Sandy Blog

From our inbox:

"Sorry, we can't make it to Shabbat dinner tonight, but I would like to make a deal with you. Can I buy 12 vats of that chicken soup...? That is some chicken soup, it's fantastic even on a regular day, let alone in the cold... and those Matza balls, that was our dinner. We can't thank you enough."

"This past Friday evening, close to 50 people joined the family of Rabbi Moshe and Chanie Gourarie, at Chabad of Toms River, to celebrate Shabbos, with a beautiful Kabbalas Shabbos service and, then, with a delicious hot Shabbos meal. For some, it was their first hot meal of the week. For others, it was their first chance of the week to sit in a well-lit, heated room. B"H, the Chabad House had electricity that night, but, I am convinced that, even if the the power had failed, it would still have been a bright, warm, and comfortable Shabbos. There was too much caring and love to allow the darkness to enter..."

"Shabbos dinner 11-2-12 was very special. So many of us are still experiencing hardship without electricity and heat. Rabbi and Rebbetzin Gourarie, you had a major outreach to the Jewish community in Ocean County. The dinner was a true Shabbos experience in bringing light, warmth, and smiles, and joy to all who attended. Everyone was able to forget the hardships of the past week. You and Chanie showed your own kindness by opening your home and Chabad center to the Jewish community. This was the largest Shabbat dinner with so many new people present..."

"Rabbi and Chanie, wow... everything was so delicious, and we can't believe you drove all the way out here to see us. It warmed our hearts and our hands. ____ was holding the pan in her hands to warm up. Some of our neighbors got their electric back today, that has us hoping we're next..." 

"Teffilin Club" this morning offered bagels and lox and Chanie's home-made hot cheese blintzes. Delicious and warm.

This afternoon I continued to meet and talk with people affected by the storm. We're providing those who need with flashlights, batteries, sweaters, etc. and hot meals. While some have it better than others, each family is struggling with their own story. We continue to pray for everyone affected.

If you, or someone you know, needs a hot Kosher meal, please let us know. We have hot home-made dinners for tonight.

What a beautiful Shabbos. Over 50 people joined for a hot delicious Shabbos dinner, plus a beautiful minyan and hot kiddush today.

It's going to drop into the 30s tonight. If you want a warm place to sleep, we have room, please don't hesitate.

Tomorrow morning we have Teffilin Club at 9:30am followed by a hot breakfast. Enjoy the warmth, electricity, and whatever else you want or need.

Got some calls last night and this morning from other states, with people looking for their loved ones. Went to their homes with some hot food and challa, water and extra flashlights, for shabbos. Miraclously my cellphone worked, so they were able to speak to each other for the first time since Monday. 

There are so many people I still want to call/visit, but Shabbos is coming, so we're going to have to spread the warmth and light from within the Chabad House. 

There are still people in the cold and dark. Think of anyone you know who might need something, let us know!

Keep in mind, Chabad is open all hours, if you need a shower, do laundry, charge your phone, hang out, or whatever, our doors are open. 

Friday:
5:35 candle lighting
5:45 Shabbat service
6:30 delicious hot Shabbat buffet dinner, open to all

Shabbat
9:30 Morning Service
12:00 full Kiddush lunch, open to all

By Rabbi Asher Deren
The Shul of Tableview, Capetown, South Africa

Rabbi Moshe Gourarie was one of the pre-eminent teachers of Chabad Chassidus in Israel of the 1940’s and 50’s. His great-grandson that carries his name was my first Chassidus partner in Yeshiva (where his father was my mentor for the better part of 10 years), and did his namesake proud in his remarkable achievements of Torah study including, among many others, memorizing hundreds of pages comprising numerous tractates of Talmud almost verbatim. 
So what on earth was this young progeny of Talmud and Chassidus masters doing on Wednesday morning bringing Chocolate Chip Cookies to the Toms River Fire Station on New Jersey’s Shore while helping his community recover and rebuild from Sandy?
I guess he was following the family model in studying, and living, the Torah of the day – Monday’s portion to be exact.
“And Hashem said to Avraham, the cries of (all who suffer from the evil and murderous ways of) Sodom has come to me, I will see if this is what they have done, and I will destroy it”
“And Avraham approached G-d and said will you even destroy the good with the wicked?”
Approached? How do you approach someone in middle of a conversation? Isn’t that a bit “in your face?” Avraham was known as a man of etiquette and kindness? Why would he “approach” Hashem in middle of their discussion?
Rashi explains that he “engaged” Hashem and the biblical linguistic implication of his “approach” reflect the three angles with which he engaged Hashem in his hope to save the cities of Sodom; 1. confrontational demand (literally “war”), 2. a soothing tone, and 3. Soulful prayer.
Ok, so we can see Avraham, the master of kindness approaching G-d with a soothing tone, and of course in soulful prayer – but confrontational demands – huh?
Yes, when lives are at stake Avraham was ready to speak a tone of war with G-d, if this is what is necessary to save the life of another – a critical component of his service of G-d. Yes, he was ready to speak a tone of war with G-d, as much as that was against his nature, because that is what G-d wanted him to do – to save the life of another.
In 1969 the Rebbe spoke about this (explanation of Rashi on) the example of Avraham and explained how each one of us, when faced with the physical or spiritual wellbeing of another person, must drop our inherent nature, whatever it may be, and do everything in our power to assist them. 
The Rebbe, a model of Avraham in our times, set about inspiring a generation of young Avraham’s and Sarah’s who, numbering today 8,000 in total, are there to serve the needs of Hashem’s children wherever they may be, and for whatever they might need.
Yes, they speak a “soothing tone” and I know how much the community in Toms River enjoys Moshe’s Torah classes as he, like his thousands of his colleagues, teach a Torah whose “ways are pleasant and its paths are peace.”
His “soulful prayer” like Avraham is one that elevates people to a stronger and more spiritual relationship with Hashem – and with themselves.
But he can speak a “language of war” as good any U.S. Army officer in the New Jersey National Guard can, in rebuilding communities and repairing broken hearts, in the wake of Hurricane Sandy- just like his family before him.
Like Avraham who did everything to Save Sodom, let’s make sure we can be there for Moshe, and all the soldiers of the Rebbe’s Army, Surviving Sandy and rebuilding the northeastern USA.
- Many thanks to Moshe’s father, Rabbi Yosef Gourarie who taught me this explanation of Rashi, 20 years ago, today.
Wishing you a Shabbat of Surviving and Thriving,
Rabbi Oshy Deren