ChabadNewOrleans Blog

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

Our community is reeling from the terror attack in the early hours of New Year’s Day. You may be aware that there are several Jews among the wounded, including some from Israel. From the moment we were made aware of this, representatives of Chabad have been actively involved in caring and advocating for them, and now in assisting the families who have since arrived to be with their wounded loved ones. 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).

Many of us have seen the profile of the perpetrator. He seems like a guy you would pass in the street and think that he was a “regular dude.” You would have even used him as a realtor or consultant. He was a military veteran. How does one transition from being a regular everyday kind of guy to an enraged maniac who sought to wreak carnage upon our city and society in the name of his convoluted ideology?

I am sure that psychologists and social scientists will have plenty of opportunities to analyze this question and suggest explanations. However, I would like to take this in another direction. If one can go from “ordinary” to “extraordinary” on the side of evil, it is certainly possible to go from “ordinary” to “extraordinary” on the side of goodness.

We have all met people that would otherwise be regarded as ordinary, who have accomplished extraordinary things. With the proper intentionality and effort, we can make a major difference in the world that we inhabit. It begins with becoming filled with love (instead of rage) and then orienting ourselves in the direction of making a difference. Then we identify the area in which we can begin implementing. Then comes meticulous planning, hard work, and relentless pursuit of your goal. Before you know it, you have become a powerful force for goodness and G-dliness.

It matters little whether the world recognizes your achievements, or if it gets widespread media coverage or thousands of likes on social media. Hashem knows what you have done and those whose lives you have impacted, feel the difference as well.

Let’s get out there and start accomplishing extraordinary things. We will fill this world with the light of goodness and kindness, the light of Hashem. You can make a difference!

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

If my memory serves me right, when someone was challenged to a duel, the choice of the dueling weapon was determined by the challenged party. What happens when the rules are not honored? One has no choice but to fight by any means necessary to survive.

We have always recognized two forms of conflict, ideological and physical. Indeed, our forefather Isaac declared, “the voice is the voice of Jacob, while the hands are the hands of Esau.” As descendants of Jacob, our weapon of choice has always been our voice. We will happily debate with anyone who wishes to discuss something intellectually, emotionally, philosophically, or spiritually. We prefer using ideas rather than instruments of war.

For many years the Greek (Hellenists) fought with the Jewish people in the arena of ideas. We were challenged to the duel, and this was our weapon of choice. At some point, they decided to break the rules and switch to a fight with “hands.” As unbalanced as it was, what with their tens of thousands of trained warriors, advanced weaponry, war elephants and more, with G-d’s help, the Maccabees experienced a miraculous victory of the few over the many and the weak over the mighty. What followed was the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days.

Yet when it came time to commemorate the miracles of Chanukah, our sages opted to focus on our weapon of choice, light. Our Chanukah observance focuses primarily on the miracle of the oil – the light. Certainly, we reference the miraculous victory in our passages of praise and thanksgiving. But the Mitzvah of Chanukah is all about light.

We fight if we have to, but that is not who we are. Today again, we have been challenged and forced to go against our weapon of choice, to fight for our survival. Jacob has been coerced to take up the hands of Esau. We long for the day when “the swords will be transformed into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.”

Even as we are forced to fight, what we celebrate are victories of the spirit. We celebrate the light.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah!
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

Drill Baby, Drill. Nah, I am not getting involved in the energy/environmental debate in this article. I refer to a different kind of oil, those pure drops that are squeezed from an olive. The Torah is filled with references to Olive Oil and its prominence in Jewish life. We have an entire holiday dedicated to the miracle of the small jug of Olive Oil that burned for eight days.

Yet, there is also another role that Olive Oil plays in Judaism. It is one of the metaphors for Torah itself. In fact, of all the food metaphors for Torah, including water, bread, and wine, oil is a metaphor for the deepest secrets of the Torah, represented by Kabbala and Chassidus. As today, the 19 of Kislev, is the New Year of Chassidus (more on that www.chabadneworleans.com/19kislev), and Chanukah is just around the corner, I figured we can explore why oil is so unique.

Oil has two qualities that give us lessons in Jewish life. On one hand, oil doesn’t really mix with any other liquid. Inevitably it floats to the top and separates out. On the other hand, whenever oil is inserted into another substance, within a short time it manages to impact it entirely. Put a little oil into a dish of food and it becomes oily all over. So, while it doesn’t assimilate, it still impacts everything with which it comes into contact.

What the Hellenists sought to achieve leading up to the Chanukah story, was Jewish assimilation. You can keep your culture to the extent that it fits in with the “melting pot” of Greek society. The Maccabees examined their deepest Jewish identity and realized that they were like oil. No matter how much you attempt to force it to assimilate, inevitably it floats to the top and separates out.

In the last few hundred years, Jews have faced similar challenges. The calls for assimilation have come from within and without. From where do we draw the strength to remain true to our “oil-like” identities? This was one of the goals of the Chassidic movement.

To take it a step further. With the power of these deep teachings, one can not only successfully counter the movement towards assimilation, but these teachings are like oil in food. With time, they impact everything they touch. Every aspect of Torah and Jewish life has been positively influenced by the teachings of Chassidus. Chassidus has infused Jewish life with an elevated sense of joy, warmth, and vitality, along with profound, yet pragmatic insights into G-dly living.

Psalms states: “This is the day which the L-rd has made; let us be glad and rejoice on it.” Join us this evening as we celebrate this special day and its message. Register at www.chabadneworleans.com/key.

Shabbat Shalom and good Yom Tov!
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

There is something you may not know about me. I am the least talented of the Rivkin brothers. My three younger brothers are far more accomplished and talented than I am. I am very proud of their achievements and happy to announce that we will be showcasing two of them at an event here in New Orleans next weekend.

Next Friday night, at a Shabbat Dinner being held at Chabad of Louisiana we will be featuring talks by two of my brothers.

Rabbi Eli Rivkin is the director of Chabad of Northridge, CA. The Shabbat dinner coincides with the 19^th of Kislev, a day known as the Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus. His topic will be “Chassidus is Key” – What the teachings of Chassidus bring to the Jewish table. Eli is an engaging speaker who, in the spirit of our family, often employs the art of storytelling in his teaching.

Rabbi Yochanan Rivkin, of Tulane Chabad Grads and Anshe Sfard fame, is the author of the upcoming JLI Winter 2025 course entitled, Decoding the Talmud. This course will be taught in hundreds of Chabad Centers around the world including regionally in New Orleans, Metairie, and Baton Rouge.

As an exclusive scoop for the attendees of next week’s Shabbat dinner, Yochanan will offer a sneak preview of the upcoming course. In a unique twist, he incorporated Chassidic insights and angles into each of the six lessons of Decoding the Talmud. We will have a chance to explore the relationship between these two aspects of Torah, the exoteric and the esoteric, as they converge to present a splendid picture of Divine Wisdom.

To join and benefit from the talents of these two teachers of Judaism, please go to www.chabadneworleans.com/key.

Malkie and I are extremely grateful to all of those who attended the Upshernish (haircutting ceremony) of our son Shneur last night. We appreciate the outpouring of good wishes to our son and our family. We look forward to reciprocating those good wishes at other special occasions in our community.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

Much of life is about alignment. When things are “out of alignment” life becomes more challenging.

Our vehicles need to be “in alignment.” When they are not, the car pulls to one side and that affects not only the function of the vehicle and the health of its parts, but also our safety.

Our bodies need to be “in alignment.” When our head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and ankles are not aligned, we subject ourselves to more pain and decreased flexibility and function.

Our relationships need to be “in alignment.” When members of a household or a workplace are not aligned, that places a significant strain on the potential success of the venture.

In all cases, when things are “out of alignment” we need to make adjustments, often using the services of a professional in that field.

What about our relationship with Hashem? What sort of alignment would be needed to have an optimal relationship with Hashem?

We have a soul and a body. We have intellect and we have feelings. We have sensual experiences, and we have spiritual experiences. When all of these are unaligned, that could pose a challenge to an optimized relationship with Hashem.

My soul tells me the best thing I could do on a weekday morning is go to the Synagogue for Minyan. My body declares it needs another 30 minutes of sleep. My mind tells me to get a head start on my workday so I can make more money. My heart says jump on social media and scroll for a bit before starting my day. My senses are screaming coffee, while my spirit wants to immerse itself into the words of prayer or study.

Is there a chiropractor that can adjust this misalignment? Does anyone know of a mechanic that can take care of this and “get me on the road in 30 minutes or less?”

Actually, Chassidus offers some insight into this issue. One of the benefits of action based Mitzvahs is that it helps us with our alignment challenges. How can we get our soul, mind, heart, and body aligned for the same purpose?

The soul pushes for a Mitzvah to be done. The ideal process of Mitzvah performance looks like this. We begin by using our mind to meditate on the meaning/value of the Mitzvah. We then begin to feel moved emotionally by what we are learning/meditating over, this brings to a state of passion and enthusiasm for doing the Mitzvah and the meaning/value associated with it. At that point our body springs into action to do the Mitzvah and we are in perfect alignment.   

There are some Mitzvahs whose process is a study in alignment. Take Tefillin for example. We place the arm Tefillin near our hearts to align our heart with our soul. We then place the head Tefillin near our brain to align our mind with our soul. The motions of wrapping and tying the Tefillin aligns our body with our soul, rounding us out in perfect alignment. Of course, when we take the time to briefly meditate and feel what we are doing, that is even better.

So now you know how to perform a DYI alignment on the most critical aspect of a successful life.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

This annual Kinus Hashluchim (Chabad Shluchim Conference) is taking place this weekend in New York. Thousands of Rabbis (the Shluchos have their conference in February) gather from around the world for a weekend of connection and recharging. One encourages another, friends reconnect, ideas are shared, inspiration is available in large doses, and all in a very uplifted environment. The pivotal moment is when all the Shluchim visit the Rebbe’s Ohel to “report for duty” and ask for the Rebbe’s prayers and blessings for their success and the wellbeing of the Jewish world. The Kinus ends on a climactic note with the Sunday afternoon banquet that highlights and celebrates the state of Chabad and the Jewish world. This is a very inspiring and joyous event. This year over 6,500 participants are expected to be in attendance.

This year there will also have a bittersweet feel to it. We are still in the week of Shiva for Rabbi Zvi Kogan, the UAE Chabad Rabbi who was murdered by terrorists last weekend. Of course, shiva is technically reserved for biological immediate family. However, each of the 6,000 Chabad Shluchim around the world views Zvi as a brother. Many, if not most, did not know him personally. Many, like me, were not even aware of his existence. We knew that there are Chabad Shluchim in the UAE, but we did not know them personally. Hearing about the heart wrenching way that he met his end, shook each of us personally to the core. His spirit looms large at this year’s Kinus and he and his work will be featured throughout the weekend.

Also, the recent passing of longtime Kinus chairman, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, earlier this year, looms large, and his legacy will also be prominently featured throughout the weekend.

Yesterday I was driving around NOLA doing my weekly Eruv check and found myself on a tiny side street near Broad and Earhart (close to Restaurant Depot). To my surprise, on my left I saw an EV charging station. We are all like EVs in the sense that we need to charge our batteries to be effective people. If you would like to charge your Jewish batteries, I highly recommend tuning in to the Kinus broadcast on Sunday at noon. The link is: www.chabadneworleans.com/kinus.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

These days being a social media influencer is all the rage. But the notion of an influencer is certainly older than social media. Parents are influencers. Teachers are influencers. Leaders in any field are influencers. Friends can be influencers. You get the idea.

Next weekend, a gathering of the largest group of Jewish influencers is taking place in New York, the annual Shluchim Conference (Chabad Rabbis). What is the secret of the success that Chabad Shluchim have in being Jewish influencers?

This week I read a pair of letters that the Rebbe wrote to Jewish educators in 1944 in which he articulates a perspective on Jewish education/influencing that is very instructive (pun intended).

He cites a passage in the Talmud that identifies three cases from which the Torah derives the obligation of adults to influence children with respect to Jewish observance. The first is the prohibition against the consumption of insects. The second is the prohibition against the consumption of blood. The third are the laws of ritual impurity.

Conceptually, age need not only be measured by one’s passport or birth certificate, but also by extent of awareness. Education is not just for children, but rather for anyone that has room to grow in awareness that leads to practice.

Hashem specifically chooses these three cases to teach us the obligation of influencing the “youth,” because in each case there is an argument against the success of that effort.

An influencer looks at a person or society that has become so corrupted that matters which are obliviously grotesque have become acceptable (similar to the consumption of insects), might conclude that it is a lost cause. Yet the Torah instructs us to get involved and influence.

Regarding the consumption of blood, the Torah says, “strengthen yourself against the consumption of blood.” Rashi tells us that this is because the people were steeped in blood consumption. When a negative practice becomes pervasive, it loses the perception of it being negative. An influencer might conclude that trying to impact in an area of life that has become so pervasively distant from observance is a lost cause. Yet the Torah instructs us to get involved and influence.

The laws of ritual impurity are entirely suprarational. A leap of faith is required to adapt them into one’s life. An influencer might say “why would I bother trying to influence people about the suprarational when they identify as agnostic?” Yet the Torah instructs us to get involved and influence.

How indeed can the Torah expect an influencer to be successful despite the strong arguments to the contrary? Here the Rebbe quotes a passage from the Rambam, one of his favorite quotes. “Every Jew wants to be part of the Jewish people, and he wants to perform all the mitzvot and eschew all the transgressions; it is only his evil inclination that presses him.”

You have to know who you are dealing with. Deep down even the self-proclaimed agnostic has a soul that wishes nothing more than a relationship with Hashem based on Torah and Mitzvot. Once you are aware of that, you simply must learn how to awaken that Neshama and get past the mirage that obstructs it.

Happy influencing!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

One of the more frustrating elements of this past year following the October 7 attacks and subsequent war is the campus protest movement and the impotent response to those protests on the part of most university administrations. Countless words have been written lamenting the antisemitic sentiments on many college campuses. Much has been opined on how challenging it has been for Jewish students at those universities. Many have felt threatened, or at the very least, marginalized, by the anti-Israel protests and the blatant antisemitism that emerged from them.

The need for engaging Jewish students on college campuses has come into stark focus. Students on their own have sought to become more engaged as the look for a space where they can comfortably connect with their Jewish identities. They want to associate with fellow Jewish students, find support during this time of challenge, and experience Jewish life as it is available during their college years. Among the organizations dedicated to Jewish college students, Chabad is currently serving Jewish students at 950 college campuses, including locally at Tulane University. The uptick of students looking for Jewish engagement over the past year is very much in evidence at the Tulane Chabad.

One of the highlights on the Chabad on Campus calendar is Pegisha weekend. For decades Chabad on Campus has invited students to spend a Shabbat in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York for a Shabbaton, called the Pegisha. Students from campuses all around the world come together to celebrate their Jewishness.

This weekend over 2,000 students will participate in this year’s Pegisha, including a nice Tulane Chabad delegation. This is a college student gathering that we can all get behind. You can rest assured that students will return from the Pegisha with a reinvigorated pride in their Jewish identities, and the resolve to share that pride with their fellow Jewish students. This, my friends, is Am Yisrael Chai in real time!

On a different note, this week we launched our new JLI adult education course, Nurturing Relationships. While Lesson One is in the books, it is not too late to jump on board and join the course.

While preparing for this course I realized that it has something to offer everyone. It really does not matter if you have little to no background in Torah learning. It really does not matter if you have been studying Torah your entire life. The Torah and Chassidus based tools for enhancing relationships that this course offers are extremely valuable and informative for anyone on the Jewish knowledge continuum. This can help you in any relationship you might have in your life, marital, familial, friendship, professional, workplace, neighbor, and anything in between. I hope that you will take advantage of these gems that are being offered.

Reach out for more information or sign up for the course at www.chabadneworleans.com/jli. I look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

There are times when we look at an image and it conveys a particular message. Then we zoom out and see it in a broader context and it tells an expanded story.

When we read narratives in the Torah this same phenomenon applies. We can examine it at a “zoomed in” level, and it leaves us with a wonderful message or lesson. Then we take a deeper dive which gives us a “zoomed out” and broader perspective, and suddenly, we are exposed to an idea that is more profound and far-reaching.

An example from this week’s Parsha. The Torah relates that Avraham’s nephew Lot moved to Sodom. After his move, Sodom and its four neighboring cities were invaded by the armies of the “Four Kings.” Lot is taken captive, and Avraham takes up arms to rescue him. In the process, Avraham vanquishes the armies of the Four Kings, frees Lot along with the Kings and citizens of Sodom and its environs.

On the surface this is a simple story. Your relative is under duress, you do what you can to help him. Lot is captured by the Four Kings; Avraham battles them and rescues him. The story is significant because Avraham had a small band of warriors that helped him conquer the mighty armies or Four Kings, who had previously managed to conquer the five armies of Sodom and the neighboring cities. It was by Divine Intervention that Avraham was successful. End of story.

When we zoom out and peel away the surface layer, we begin to see a fascinating narrative unfold. Psalms (89:20) states, “I have found David My servant and anointed him with My holy oil.” Where did G-d find him? Who knew that David was lost?

The Midrash explains that G-d “found” David in Sodom. How is that even possible; David was born a millennium after Sodom became the Dead Sea? David is descended of Ruth, the righteous convert who began life as a Moabite princess. The Moabite nation is descended from Lot (as we will see in next week’s Parsha). So the special soul of King David, the ancestor of Mashiach, was lost in Sodom, completely out of its element.

One of the four kings, Amrafel of Shinar, is identified by our sages as Nimrod, the nemesis of Avraham, who was the main instigator behind the Tower of Babel. Nimrod senses that the unique soul of Mashiach, who will make the name of G-d known to all mankind, was “wandering” in Sodom. To prevent this soul from achieving its purpose, he attacks Sodom and captures Lot with the intention of not allowing him to sire Moab, the ancestor of Ruth, the grandmother of David, who was the forerunner of Mashiach.

Avraham senses the great threat to G-d’s very purpose of creation (the future redemption through the coming of Mashaich), and he jumps in to ensure that the process will play out as intended.

Seeing it from this vantage point, the narrative becomes pivotal to the development of world history. It also teaches on a micro level, that we cannot truly appreciate the far-reaching impact of a simple act of kindness to another.

This is just an example. Every word in the Torah tells a multi-layered story. Go and learn.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

“Am Yisrael Chai” is a phrase that has become enmeshed with Jewish identity and Jewish thriving. Its poignancy has risen to a fever pitch since the attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023. The original phrase is “Am Yisrael Chai L’olmai Ad.” The People of Israel Live. The People of Israel Thrive. The People of Israel are Eternal. The People of Israel are the Jewish people.

What does Am Yisrael Chai look like. I would like to demonstrate this in the context of Chabad’s activities over the holiday month that culminated with Simchat Torah last weekend. I am using an example of what took place around Uptown New Orleans. Similar activities were occurring simultaneously in Metairie, other places in the region, around the country, and worldwide.

Am Yisrael Chai looks like hundreds of Jews hearing the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah both in Shul, and because volunteers spread throughout the neighborhood offering to sound the Shofar on the spot for people on the go, visiting homebound folks or the elderly at retirement homes with a Shofar.

Am Yisrael Chai looks like dozens of families and individuals gathered at the lagoon in Audubon Park to hear the Shofar, perform Tashlich, while singing Avinu Malkeinu and Am Yisrael Chai together.

Am Yisrael Chai looks like a Rabbi walking for 45 minutes each way to sound the Shofar for a Jew lying unaware in a hospital bed surrounded by his family. When the man awoke the next day, he cried upon hearing that the Shofar was sounded at his bedside.

Am Yisrael Chai looks like the tender moment of when Yizkor was recited by the congregation for those who were killed on October 7 and in the war that followed.

Am Yisrael Chai looks like a congregation thundering the words of Shema at the closing of Yom Kippur, followed by the joyous singing of a victory march and exuberant dancing.

Am Yisreal Chai looks like the thousands who were given the opportunity to make the blessing over the Lulav and Etrog on Sukkot this year, at Shul, at home, on the streets, in stores, on campus, at senior homes and hospitals, including tourists, who would otherwise have no chance to do so in New Orleans.

Am Yisrael Chai looks like the hundreds that attended Sukkah-Fest to openly celebrate their Jewishness and the joy of the Sukkot holiday.

Am Yisrael Chai looks like the men, women, and children who full-throatedly sang and danced their hearts out on Simchat Torah, knowing that this was our response to the enemies who wish to destroy us.

Am Yisrael Chai looks like the children who danced holding their Torahs and flags aloft proclaiming that our future is robust and strong.

Am Yisrael Chai looks like the Torahs being brought out to the streets of New Orleans and joining with the Tulane Chabad students for Simchat Torah in dancing and the singing of, you guessed it, Am Yisrael Chai.  

Am Yisrael Chai looks like all the little boys standing under a Tallis canopy in front of the Torah scroll, while the adults sing with tears in their eyes the song of “Hamalach Hagoel,” asking G-d to bless and watch over our children.

Am Yisrael Chai looks like the sanitation workers doing their weekly trash pickup in front of Chabad following Simchat Torah, while laughingly declaring “y’all wore us out.” (On that note, I’d vote for Sidney Torres IV.)

Thank you to our incredible staff and volunteers for your tireless efforts.

Thank you to our supporters for your incredible generosity and partnership.

Thank you to our generous Tishrei kiddush sponsors.

Thank you to all who participated and made this holiday so incredible!

May the energy of these celebrations keep us uplifted throughout the year.

Am Yisrael Chai!
Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

We are poised to enter the final phase of this holiday month with the two days of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah that begin tonight. This will also be the first Yahrtzeit (on the Jewish calendar) of all of those who were killed in the October 7 attacks last year. Yet, Simchat Torah is a joyous day, a day to celebrate our connection to Hashem, to the Torah, and to each other. Dare we celebrate on a day that commemorates the cruel murder of 1,200 of our brothers and sisters?

I believe the answer is a resounding yes. First of all, we do so because that is what Hashem commands us to do. Diving deeper into the question, I believe that we have an obligation to celebrate on behalf of the 1,200 who were murdered on that day, the 720 IDF soldiers who were killed in the subsequent conflict, the hostages who were killed, the hostages who are still in captivity, and the members of the IDF who are in combat and cannot participate in person.

Beyond that, celebrating and dancing is our way of showing that we will not allow the terrorists to win. We will proudly continue to live our Jewish lives.

Every single Jew who is able to celebrate and dance this Simchat Torah, has to do so for themselves and to fill the void of the thousands who cannot. Imagine the joy that they would have added to this Season of Rejoicing. We need to make up for the missing joy by increasing our own.

Our theme is “We Will Dance For Them!”

Come to Chabad, Uptown or Metairie, and Dance For Them! Those sacred souls who are looking at us from Gan Eden, those special souls who are still suffering in captivity, those holy souls who risk their lives to protect their fellow Jews, they need us to Dance For Them!

Thursday night, October 24. See below for details of both celebrations.

Chag Sameach
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

A wonderful Sukkot memory for many is decorating the Sukkah. For some it was hanging fruit, for some the paper chains, while others preferred more elaborate tapestries and artwork. If you go to a Sukkah that is associated with Chabad, you will notice the glaring absence of decorations.

There are various explanations for this custom. The Rebbe was asked about this, and he shared the following idea. The Succah is meant to imbue us with certain essential lessons… We should be impressed by the essential character of the Succah without recourse to the 'artificial' make-up; that the frail covering of the Succah and its bare walls, not adorned by external ornaments, should more directly impress upon us the lessons it is meant to convey.

Obviously, this does not negate those whose custom is to decorate, especially as this brings a lot of enthusiasm to the children involved in the decorating.

Recently I saw a video clip of the Rebbe addressing this from another angle that I found to be very powerful and uplifting. He argued that the most beautiful manner of adorning the Sukkah is by bringing as many fellow Jews as possible into your Sukkah. This conveys a sense of unity, and it also gives other Jews who may not otherwise have an opportunity, to fulfill the Mitzvah of Sukkah.

In Isaiah (43:10) G-d declares, “You are My witnesses.” The Hebrew for “My witnesses” is “Edai.” “Eidai” also means my adornments. Here G-d is declaring to the Jewish people, “You are My adornments.” Every Jew is a piece of jewelry that Hashem wears proudly. As Isaiah states (60:21), And your people, all of them righteous, shall inherit the land forever, a scion of My planting, the work of My hands in which I will glory.  

So if you want to decorate your Sukkah, what better adornment could there be than decorating with Hashem’s jewelry? This year we are looking forward to hosting many of Hashem’s beautiful pieces of jewelry in our Sukkah and at Sukkah-Fest next Sunday.

I wish you all a very happy and meaningful Sukkot – the season of our rejoicing. May Hashem give us more and more reasons to celebrate and rejoice with good news coming from Israel and the whole world.

Rabbi Mendel Rivkin