Words with Merle

What is a friend? How is friendship defined? What are the qualities and aesthetics that curate a friendship? Does the length of knowing one truly dictate the compounds of friendship? I ponder these questions and more as I have reached a milestone in my life where I feel sincere gratitude for the friendships I have established during my journey.   When I think back to my friendship with Myra, it was one established on genuine care with no expectation other than kindness. I was fortunate that after three years of friendship it developed into more.  I often think of the friendships with each of my sons.  One so unique and different in its own capacity as each son offers a friendship and love intricate to them and our relationship. Gratitude is an understatement for how appreciative I am of my four boys.   As Ecclesiates wrote,   “Two (friends) are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor... " For the childhood friendships that ...

In life, we will be faced with matters beyond our comprehension. It is how we face those challenges or life situations that ultimately express who we are as individuals.  Rebbe Nachman expressed the importance of daily meditation, a way to soothe the soul and allow our bodies and minds to embrace the moment of reflection. It is through this reflection we can better understand our personal desires and goals with a sense of closeness, and oneness within our spiritual core. When we challenge our minds to rest, we allow our inner-self the strength to overcome our fears and better handle life rigors. The Rebbe further expresses how life is made up of a progression of challenges, daily, and thus we are confronted with the courage to face our fears by getting through those narrow places. When we take small steps, faltering as they may be, we set out a new journey of growth and prosperity. We need the courage to move out of our comfort zone and explore the unknown. We need the courage to c...

In life, we have chances and opportunities. In life, we can either be the lifesaver toward others or the passerby. I ask you, which are you? As a Rabbi, it is my birthright and civic duty to help and aid my community, family, and friends despite my own hardships. When we help others we help ourselves. This past week I learned valuable lessons about the interpretation of hardship for each person. I also learned how I can respond to those who have reached out to me with sympathy, and how I respond to those in need of my care and support.  We can ponder through a judgemental lens or we can be that lifesaver and let our hearts be the leading force. I challenge you all to lead with your heart even during the rigors we face as individuals, families, and community members.  For those who held my hand during my hardships, thank you. But keep your hand open for others as one day you will need that aiding hand in return.  Be that beacon of light that shines and helps others, partic...

I begin our story by asking you to examine your life, those moments when challenges were turned into opportunities or possibly when opportunities were left undiscovered. Here we are in 2022 embracing a new reality, learning new ways of daily survival while holding onto our dreams. Today I further ask you, how are you helping one another?  What we have experienced since the onset of the pandemic has left us silent, afraid, dreams destroyed, lives lost, and facing rigors one could not have fathomed. This pandemic has also enabled us to grow new strengths, new wisdom, and encouraged us to become stronger. Yes, there were silver linings during this tragic time. We need the courage to deal with that which keeps us from living our dreams, hopes, and the future we wish to enjoy for ourselves and for our children. Rebbe Nachman insists “Kol Ha’olam Kulo Gesher Tsar me’od Veha’ikar Lo’ Lifached Klal”: The whole world is a narrow bridge. The essence is not to be afraid to cross it. There are...