Have you ever stood by a belief you knew was right, even when those around you disagreed? It takes courage to go against the crowd, especially when you feel alone.
This week's Torah portion, Lech Lecha, introduces us to Abraham, the first Jew. The Torah calls him Avram Ha'Ivri, meaning "Abraham the Hebrew." The title Ivri comes from eiver, meaning "the other side." The Midrash explains that the entire world stood on one side, while Abraham stood on the other.
Abraham challenged the beliefs of his society and taught that life has a higher purpose and that we have a responsibility to bring goodness into the world.
Abraham could have given up. Instead, he remained committed to his beliefs, even when they made him an outsider. His courage reminds us that one person with strong convictions can change the world.
For Jews, this lesson continues to be relevant today. We all want to belong and feel accepted. Yet Jewish history reminds us that we cannot always count on others to stand with us. That can be discouraging, but it also clarifies what matters most.
Our response should never be to hide who we are. Instead, we should stand together, take pride in our Jewish identity, and live the values Abraham taught.
And here's something worth remembering: Abraham didn't change the world simply by believing differently. He changed it by doing differently.
He prayed. He gave generously. He studied and searched for deeper truths. He wasn't afraid to ask difficult questions, and he understood that spiritual growth means constantly working to become better.
That's what Jewish life is all about. And this coming week, we have six opportunities to follow in Abraham's footsteps.
- We begin Shabbos morning by exploring the deeper meaning of the Torah portion through Torah Or, the Alter Rebbe's classic Chassidic teachings.
- On Sunday evening, women will gather for Sparkle & Sushi, discovering the power of Tehillim and connecting through prayer.
- On Tuesday at noon, our Lunch & Learn explores Tzedaka: More Than Money, reminding us that generosity is about much more than what we give.
- Tuesday evening launches our six-week JLI course, Kabbalah and the Hidden Architecture of You, exploring the mysteries of the soul and our deeper purpose in life.
- On Wednesday evening, YJP's Fascinating Facts asks some of Judaism's most intriguing questions: What is Satan's actual job? Does Judaism believe in the evil eye? And what do our traditions teach about angels and demons?
- And on Thursday evening, our Chassidus study of Derech Mitzvosecha explores confession and Teshuvah, reminding us that no matter where we stand today, we can always grow closer to Hashem.
Six opportunities. Six different ways to grow. One timeless lesson from Abraham: Judaism isn't just something we believe. It's something we live.
Abraham began with one person willing to make a difference. Four thousand years later, his example continues to inspire us to bring more light into the world, one good deed at a time.
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff
THE COHEN CORNER
You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
The first time we meet Avraham in the Torah, Hashem commands him to leave his homeland and go to a place He will show him. Yet the Torah omits the first 75 years of Avraham’s life, when he discovered the One G-d at age three and dedicated his life to challenging the idolatrous world. Until Hashem revealed Himself to Avraham, it was Avraham who had discovered Hashem through his own intellect. But no matter how brilliant he was, his understanding was limited. He could not reach an infinite G-d through his own finite understanding. When Hashem revealed Himself, their relationship became something entirely different. It was no longer just a connection Avraham had discovered, but an infinite bond initiated by Hashem Himself.
The same is true of our connection to Hashem. It is not something we earn through knowledge or observance, but an inherent bond that goes beyond what we can understand. Sometimes, we hold back from a mitzvah because we don't feel connected to it or fully understand its meaning. But we don't need to understand the connection before acting on it. Choose one mitzvah to practice today, even if its deeper meaning isn't clear to you. The deeper understanding will come through the act itself.
Have a marvelous Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
UPCOMING EVENTS & CLASSES
- Shabbos, Oct. 24, 9:00 am - Torah Or - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- Sunday, Oct. 25, 6:30 pm - Sparkle & Sushi: Women's Tehillim Bedazzling Workshop - Discover the power of Tehillim while creating your own beautifully personalized Tehillim book to take home. Enjoy sushi, creativity, and inspiration! chabaduptown.org/bedazzle
- Tuesday, Oct. 27, 12:00 pm - Lunch & Learn: Tzedaka, More Than Money - RSVP chabaduptown.org/lunch
- 6 Tuesdays, Oct. 27-Dec.1, 7:30 pm - JLI Course: Kabbalah and the Hidden Architecture of You - A six-session JLI course exploring reincarnation, soulmates, dreams, the mysteries of the soul, and how Kabbalah reveals the hidden design of your life. Course fee: $119. Register
- 2 Wednesday, Oct. 28 & Nov. 4, 7:30 pm - YJP Fascinating Facts: Exploring the Myths and Mysteries of Judaism - Join CYP Academy for a fascinating 4-part course exploring surprising facts, myths, and mysteries of Jewish tradition. Dinner and textbook included. $36 for the course, complimentary for CHAI Club members. Complete the course and earn a $200 voucher toward a CYP trip or Encounter! yjphouston.org/facts
- Thursday, Oct. 29, 8:00 pm - Evening Chassidus- Derech Mitzvosecha - Mitzvah of Confession and Teshuvah
- Friday, Nov. 6, 6:30 pm - YJP November First Fridays Soupper Shabbat - Join YJP Houston in partnership with Moshe Pod for a cozy Shabbat dinner featuring delicious soups, fresh salads, and great company! Register before Thursday with the ADVANCE coupon for special pricing. yjphouston.org/soup
Mazel tov to Nathan & Nicole (Harari) Nakhmanovitch on the birth of a baby boy!
SHABBOS PARSHAS LECH LECHA
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, MARCHESHVAN 12
6:25 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
6:30 pm Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, OCTOBER 24, MARCHESHVAN 13
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush & Farbrengen
6:25 pm Mincha
Torah Study
7:28 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, MARCHESHVAN 14
8:00 am Shacharis
MON. & THURS., OCTOBER 26 & 29, MARCHESHVAN 15 & 18
6:45 am Shacharis