The Real Miracle Is When It Gets Hard
Tech Tribe Dispatch: #99
💡 Think:
Let’s talk about relationships.
—
At a wayside inn, a dozen Chasidic merchants were warming themselves at the fire. The group included men from towns and villages across Russia and Poland, all traveling to the great annual fair at Leipzig. Each one a follower of another famed Chassidic master, used the conversation to share the greatness of their rebbes.
One by one, they shared stories about the miraculous powers of their rebbes. One told how for fifteen years he and his wife had yearned for a child, until they received a blessing from their rebbe: within a year, they were cradling their newborn son in their arms. A second told of how his rebbe had neutralized the Jew-hating, pogrom-inciting priest in their village, while a third related how his rebbe's blessing and special instructions had brought home his wayward son. And so they passed the hours, recounting the wonders performed by their holy mentors.
Finally, they all turned to the one Chasid who had listened in silence to their stories. "Nu, whose Chasid are you?" they asked. "Let's hear something about your rebbe."
"I am a Chabad Chasid, a disciple of Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch,” he said. “I deal in lumber, and several years ago I was offered a forest for sale. The price was high, but the opportunities were even greater — there was talk of a railroad to be constructed, raising the demand for and profitability of the local lumber. As I do with all major decisions in my life, I consulted with the Rebbe. He advised me to buy the forest.
"The purchase ruined me. The railroad project fell through and I was left with heavy debts and acres of worthless trees. I lost my entire fortune and was cast heavily into debt."
After a lengthy pause, one of the listeners asked, "And then? What happened?"
"Nothing," said the Chasid. "I am still struggling to feed my family and repay my debts."
"So what's the miracle?" they all asked.
"That my relationship with the Rebbe has nothing to do with his wonder-working powers. That I continue to follow his directives in every area of my life. The miracle is that I am his Chasid."
—
Our foundational relationships - with our significant others, with our families and even with G-d - are often built on initial bursts of excitement, of inspiration and joy.
But what happens when the lights are off? When the going gets tough and the infatuation is no longer felt?
That’s when the real depth of relationship is revealed!
(Adapted from The Miracle Chassid)
🏃 DO:
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SHALOSH & Daniel Zamir // Jerusalem State Of Mind
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🎬 Watch:
💬 Speech:
A thought by Berel! In memory of Tzivia Feiga bas Shmuel Hacohen
This week’s Torah portion counts all of the details of the tabernacle in the desert again. Even though it counted the parts previously. This is because every piece is important. Every person is important!
🎉 Mazel:
Mazels to Sofia Gross on her new role at Snap!
📚 Read:
🐈 Passover is coming. And we’ve got the entire Seder explained for you with Cat GIFs!
👩The Enlightenment sought to improve the lives of Jews in Eastern Europe, but in so doing, eroded the traditional power structures that benefited Jewish women. Was 19th century modernity good for Jewish women?
🗽 David Dinkins and the Rebbe: Advice and Blessing in a Time of Turmoil
🤬 With a certain Antisemitic slur in the news again, an Oxford professor looks into Another Derogatory Name for the Jew.
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