Rabbi's Blog - The Shul of Bellaire

Do you know the last Mitzvah?

Monday, September 30, 2024 - 11:24 AM

The final Mitzvah of the Torah invites every Jew to write a Torah scroll for themselves. At first glance, this may seem daunting, after all, a Torah scroll can cost upwards of $50,000!

However, fulfilling this vital Mitzvah is more accessible than you might think. There are many ways to embrace this Mitzvah. Purchasing Jewish books and immersing ourselves in their teachings is one way to fulfill our obligation.

Yet, perhaps the most profound way to honor this Mitzvah is by participating in the communal writing, repairing, or restoring of a Torah scroll. When we come together as a community for this sacred task, each individual is embraced by the community and ‘acquires’ their own spot in the Torah, as if they are writing the Torah themselves.

In the coming weeks, we will have a unique opportunity to be part of the restoration of a 150 year-old Torah scroll rescued from the Holocaust, which will be dedicated at the ‘Am Yisrael Chai’ event. This is a meaningful chance to connect with your heritage and secure your place in the Torah, for generations to come.

We warmly invite you to join this powerful event by confirming your attendance and making a dedication. Whether it’s a word, verse etc. this will be your way to celebrate our shared commitment to the Torah and strengthen the ties that bind us together.

Please click here to participate.

How to Channel Pain?

Monday, September 9, 2024 - 12:21 PM

We were all shocked by the tragic murders of the six hostages, beautiful and precious souls. Each one a life, a light and a bright future cut down.

We find ourselves asking what can we do for their souls? How can we support their grieving families? What can we do to channel the pain and the anger we feel inside?

Here are two suggestions:

Shabbat: This past Shabbat, we gathered at 10:30 a.m. for the Torah reading, followed by a sermon that offered hope and comfort. We also recited prayers for the release of those still held captive and for the safety of Israel as a whole.

As we entered the new month of Elul, we were reminded of the powerful message, "Byachad N’natzeiach"—together we shall prevail! Standing united as one nation is how we overcome the challenges before us and work toward a safer, stronger future for all.

Mitzvot: We encouraged everyone to take on one more mitzvah. A single mitzvah has incredible power—it brings protection, blessings, and spiritual light to the world. Every good deed creates ripples both here and in Israel. Lighting Shabbat candles, giving Tzedakah, or performing another meaningful act actively contributes to the safety and well-being of our brothers and sisters worldwide. What we do here truly makes a difference there.

We hope you found our recent Shabbat service and mitzvah initiatives meaningful and inspiring. We look forward to hosting similar events in the future, where we can come together to strengthen our community and support those in need through acts of kindness and unity.

On Wednesday, a friend and I attended the long-overdue UN Security Council session focused on the hostages, thanks to the invitation of Ambassador Danny Danon (dear friend of our community). The 'house of lies' did not disappoint, with many ambassadors offering empty words about the hostages while simultaneously condemning Israel.

As I sat there, I reflected on the passage of time, 335 days, since so many were taken. 101 innocent souls continue to languish in captivity. The world, in many ways, seems to have moved on and some nations remain silent or indifferent to their suffering.

Ambassador Danon delivered a powerful message, urging the UNSC to pass a clear resolution denouncing the atrocities of October 7th, which tragically continue to this very day.

It was an honor to wrap Tefillin and blow the Shofar for members of the Israeli mission. Am Yisroel Chai!

In the coming days, we have numerous opportunities for Jewish learning, inspiration, and community engagement, including important updates about the upcoming High Holidays. Click HERE to see the upcoming events.

Want a Perfect Relationship?

Monday, September 2, 2024 - 10:58 AM

When it comes to performing a good deed, is it sufficient to 'just do it,' or is it also important to feel motivated and enthusiastic about it?

Giving away my hard-earned financial resources to someone in need can be challenging enough. Is it okay if I do so begrudgingly, as long as the deed is done? Similarly, is it enough to observe Jewish traditions, such as lighting Shabbat candles or wrapping Tefillin, simply because that’s what my mother, grandmother, or Zaydie did, or is it also necessary to find joy and personal satisfaction in these actions?

The answer, of course, is that both aspects are necessary.

On one hand, being committed to the values G-d asks us to live by, even when we’re not in the mood, is crucial because relying solely on our current level of interest can lead to a serious lack of consistency.

However, performing a deed merely out of obligation, without genuine enthusiasm, is inadequate and leaves our heart and mind disengaged. To truly embody our actions, we need to cultivate both an emotional and intellectual appreciation for what we do. When we do this, our entire being is involved, and we significantly increase the chances that our children and grandchildren will enthusiastically embrace these values too.

On the other hand, love alone is not sufficient. Love is often described as something one ‘falls into,’ but falling is not our goal, we strive to stand firm and steady in our relationships. What we need is loyalty and commitment.