Saturday, December 31, 2016

Is Faith Logical? One Answer in Ten Questions

Dear Friends,

Happy Chanukah!

Part of the message of Chanukah is to believe that miracles are always possible; no matter how dire the situation. The Maccabees were up against the formidable Syrian-Greeks, yet with God's help, they prevailed.

Believing in God and that He can perform miracles is actually very logical. Here's why:

Is Faith Logical? One Answer in Ten Questions

Have a great week,

Yaakov





Saturday, December 24, 2016

Tevet: Faith

Dear Friends,

Happy Chanukah!

This post is about the Jewish month of Tevet, as it relates to The Chazak Plan: A 12 Month Journey to Spiritual Strength.

Rosh Chodesh Tevet begins Thursday night, the 29th of December, and lasts for one day.

The month of Tevet encompasses two moods: Celebration and mourning. During the beginning of the month, we celebrate Chanukah, commemorating, among other events, the rededication of the Second Temple. Later in the month, on the 10th of Tevet, we fast and commemorate the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, which led to the destruction of the First Temple.

In one month we commemorate two diametrically opposed events. Faith is the bridge between them. Even while we mourn an event which led to the destruction of the Temple, we have faith that like the miracle of Chanukah, another dedication of the Temple will occur, when the Messiah comes and dedicates the Third Temple.

Consider doing the following practice daily to enhance your faith: Think of a challenge and say to yourself:
“This is from God for my eternal benefit. Part of fulfilling my life’s purpose is doing what I can to overcome and grow from this challenge. This will work out in the end; either in this world or in the next. God is with me, giving me the strength and courage I need to triumph.”

Questions for the month:

“What life challenge will I use to help me strengthen my faith?”

“Is there an area of my faith where I have doubts and questions? If yes, who can I speak to for clarity?”

Take care and may God grant us success in the coming month,

Yaakov

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Abraham + Isaac + Jacob = You

Dear Friends,

There is much to learn from our Forefathers and ways we can emulate them.

Abraham + Isaac + Jacob = You

Have a great week,

Yaakov

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Lessons From Chanukah: Clarity, Purity and Joy

Dear Friends,

With Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot behind us, what is a message we can learn from each holiday and carry with us to Chanukah and beyond?

Lessons From Chanukah: Clarity, Purity and Joy

Have a great week,

Yaakov