

Visiting New York and hanging out with friends and family does something powerful to my soul. While I can’t stand the traffic, potholes and the city mentality, our family is blessed to have a “village” that really loves us, and for that I am eternally grateful. Wherever Menny and I turned, another friend or relative was there to shower me and my boy with love, and no matter how “independent” I think I am, it’s such a good feeling to have be surrounded by genuine love. As I departed La Guardia, heading home, my heart was full with gratitude to Hashem for arriving at this milestone and grateful to all those He has placed in our life, each of whom is a Bracha.

Give thanks to the Lord because He is good, for His kindness is eternal!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!

Chana Laya and Zeesy were spending time with friends, Chavie and I were busy, but Menny was “bored” until I said “Menny, why don’t we hike the M?”. On Sunday, the three of us, along with Chaya, who was home for Pesach break, hiked the M and enjoyed the views, the silent nature and even a 15–20-minute downpour along the way. While I have an awesome trainer, Aaron, my workouts are mostly focused on building strength through weightlifting and working on flexibility and balance. Halfway up the M it became clear that I need more cardio in my life to get blood flowing and to stay heart-healthy, so, a new plan was hatched with aerobics.

In this week’s double Torah portion, Tazria-Metzora, we read about a gossiper, someone who speaks negatively (Lashon Hara) about others, and is punished by G-d with Tza’raas. Sometimes the negativity is shared maliciously, because the “speaker” is rotten on the inside and wants to hurt the other person about whom they’re speaking. Yet, too often, good people, who aren’t nasty, end up gossiping because it just lands in their lap and they feel like casually sharing. Whether you are in category one or two, the bottom line is that talking about others is unnecessary. Unless you show up as a friend or seeking to help an individual, the realities of other people’s lives shouldn’t be the topic of your conversation. If one is empty on the inside, they seek to fill that void by seeing the negative in others, making them feel “ok” in comparison, which is so wrong. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds talk about others”.

While hiking, we observed the beauty of Bozeman from 6,000 feet, we followed the incoming, and outgoing, thunderstorm, we chitchatted with other hikers, conversed about how blessed we are to live in Bozeman, and we discussed school, Bar Mitzvah, workout regimen and even enjoyed Menny laying Tefillin at the M. It’s a myth that we “must” talk about others, it’s simply not true. G-d spent almost two full Torah portions reminding us that our internal wellbeing never benefits when maligning others or spreading rumors. Yes, it may be the social norm, but we don’t need to participate. Get a life and you won’t need to talk about the lives of others.

And if nothing else works; take a hike!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!