Rabbi's Blog - The Shul of Bellaire

Do you have both eyes open?

Monday, September 29, 2025 - 9:23 AM

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the message was about living Judaism with both eyes open: one eye keenly aware of the ugliness of antisemitism, the other lifted by the splendor of Judaism. One eye on our struggles, the other on the pride and miracle of our glorious existence.

Too often, Jews see Judaism through only one eye, the eye of pain and hatred, while the other eye, meant to take in the beauty, depth, and joy of Am Yisrael, remains shut. The call of our time is to open both eyes: to see clearly the richness and light of Jewish life by making Jewish education and observance for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren a top priority.

Nearly every hand in the room went up when audience members were invited to commit to an extra mitzvah in the year ahead, deepening their Jewish identity and pride!

Already during Kiddush lunch, one woman said she is coming back to Shul this Shabbat. Another person shared that he plans to begin attending Shabbat services regularly this year. Two others approached and committed that from any business they do, they will contribute 10% to charity.

Moments like these remind me of the incredible strength and potential of our people and our community. I am excited to see all the wonderful growth as we continue to celebrate the holidays in the coming weeks and throughout the year ahead.

Can You See the Light in Yourself and Others?

Sunday, September 21, 2025 - 9:32 AM

As we prepare to enter the new year this coming Tuesday, the call of the hour is to reflect on the past year and consider how we can do even better in the year ahead.

It is inevitable that we will come across regrettable moments in the past year that we wish did not happen, whether something we said or did. But here is something essential to keep in mind as we go about this work:

At our core, each of us is pure and good.

Deep down, we all want to do the right thing. If we slipped at times over the past year, it was not because of who we truly are, but because of outside influences that got the better of us. That means our mistakes do not define us. We can let them go. What does define us is that we are each a child of the Almighty, full of light and love.

The best way to ensure that G-d too looks at us in that light is for us to look at others the same way. When we choose to see people not through the lens of their missteps but through the truth of who they are at the core, pure, innocent and filled with goodness, we help open the channel for G-d to view us likewise. G-d reciprocates our behavior toward others.

The Torah this week puts it powerfully: “You saw the abominations of Egypt… and your hearts turned away.” It was the outside influences only that distorted their true essence. Their hearts were pure, it was only what they saw that led them astray.

When we learn to see ourselves and others in their purest form, we clear the way for blessings, preparing us for a year ahead filled with light, love, and the fulfillment of our deepest dreams in 5786.

Is Change Even Possible in the Year Ahead?

Friday, September 12, 2025 - 4:46 PM

When approaching a new year, I often notice two very different attitudes.

One says, “So what? It’s just another year. Nothing will really change. Next year will be more of the same me, the same everything.” And when you look around, it can be tempting to agree. Political discourse has sunk to unprecedented lows, even spilling into horrific violence. Society feels more divided than ever. It is easy to lose hope and expect nothing better ahead, personally or collectively.

The other attitude sees a new year as a fresh opportunity, a chance to grow, to advance, and to tap into potential that has not yet been realized.

But here’s the question: why? Just because the number on our phone calendar changes, or we replace the old calendar on the wall with a new one, does that really mean it is time to be excited?

Here’s the thing: Some view life as a cycle that repeats endlessly. Judaism, however, teaches a very different perspective. Yes, the cycle of the year repeats, but it is not simply duplicating the same energy as before. Think of it like a spiral staircase: even though you circle around, you are not standing in the same place. You may be on the same side, but you are now on a higher level.

The calendar may seem to repeat itself, with Rosh Hashanah coming “again,” but in truth we are standing on a higher step, receiving fresh, unprecedented Divine energy that is released into the world with the arrival of a new year.

In fact, the word Shanah itself carries a dual meaning: to repeat and to change. With the right mindset, the chances are far greater that this year will indeed become HaShanah – “the” year. The Divine boost is already provided, but we cannot remain passive. We must claim it.

Let us prepare now to show up this Rosh Hashanah, ourselves and with our families. Starting the year on the right foot can make all the difference, helping us grow personally while also bringing much-needed light and healing to a deeply fractured world.

What Really Makes a Marriage Last?

Monday, September 8, 2025 - 9:48 AM

It's no secret that relationships of all kinds can be a struggle. In the US, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce. After all, how is it even possible for a man and a woman, wired so differently, to build a lasting relationship together?

The Torah actually speaks about this idea of ‘cross-breeding’, mixing things that are naturally different. It prohibits: wearing a garment made of both wool and linen (Shatnez), plowing with an ox and a donkey together, planting different species in the same field, and of course, cooking or eating meat and milk together. Many explain these prohibitions as the result of spiritual forces that are in conflict and cannot successfully merge.

But there is one exception. Wool and linen were combined in the garments of the High Priest, and even in a tallit under certain circumstances. Why would the Torah allow this? Because when it comes to fulfilling a mitzvah, for a higher, holy purpose, even very different natures can come together. The divine commandment overrides their differences, and their shared mission allows them to unite in harmony.

So what is the secret to a long-lasting, happy marriage?

A man and woman each bring their own personality, habits, and needs. They try to accommodate one another, but sometimes they clash. Yet each also has a relationship with G-d that runs deeper than their more superficial preferences. It’s there that they can truly unite. When they devote themselves to building a home and family on that sacred foundation, they can rise above personal likes and dislikes. One may prefer the beach, the other the mountains. One may be an early riser, the other a night owl. But when it comes to their divine purpose, they are one team.

The same is true in business. When partners are motivated not only by profit but also by a higher mission, using their success to give and make a difference, that shared purpose becomes the glue that holds them together, even through challenges.

As the High Holidays approach, let’s bring G‑d into our homes and workspaces, with a mezuzah, kosher food, or a visible charity box, turning everyday spaces into reminders of our shared purpose.