By Rabbi Mordy
What is it like to grow up as a proud Jew in West Hollywood?
Well, from the very beginning, I answer – thank God! I am blessed to have been put into this situation!
As a student and follower of the late Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, he would often share, that Judaism teaches us something significant. A person never finds themselves in a situation. Rather, a person is put in a situation. And so, if you are put in a situation, whatever that situation may be, it is meant for you to do something because of it. We are meant not to accept a situation but to be aware and aim to change it for the better.
Sure enough, the great Moses our Teacher does just this:
Moshe finds himself in a very challenging situation, A situation that many of the people have already given up on. He’s tasked with a great leadership role and told to deliver a message of redemption to his enslaved people, Moshe tells God, “It surely won’t work with me as I have a problem with my speech.”
What is the answer to his feelings of inadequacy?
In this week’s Torah reading of VaEira, there’s an interesting idea that develops. In telling the reason behind bringing some of the 10 Plagues on the Egyptian people, a few of the Torah reading chapters end with a similar theme, with the words “so that it will be known that I am God.”
Who exactly should know? The answer is, that everyone should know, the Egyptian people, King Pharaoh, and even the Jewish People—the entire world should know and be aware that there is a God in the world. And that awareness should encourage us to act morally, just, and upstanding!
Now, isn’t that what becoming Bar Mitzvah really means? Now that I have become a Jewish adult, I should strive to be aware of my situation, to know the right and moral thing to do—to be a DOER—whether it means to help a person in need, care for those who are vulnerable and begin my day by connecting to God by starting out in prayer—Tefillin—my daily workout!
I’m lucky enough to grow up together with my siblings, older and younger than me. They keep me in check and they like to remind me all the time of my responsibilities!
This includes how I can best contribute to Jewish life right here on Weho’s Sunset Strip, whether it’s being an active member in the synagogue from now on or going out on Fridays in my free time to help Jewish men to put on Tefillin and encourage woman to light the Shabbat candles each Friday before the onset of Shabbat.
It may be a challenge, but it’s a challenge from G-d I look forward to!
With continued thoughts and prayers for peace in the holy land of Israel, thank you for listening, and Shabat Shalom!
Mazal tov, laddie!
As for you leftist cretins, what is a man? What is a woman?
Wonderful to see! I love supporting our Jewish friends and colleagues for the wonderful people that they are.
Rabbi Mordy and his family are pillars of our community and I feel blessed to have had them share their Shabbat with me in December. Zev is a remarkable young man and his words are an inspiration. That such teachings coming from such a young man is truly an awesome act of maturity and intellectual rigor. My best to the entire famly.
I look to the future when every dismay bot faith is accepted and the joy of impending manhood can be celebrated by all of us. Mazel tov!
I’m sorry, I am confused. Who wrote this? The point of view is Zev Kirschenabum’s, but the byline is Brandon Garcia and the comment thanked both Rabbi Mordy and Zev Kirschenabum.
Sorry, my byline is automatically attached to any articles I post and can only be changed once it’s posted. Thanks for pointing out the error.
It’s also misspelled. Kirschenbaum is a German surname of Lutheran or Ashkenazic origin meaning “cherry tree”. (Kirsche = cherry; baum = tree)
Thanks for the wonderful article, Zev and Rabbi Mordy.
it was an honor to be at your Bar Mitzvah.
For sure, you are a very impressive young man.
Wishing you much success in the years ahead.