In line with Jewish tradition naming your child’s Jewishly is not just an arbitrary choice. The centre letters of the word for soul in Hebrew, neshamah, are shem which translates to mean name. In reality the name carries code for the spiritual life force of this child’s soul energy.
It is for that reason that a Jewish name is considered heavenly ordained and should not be overly influenced by others because precisely parents are given the ability to identify the code for their child’s soul. Mazel tov! A portion of Rabbi Mendel Bluming’s role in Potomac, Maryland he officiates at life cycle events including Brisses and baby namings and stands for all Jewish parents to give their children a traditional Jewish name.
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Rabbi Mendel Bluming, the Rabbi of theChabad Shul of Potomac, Maryland, motto is to bring understanding and connection to the service of G-d.
So here’s an insight about washing before bread. We are taught that in the times of the Temple, the Kohen tribe of priests would live off of donations of produce from all the farmers, called the Terumah. These food items could only be eaten by a Kohen and his family, and had to be eaten in a state of ritual purity. For that reason the priests would always wash their hands ritually before eating to ensure that they were pure. It then became customary for everyone, even non-priests, to wash their hands before eating, in respect to the Kohanim who were obligated to do so. And even at present we no longer have those foods that need to be eaten in purity; we still wash our hands before bread. Why did our sages say that we should wash our hands in the same manner the priests did? The Kohanim did not labor in the fields. They served in the Temple, and relied on the tithes people donated to them for their upkeep. A priest was unable to fool himself and think that he had worked for his food. It was clear that it was being supplied for by the kindness of others. We should all relate to that feeling. It is not due to our own sweat and effort alone. It is all but a gift from G-d. Menachem Mendel Bluming and Rabbi Moss Rabbi Mendel Bluming, a rabbi in Maryland, is approached regularly with the quest of how to find happiness in life.
In reality it is a central Jewish question because the verse in Psalms 100 teaches that one MUST serve G-d (fulfil their mission in this world) with joy! But how is that to be expected when life is often filled with pain, loss and setbacks?! And that’s exactly why it’s a mitzvah. Happiness is not a reaction that someone had to a blissful life but rather an action, a commitment to living joyfully irrespective of life’s circumstances. But how? The following is some food for thought: Rather than looking at happiness as being a product of our circumstances, see happiness as the driving force behind our circumstances. Joy has the strength to break down barriers. A happy and positive way of looking at things can bring about happy and positive results. Not that happy people never feel pain. But happy people don't let suffering define their world. And that gives them the strength to see through tough experiences and come out the other end. We can't control everything that happens to us or to those around us. There may be real reasons to be sad, and sadness is an understandable and sometimes appropriate reaction. Never the less happiness is an action, not a reaction. There will always be reasons to be sad. Or we can focus on staying happy. This does not mean turning a blind eye to the suffering and pain in the world. The Zohar teaches that we can feel pain on one side of the heart while at the same time feel joy on the other. I can cry and laugh simultaneously. I can feel pain, my own or that of others, and as well as being full of hope and joy. Not easy, it is a lifetime calling. Menachem Mendel Bluming and Rabbi Moss The Torah writes that Jacob remained alone (Breishis 32). Abraham was called an Ivri as he was on the “other side” of all of mankind, he stood alone. Famously, Elijah says I am the only one left, alone (Melachim Aleph 18). The Lubavitcher Rebbe was very O.K with standing alone. He was criticized for his campaign to place tefillin on men on the streets, for urging women to light Shabbat candles even if they did not keep Shabbat yet, for his stand on Israel and on halachic conversion and of course on his passion for Moshiach and so much else. He was willing to stand alone and he built a Jewish renaissance as a result.
G-d stands alone. The mystics teach that "One who is alone" is the level of the Divine Infinite Light that does not manifest in relationships. As we find in adon olam “Livado yimloch”. Isaiah 2: G-d will be exalted alone. Do you have the courage to brave standing by yourself rather than cave for acceptance in the pack? It is not easy, but a high calling. Rabbi Mendel Bluming, Chabad rabbi in Potomac Maryland has served the community since 2000 with his family. |
AuthorRabbi Mendel Bluming also dedicated six years to serving on the board of directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, where he received the Matthew H. Simon Rabbinical Award for exceptional communal leadership. Archives
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