Rabbi Ely Rosenfeld serves as the primary Director and Head Emissary of Chabad Lubavitch of Portugal based at the Avner Cohen Casa Chabad in Cascais. While he spearheaded the initial permanent Chabad presence in the country in 2010 and helps facilitate new delegations, each regional center operates autonomously under Chabad’s global umbrella.
Chabad operations and representations in Porto are led by Rabbi Haim and Hanna Chettrit. Chabad of South Portugal was established under the dedicated leadership of Rabbi Menachem and Chana Wagner.
Message of Rabbi Rosenfeld for this Shabbat
"In Parshat Re'eh we read about the unique connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. As the Torah introduces a group of mitzvot that apply specifically in Israel, the verse states, “These are the laws and rules that you must carefully observe in the land.” (Devarim 12:1)
Why are there specific mitzvot that apply only in Israel? Shouldn't a mitzvah be universal in its effect and impact? Why is there a special set of commandments for this particular place?
Rabbi Yitzchak Abarbanel, in his commentary to the parshah, offers a compelling analogy. He compares the Land of Israel to a choice vineyard that requires three essential elements in order to produce its finest wine.
First, it depends on the type of grape being planted. Not every variety will produce the same results. Only the highest quality vine can be developed into the finest wine.
Second, it depends on the soil being suited to that particular grape. Not every region can equally nurture and develop the same varieties.
Finally, even with the finest grape and the perfectly matched environment, one can never overlook the special care and consistent cultivation required to bring the vine to maturity and the grapes to harvest.
Only when all three elements come together can the perfect grape produce the perfect wine. The same, says the Abarbanel, is true of the Jewish people. We are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the people uniquely suited to the Land of Israel.
Yet just as it is not enough to have the right grape in the right region, it is also essential to follow the proper methods of cultivation. Without them, there will be no harvest.
So too, for the Jewish people to reach our G-d given potential in our eternal homeland, we must follow the precise guidance and regimen that G-d has given us. This is the full meaning of the verse, “These are the laws and rules that you must carefully observe in the land.”
When we do so, we unlock our fullest potential and become the very best we are capable of being. Shabbat Shalom."
