It’s been an incredibly difficult few days for Jews around the world. The confirmation and realization that Kfir and Ariel Bibas, the two young red-headed brothers, and Oded Lifshitz,the 83 year old Grandfather, would be not be coming home alive, the twisted realization that Shiri Bibas, the mother of Kfir and Ariel, was not even returned at all… and the grotesque macabre show put on by Hamas, culled from the twisted dark places that feel primed to generate meme-driven Internet outrage, capped off a horrific 24 hours.

So dark and disturbing was this horrific experience that the news that multiple bus exploded in Israel, and the miraculous fact that no one was hurt, was almost a blip on the radar.

The Talmud teaches that we can learn lessons from the names of others. The names of these four precious Jews have a powerful common thread:

Kfir and Ariel are both named for lions, a Kfir (כפיר) is a lion cub, Ariel means Lion of G-d (אריא-ל).

Shulchan Aruch, the code of Jewish Law, opens with a teaching of Rabbi Yehudah ben Tema said: “Be strong as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a deer, and mighty as a lion to do the will of thy father who is in heaven.” A person should strengthen his heart, by conquering his evil inclinations, engage in the fight of Jewish pride and share it with the world without fear.

Shiri (שירי) is a song, my song… Music, is something that can not be contained within ourselves - it shared with the world, with others, it broadcasts our essence with all who can hear. Not only joyous song but songs of mourning or of grief let us share and relate our inner emotions.

Finally there is Oded (עודד), which means to encourage others…

When we put these four names together, they create a powerful lesson for us as Jews:

While we hope and pray for an end to our suffering we must tap into out inner fortitude and strength of Jewish pride like the lion… not to hide our strength, our essence, but to ROAR to let it sing forth to the world at large, so that all may experience who we are… so much so that it not only be heard by others, but that it encourages them to share their Jewish pride as well.

Proud Judaism leads to active Judaism. As we have done for the last 2,000 years of this bitter exile let us recenter ourselves as Jews first, everything else is second.

May G-d avenge their blood - Hashem Yikom Damam.

Am Yisrael Chai - and good shabbos

Wishing you an uplifting weekend,

Rabbi Mendy & Mussy

p.s. As always, we would love to chat with you over coffee or drinks, about Judaism, or just life - reply to this email.

(Credit to Mordechai Lightstone of techtribe for first focusing on the names)

YJP 10 Year GALA - March 30th

Celebrate the first decade, honoring Danielle Thompson, the Newmans and the Kulick

- Benefitting the Building Campaign -

• delicious dinner
• awards ceremony
• open bar
• live music
• celebration
• exciting announcements to come!

Of Interest

Jeff Albaum interviewed Rabbi Mendy on his podcast Curiosity Class.

If you are looking for a crash course on What is Judaism with some mystical and historical perspective than this is exactly for you. Enjoy!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/54VeyVfQ28yjY55neiJUwx?si=3fdf03bcd3664fab

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