Rabbi E in 3

Chanukah is the festival of lights, a time of great illumination--in both the physical sense (as embodied in the candles of the menorah we kindle at nightfall), and in the spiritual sense of (re)opening our eyes and hearts to appreciate the hand of G-d in Jewish history. But as we enjoy the glow of that steadily increasing light--and, indeed, as part of that very experience enjoyment--we also need to think about the tremendous darkness that preceded the miraculous salvation. It was a time of terrible decrees and persecution against us, focusing on stamping out observance of the Torah and its commandments, our unique (and holy) Jewish way of life that stood opposed to the prevailing pagan, Hellenistic culture of the time. The joy we feel today as we celebrate Chanukah should surely include our gratitude to be living in a time (by and large) of being able to proudly and openly observe the Torah, and practice our Judaism.

The "small" act of kindling the candles of the Menorah is a very big deal. It's a declaration of individual dedication to the Jewish people (and its history); it's a dedication of one's home to Jewish ideals and to the mission of being a "holy people" and light to the nations...and it's a huge illumination for your OWN neshama (soul)--which is itself likened to a "candle" sent into your body (and this world) to dispel the darkness!

8 miraculous days of illumination...and 8 (miraculously?) consecutive episodes of Rabbi E in 3! Chanukah is truthfully a far more important and meaningful holiday than many suppose. If we get beyond the latkes and donuts (while enjoying them, of course) to think about it more deeply, we can find much to inspire us. The awesome power of self-sacrifice, the miraculous spirit and survival of the Jewish people through dark times of persecution (and against all odds), the uniqueness of the Torah and the mitzvot: these are just some of the uplifting lessons that we can re-learn each year. Chanukah also CHALLENGES each one of us-I would argue--to take an honest look at how much we are influenced (positively and negatively) by the powerful allure of the culture around us. Join me as I explore many of these themes in 8 consecutive, illuminating episodes of Rabbi E in 3!

Welcome to my birthday edition of Rabbi E in 3! November 3rd is MY special day...the day, to paraphrase a great Sage, when (many years ago, won't say how many just now), G-d decided the world could not exist without me!! (Or this podcast?!) A birthday is an opportune time to realize how supremely important each and every one of us is, and to feel overwhelming gratitude to be alive....and maybe even to bestow some sincere blessings that are inspired by that sense of joy. Truthfully, EACH AND EVERY DAY we should remember how important we are, and how much faith Hashem has in each one of us to live up to our potential. But a birthday is at the next level, perhaps...dialing up the amp to number 11 (above 10), baby boomer reference there for those who catch it! So, in place of sending me presents, give me downloads (!)...and please tune in for MY birthday thoughts and blessings!

The Jewish definition of strength has nothing to do with bench presses or push ups...though those might help someone get into shape, or at least develop some seriously bulging musculature! (Not that I, Rabbi E, would know...talk to me about treadmills, not barbells.) In Jewish ethical thought, "strength" is defined as the ability to control or check our potentially destructive and damaging impulses, desires, passions. "Ben Zoma says: "Who is strong? One who can subdue an impulse." [Pirkei Avos: 4, 1] It's a hard job, and one to keep us busy our whole lives, that's for sure. But someone--or rather, every single one of us--has to try to do it. So my friends (and, yes, myself): BE STRONG, and let's exercise that muscle of self-control!

A great Jewish Sage, Rabbi Tarfon, summarized the Jewish view of life in a famous and evocative aphorism: "The day is short, the job is huge, and the workers are lazy; the pay is great and the Master is pressing." We have a huge job to do--elevating and rectifying ourselves AND the world--and the instructions to get it done (our Torah and its commandments), and Hashem wants us to do as much as we can (no more, but no less). And we get a tremendous reward for our work...more specifically, for our EFFORT!!! Time is short, and we tend to err on the lazy side for various reasons (myself included). Tune in to this episode as I discuss. Get busy, do your best...don't freak out. (Those are my words, not Rabbi Tarfon's!)

In traditional Jewish wisdom, every letter of the Hebrew alphabet corresponds to a number. Many profound insights can be derived through connecting words and verses in the Torah that share the same numerical value--a method of textual interpretation known as "gematria." Well, when I happened to notice that this would be my 32nd episode since first launching this podcast back in November of 2020, I thought immediately of the Hebrew word, "lev," that has the numerical value of...32. I decided I had to seize the opportunity, and devote episode # 32 to examining the crucial importance of lev (heart) in our service of G-d as Jews (and human beings). "The Merciful One desires the heart," as our Sages famously teach, meaning that G-d wants us not just to mechanically perform mitzvot (commandments) with our limbs, or ritualistically utter words of prayer or blessing with our lips , but to have a sincere inner motivation to draw ourselves close to Him--and to elevate ourselves and the world--THROUGH those actions and words. And to do them with the greatest attention possible...with all our heart (lev)! So have a heart...and give episode #32 a listen!

The Jewish festival of Sukkot may be just about over...but its precious lessons on how to live our lives with joy (simcha) can stay with us--and guide us--throughout the whole year!

Yom Kippur is an unbelievable gift to the Jewish people, a day not to grumble about how hungry we may be (or think about how our stomachs are grumbling from the fast!)...but to rejoice at the opportunity to RETURN to our deepest selves and to REGAIN our inner purity and freedom. Not to mention the blessing of restoring love and harmony between ourselves and our fellow human beings...and between ourselves and Hashem, who is "Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King). What are the actual steps we need to take to RETURN? Tune in to this short and sweet overview of Yom Kippur as I, Rabbi E, SING to you those simple steps of teshuva ("return") in a melody from my childhood. Which is kind of appropriate, as we are approaching G-d, in a sense, like wayward children who now want to return and be reconciled with their loving parent. (Who has been waiting for us all along.) If we SINCERELY express that we are sorry, and that we truly want to do better in the year to come, then Hashem will forgive us AND purify us.

The first 10 days of the Jewish year, from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, form a discrete unit in time, uniquely powerful in their potential for inspiration, transformation...RE-CREATION! They are known as 10 Days of Teshuva, or "return." The opportunity to reconnect more strongly with our deeper selves, and with our purest desires for a purposeful life...as well as with our fellow human beings, with the Torah and its wisdom...and with G-d! It takes effort, sure, but we can GLIDE FORWARD in these 10 days with a special speed and exhilaration unlike any other time in the year. That's why I like to refer to them as...ZAMBONI DAYS. Wishing you very happy skating....and a sweet, good year!