"Shabbat Shalom from Bangkok"

By the Grace of G-d

Dear Friend,

You are a treasure trove.

There is a wealth of opportunity within you.

The world will be a better place when you unleash your potential.

Don’t look around to see who I am speaking to. I am speaking to you, the one reading this message.

What are you waiting for?

Why are you sitting on this cache of precious commodities and withholding them from your loved ones, your community and by extension the entire world?

Can you imagine being in a place surrounded by starving and needy people, feeling helpless about not being able to help them. You knew that there was food in the kitchen, but you couldn’t share it with the needy because the kitchen was locked.

While you feel bad about the starving people, you don’t feel personally responsible. You know that it was beyond your control. After all, the kitchen was locked, and you had no way of getting in.

Imagine if you realized afterwards that you had the key to the kitchen in your pocket but forgot about it?

You would feel devastated and remorseful for your forgetfulness. 

Still in all, at least you can blame your forgetfulness for the blunder. You were not intentionally negligent and insensitive to the needs of others.

There is an even more pitiful and awful scenario that is possible.

That you saw the starving people, you knew the food was in the kitchen, you were quite aware that you possessed the key to the kitchen, but you couldn’t energize yourself to get up off your couch and open the kitchen to help those in need.

(I am not talking about inactivity caused by clinical depression or other forms of mental illness. 

My heartfelt prayers to those who battle this kind of imbalance. May Hashem give them the strength, perseverance and healing that is needed. We need to be mindful and spread awareness about the excruciating challenge of mental illness. 

Most importantly, the stigma and shame need to be stripped away. True compassion needs to be applied. We all ought to partner in helping shoulder the often-overwhelming financial burden that treating mental illness incurs.

Back to my article which refers to moods and energy that are a product of motivation and proper self-care which we must try to get better at).

How would you look at yourself in the mirror knowing that because you couldn’t drum up enough motivation or energy in yourself, you allowed people to suffer needlessly.

Is that excusable?

Imagine having a dream like that. It would be a nightmare that you would be happy to wake up from and discover that it was not for real.

Let me reveal to you that perhaps I am not depicting a scene that is so far from reality. 

The Rebbe quoted the Baal Shem Tov’s teaching:

It is written, "For you (the people of Israel) shall be a desirable land, says G d" (Malachi 3:12). Just as the greatest explorers will never uncover the limits of the great and valuable resources which the Almighty has placed within the earth, neither will anyone ever discover the limits of the great treasures which lie buried within a Jew - G d's "desirable land."

My dear friend,

This means to say that you and I have potential within us that is waiting to be revealed.

There is more, perhaps much more, that we can bring to the table.

This is the reality, says the Rebbe. Alluded to in the words of Malachi the prophet. Not wishful thinking or imagination. 

So why are we not realizing our potential?

Why are we squandering the incredible wealth and opportunity that we have been entrusted with?

I believe that there are two reasons.

Firstly, Ba’al Shemtov’s analogy clearly refers to the positive qualities and potentials as being ‘hidden under the ground. This means we need to uncover it. Even dig for it, if it is not near the surface.

For some, the treasure remains buried.

We may not have heard from someone else that they believe in us, and they identify great potential within us. Our potential may be buried to the point that we are not consciously aware of it and it remains undeveloped.

It starts from early childhood.

Someone shared the following story about his childhood. He was raised by his Jewish parents who intentionally left Jewish observance out of their household. He grew up knowing one word in Yiddish.

‘Vildeh Chayess’. 

This means literally ‘wild beasts’. The mother would sometimes tell her kids to calm down and not run wildly around like ‘vildeh chayess’. It’s a Yiddish term that she obviously grew up with.

How ironic and sad that the one Yiddish word that made it through the blackout curtains covering over the children’s Jewish identity was this disparaging term.

In the Yiddish vernacular there are so many uplifting words that parents refer to their children by.

‘Mayn Tzadikel/Malach’el’ ‘My saintly/angelic one’. ‘Tatteleh, Mamelleh, Buballeh’ ‘small father, small mother, small grandmother’. ‘Shayne punim’ ‘beautiful-face’ and many other endearing terms. They all have one thing in common. They refer to the child as someone special, beloved and a gift.

Hopefully we had parents who built our positivity by calling us uplifting names. Let us not judge them if they were not as sensitive to this as they could have been. It is our duty to be mindful about this and spread awareness about the empowerment we need to give our children.

If you are at the stage of raising children, or you have grandchildren, make sure to speak in a way that identifies the special qualities in your children/grandchildren.

Tell your loved one how special they are and how much potential you see in them. In a real loving and empowering way. 

I don’t mean false fawning of someone to endear yourself to them to get a favor from them.

I am talking about identifying the deeper abilities within people around you. Positive reinforcement when it is genuine and well-intentioned is a game changer. It brings out the latent positivity that is hidden beneath the surface. 

If no one else has told it to you, you now have heard it directly from G-d via the prophet Malachi with the analogy deciphered by the Ba’al Shem Tov and transmitted by the Rebbe to our generation on social media (see this video of the Rebbe).

The second hurdle is getting off our couches, buckling down and getting to work in implementing our missions. Lethargy and lack of motivation may be a greater challenge than one realizes.

Tanya teaches that when two people wrestle, it is not the stronger one who will win. It is the more agile and motivated one.

Imagine this scenario. Two people are vying for the same job. Both are endowed with the needed skill sets. One is more talented. The other one has noticeably more positive energy. Which applicant do you think will get the job?

Yep, you are right. The more enthusiastic and positive one will likely get the coveted position.

Getting yourself in the right frame of mind is not just an added perk. 

It can make or break your success.

I know people who are so gifted and capable, yet they are stymied by their lack of motivation. 

By contrast, I know super successful people who show up with zeal, determination and positivity while being significantly less talented than their counterparts. 

The gift of the teachings of Chabad Chasidism – whose founding two hundred plus years ago we celebrate today the 19th of Kislev - is contemporary and more relevant than ever.

Chasidut teaches and emphasizes the critical importance of always being joyous and upbeat with ‘simcha’.

So is the central teaching about Divine Providence.

You see, there is another excuse that would keep us from making efforts to unleash our inner gifts.

The classic excuses. 

‘I am not in the right place, or this is not the right time’. ‘If I was there’…, ‘if it was yesterday or tomorrow…’ then I would do it, but I am here. It is now. If only …. was different, then I would do …. ‘. 

Wistful and wishful thinking is a distraction and not in sync with true ‘mindfulness’ and being ‘present’.

One of the most central tenets of Chasidic thought it the Ba’al Shem Tov’s teaching of Hashgacha Pratit. 

Detailed Divine Providence. 

Even a leaf that blows in the wind is micro-managed by the Almighty Himself.

The place I am in. The time that I am in. The kind of person I am with the unique skill set, advantages, disadvantages, strength and weaknesses. 

They are all designed and planned by G-d.

The bases are loaded to use baseball language.

You are up to bat.

Recognize that Hashem looks at you like a ‘big leagues’ player. He is expectantly awaiting your effort. Only you can do your job. You are irreplaceable.

Don’t self-deprecate and minimize your abilities. Dig deep and uncover your potential.

Keep yourself in the positive zone of energy, joy and enthusiasm.

Do this by studying the uplifting texts of Torah especially as illuminated by Chabad Chasidism. Make sure your body is well calibrated by eating nutritiously and taking care of your body as the gift it is from G-d.  

This Friday and Shabbat, we commemorate the Alter Rebbe’s redemption from Czarist prison. In the Divine scheme of things there are special energies available to get ‘redeemed’, ‘unstuck’ and freed from constraints, both external and internal.

Utilize the timely special opportunity. 

Take advantage of the special redemptive powers that are available.

Take a moment to reflect on what you know deep down you could and should do.

Dare to believe that you too have a treasure and can do even more than that.

Be bold enough to disregard and dispel the voices that tell you to give up before you try.

Be open to the special blessings of this celebration of redemption and take the next step or even better, the next leap in shining your inner light outward, so that it creates a ripple effect of light and positivity. 

This will tip the scales and bring Mashiach now.

Happy 19th of Kislev.

Shabbat Shalom

And an early CHANUKA SAMEACH for this coming Wednesday night.

PS Click here for four incredible stories about Hidden Treasure

Mazal tov to Rav Nechemya and Mrs. Nechami Wilhelm from Chabad Bangkok on the wedding of their son Chaimke to Etti last night. 

Printing of the Tanya in Koh Phangan, Thailand this week

Gathering in honor or Yed Tes (19) Kislev at Beth Elisheva's temporary home, Bangkok
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Chanukah fun and smiles at Sunday school in Bangkok

By the Grace of G-d

Dear Friend,

Let me talk about the embrace of Judaism. 

The oneness of our people. 

Geographical differences, cultural biases, varying levels of commitment to Jewish observance aside, we are one. 

Our oneness even defies the generation gap that is universally bemoaned. 

Our traditions withstand the test of time.

As the verse from the Torah reads: (Samuel 2, 7, 23) And who is like Your people, like Israel, one nation in the world, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, and to make Him a name…

Last Thursday I made a morning-to-evening visit to Israel. It was to offer condolences to my aunt, uncle and cousin who had lost their grandson/son in Gaza. 

Sitting in the ‘shiva-tent’ in Israel I had a chance to see the unity and togetherness of our people in full display.

A picture display about my fallen cousin Zamir highlighted the volunteer work he did with special-needs children. This entailed engaging them in educational growth as well as tending to their demanding needs. He did not shy away from changing them and cleaning them up when they were soiled. 


My cousin Zamin HYD

His company commander paid a visit while I was there. He spoke about the compassionate nature of Zamir who himself was a staff sergeant and oversaw others. Zamir didn’t simply give orders to those he was responsible for; he tried to explain the rationale for those instructions when it was feasible. He had a positive disposition and cared deeply for those around him.

Zamir, my cousin, like the soldiers who served with him, yearn for peace yet understand the complex reality that fighting this war of self-defense that was thrust upon us, is the surest way to allow our people to live in safety in the land that Hashem has given us.

The atmosphere of love surrounding the ‘mourning tent’ in Bet Shemesh where the family lives was uplifting beyond words.

It was clear that the people of Israel were embracing the family of Zamir. 

Logistics were efficiently provided. Transportation to the funeral at Mt. Herzl, a special mourning tent to accommodate the large crowds, short shiva stools and an officer trained in grief counseling were all organized by the relevant Israeli government office.

The neighbors brought in food.

A Jewish organization from the USA sent financial help for covering related expenses. 

People of all ages and backgrounds came to comfort the bereaved family.

Some are relatives and friends of the family. Many don’t know the family. They simply feel the need to come and pay honor to the hero who fell in the defense of his people. They sit there respectfully, offer words of comfort to the mourners and reaffirm that we are all part of one extended family.

The fellow soldiers of Zamir’s unit were given time off to come and comfort the family.

And I sat there awash with grief and overwhelmed with feelings of awe and love for my brothers and sisters. Feeling very deeply how fortunate is my lot to be sitting with the special people – Am Yisrael - that I am blessed to be part of.

The ultimate oneness of our people is expressed by individual Jews being prepared to sacrifice their life in protection of their fellow Jews.

We hope and pray for the end to the physical battle raging in Israel. May our hostages return home safely, our soldiers be able to be a peacekeeping force and our wounded by healed. 

There is another spiritual front that we engage in simultaneously. 

Our generation is in a full scale struggle against the forces of assimilation. The weapons we use to fight assimilation are Jewish outreach activities. Jewish continuity can only be guaranteed when firmly anchored in authentic Jewish observance as taught in Torah and Halacha.

It was to fight this battle against Jewish apathy that leads to assimilation that the Rebbe dispatched his followers around the globe empowering them to be his representatives in spreading the authentic and holy light of Yiddishkeit.

My colleague R’ Tzvi Kogan was doing just that. He was manning a Jewish outreach outpost in the UAE engaged in peaceful and light-filled activities. He was armed with inspiration and determination not with physical weaponry. Tragically he lost his life at his post. 

At the Shluchim conference in NY just after his murder we renewed our commitment to our holy mission. We internalized the Rebbe’s response to darkness and tragedy which is to respond to the darkness with rebuilding even bigger. And to engage in efforts of light and goodness with ever increasing intensity. 

This week our community lost one of its oldest members. Mr. Norman (Chaim Nochem Halevi) Baum originally of Buffalo NY passed away just half a year shy of his ninetieth birthday. The burial took place at our local Jewish cemetery. 




Norman Baum with his visiting great-nephews . Bangkok 2013

Norman's niece Julie came from New Zealand to pay her respects on behalf of the family. From Julie I heard an incredible story that further illustrates the oneness of our nation.

Originally from the USA, Julie had relocated to her husband’s country of New Zealand. While having a bris for her first two boys born in the USA was a simple matter, arranging a bris for her third boy to be born in New Zealand, seemed like an impossible feat. Julie’s mother who lives in Napa Valley asked her Chabad rabbi in whether he could provide some prayers that the family could say while a non-Jewish doctor would do the circumcision.

Rabbi Elchonon of Napa Valley’s Chabad told the family the story about his great grandfather for whom he is named.  

Reb Elchonon Shagalov, dared to practice as a mohel circumcising Jewish children in the town of Homil in Stalin's Russia. One day he was taken by the KGB and never seen again. 

He made the family an offer. ‘My great grandfather gave his life for Bris, allow me to organize a mohel to fly to New Zealand and do a proper Bris’. The family agreed. If a rabbi cared enough to organize a bris in New Zealand, they would certainly agree to go along with it. They felt happy to give their son this eternal gift of entering a covenant with G-d in the proscribed manner.

The organization that sponsors providing a mohel for a bris was contacted and Rabbi Mendel Raskin flew out from Melbourne to Christchurch New Zealand to perform a bis on baby Daniel.

I was enthralled by the story and especially the twist it took with a mohel from Melbourne, having grown up there. I told Julie that I know Rabbi Raskin well. He was my teacher just after my bar mitzvah. A deeply spiritual man who is a paradigm of selfless giving.  

Julie and I were amazed.

Join the dots. 

A rabbi who loses his life in Russian for adherence to bris many decades ago. His great grandson a rabbi in Napa Valley who bears his name. The contemporary rabbi connects with a woman who has a brother in Bangkok. The daughter of the sister from Napa Valley moves to a town in New Zealand and at her mother’s rabbi’s urging lands up having a mohel circumcise her son. The mohel from Australia has a student who is the rabbi in Bangkok who tending to her uncle and eventually brings him to his final rest in the traditional Jewish way with Chevra Kadisha and funeral. The niece visits the uncle’s home and the story seems to come full circle.

It is the story of the circle of Jewish life. From being born as a Jew and entering the covenant of bris to dying as a Jew and having a proper Jewish burial.

Am Yisrael Chai.

I feel so warmly embraced by being part of this special people Am Yisrael.

And I hear the urging and insistent call of Shema Yisrael, - Hear Israel – you and I – Hashem is our G-d. Hashem is One!

This is a clarion call to jump into the action. Not to stay at the sidelines. Each of us needs to be prepared to do our bit for the oneness of our nation and for the continuity of our collective.

To look beyond what is selfishly good for me as an individual, rather to think of what is good for Hashems’ people as a whole. 

We ought to take the lesson of sacrifice from my fallen cousin, from my colleague R’ Tzvi Kogan the Chabad rabbi who was killed in UAE last week, and from the legendary Reb Elchonon Shagalov who gave their lives on behalf of our people. 

With one major caveat.

As we are so close to the coming of Mashiach, we pray to Hashem that we be granted the gift to show our sacrifice as living Jews. That our sacrifice will be that of sacrificing our egos. That our test of faith will be about foregoing on our wants and desires in favor of what is better for Hashem and our fellow Jews. 

By spending a bit less on our own frills and a bit more to giving Tzedakah and helping others.

May that blessed time of Mashiach be a reality for us really soon as in NOW.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Yosef Kantor

PS. To give tzedakah and help others via the humanitarian fund, please click here. 

Traditional Latke baking infused with joy and fun at CKids Bangkok

Weekly Talmud Class in Bangkok