ב"ה

English Blog

10 Reasons I Love Living in Manhattan (Yes, Even Now)

Friday, October 16, 2020 - 4:25 PM

We’re all living under a constant barrage of negative news, so I feel compelled to write this post, inspired by my colleague—Rabbi Levi Avtzon—who wrote 10 reasons he loves living in South Africa. Despite the covid restrictions and the huge number of people feeling, I love this city. Here’s why:

1. There are literally tens of thousands of Jews on the Upper East Side alone. And despite news reports of thousands of people leaving the city, there remain more Jews living in Manhattan than I could possibly meet in my lifetime! For a Chabad rabbi, this is a gold mine. So many people to help, so many mitzvot to accomplish, so much opportunity, so much potential. Where do I even begin?!

2. The vibrancy of this city is unparalleled. Yes, Broadway, Times Square, and other iconic spots are shut down and desolate, but the city that never sleeps still bustles. The action, the energy … it’s palpable just walking down the street. I absorb this energy every day, and it propels me to connect with others and keep doing the work I moved here to do.

3. There are enough shuls in the neighborhood, probably at least 25 just on the Upper East Side, that you can take your pick. Try a different one every day of the month. Not thrilled with one rabbi? Move on to the next. Kiddush not to your liking? Just hop on over to the next shul. Even now, with COVID, you can find the minyan that works best for you.

4. Manhattan is home to some of the finest kosher restaurants in the world, and they have gone to great lengths to remain accessible. Whatever you’re craving—meat, dairy, Israeli, Morrocan, fast food, fine dining, breakfast cafe—this city has it. I love to treat myself to the occasional cappuccino and Manhattan has the best one I’ve ever tasted.

5. This city is a hub of kindness and caring. Despite the stereotypes, New Yorkers do care and help each other. They may be a bit more abrupt than Wisconsinites, for example, but that’s just the packaging. The help is real and sincere. Walk into any hospital in this city and you will see chessed rooms and bikur cholim volunteers ready to provide you with virtually anything you need.

6. We have Central Park, an oasis in a city of brick and steel, smog and noise. And no matter what time of day you get there, you won’t be alone. I love starting my day at 5am with a run, and there are plenty of others up and running at that crazy hour, too. Its natural beauty never wanes, and I never tire of it. It vitalizes my day.

7. No one here is apathetic. New York Jews are passionate, opinionated, and always ready for debate. This kind of thinking sharpens the mind and creates the perfect vessel to study and analyze the intricacies of the Talmud.

8. New Yorkers are unusually hard working. Whether from home or the office or on vacation, they put in the hours and rise steadily. It’s a motivating environment to be in every day.

9. New York Jews are extremely charitable. Despite the economic downturn, New York remains the financial center of the world, and philanthropy continues. In fact, it may have even increased during this trying time, as people go to great lengths to assist those struggling due to COVID.

10. I’ve saved my favorite for last: Manhattan sits shoulder-to-shoulder with Brooklyn, home of Chabad Headquarters, where the Rebbe inspired his followers to move all over the world in service of others. And the Ohel, theRebbe’s resting place in Queens, is just a 30-minute drive from my house. Whenever I need an infusion of inspiration, I jump in my car and go there to pray. It works wonders!

Now tell me your ten reasons that make you love your life!

Rabbi Uriel Vigler

The Greatest Simchat Torah Ever!

Thursday, October 8, 2020 - 8:08 PM

This week I felt a little down, which is not in my nature. It’s ingrained in me that everything comes from G-d, Who is intrinsically good, so I’ve developed a thick skin when things don’t go as planned. No matter what life throws at me, I trust in His plan.

But with Simchat Torah on the horizon, I found myself struggling. Simchat Torah is one of the highlights of our year. A day of pure joy and one of our most-attended events. We have close to a thousand people each year to celebrate as we complete the annual Torah-reading cycle and immediately begin the next one.

We go all out, offering a lavish feast with steak, brisket, ribs, gourmet sushi, salad bar, burger bar, and most importantly—drinks galore! We have it all! Who wouldn’t come to that? We even have 50 students walk three hours from Brooklyn to dance and sing and celebrate with us.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are far more serious days, where we accomplish great things through prayer. But on Simchat Torah we can be just as effective through sheer joy and dancing.

This year, things are different. How can we dance with the Torah and still adhere to strict social distancing protocol? How can drink and say l’chaim while wearing masks? How can we pass the Torah around? How can do our famous somersaults? We have to drastically limit our attendance to fit with capacity guidelines, and even then, who will come with the fear of COVID hanging over us? In fact, many shuls across the world are completely closed, while others will have just a few minutes of hakafot.

With all this in mind, I seriously considered cancelling.

But then it dawned on me, that this year will be the most joyous Simchat Torah we have experienced to date!

We have every reason NOT to celebrate this year. We can all list so many reasons to be sad. The country is deeply divided, COVID-19 continues its rampage, so many are struggling financially and in other ways. Can we really celebrate Simchat Torah in this condition?

It all depends on how we define happiness. We tend to have a very narrow definition. A new car, a great vacation, a successful business deal. But true happiness does not come from external stimuli, it comes from deep inside our souls.

True happiness is a decision we make each and every morning. It’s about realizing we have a mission to accomplish in this world and G-d has given us the strength to do so. Regardless of what’s going on around us, we can choose to be happy.

So although we love our regular Simchat Torah celebration which includes all kinds of external trappings, sometimes all that sushi, socializing, and l’chaim can make us lose focus on the main thing.

But this year, G-d has sent us a reminder. When we strip away all the trappings, what is left?

This year, we have the opportunity to focus on what truly makes us happy. At home, alone, we can allow the joy of our souls to pour forth unrestrained. We can dance at home, even alone, tapping into the pure joy that is not dependent on good food, alcohol, shul, or other people.

Our sages tell us that joy breaks all barriers. True joy can pierce the heavens and surely bring an end to the COVID crisis.

So dance at home. Dance in a room by yourself. Be safe, but dance you must. Focus on your relationship with G-d and the Torah, and allow this to be the greatest Simchat Torah ever.

Lady Tears Down Our Yom Kippur Sign

Thursday, October 1, 2020 - 7:30 PM

When I locked up the synagogue and headed home after services this past Friday evening, all seemed well. When I returned on Shabbat morning, I noticed that the beautiful sign advertising our Yom Kippur services—which we had spent a long time designing and printing—had been torn down. At first I assumed it must have been a strong wind overnight, but upon closer examination it became clear it had been torn deliberately.

Fortunately, we have good security cameras, and after Shabbat I was able to examine the footage. I could clearly see a person stop in front of the sign at 4:30am and tear it down vigorously.

I posted the video on my Facebook page and many people suggested I file a police report.

The next day was Yom Kippur and I didn’t have much time, but later in the week I did file a report and the police confirmed that the incident fit their definition of a hate crime. They took it seriously, even sending the video to local media in the hope that someone would identify the perpetrator.

Many people asked why I would bother with such a trivial matter. It’s just a sign and the monetary loss is probably under $100. The woman in the video seems a little off, so why bother? Perhaps it could even be considered a waste of the NYPD’s time when there are far bigger problems plaguing the city right now.

But here’s Judaism’s take, which is fresh in my mind because my 7th-grade son just started learning the tractate Bava Kama, which discusses the intricate laws of damage to property.

Is it a small crime? Well, the Torah does not distinguish between a crime that involves damages of $100 or damages of 1 billion. A crime is a crime and must be dealt with.

But more than that, the Torah teaches that the evil inclination never starts by tempting a person to commit a large crime. First the person is lured into doing something that seems minor and trivial, but then the next day it entices the person to commit a worse sin and then it advances every day until the person is committing terrible sins and crimes. So surely it is worth the NYPD’s efforts to catch this person while they are still doing small crimes, so they can be stopped before they progress to something more serious.

As to the argument that the woman appears deranged or in an altered state of consciousness, the Torah does say that a “shoteh” (lit. a fool) is absolved from mitzvot, but does she fit the definition? The Torah defines it as “one who goes out alone at night, sleeps in the cemetery, and tears his own clothing.” She seems to fit part, but not all, so I am not sure she would be considered a “fool.”

But most importantly, I think, is contemplating what gives a person the temerity to commit a crime. Primarily, it’s the notion that nobody is watching. If we educate every American to truly understand that G-d is always watching—something that Jews and gentiles alike need to know—then I am certain that crime would decrease exponentially, even at 4:30am when no humans are around to see.

Happy Sukkot!

Rabbi Uriel Vigler

Looking for older posts? See the sidebar for the Archive.