The Shabbos That Opened Our Eyes
- Boruch Meir "Meyer" Greenbaum
- Aug 4
- 6 min read
From songs and stories to soldiers and soul-searching. What happens when a table becomes a turning point
We had an incredible Shabbos meal.
One of those that will stay with me.
Singing songs.
Reminiscing about our shared history.
Delicious, mouth-watering delicacies from Roza.
Divrei Torah, and most of all, soul stirrings.
Vulnerability. Raw emotion.
Talks of struggle and adversity. Of toil and trouble.
Nachas and mazel.
Their oldest son ate with us.
A remarkable young man. Irreverent, thoughtful, deep, and funny.
Looking for what to do next, and how to do it better.
We missed his second son, Meir.
My son Melie’s very close childhood friend.
A doll of a young man, with a giant heart.
A lion.
Who, after Yeshiva, has gone on to become a soldier
braving life away from his family as a Chayal Boded.
He could be in Los Angeles, summering in the sun…
Yet he’s chosen instead to enter intensive, body-shattering training
to become a defender of his people.
Fighting as a 20-year-old against those reared in hate
raised in the misery of a contempt for human life
all in the name of some sort of medieval god.
A cult that indoctrinates its generations to believe
that our time on this earth should best be spent
raping, killing, and pillaging
anyone unwilling to bend the knee or be cowed in fear.
And then, the pathetic displays, worldwide:
So-called “enlightened and open-minded people”
taking to the streets, sowing anarchy and disarray.
Using social media to spread distortions, contagion, societal breakdown.
College kids and grandmas.
Politicians and rabble rousers.
Burning cities. Running rampant in the streets.
Chanting as if they were Manchester City vs. Manchester United
in the Champions League
as if they were on some kind of mass tailgate of hate.
It reminded me of what my amazing shvigger says quoting
her grandmother:
“Sometimes you can be so open-minded your brains fall out!”
We told stories of our parents.
Our grandparents.
Of personal experiences with the Rebbe before he passed.
And the feeling everyone seems to have since October 7ththat the tipping point is already here.
מיר דארפן נאר עפענען די אויגן
Mir darft nor effenen di oigen —
We just need to open our eyes.
Mine are fully open.
It’s clear as day.
As they bid farewell after the meal, Shmuli turned to my children and in-laws, saying:
He always knew me…But now, he felt, we knew each other in a whole new light.
He said he had a lot to think about.
To contemplate.
And the next morning, he emailed me.
On Sun, Aug 3, 2025 at 10:28 AM, Samuel S wrote:
Hi Boruch,
What an interesting and inspiring Shabbos meal to say the least.
Thank you again for that.
There was so much to take in, a mix of information, ideas, and emotional depth, especially regarding your father. It gave me a lot to think about.
I was also very much intrigued by what you shared regarding your book you are working on. As I mentioned on Shabbos, it struck a chord with me in general, and especially with regard to my son Ari.
The concept of first understanding oneself, and only then learning how to behave in business, is so important and true.
I really feel that once Ari begins to grasp those two ideas: self-awareness and business conduct, he might then gain some clarity on what kind of business or career path he wants to pursue.
He's just turned 21, so it's that stage of life when direction really matters.
In addition to those two points above, there's also the challenge of learning how business actually works, which is a process in and of itself. If I’m correct, this is your idea you’re writing about in your book?
For someone like Ari, I imagine it would be a powerful introduction, not just to the world of business, but to a deeper sense of personal direction as well.
If I had to put into words a vision I’d have for Ari, and really, for anyone based on your idea, it would be:
Gaining clarity on one’s self: values, goals, and personal mission
Learning how to translate that clarity into behavior, especially in business settings
Developing an understanding of business itself in a more simplified way that fits today’s youth and attention span
I think it would be amazing for you to meet Ari and his friend as well sometime this week, even just briefly.
They’re both feeling unsure of their direction and could benefit greatly from someone helping them begin to understand themselves and ultimately their goals more deeply.
Even just planting the seed could have a meaningful impact.
Wishing you much success in all that you’re doing both on a personal level and for the rabim that you are helping.
May the zechus of your efforts bring immediate bracha to you and your family.
With warm wishes,
Shmuli
I was going to respond to his question using AI.
And then I paused.
I asked myself:
What would the Rebbe want me to do?
So I sat down.
Typed. Erased. Refined.
And responded as his Chossid.
On Sun, Aug 3, 2025 at 12:45 PM Boruch Greenbaum bmg@cuttingedgehc.com wrote:
B"H,
Hi Shmuli,
It was a pleasure to host you, Chani, and your incredible family.
It brought back wonderful memories and good times.
While the emotional weight around the truth that we talked about may be overwhelming, it is most certainly freeing, liberating, and resonates.
The book, The Rebbe's Approach from a Business Perspective: The Business of Soul, is the first of many that will be published about our Rebbe, Moshiach, and the resolute fight for light over shadow.
It is also the foundation for a curriculum to be taught in schools aligned with the values of ESaaS (Ecosystem as a Solution):
It’s going to be felt in yeshivos, seminaries, high schools, and camps.
And it’s just beginning.
21 is a powerful age.
Standing on the edge of adulthood with irrepressible hope and boundless energy.
For anyone seeking purpose, this curriculum will provide:
Support in education and inspiration
Training in sales and communication
Marketing and Business tools for entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, and seekers
Frameworks to clarify vision, mission, and values
A new language to understand money, energy, and their holy potential
It will teach the history of where we come from.
Who we are.
Why we’re needed.
And how to build with intrinsic value.
We’ll hone soft skills: public speaking, time management, negotiation, appreciation of compounding value, all through the lens of Kiddush Hashem and giving nachas to the Rebbe.
I made a Shnas Hachamishim Hachloto that I will speak wherever I’m asked.
To men, women, Jew and Gentile.
I made another: to drop the excuses.
To go for broke.
As big as I can imagine, because that’s what the Rebbe demanded.
It would be my pleasure to meet with Ari and his friend.
You can give them my number with joy.
I commit to allocating the first 20% of this work to Do Good Giving Inc. www.dogoodgiving.net
I am available most times of day or night.
In person, on the phone, or however needed.
Wishing you and your Rebbetzin deep hatslocho in all things
Begashniyus uBeruchniyus, with gezunt, oisher vekavod, and ongoing nachas.
Kol Tuv,
Boruch
“Thanks again Boruch.I will pass on your number to the boys.
And please G-d, you’ll be hearing from me in the near future to set up a meeting.
All the best for now.”
💬 Glossary
Shabbos – The Jewish Sabbath
Divrei Torah – Teachings or insights shared from Torah
Nachas – Deep pride or joy, often from one’s children or students
Mazel – Good fortune
Yeshiva – Jewish seminary for advanced Torah study
Chayal Boded – “Lone soldier” in the IDF with no immediate family in Israel
Shvigger – Yiddish for mother-in-law
Rebbe – The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Shlichus – A life mission or emissary work in the Chabad movement
Moshiach – The long-awaited Jewish redeemer
Kiddush Hashem – Sanctifying G-d’s name through actions
Shnas Hachamishim Hachloto – A resolution made upon turning 50 to live with radical clarity and purpose
Hatslocho – Success
Begashniyus uBeruchniyus – In physical and spiritual matters
Gezunt, Oisher Vekavod – Health, wealth, and honor
Kol Tuv – All the best
Zechus, Bracha, Rabim – Merit, blessing, and the many
📩 Stay in the Conversation
If this moved you, please share it.
If you know someone like Ari or Mick, pass it on.
If you want to bring this curriculum to your school, your company, or your chevrah:
We are the seventh generation.
Comments