Caring for the underdog, the ostracized, the outcast.

This is what I was role modeled by my mom who always showed up for the kid in her class who was struggling at home, always befriended her “eccentric” classmates, and always gave charity, and a hot meal, to the community “crazies”. Her mother, my Bubbe, did it too, welcoming guests at her Shabbos table that we grandkids considered to be out of their minds. Chavie is very similar in her genuine concern for those who have been pushed out of mainstream society, those who don’t feel like they fit in. She always dives beneath the surface, trying to understand their plight and show up for them in friendship and empathy.

In this week’s Torah portion, Shemos, the first in the Book of Exodus, we read about Moses’ escape from Egypt and his arrival to Midian. When he arrives in the area, he sees a group of young women attempting to draw water from the well. They had been ostracized and bullied by the local community because their father Jethro was once a prominent religious leader and then discovered G-d, leaving his old faith behind. His change of heart, his abandonment of his previous forms of worship, was enough for the locals, his former friends and congregants, to expel his family, torment his children, and make basic life necessities a needless challenge.

It's grotesque when we lose our humanity in the name of “religion”.

Judaism dictates rare occasions when a person is placed in “Cherem”, removed from communal life due to severe misconduct, but it’s rare and doesn’t include their wife and children. We are allowed to have differences in religious practice, we don’t all have to be the same, but misusing G-d, Torah and religion to divide humanity is categorically wrong. We are taught that the Torah was only given to “bring peace to the world” and we say during Hagbah, when the Torah is lifted after it’s read, “Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace”. We must be super wary of those who use their faith to plant discord among the community; it’s not the path of G-d.

G-d has lots of room for everyone; even those who you think are off!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!

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It doesn’t matter who you are; we are all incentivized by positive feedback.

Whether from a child, friend, spouse, parent, neighbor, or congregant; receiving encouraging words goes a long way. I’ve been writing weekly emails for over two decades, with close to twelve hundred weekly Torah thoughts, yet I still appreciate the conversations and feedback that I get to enjoy with readers from around the world.  Earlier this week I received a beautiful text from Daniel, a reader in Connecticut, who wrote “I’m a big fan of your weekly emails! They share a practical human perspective woven through Lubavitch philosophy. Keep up your amazing work!”.

I was touched.

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayechi, the last In the Book of Genesis, we read about Jacob’s interaction with his children and grandchildren before his passing. While they are called “blessings”, it is a mixture of feedback, commentary, inspiration, rebuke and yes blessings to each of them individually. Before he passes, Jacob takes the time to talk to his children and convey to them what he felt they needed to hear from him and the guidance necessary for their future. We shouldn’t be left scratching our heads, trying to figure out what our loved ones would’ve wanted to share with us on any given topic. We should give feedback in real time, so that the lives of those who matter to us can be changed for the better.

With feedback in mind, I gave the annual New Year “gift” to the UPS, USPS and FedEx drivers that service our neighborhood. They are caring people, who show up on sunny and blizzarding days alike, with big boxes and small packages, and keep our operation functional with its needs. I like feeling appreciated and like making others feel that way too. The holiday gift isn’t going to pay their monthly mortgage or pay off their student loans, but it certainly made them feel cherished, and that’s so important. In the words of a motivational business coach “feedback is the breakfast of champions”.

Speak to your loved ones; they will appreciate your feedback!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!