The Rabbis teach us:
If I am not for myself, who will be?
And if I am only for myself, what am I?
And if not now, then when.
In this week’s parshah/torah portion, we learn that Abraham is commanded to “go to himself.” What does that mean to go to one’s self? Go to your destiny, start your life’s journey.
What was Abraham’s destiny to bring monotheism and knowledge of G-d to the world. Go out of your comfort zone Abraham, away from your land, the place you were born, your family, and reach out to those unknowing souls who do not know they have souls, who do not know that they were born in G-d’s image, and bring them the beauty of Judaism.
How does Abraham do this? By opening his tent on all four sides to strangers, welcoming them and befriending them in hopes that they will see the beauty of G-d and want to emulate Abraham’s G-dlike ways and accept G-d and His laws.
Today was the Long Island Challah Bake, my most favorite yearly event, when 1,200 women from all walks of life gather together to bake challah. Oh the love and togetherness!!! Oh the inspiration.
This Shabbos is The Shabbos project Shabbos, where we make efforts to find those around us who have not yet seen the beauty of Shabbos and invite them to our homes. If you have not yet done so, call your neighbor and invite them for Friday night or Shabbos meal. Invite them to share and experience the beauty, peace and love that is Shabbos.
INSPIRE THEM!!!
For as the Rabbis tell us, if we are only for ourselves, if we spend our lives only caring about our performance of mitzvoth, our souls in heaven, and we do not focus on the souls of our fellow Jews, then not “who” are we, it is “what” are we, we are not humans who are compassionate, we are selfish in our love of ourselves to the exclusion of our fellow Jew. Elevate yourself and your love of your fellow Jew.
Spread the love…
Good Shabbos.
-Suri