Shabbat draws nearly 200 to Wellesley Inn
By Simon Bollen / Special To The Townsman

Since the arrival of Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Bleich to Wellesley, MA three years ago, the Jewish Community, and indeed the community at large, has been energized and inspired by their dedication and their vision. They've worked tirelessly to deliver their message in a variety of ways according to each season and each holiday. They've led us to the duck pond to symbolically cast away our sins; they've blown the shofar to inspire our hearts; and we've dwelled in their sukkah in the sun and rain. Last spring, the Bleichs invited 101 people to the Wellesley Inn for a Shabbaton in honor of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's 101st birthday. (He is the leader of the world-wide Chabad movement.)

As the winter season approached, bringing with it extended darkness, Rabbi and Mrs. Bleich decided to do what we all do when faced with darkness. We chase it away with a little light. Or, in this case, a lot of light. On Friday evening, Dec.12, as the sun was setting over Wellesley, almost 200 people converged on the Wellesley Inn to welcome the Sabbath with candles, prayer and song.

As Mrs. Geni Bleich directed and assisted the women with reciting the traditional blessing over the Sabbath candles (one for girls over 3, two for married women, and an additional candle for each child), Rabbi Moshe led the men in the Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming the Sabbath) evening prayers, which include the song "Lecha Dodi" (Come, my Beloved). Written by the 15th-century Kabbalist Rabbi Shloime Alkabetz, there is a verse that goes as follows: "Your light has come: arise, shine. Awake, awake, utter a song; the glory of the L-rd is revealed upon you." These words themselves were fulfilled in the hearts and on the faces of each worshipper as they were recited, and the darkness receded even further. The evening continued with the official inauguration of the Sabbath, conducted with a blessing over a cup of wine. A ritual hand-washing ceremony followed, after which the evening meal began with the Blessing of HaMotzi, recited over two, whole 3-foot-long challah loaves, which represent the biblical mannah that fell in the wilderness each day to sustain the Children of Israel. Physical sustenance is complemented by spiritual sustenance, and Rabbi Bleich took to the podium to speak to the crowd. In his usual inimitable fashion, he told several very funny jokes to warm up the crowd. Interspersed with deep Torah wisdom, Rabbi Bleich's pre-dinner talks are getting better with time.

A hard act to follow, but he soon introduced Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik, world-renowned speaker, to provide some inspiration for the latter. Her talk, "Happy New You," enthralled the attendees, as it was perfectly suited to the mostly secular crowd. She discussed various methods for coming to terms with one's spiritual station, and working slowly but steadily to improve. This approach can lead to greater spiritual heights than if one begins negatively, berating oneself for "failing."

Over dinner conversation at many of the tables it showed that the talk had a positive effect. One listener commented, "I never realized before that by coming down on myself I was actually limiting my spiritual potential. Now I realize that even if I make a mistake, I can simply keep on going without spending time beating myself up."

After the speaker concluded, the Blessing After the Meal was recited and the crowd began to slowly and reluctantly disperse into a future that hopefully includes much of the message that Bleichs have brought to all of us. Increase in acts of goodness and kindness, bring more light into the world, and make it better place for all of us.