In light of the tragic and sudden passing of Chabad emissary Mrs. Rashi Minkowicz of Alpharetta, GA, I share with you an article written by my colleague Rabbi Yossi Deren of Greenwich, CT:
Joy. Most people in today's world think of "joy" or “happiness” as an end unto itself, a destination. Much of their lives' efforts are directed toward that end, employing whatever resources they can access - money, friends, family - in order to achieve that (elusive) goal of happiness.
Torah says otherwise. King David writes (Psalms 100:2) that we must "Serve G-d with Joy!". That means that joy is a service, a tool, a means to a greater end - of bringing us closer to G-d.
Instead of employing everything around us in OUR service so that it brings us joy, Torah tells us to employ Joy in the service of G-d so that we are brought closer to Him. Pursue Joy - says the Torah - because the strength that it brings us is simply Divine. Literally. When a person is joyous, enthusiastic and excited, there is absolutely nothing that stands in his or her way. All barriers between man and man, and between man and G-d, simply fall away. Which brings us to a profound irony: the most meaningful use of the power of Joy and its power to bring us closer to G-d, is precisely when we can't think of it - when we are overwhelmed by sadness and grief.
Mr. Hersh Gansbourg was a young Chabad Chasid who lived in the Lubavitch community in Brooklyn, NY. On Sukkot in 1969 his wife Rashi passed away, leaving him with their 5 young children. The small, tight-knit community was shocked. You could feel the pain and sadness in the air. "Festival of Joy?....". The holiday reached its peak on Simchat-Torah and Hersh held his children's hands tightly in his own as they walked into a local Synagogue for the traditional dancing. Dance? Yes, dance. But he didn't just dance. He gave it his all! "It's Simchat Torah - G-d wants us to be happy!". The congregants looked on in amazement as this young widower with 5 orphans in tow - who had yet to even begin sitting Shiva - gave expression to an unparalleled fulfillment of the mitzvah to "Serve G-d with Joy!". Who could see this sight and not be moved?
2 hours later, in a late-night holiday Farbrengen at Chabad's main synagogue, Reb Hersh once again burst out in a loud, enthusiastic song and dance. As his voice pierced the heavens - and the hearts of the thousands who stood around - the Lubavitcher Rebbe himself jumped out of his chair and began passionately clapping his hands, wildly encouraging the throngs to join Hersh in his heavenly dance. And dance they did!
44 years later, on Erev Sukkot 2013, a young Chabad emissary to Fort Lauderdale, Mrs. Shaindy Lieberman, passed on. Her niece is Mrs. Rashi Minkowitz, a granddaughter of the above mentioned Reb Hersh and namesake of his young wife. Rashi wrote these words to her grieving siblings and family:
"This Friday is Bubby Rashi's yartzeit and I keep thinking today of the story of how zaidy Gansbourg was dancing on Simchas Torah just a few days after Bubby Rashi died - with such intense joy. I keep asking myself what am I taking from today's tragedy and the yartzeit of Bubby Rashi... As my bitter tears fall into my mixing bowl I can't help but wonder if Zaidy Gansbourg would be proud of my falling apart. Would he be looking down and seeing that we r truly living his message or are we falling apart which is the easy way out. Obviously we know what we need to do. Somehow we need to transform the energy of our crying into joy because joy is as productive as sadness is destructive...
To be joyful in face of unbearable sadness is the hardest challenge of all. But Zaidy did it as a true chassid and an entirely G-dly man. We need to take his lead and triumph over our natural reactions to this crazy world of pain and darkness. If G-d could be crazy so can we. Crazy enough to accept His challenge and forge ahead. Just rambling but I need to keep saying this so I don't completely destruct. May Zaidy Gansbourg and Bubby Rashi ... look down at their family and offspring and know that while they r gone we continue to keep their spirit alive by smiling while we are weeping and by continuing to climb the arduous mountains that are put in our way... And may the neshoma of Shaina Chaya bas Rochel Leah be begging Hashem along with all the other special neshomos that were taken away too soon that Moshiach should come now! With love, Rashi "
Who can fathom the ways of G-d? This past Wednesday, that young Rashi Minkowicz herself was suddenly taken from our midst, leaving her 8 children, husband and the worldwide Chabad community in shock and grief. www.JewishBellaire.com/2522173
And Purim is upon us ... Joy? ... Yes, joy... Now? ... Yes, when else?
So no matter what kind of mood we are in, there are no excuses not to fulfill the Mitzvah of Purim, to serve G-d with ABUNDANT joy! Join us on Sunday at the Meridian Banquet Center, 5200 Bissonnet, Bellaire. Visit: www.JewishBellaire.com/Purim
Shabbat Shalom!
