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A voicemail to put your hair on end

Friday, May 31, 2013 - 11:12 AM

Google Glass tefillin.jpg Someone called me unknowingly the other day- clearly an inadvertent pocket dial on their cell phone, but they'd be mortified if they knew what I heard!

As technology becomes more and more intrusive, our conversations, videos and private lives are becoming more accessible to complete and total strangers, violating the fourth amendment of the Constitution- the right to privacy.

The enchanted mirror of Harry Potter and the evil queen in Snow White are fast becoming reality as Google Glass suddenly allows us to record and download everything that meets the eye!

A friend of mine, Rabbi Dov Greenberg, took advantage of the fun side of this 'chutzpahdike' technology. As director of the Chabad of Stanford University, he discovered a sure fire way to attract droves of students to lay Tefillin at his stand on campus- the Google Glass Tefillin Stand- reading the Shma with the new gadget.

Whilst the fourth amendment might protect our right to privacy, The Torah tells us that G-d is aware of all our actions and words, even our thoughts! Why? Becasue He cares deeply about you specifically, more than anything else in the universe.

So if you're worried about a camera drone flying overhead, someone browsing your web history or tracing your steps through your phone, instead of fearing it, embrace the deeper message. Joyfully realise that G-d is watching you every second of the day, because nothing is more important to him than you!

Wishing you a Shabbat of self worth and purpose,

Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler

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How can G-d make kids suffer?

Friday, May 24, 2013 - 1:05 PM

tdy-130521-oklahoma-tornado-620.photoblog600.jpg It's always tough when we hear about innocent children dying. A powerful tornado ripped through Oklahoma this week, claiming the lives of 24 people, including 9 schoolchildren. 200mph winds hit two elementarys schools with just a few seconds warning! Over a drink this week, someone asked me:'Why? Why would G-d allow an innocent child to die?!'

Whilst there really is no good enough answer for such tragedy, perhaps we can learn a moving perspective from one of the brilliant women of the Talmud- Beruriah.

One Shabbat 1900 years ago, the two sons of Beruriah and Rabbi Meir suddenly died. The wise woman carried them up to the attic and lay them in their beds. When Rabbi Meir inquired about the boys, she avoided the question until after Shabbat. After the holy day was concluded, she asked him for his advice:

“A long time ago someone entrusted a precious stone to me for safekeeping. I have kept and cherished that stone carefully. Now the owner has come back. Should I return that precious stone to him?”

"Of course", said Rabbi Meir, "What kind of question is that?!"

"Well, should I be angry that he is asking for his precious stone back?", she asked.

"You should just appreciate the kindness he extended to you. Thank him for the time you had with the loan and don't be ungrateful now that he wants it returned."

When Rabbi Meir answered in the affirmative, she led him to the bedroom. As he saw the two boys, lifeless on the bed, he realized the wisdom and sensitivity of his wife. With her questions, she had prepared for a shock that he surely would be unable to handle.

As we reflect on tragedies involving kids, few words can offer comfort. Growing up the son of a Rabbi in South Africa and having thus been exposed to many families in need, I have seen few events more tragic than the bereavement of a child.

Beruriah helps us absorb the pain. Instead of viewing the child as forever gone and merely a memory, a picture on the wall, She helps us realize that the child is not just 'dead' but 'home'!

The lender was kind enough to loan us the precious child for a few years, but the time has come for the precious soul to come home, back to G-d where it comes from.

If your kids are near you, hug them extra tight today. If they're not, call them, today. Remember that you only have this loan for a certain time. Take full advantage of every single moment!

Finding a connection in Shanghai, Vienna and back at home!

Sunday, May 12, 2013 - 12:27 AM

avner netanyahu tefillin china.jpg Did you hear about Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's trip to China this week? As he toured the ancient Ohel Moshe Synagogue in Shanghai with his wife, Sarah and son, Avner, they were greeted by my classmate and Shanghai Chabad Rabbi Avraham Greenberg. Avner Netanyahu then asked Rabbi Greenberg if he had a pair of Tefillin handy. Of course he did and Avner proceeded to proudly lay his Tefillin in full view of the ecstatic Chinese press. The fact there was no siddur available was no problem, as Avner casually whipped out his Iphone and proceeded to daven from an app on his phone.

Two years ago this week, just before the holiday of Shavuos, I found myself at the Vienna Airport without an adapter that would recharge my phone into the Austrian outlet. As I sought an alternative, a young man approached me and wished me a 'Gut Yom Tov!'. Iphone plug.jpg After playing some jewish geography in which we discovered that he knows my uncle in Manchester, NH, I asked him if he had the plug adapter for my phone. I was relieved when he said he did.

I offered to thank him for connecting me to the 'Austrian Wall' by connecting him to the Western Wall' with Tefillin. Moments later, we stood together, two Jews just recently acquainted, proudly laying Tefillin in the Vienesse Airport.

It dawned upon me later, that Tefillin is just like a phone recharger. Though we love the mobility of our phones, we must always take some time to connect the phone to its source in order to replenish its energy.

Same thing with our spiritual energy: Though we run around all day trying to make a living, we must take some time to connect with our energy source, with Hashem, in order to download all the latest updates and blessings to carry us through the day ahead!

Perhaps this was best summed up by Avner Netanyahu, who was asked about the Tefillin when he was finished: '"it reminds us daily of who we stand before."

Next week, we celebrate the Holiday of Shavuos, when we turned from nomads and slaves to a Chosen People. G-d chose us to be His special children by giving us the Torah. The Torah is not just a history book, it's our cell phone charger that fires up our soul.

Just as you'd never go too long without your phone charger, Shavuos reminds us to always remain connected to our source, through a little Torah Study each week.

Wishing you a Shabbos of Connection to your source,