Believe it or not I got the idea for this segment from the late Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneersohn. I peruse through a weekly newsletter called L'Chaim - Toronto. This publication is available at various food establishments in my neighborhood. Although some of the content is irrelevant, much of it really touches my soul. Well, here goes!

The Rebbe talks about the parasha, Vayeishev. He brings about some very good points but one struck me. In Bereshit 38:13, it states that Judah has gone up to Timnah. We then go to Shoftim (Judges) 14:1 and it says that Shimshon (Samson) went down to Timnah. Why don't the Scriptures just tell us to go to Timnah? I think because Timnah was probably on a mountain slope. If you lived on top of the mountain then you would have descend and if you lived on the base you would have to ascend. So far the Rebbe and Rashi (a Torah commentator) and myself, Ellen agree. Here comes the good stuff. The stuff that went to my soul!

Rebbe brought out the point that when ascending a mountain it is not a good idea to stop in the middle. You are likely to lose momentum, risk losing your footing and this could result in falling backwards! This really got me excited because of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). In the last few months Rabbi Jack and my writings have been strongly impressed by the Ruach to talk about complacency, truth and growth. The Torah tells us that Judah went up to Timnah. This is indicating a direction.

We as believers must always be going up. We as believers must persevere up the mountain because if we remain at the base there is no growth. If we pause in the middle we may fall backwards. As we approach the secular year of 2002, are we ascending? Are we growing?

I likened this piece to our lives as believers, our service to the Living G-d of Yisrael. The Rebbe says that as "Jews" engaged in the service of G-d we should not remain complacent or become sluggish or even take time off. I agree. Last year Rabbi Jack and myself were privileged to attend an evening in Buffalo with Daniel Juster as he spoke to leaders and their wives. He gave an example of a schedule for leaders. We should take time off to be with our spouses and our families, he mentions one day and one night a week. But this does not mean we take time off from spiritual matters. This brings to mind that when Rabbi Jack and myself are out to a dinner or on a drive it is very odd to speak of anything but "spiritual matters". I have received confirmation from two giants, the Rebbe and Daniel Juster.

I say this...don't be satisfied with who you are this year or you may fall backwards. Continue to climb and you will grow. Think of leaving 2001 at the base of the mountain and reaching 2002 at the top. Keep climbing my friend and G-d will manifest Himself in your life with His might and His power and His authority in your life! Happy New Year.

Rebbetizen Ellen "Elisheva" Farber and her husband Jack are the spiritual leaders of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada.

Copyright 2002