Saturday, August 26, 2017

What is Your Number One Spiritual Stumbling Block?

Dear Friends,

We all have weak links and things we sometimes stumble on.

What is Your Number One Spiritual Stumbling Block?

If you're not sure, ask someone close to you.

Have a great week.

Yaakov

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Elul: Repentance

Dear Friends,

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

Rosh Chodesh Elul begins Monday night, the 21st of August, and lasts for two days.

Elul is the time of year to take stock of our lives and prepare for the High Holidays. Most of us have at least one area in which we struggle; perhaps it is being ethical in business, being moral, being charitable and kind, or some other area. Correcting our key flaw(s) is a major part of our life’s mission and why God put us in this world.

Pick one area on which to focus and choose a manageable change you will make on a daily or weekly basis; input this change into your calendar or checklist. If possible, speak to your rabbi or spiritual mentor for guidance. The focus on repentance continues into next month until after Yom Kippur.

As the High Holidays involve reciting many prayers, for suggestions on how to enhance your prayers, see, “How to Unlock the Hidden Power of Prayer.”

Questions for the month:

“Which area do I struggle with that I’m motivated to address this Elul?”

“What is a manageable commitment I will make?

“Is it clear to me what area to focus on and how to repent (if necessary)? If it is not clear, who can I speak to for guidance?”

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

Yaakov

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Who Caused This Crisis?

Dear Friends,

In response to a crisis, whether in our community or an international crisis, we often wonder:
Who Caused This Crisis?

Have a good week,

Yaakov

Saturday, August 5, 2017

What Does God Want from Me?

Dear Friends,

In this week's Torah portion, Ekev, Moses asks the Jewish people:

"What does Hashem, your God, request of you?"

His answer is discussed in the article:

What Does God Want from Me?

Have a great week,

Yaakov