The Rebbe, My Leader

Today, “Yud Shvat” (the 10th of Shvat) marks the day on which the Rebbe accepted the leadership of the Chabad movement, 68 years ago. Being a leader is no simple job. A true leader has vision, he fully understands the mission at hand. A leader cares for a group as a whole, and for each individual, like a shepherd with his flock.  A genuine leader knows what each person “on the team” needs, giving each person what he or she needs. A leader knows the value of a smile. A leader knows that the work is hard, but marches forward. A leader includes others in his vision and empowers them to take on the mission too. The Rebbe truly embodies a leader.

The Rebbe demonstrated the need to find the value in each person. Through his army of emissaries, the Rebbe continues to be a trailblazer when it comes to spreading Judaism, and love of people, to corners near and far. Each and every day, I continue to learn, and work to live my life by the Rebbe’s teachings. I am humbled and honored to be a part of the Rebbe’s army.

Being empowered to share Torah, I teach a weekly class for women, Torah and Tea. Each week we get together for tea, yummy baked treats and Torah study. We are currently studying the Tanya, the book of Chabad philosophy. Each week I am fascinated by the very relevant lessons we engage in, from a text written more than 200 years ago. Tonight we will study Tanya, and we will also discuss the significance of the 10th of Shevat, and see how we can do our part to help spread the light of Torah in our world. (Torah and Tea meets weekly at 7:30 pm, if you would like more information or join in, please email rashbrashi@me.com)

Here is the recipe for tonight's sugar cookies. (It is from Something Sweet by Miriam Pascal)

Sugar Cookies

3/4 cup oil

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 whole egg

2 egg yolks

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/3 cups flour

In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix together oil and sugar. Mix well. Then add the whole egg, egg yolks and vanilla. Mix well. Lower the speed on your mixer and then slowly add the flour, mixing in between additions. When dough has come together, roll out and cut out with cookie cutters.

Bake on 350 for 13 minutes. Enjoy!