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Rabbi's Weekly Message

Haman without TikTok!

March 22, 2024

Earlier this week I took Zeesy and Chana Laya for an eye checkup with Dr. Julia Dunnavant of Gallatin Valley Vision. Julia is a member of our Jewish community, an amazing optometrist, who knows how to deal with spirited kids like Chana Laya and get them to follow instructions. While sitting there, it dawned upon me that eyesight, and vision, seeing past the present moment, is so important. When Alexander the Great asked the sages of Israel: Who is truly worthy of being called wise? They said to him, citing Jewish tradition, “Who is the wise person? The one who sees into the future”; being able to look down the road.

On Sunday we will celebrate Purim.

Jews will gather from Odessa to Barbados to mark our victory over Haman. We will recognize the courageous intervention of Queen Esther, as G-d guided her, miraculously, to save Jewry. Though Haman and his wicked sons didn’t have TikTok and X, they spewed their vicious antisemitism everywhere possible and encouraged their government to go after the Jews. Like “good” Jew-haters, they incited many others across Achashverosh’s Persian Empire, claiming that the Jews were different, their traditions were annoying and they gotta go. Yet, what the haters forgot is a basic premise of life: Jews are indestructible. We make mistakes, we get into trouble, we forsake G-d on occasion, but G-d loves His people, the ones He “married” at Sinai, and when we are inspired by spiritual masters like Mordechai, and repent with prayer, fasting and bitter tears of return, G-d takes care of us and gives the Esther’s of the world the inspiration to save their nation.

So, to Haman’s cowardly grandchildren in Hamas, UNRWA, and those of you hiding in the US State Department, you’d be wise to look into the future. The future is bright and peaceful, filled with Jews and peace-loving humans celebrating life with meaning and joy. Haman and his ilk will stand by in shock watching as the Jews persevere. Sorry, but the harassment outside Synagogues and schools, on social media and at groceries, won’t intimidate or stop us. I don’t want our enemies to hang from the gallows like Haman and his ten sons, I don’t want haters to G-d forbid die like the 75,000 antisemites who lost their life during the Purim story, but I do want to see changing hearts. I pray, I hope, that the haters see the evil in their choices, to see the harm they’re causing by aligning with rapists and baby-butchers, and have the courage to stand up and say, “we are sorry”. The Jews will survive, we always do, but you will walk in shame, eternally, knowing that you stood with evil terrorists like Haman instead of holy Jews like Mordechai.

A Freilichen Purim!

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!

Petey, our furry friend!

March 15, 2024

Ten days ago, Petey, one of our goldendoodles, underwent an emergency surgery due to an intestinal obstruction and once they opened him up, we received the dreaded call. The veterinarian, hoping to remove the obstruction, realized that Petey’s compulsive behavior of swallowing non-food items whenever he could, destroyed his intestinal tissue, and the damage was irreparable. Making the hard choice with guidance from the vet and Petey’s trainer, he wasn’t awakened from surgery, ensuring that he didn’t spend his final months in terrible agony. It came as a total shock and our family is adjusting to the loss.

In this week’s Torah portion, Pekudei, the final portion in Exodus, we read about the journeys that Jewry would experience in the desert until they entered the Holy Land. We are taught that each encampment, whether for a day or a decade, was treated with permanence. The Mishkan was erected, the cloud of Divine glory would hover from above, the service in the Tabernacle would fully ensue, and this would happen at forty-two locales during the forty years of traversing. The journey of the Jews had ups and downs, and the role of the Jews was to go with flow and recognize that each moment is ordained and guided by Almighty G-d to the very last detail.

The journey of life is remarkable.

The idea of owning a dog was never on my wish-list. Welcoming two eighty-pound goldendoodles into our home was something that landed on our plate, encouraged by therapists, and referred to us by our dear friend Pam. Petey and Ezzy have been a wonderful addition to our household, even with the challenges of caring for two furry friends who were adopted at eight-years-old and not trained with us as puppies. We will miss Petey and care for Ezzy, while celebrating the ever-changing journey that G-d creates for us, ensuring that we are always on our toes, learning to adapt and see the beauty in all of Hashem’s creations.

Embrace the journey; it’s meant for you!

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!

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Chabad Lubavitch
Of Montana

1610 Ellis Street Suite 2B
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-577-2078

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