ChabadNewOrleans Blog

As we emerge out of this week’s mega-snow event, I would like to share a few tips on “staying warm.”

A chassid once witnessed a Russian soldier being flogged. He inquired as to the reason and was told that the unfortunate fellow had frozen in place one cold night while on sentry duty. The chassid inquired further, “how was the soldier to have avoided that in sub-freezing temperatures?” The reply, “the oath of allegiance to Czar should have been sufficient to keep him warm in the coldest of situations.”

The chassid, recalling the Baal Shem Tov’s instruction to learn a lesson from every encounter, mused that we too have taken an oath of allegiance to our King of Kings. At Mt. Sinai we declared, “Naaseh V’nishma – we will obey and understand.” This should be sufficient to “keep us warm” even when we are feeling spiritually frigid.

Hayom Yom shares this Chassidic axiom. “Coldness and heresy are separated by so slender a barrier! It is said, "For the Eternal your G‑d is a consuming fire." G‑dliness is a flame of fire. Learning Torah and prayer must be with a blazing heart, that "all my bones may utter" the words of G‑d in Torah and prayer.”

This concept is illustrated via a deeper insight into the first of the ten plagues, about which we read in this week’s Torah portion. The plagues were not only meant to punish the Egyptians, but also to rehabilitate the people of Israel. The first plague was the water being transformed into blood. Step one in spiritual rehabilitation is taking the coldness (represented by water), the apathy to that which is holy and G-dly; and infusing it with warmth (represented by blood), a passion for Hashem and His Torah.

This week our community mourns the passing of Raquel Hakim. She was an elegant woman who was the epitome of humble kindness. She always sought to see where she could be helpful, in an understated way. She constantly tried to distance herself from controversy and dissent. She was a pursuer of peace and a good friend to many.

I met Raquel, and her husband Saul, in 1992 as a Rabbinic intern traveling through Monroe, Louisiana. We remained connected and over the years they attended the Chanukah @ Riverwalk event. After Hurricane Katrina, our community celebrated Rosh Hashanah “in exile” at the Atrium Hotel in Monroe, hosted by the greater Hakim family. Following that, Saul and Raquel began coming to New Orleans more frequently, for holidays and other occasions. Our families became very close. Eventually they moved to New Orleans and lived across the street from Chabad in Metairie. Living close to the Synagogue gave Raquel the ability to whole-heartedly embrace her Jewish observance and become a part of the community.

She loved the children of the community. She volunteered for several years to ride the Chanukah Parade Party Bus as a chaperone, and supplied the snacks so the kids could enjoy themselves. When our son Shneur was born, three years ago, Saul and Raquel, carried him into the bris ceremony.

The pure soul of Rachel Feiga bas Avraham returned to its Maker just short of her 76^th birthday, peacefully at home, following an illness of a few months. She will be dearly missed by her husband Saul, her family, her friends, and her community. Shiva will be held at their home. Please reach out for location and visitation times.

May Hashem comfort those mourning her passing among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

Fifty years ago, a friendship developed between Rabbi Jeffrey Bienenfeld, the Rabbi of Beth Israel in New Orleans, and Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, the advance scout for the Rebbe in setting up new Chabad outposts. Rabbi Kotlarsky visited New Orleans and met Rabbi Bienenfeld, and he subsequently invited him to New York to attend a Farbrengen (gathering) with the Rebbe in January of 1975. The occasion was 25 years of the Rebbe’s leadership.

Over the course of the evening, the Rebbe shared his teachings interspersed with lively singing. During the singing streams of dignitaries, representing communities around the world, came to convey congratulatory wishes to the Rebbe on this occasion.

Rabbi Bienenfeld approached the Rebbe and was introduced. He shook the Rebbe’s hand and declared, “I bring you Shalom from all of the Jews in New Orleans.” The Rebbe thanked him, and continued, “G-d Al-mighty should bless you to make New Orleans a Jewish city.” Rabbi Bienenfeld said L’chaim and returned to his seat.

In late summer of 1975, Rabbi Kotlarsky’s efforts to establish a Chabad presence in New Orleans were bearing fruit. My parents, Rabbi Zelig and Bluma Rivkin, expressed an interest in establishing a Chabad outpost. The Rebbe’s office told them about New Orleans and shortly afterwards they committed to move to New Orleans, which they did in November of 1975.

Rabbi Bienenfeld, with the mandate from the Rebbe to make New Orleans a Jewish city, embraced my parents and their goal of establishing Chabad. Several of his congregants were the first supporters of the Chabad House that was opened near Tulane University in February of 1976. In 1988, Chabad of Louisiana marked its “Bar Mitzvah” year in New Orleans with a Gala Dinner. Rabbi Bienenfeld, who had since moved away from New Orleans, was asked to come back and be the guest speaker. He spoke about meeting the Rebbe at that Farbrengen and how he had come to embrace the message of Chabad.

I think it is fair to say that over 50 years New Orleans has become a much stronger Jewish community. I believe it is fair to say that Chabad has played a central role in making that happen. It all began with a 45 second exchange between the Rebbe and Rabbi Bienenfeld.

We are continuing to coordinate with the Jewish Federation to help the Jewish wounded in the French Quarter terror attack. If you would like to contribute, you can do so at www.chabadneworleans.com/donate (Chabad) or www.jewishnola.com (Federation) and specify that this contribution is to be designated for this purpose (Jewish wounded).

To help our brothers and sisters in California who are victims of the wildfires, please go to ChabadPalisades.com/firerelief or www.chabadpasadena.com/firerelief. These two centers are on the front lines of the two major fires.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

The Talmud asks, “If our Tefillin contain the Shema, praising the One G-d, what do G-d’s proverbial Tefillin contain? The Talmud’s reply (a verse from Samuel), “Mi K’amcha, K’Yisrael” Who is like Your people, O Israel?”

What we have seen from our Jewish community in the past week here in New Orleans confirms the Talmud’s statement with an exclamation point. Following the terror attack on New Year’s morning, we learned that the were several Jewish people among the wounded, including two Israelis. Within a few hours, our Chabad team was on site at the hospitals to assist. We have partnered with the Jewish Federation to ensure that our brothers and sisters are being cared for. Apartments have been set up for the families that came from Israel and stay with their wounded loved ones. Food is brought to the hospital several times a day. Streams of people from the Jewish community visit the patients and their families. Visitation rotation has been set up and the support has been amazing.

From around the community, people are reaching out to see what they can do to help. Some have offered housing, others cooking, others friendship, others medical expertise and referrals, and many are looking to contribute financially to the support effort. People are emotionally invested and are constantly inquiring as to the welfare of our injured brothers and sisters.

As mentioned, we have been coordinating with the Jewish Federation to optimize the help that is being given to our brothers and sisters in their time of need. If you would like to contribute to this effort, you can do so at www.chabadneworleans.com/donate (Chabad) or www.jewishnola.com (Federation) and specify that this contribution is to be designated for this purpose (Jewish wounded).

Speaking of the Talmud, what exactly is the Talmud?

This question makes people freeze. Your friend or coworker asks about the Talmud, and you’re left searching for words. You know it’s a big part of Judaism. Talmud study is practically the definition of Jewish learning. But who wrote it, what did they write, and why?

In 1240, King Louis IX put the Talmud on trial in Paris, ordered France’s rabbis to defend it against an antisemitic provocateur, and burned thousands of volumes. Antisemites still misconstrue the Talmud today. When people ask about it, what will you say?

In 2011, South Korea’s ambassador went on Israeli TV with a book named “Talmud.” “Every Korean family has at least one copy,” he said. “Mothers want to know how so many Jews became geniuses.” It turns out that an adaptation of the  Talmud has gone through seventy printings in Japan and was subsequently made popular in Korea.

They’re fascinated. What about us? The Talmud is a huge part of our heritage—and it’s not just reserved for scholars. Does it contain the secret to Jewish success? Let’s learn.

I’m delighted to be leading a new course from JLI called Decoding the Talmud. It’s the crash course in Talmud for every thinking Jew.

Decoding the Talmud: Inside the Story, Substance, and Significance of the Book that Defines Judaism. You’ll get an insider’s view of what the Talmud really is, what purpose it serves, and why it matters, and you’ll taste Talmud study for yourself. The next time you get asked about the Talmud, you’ll have the knowledge for a confident, smart conversation on this truly extraordinary book.

For more information go to www.chabadneworleans.com/jli. Our six-part course begins on Wednesday, January 29.

The Metairie course option runs on Tuesdays. More information at www.jewishlouisiana.com/jli.

I hope you will join us. Try the first class with no commitment.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

PS: Donate blood this Monday, January 13th at Chabad of Metairie, to help those injured in the Bourbon Street attack. This blood drive is being dedicated to the two Israeli patients from the attack, and a credit will go towards their medical care for every person who donates blood. To sign up: www.tbcdonors.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/54111