Yoni Stadlin in farmer mode at Eden Village Camp

Mondays, huh? A complicated and sometimes challenging day, but also a time to assess the events of last week, and plan a coming week that’s even better. Let’s begin with this: last week was great. As you all know, we called it Jewcology week. Our blog had some awesome features from really inspiring guests – farmers, educators and small business operators – all who occupy themselves with living out their ideas about environmentally sustainable practices. So much to learn from these guys! In a world where we see the results of climate change and poor lifestyle and environmental choices all around us, it’s important to have mentors to help us understand how we can change the world around us, and ensure that our descendants can enjoy G-d’s wonderful creations.

Our wonderful Jewcology Shabbat guest speaker Yoni Stadlin put it beautifully; we’re all on the same boat. Drilling a hole in one part of the boat doesn’t just effect that small corner of the boat. It sinks everyone; we’re all responsible for each other. If you think about it, this idea is manifest on so many levels – when you act positively, even if it’s just doing a small deed, or helping someone out – this spreads light. It betters the world, and it makes us stronger as a whole.

Speaking of the Jewcology Shabbat dinner downtown at the Sixth Street Shul – what a success! I came along to that and it was really beautiful to see a room full of young and vibrant Jews sharing a Shabbat dinner together. Dinner was delicious, said speaker Yoni was a treat, and we really had a great crowd. So, thank you to everyone who came, and we hope to see you all again soon, especially at all the events we have planned for Aish Downtown (including our big Purim party on February 23rd [GET EXCITED], the brand new Challah for Hunger chapter we’re starting [STAY TUNED!] and lots more.)

Our other event last week was Jew in the City, featuring the inspiring Allison Josephs, whose story of finding her life’s purpose really moved and motivated her audience. Allison is truly an impressive woman – and the very picture of Jewish pride. I spoke to some people afterwards, and they seemed to honestly be glowing after her talk. It’s amazing how sometimes, just listening to someone as motivated as Allison can really give you the kick you need to stay positive about your own life, regardless of your goals, and feel great about yourself.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead! I’m hoping to see a lot of you at our Date Nation panel this Wednesday night – a must for anyone with questions, or answers, about the complex world of dating.

I came across an interesting piece in the Israeli daily HaAretz.  Here’s how it’s described: Judith Shulevitz, an American writer from an assimilated Jewish family, describes her dawning love affair with Shabbat.  She explores a large variety of classical Jewish sources, including mysticism, to draw her conclusions about the day and brings an outsider’s fresh perspective.  Among other realizations she marveled at the day’s pedagogical properties. The Sabbath, she writes, “may be the most effective machine for the reproduction of values anyone has ever come up with.”  Check it out here.

The Hebrew text that describes the final encampment of the Jewish people before the Sinaitic revelation says “Vayichan” (he camped) in the singular, implying that the people were “of one mind and one heart” as Rashi explains. On the other hand, when Egypt’s 600 chariots are baring down against the Jews the text also notes their unity “and behold, Egypt was chasing them”-not the Egyptians, but Egypt. How do we distinguish between these two forms of unity? The Talmud teaches that evil unites “with one heart, like one man”, i.e.: the emotions come before the intellect, the exact opposite of the approach of the righteous.

How many poor decisions have been made under the grip of powerful emotions? How many opportunities lost and relationships destroyed? Presumably, the Egyptians regretted their decision post-decimation. What can be done to avoid “being drawn after our hearts and eyes” as the Chumash warns us?

1. Don’t make decisions during emotionally charged moments

2. Have a pre-arranged plan that you implement to pull yourself out of that emotional space

 3. Ask yourself what the root cause of the feeling is (usually fear or ego)

4. Keep a journal and actively work on keeping your intellect in the driver’s seat

Shabbat Shalom