Friday, January 06, 2006

Chabad

Chabad means many things to many people. In the Orthodox Jewish world, it is also one of the few things that Jews always seem to have an opinion on, and are hardly ever indifferent about.

I am definitely a Chabadophile. I went to a Chabad High School for 3 years, and the school and our teachers, made an major impact on my life and how I view judaism, my commitment to it, and my relationship with G-d.

I recently spent a week at my in-laws home in Florida, and the nearest shul was the Chabad Center of West Boca / Jeff Weltman synagouge. In many places I have had a hard time adjusting as a visitor, but needless to say, the Shul was welcoming as I would expect from a Chabad house. While I participated in the davening, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic remembering the songs, liturgy and customs from my High School days. It also helped me remember some of the wonderful things that I learned from my Rebbeim at the yeshiva, as well as the notion that Chabad actually 'gets it' - i.e. they understand how to take Judaism and bring it to the masses without watering it down - sometimes to a fault.

Well I got to go - there is a little voice in my head trying to get me to sing Padeh B'Shalom.

2 comments:

Hirshel Tzig - הירשל ציג said...

I could think think of worse things to happen to you. :)

Nice blog there.

Yonah said...

Hirshel,

thanks - I am a firm believer in 'm'col milamdai hiscalti' - learning from all of my teachers.