Rabbi Mendy Herson's Blog

We each have blessings in our lives.
But it’s often difficult to recognize our good; if only because the stress consumes so much of our brain space.
We have real beauty to appreciate, yet sparks of angst obscure our vision. That’s why it’s so important to take some time every day to refocus our attention and recognize life's good.
Prayer is one such opportunity; it can take a few points off your blood pressure.
But let’s follow this prayer trajectory a bit further. 
Imagine that you’re praying and are now able to see your world more clearly. You’ve begun to perceive and appreciate your blessings. You’re able to visualize how you can effectively respond to your challenges, while maintaining your spiritual integrity.
From that rarefied ‘prayer perch’, your world makes sense; life actually looks pretty good.
So why does our prayer liturgy - thrice daily – also guide us to yearn for Moshiach, for an era without pain, without moral dilemmas and without tests of faith?
If life is good, and rising above my struggles - maintaining soul-consciousness even as I'm engaged in a shallow world - is actually an exercise in character development, why should I be desperate for Moshiach?

All things considered, what am I missing?

G-d is the ultimate good, and G-d is in control of the world. That being the case, we have every reason to hope for – and to anticipate – a world of total connectedness and balance, a world that is pain-free and without tragedy. Feeling Oneness with the Divine and with each other shouldn’t be a struggle; it should be a given.
So while we should be happy with life, we should never be complacent. Our world CAN be better and we need to keep an eye on a better future.
As long as there is pain, disunity and lack of higher consciousness in the world, we can’t rest on our laurels.
So every day, my prayers guide me to appreciate my life, and then guide me to recognize that my world can be so much better, and that I can – and must - actually bring it to that better place.
Starting now.

 When there’s broad sunlight, who needs a candle?

Light shines brightest, is most appreciated, and may be the greatest achievement, when it happens in the darkness.

Shortly after the Jews left Egypt, G-d instructed them to build the Tabernacle, which would serve as a direct point of Divine/human interface.

The Torah describes how, for twelve straight days, each of the twelve tribal leaders brought an offering to dedicate the new Temple.

Aaron, the High Priest, was also given a special part in the dedication, in the form of kindling the Menorah, which would stand in the Tabernacle and spread light to the world.

Actually, G-d told Aaron that his contribution to the Tabernacle was even GREATER than those of the tribal leaders; because the Temple would eventually be destroyed and its service discontinued, but the “Menorah’s light would burn forever”, referring to the Chanukah lights.

How is that?

The Temple was the pinnacle of our spiritual experience; that’s why we pray every day for for the Temple’s restoration with the coming of Moshiach.

Yet, G-d told Aaron that his light, in the form of future Chanukah Menorahs (Chanukah wouldn’t become a Holiday until almost a thousand years after Aaron’s passing), was even GREATER than the Temple service?

Here's a thought which gives us insight for our daily lives:

The tribal leaders indeed had an amazing opportunity to dedicate the House of G-d. But their impact was predicated on the Temple; and with the Temple's destruction, their effect functionally came to an end.

Aaron's mission was to spread light, and G-d’s light transcends the limitations of time and space. Because it’s not just physical light; it’s Divine light.

So Aaron’s light would echo through history. One famous example was when the Maccabees were able to find spiritual light and strength in a time of great spiritual darkness.

In other words, the Maccabees first found light in their souls, and only afterward in the Menorah. Both 'flames' were the gift of Aaron.

Today, too, Aaron’s contribution to our lives lies in our ability to find Divine light – internal clarity and beauty – irrespective of our circumstances, in our ability to find a spark of G-dliness even in a dark hour.

So don't let this Chanukah become a distant memory. Pack away your Menorah, but resolve to retain its light.

Because Aaron's gift “burns forever”