Sharing a thought by my colleague Rabbi Eli Block of Chabad Legacy West near Dallas:

This past Tuesday, NASA released five images from the early work of the James Webb Space Telescope. The most striking image was of the Carina nebula, a vast, swirling cloud of dust located 7,600 lightyears from the earth that is both a star nursery and home to some of the most luminous and explosive stars in the Milky Way.

In this week's Torah reading, the sinister prophet and sorcerer Balaam blesses the Jewish people against his will and declares: “A star goes forth from Jacob," referring to each and every Jewish soul.

Why stars?

Stars possess tremendous light and energy, but because they are thousands of lightyears away, they appear faint. 

Balaam the prophet, an outsider who can see things that those who are too close cannot, reminds us and admits to us that every Jew is like a star. 

Every one of us, even one who seems darkened and distant, is, in reality, full of light. Never forget how powerful you are, never underestimate your own light. 

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.

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