Universal Mission
It’s All in the Head
David Chase, a Holocaust survivor, businessman and philanthropist who led many important charitable efforts for Jewish communities around the globe, once shared an inspiring episode.
Chase maintained the practice of praying in Tallit and Tefillin daily—even aboard airplanes and his personal yacht. In following the Talmudic dictum to face towards Jerusalem while praying, Chase regularly asked his captain, a non-Jew named Nick Winters, of the ship’s position and projected route.
After a few days, Winters was perplexed by Chase’s repeated questions and asked if his employer had been learning the principles of marine navigation. “Oh no,” Chase replied, explaining that he needed to know the information for religious purposes.
Israel
Israel- Our Home
As we watch in horror the merciless murders, maiming, and kidnappings of our brothers and sisters in the Land of Israel by evil terrorists, may G-d protect us. What can we do to contribute to the war effort against our enemies?
Let us be clear: this war is not about so-called "settlers in disputed territories”. It is not just an attack on Israeli citizens; rather, it is an attack on every Jew wherever we are in the world.
As we have seen, these barbaric anti-Semites attack without discrimination. Age, gender, or religious affiliation doesn't matter; a Jew is a Jew is a Jew.
Throughout our long history, numerous nations have attempted to destroy us, from the ancient Egyptians, Amalekites, and Romans to Nazi Germany and Islamic Jihadist Terrorists. But every time, we have endured and emerged victorious.
Politics
Remaining Nonpartisan
During the turbulent early 20th century, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (1880–1950), known as the Previous Rebbe, was once traveling by train to Petersburg. In his car were noblemen, clergy, and a group of Jewish students. Before long, a heated discussion arose on the topic of ideal systems of government.
At that time, the world was alive with competing "isms"—socialism, communism, capitalism, pacifism, fascism, and more. This debate, however, took a Jewish perspective, with each participant presenting various Torah-based arguments for their preferred approach to governance.
Israel
Peace Through Strength
Rivka Ravitz, a mother of 12, had achieved a historic milestone as the first woman and religious individual to serve as Chief of Staff for a President of Israel.
During a recent interview, Ravitz reflected on the numerous opportunities she had to meet with world leaders and the admiration they expressed for her unwavering commitment to upholding her Jewish values and raising a large family while fulfilling her duties in a prominent position.
Recounting a particular meeting at the White House in July 2021 with Israel's outgoing president, Reuven Rivlin, Ravitz shared that President Biden warmly welcomed her and extended his hand in greeting.
Morality
An Objective Truth
Elie Wiesel, an author, Nobel Prize laureate, and renowned Holocaust survivor, once recounted his visit to Brooklyn in the early '60s to meet with the Rebbe, M.M. Schneerson.
Wiesel posed a poignant question to the Rebbe, asking, "How can you believe in G-d after Auschwitz?" The Rebbe responded by looking at him in silence, his hands resting on the table. After a moment, he shed a tear and softly replied, "In whom do you expect me to believe after Auschwitz? In man?"
The appalling massacres on Simchat Torah, October 7th, and the subsequent global response, or lack thereof, have deeply affected us all. It raises the question of how such barbaric evil persists in a modern civilized world. Furthermore, how can seemingly sophisticated institutions, professors, and Ivy League students support mass murder and call for the genocide of the Jewish people? What steps can we take to redirect society and educate our youth to ensure a stable and moral future?
A Moment of Silence
A Moment of Silence
Depicted over the gallery doors of the House Chamber in the U.S. Capitol are 23 historical figures noted for their work in establishing the principles that underlie American law.
Moses, is in the center, facing forward, with 11 portraits on either side facing right and left toward him. Of course, this is in recognition of the fact that the foundations of a moral and ethical society must be predicated on a belief in G-d as transmitted to Moses, the Jewish people and, by extension, the whole world at Mount Sinai.
In the U.S. supreme court, the Ten Commandments are displayed as Hebrew-inscribed tablets held by Moses, one of a series of historical figures who look down on the justices.
Jewish Identity
A Lesson from Scooter Braun
At a recent StandWithUs Gala Dinner, entrepreneur and record executive Scooter Braun shared a lesson he had learned from his grandparents, survivors of Auschwitz and Dachau: “Never be afraid again.”
He turned to his three young children, aged 5-8, seated in the audience, and asked, “What do I teach you?”
Without hesitation, his children shouted in unison, “Ich bin a Yiddish Keend” (Yiddish for “I am a Jewish child”).
G-d
But Where is G-d?
Eliot Lasky, who was born to Holocaust survivors, grew up in a traditional Jewish family. At the age of 18, he left school and eventually joined the Rolling Stones on their American tour during the height of the hippie era. In this time, Eliot desired to fit in more than anything else.
As time went on, the allure of his new lifestyle faded, and he found himself grappling with profound philosophical questions about faith and life in general. One question in particular kept recurring in his mind: "How can Judaism be right while the rest of the world is wrong?" Upon seeking advice from a friendly rabbi, he was directed to seek counsel from the Rebbe.
The Justice System
The Justice System
Having an established justice system is a bedrock of any civilized society. Without law and order, the world would be a very chaotic and dangerous place. Our Sages state, “pray for the welfare of the government, for were it not for the fear it inspires, every man would swallow his neighbor alive (Ethics of our Fathers 3:2)”.
In this week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, we learn about the Mitzvah of appointing judges and law enforcement officials. As stated, “You shall appoint judges and officials for your tribes, in all the settlements that the Lord your G-d is giving you, and they shall govern the people with due justice (Deuteronomy 16:18)”.