ב"ה

Striving for Solace

Torah Portion of Shoftim

By Mendel Kaplan

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Synthesizing Solace

Commitment to Consolation

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Striving for Solace: Torah Portion of Shoftim

Isaiah's words spur us on to reach the ultimate in Divine comfort.

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Topics:	Haftarah, Seven of Consolation, Shoftim

« Previous

Synthesizing Solace

Commitment to Consolation

By Mendel Kaplan

Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the Spiritual Leader and Executive Director of Chabad Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, serving one of Canada’s most dynamic Jewish communities. He also serves as Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service. He is an active member of Toronto’s Vaad HaRabbanim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis), and a voting member of the COR Kashruth Council of Canada’s executive rabbinical board. Rabbi Kaplan is featured regularly on many local television and radio shows. He is a sought after speaker, with hundreds of lectures on Chabad.org. He and his wife, Faygie, are blessed with eight children. Artistically endowed, the rabbi enjoys drawing, sketching and creating charcoal portraits.

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5 Comments

Kayo Kaneko Tokyo August 27, 2014

B"H

Todah for the class. However, I can not really understand the notion of competition. When we compete even for goodness, like I watched your visit to IDF soldiers fighting, you ordered pizza so many, and told the pizza place to call their competitor pizza place to help them, and you created rivalry for good reason. However, in my small mind, even for a good cause, to increase light in this world, once the notion of rivalry comes, the seed of negativity gets inplanted. Though the physical result might be increased by the competition, my mind set is not 100% clean. Or if I act to compete with evilness in the world, I naturally hate the evil entity. Once, my high school physics teacher said, he tried to exceed over a female teacher with hate. But he said it is not good at all to do anything with hate. I think it is very true, and if it is for truly good cause, I prefer not competing, but rather fusing of two or more Nefesh HaElokis. Reply

Marvin Germany July 19, 2018

in response to Kayo Kaneko:

What if the competition between the pizza guys (or bakers or food producers) would bring out the best possible food, combining extraordinary taste with superb nourishment quality? What if the competition helps to maintain and even expand the Jewish lifestyle? Maybe the difference is whether an entrepreneur has only him-/herself or the community in mind. Reply

Anonymous August 24, 2011

Thanks Thank you for the time you use in studies and sharing. Listnening is better than eating, when the words are true and said with love, compassion and belief, and this meal is so rich that I will need to eat it more than once. Like G-d lets the sun and the rain shine/ fall no matter if we deserve it or not: I feel undeservingly thankfull that G-d lets me recieve from chabad, I really really need others who believes in Him, to keep on going my self. Still like a baby training to learn how to walk. Thank you! Reply

Anonymous Philadelphia, Pa August 13, 2010

Striving for Solace Rabbi Kaplan, It has always been one of my ways to visit those who grieve but what I do, if I am close enough to the person, is to visit daily if possible or weekly. I engage them in conversation and sometimes, just to listen. It is important to involve myself with them to fill their void at least temporarily rather than address their loss all the time. People do experience loss forever as you said but few people have that compassion to continue the process with the grieving for an extended period of time. No one can tell you when you should stop grieving nor should anyone say such a thing. Just be there for others and if possible, be with them when they need you

Thank you, Rabbi, for such an important message so eloquently orated. Reply

Mr. Richard Raff August 11, 2010

Striving for Solace G-d has shown me the difference between being a bad guest to His world and being a good guest to His world. i had to learn the hard way but we have come to a understanding that it is much easier to do things His way. i listen to His teachings through wise Rabbis such as Rabbi Mendel Kaplan for example. The more i do study the more my life seems to get better for everyone. i had to learn to sit still first and that was an experience between Creator and creation. i will learn my place the right way this time, maybe not instant but with vigilance, thank you. Reply

Striving for Solace: Torah Portion of Shoftim

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