Think:
During the turn of the 19th century there was a chasid who would travel from town to town in Belarus to spread chassidic teachings.
A talented speaker, he would draw large crowds. People hung on every word, clamoring to learn the secrets he shared.
Then one day, stopped.
During a private audience with his rebbe, Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch, he confessed the reason for this sudden stop: The fawning crowds, the thrill of lecturing - it all fed into his ego. Who was he to aspire to something like this? Clearly he had to work on himself to diminish this negative trait.
Rabbi Dovber would have none of it. βA tzibel zol fuhn dir veren, uber Chasidus zolst du chazeren,β he said in Yiddish. βYou should become an onion, but donβt dare stop teaching!β
Why an onion?
An onion can be overpowering with its sharp taste and scent. Boiling it in a soup imparts flavor to the entire dish. Yet in the process of sharing its flavor, the onion is changed. It becomes mellow, even sweet. The onion loses its structure, becoming soft as its tightly layered form loosens. Like the onion, the rebbe said, sometimes one needs to selflessly sacrifice his or her own sharpness so that others become fragrant and grow.
Do:
Rosh Hashanah is coming! Grab a seat at our table.
As well, Rosh Hashanah Office visitsΒ are upon us the end of September! Have Tech Tribe Bring honeycake to your office!
Did you know that you can get official Tech Tribe merch on our site? Check it out!
A group of Jewish children with a teacher in Samarkand, (in modern Uzbekistan), ca. 1910.
Listen:
Chasidic Hipster soul band Zusha has released their latest album, and we think itβs pretty great.
Read:
Buzzfeed ran a wonderful profile on how Orthodox Jews Are Selling A Ton Of The Products You Buy On Amazon - look for a few choice quote from a familiar name! π±
Zelda was one of the great modern day Jewish poets. She was also a chasidic woman and the Rebbeβs first cousin. Read seven of her wonderful poems translated into English!
Rabbi Yitzy is a father of seven who communicates only with his eyes, yet heβs still a prolific author. The Life of a Rabbi With ALS.
My update on the relief that Chabad of the Bahamas is offering in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.
Shavua Tov!
Like what you saw? Want more? Please feel free to forward this email far and wide!Β
Support Tech Tribe in our mission to empower Jews in tech and digital media to explore their Jewish identities!