Shabbat Musings

There are moments in life when heaven feels close enough to touch. Standing on a mountaintop as the horizon stretches endlessly before you. Watching the sun rise over the ocean. Holding a newborn baby. These are the moments that leave us speechless, filled with awe and the awareness that there is something far greater than ourselves. This week, my sister welcomed twin baby boys into the world, and witnessing this double miracle has taken my breath away. Two tiny souls. Two brisses. Double the blessing, love, and cuddles. And yes, I'm sure there will be double the sleepless nights and mischief too. But above all, it is a beautiful reminder of how obvious G-d's presence can sometimes feel.

In this week's Torah portion, Va'eschanan, Moshe declares, "Know today, and take it to heart, that Hashem is G-d in the heavens above and on the earth below; there is nothing else." Of course there are mountains and oceans, people and planets. There is joy and sorrow, success and disappointment. And "there is nothing else!" The Alter Rebbe explains that creation is not something G-d made long ago and then stepped away from. Every moment, every heartbeat, and every blade of grass exists only because His creative energy constantly brings it into being. Nothing exists independently of Him. Sometimes His presence is obvious, like the birth of a child that fills us with wonder. Other times He is hidden behind what appears to be ordinary life, natural events, or even painful challenges. Even when we cannot see Him, He is still there.

Perhaps that is one of life's greatest challenges. Not simply believing in G-d during life's miracles, but learning to find Him in everyday moments as well. It is easy to feel inspired while holding a newborn or gazing at a breathtaking view. It is much harder to recognize Him in traffic, setbacks, uncertainty, or disappointment. Yet we need to internalize that there truly is nothing else. Every encounter, every blessing, every challenge, and every step carries within it the opportunity to discover His presence. Sometimes He reveals Himself through open miracles. Other times He waits quietly behind the veil, inviting us to look deeper. When we begin to see life through that lens, we realize that we are never walking alone.

Super moms, each of you. There are some people who deserve recognition every single day, and preschool moms are at the top of that list. I watch you arrive each morning juggling little hands, backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, and the countless responsibilities that come with raising a family. You are balancing work, home, appointments, meals, carpools, and somehow still finding room to give so much of yourselves. Some days it feels like a lot, but I hope you know that I see women raising the next generation with endless love, patience, and devotion. You are doing an incredible job.

In this week's Torah portion, Devarim, Moshe looks at the Jewish people and says, "You are today as numerous as the stars of heaven." Although the Jewish people were not literally as countless as the stars on that day, they are compared to the stars because they endure forever. A star never stops shining. Its light is always there, even when we cannot see it. It is often only when darkness falls that its steady glow becomes most noticeable. We are a nation of stars. Throughout our history there have been moments when our light shone brightly for all to see, and moments when it seemed hidden. Yet our light has never been extinguished. It is eternal.

As we enter the period called the Nine Days, we mourn the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, our Holy Temple in Jerusalem. We mourne a time when our nation's light was revealed in its fullest glory. We feel homesick, longing for Hashem's Presence to once again be felt among us. We never stop believing. We await the coming of Moshiach and the day when the Beit Hamikdash will once again stand in Jerusalem. Until then, every act of kindness, every mitzvah, and every Jewish value we pass on to our children adds another point of light to our world. As mothers, you are not only raising children. You are raising enduring stars whose inherent light can never be extinguished. May we soon merit the day when all of our lights shine together in Jerusalem with the coming of Moshiach, and the Beit Hamikdash once again radiates its light to the entire world. 

I have a love hate relationship with living in a world where we are reachable twenty four hours a day. Our phones are always within arm's reach, and sometimes they ring at the most unexpected hours. Yet this week reminded me why that constant accessibility can be such a blessing. A close friend faced a crisis in the middle of the night after his elderly father suffered a serious fall. There were difficult medical decisions that needed to be made immediately, along with important halachic questions. One phone call connected him with a rabbi experienced in these sensitive situations, someone able to offer both Torah guidance and practical wisdom. In that moment, being available made all the difference.

In this week's Torah portion, Matot Massei, the tribe of Levi is given a unique role. While the other tribes each received one territory to call their own, the Levites were placed in forty eight cities scattered throughout the Land of Israel. Their mission was not to remain together in one spiritual center, but to live among the people as teachers, guides, and sources of inspiration. The Torah teaches that true leadership is not about waiting for others to come searching for answers. It is about making yourself present, accessible, and invested in the lives of those around you.

We may not all be rabbis or teachers, but every one of us has something meaningful to offer. Life has given each of us experiences, challenges, and lessons that can become a source of strength for someone else. Sometimes all another person needs is a listening ear, a thoughtful conversation, or the reassurance that they are not facing their struggle alone. We can help others see the light at the end of the tunnel, remind them that difficult moments do pass, and give them hope for a brighter future. Making ourselves available, even when it is inconvenient, is one of the greatest gifts we can give. We never know when a simple phone call, a kind word, or our willingness to be there will change someone's life.