Jewish Lessons of the Black Hole (no, not the stock market black hole)

This week scientists took a photo of the black hole at the center of our galaxy.

What is a black hole?

A black hole was once a fiery star. But then its fire went out. Eventually, it collapsed upon itself, rendering it a mass of tremendous density.

And now, a star that once shone brightly holds its light within, even pulling in any surrounding light. In the place of light, a star now creates darkness.

A person, too, may end up as a black hole. Someone who is meant to shine and teach others—but has burned out and collapsed inward, absorbed in their own self. Now, rather than shining light for others, she absorbs all energy that passes her way, causing greater and greater darkness.

We live in times when every one of us can be as brilliant as the sun. The universe has enough black holes. If you have light, shine forth.

Based on a conversation between the Rebbe and Prof. Velvel Greene

- recounted here: The Honest Truth

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom, have an uplifting week! Looking forward to celebrating together!

Rabbi Mendy & Mussy

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

  Upcoming: 

Shabbat: Shabbat morning services 10:30 am

Torah discussion and reading 11:00 am

Followed by Kiddush and Cholent

5/19: Lag Baomer Burgers and Brews

5/31: New Moon Circle + Jewish Women's Circle Collab

6/5: Shavuot: 10 Commandments & Dairy Brunch Buffet

📖 Read:

Frankie Light is one of the new breed of “YouTube polyglots.” He taught himself Mandarin, but can he earn a living making small talk with strangers?

He Made Yiddish Go Viral

Just in time for the end of Ramadan, Rabbi Yisroel and Chaya Uzan - directors of Abuja, Nigeria's Chabad community center - spearheaded a distribution of 260,000 meals to single-parent families across the country.

Watch:

A heartwarming account of the surprising, beautiful relationship between the Rebbe and Abe Sacks, one-time coach of the Harlem Globetrotters.  

You can still join this course next 5 Wednesdays at 7:30 on Zoom or in person. Each lesson stands alone while a part of the bigger picture:

BEYOND RIGHT: THE VALUES THAT SHAPE JUDAISM'S CIVIL CODE

Talmudic analysis and mind-bending logic have long been a hallmark of Jewish scholarship. But buried beneath much of the discussion and legalese are core Jewish values that fuel so much of the debate. This course examines a number of key legal issues that disclose fundamental ethical considerations that serve as the engine of Jewish civil law.

Wednesday evenings 7:30-9:00 pm

Chabad Center 3500 Hyridge Dr.

Free for YJP

For more information and to register:

https://www.yjpaustin.org/civicrm/event/info?id=125&reset=1

Lawyers and attornies: this course will give you CLEs and Ethics credits.

🌱 Giving:

 YJP is growing and these folks, the Chai Society members, are the driving force behind this awesome community.

Want to build YJP? Join the Chai Society.

Your $36, $54, $100, or $180 monthly gift will turn into programs, activities, and High Energy Judaism.

CLICK HERE (or reply to this email) to join this group of monthly donors and invest in local young Jewish life.

Special thanks to our Chai Society members:

Yankee Andrusierׁ • Carolina Bueno • Marc Cooper • Nate Firebaugh • Paulina Flasch • Matt Ford • Sara Guccione • Ari & Sandra Hoffman • Michael Nadel • Chaim & Amanda Pollak • Daniel Speiss

Together, we’re unstoppable. High Energy!

  Jewish saying of the week:

If I am I because I am I, and you are you because you are you, then I am I and you are you. But if I am I because you are you and you are you because I am I, then I am not I and you are not you!

- Rabbi Mendel of Kotzk

Shabbat Emor

Light your candles at 7:59 pm

in Austin, TX

Special thanks to our Chai Society members - the monthly giving circle.

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