From Bokrotome, Florida, this is Behind the Bima.

On this episode, the rabbis are joined by Justice Richard Bernstein, Michigan Supreme Court Justice, Blind Triathlete, and Activists for Disability Awareness.

Justice Bernstein shares why being blind helps him see the best in people, talks about how he stays positive in the face of challenges and adversity,

and explains how he uses Ironman competitions as a means to connect to Hashem. Also, why do the rabbis decide not to go behind the Bima on Chanaka? All this and more, Behind the Bima. It's Wednesday night 9 p.m. I am Rabbi I am Rabbi F. Gavro, joined by my colleagues and friends, Rabbi Phil Mosco, is Rabbi Josh Brody, and we're here to bring you behind the Bima. The Bima. Gentlemen, we took off last week. It was Hanukkah, but we debated. Sometimes you feel like we got to keep producing. It's a weekly thing. People expect. And on the other hand, I was taught when I was younger when I first became a rabbi, always leave people wanting more. Why did we decide on the end to take off? What was the thought process behind that, Rabbi Moskowitz? Well, I think it was a great decision. I know it was one that was greatly appreciated in my household. This Hanuk, I don't know about you guys, I felt it was the most busy of any Hanuk I ever remember in my 12 years here in Boko Atone.

Every night, there were multiple events, multiple programs, and you had to time it perfectly

to get from one event to the other, to really to be able to make everything.

And the thought process really was that we're leaving our families, we're running out

so much of the time.

We preach and we give drushes about the benefit of staying at the home, looking at the candles, appreciating family time. And yet, most nights because of our obligations, we're running out and we're going to a lot of events. And so the thought process was that we are going to put our families first on Hanukkah. And we are going to take the time. And instead of recording behind the Bima, we're going to sit around, we're going to play games.

We're going to read.

We're going to talk.

We're going to bake, whatever it is that you do with your family on Hanukkah. And we were going to focus inwards inside our houses this Hanukkah. Make salmon. Make salmon. Eat kale. Whatever does you do in your home. I agree with you. And I think it's even more than that.

And as much as we receive enormous feedback,

and we're so grateful to you,

the people who share with us what this means to spend Wednesday nights together or Thursday while you shop or while you cook. It's a real honor that you bring us into your lives. But you know what? We remembered and reminded ourselves that this is fun, teaching Torah's our life and helping people's our life and being there

and Hanukkah with our families, our life.

But you know what?

Maybe at some point behind the Bima will run out. Maybe we'll say, you know what? This was worthwhile. It was fun. Corona got it started. We've had amazing guests. But it's not the core central part of who we are and the difference we want to make as much it does impact people and we're proud and grateful for that.

But I think it was good,

chenach for ourselves uh education for ourselves and our families and and you that you know

what nothing wrong with miss on a week because our lives don't revolve around this fun podcast we do

well we have a guest tonight that certainly has his eye on the ball of what is important, what is not.

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