Rabbi Shaanan Gelman

Yitro –5780 Rabbi Shaanan Gelman “All Fired Up, All Burnt Out” There is a pernicious illness which has been recently classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) – it has been granted a new official name: IDC-11 .   According to experts, this insidious and destructive disease will infect well over 50% of the human population exposed to it, with the highest at-risk population being those in the medical profession and human services – where the number is projected into the 70% range! No, I do not refer to the coronavirus, rather a disease which is far more prominent, one which triggers anxiety, depression, insomnia, and loss of cognitive focus, feelings of energy depletion and exhaustion, not to mention increased mental distance and cynicism relating to one’s job.   Yes, IDC-11 – is the official name for burnout [1] .   Burnout is corrosive, it destroys perfectly talented and dedicated employees – how do we protect ourselves from burnout?   How may we ...

Contemplating Kobe Parshat Bo - 5780 Rabbi Shaanan Gelman with Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky   In an age of super-bugs and drug-resistant illnesses, the Coronavirus reminds us that there are still plagues in this world, for which there is no immunity, no matter who you are. For similar reasons, the ultimate and final plague recorded in this week’s Torah reading, the death of the first born, must have cut particularly deep for פרעה . During previous plagues, he enjoyed immunity, luxuriating in good health while the rest of Egypt suffered. For the first time, death crept underneath his own doorway. The plague of the first born- the plague of death- was the great equalizer: מִבְּכ֤וֹר פַּרְעֹה֙ הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב עַל־ כִּסְא֔וֹ עַ֚ד בְּכ֣וֹר הַשִּׁפְחָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר אַחַ֣ר הָרֵחָ֑יִם It spread across socioeconomic classes with no regard for status and renown. There is a limit to the far-reaching benefits of wealth and fame. It can pay off those who accuse you of assault so you ca...