Tishrei: Torah Study

Dear Friends,

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

Rosh Chodesh Tishrei, Rosh Hashanah, begins Sunday night, the 13th of September, and lasts for two days.

Until after Yom Kippur, the focus on repentance continues. Choose an area of your life to repair or upgrade and add it to your daily checklist.

After Yom Kippur, the focus switches to the festivals of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. On Simchat Torah, we celebrate the completion of the yearly cycle of the Five Books of Moses and begin a new cycle with the book of Genesis. Now is a great time to join this annual study of the Bible. There is tremendous spiritual power in learning the same portion studied by millions of Jews around the world. Next Simchat Torah, when you finish the Bible, your celebration of the holiday will be even more meaningful.

Spend time each week learning the weekly Torah portion – there are many excellent articles, translations and commentaries available. (Two worth looking into, among other good choices, is The Stone Edition Chumash and The Gutnick Edition Chumash.) Preferably, each day, study 1/7th of the weekly portion (also known as an aliya) or study the whole portion on Shabbat.

If possible, study at least weekly with a partner, either the Bible or a different area of the Torah. To find a partner, you can contact your local synagogue or kollel, or go to http://www.partnersintorah.org/, who will pair you with a partner free of charge.

Torah study nourishes the soul as food nourishes the body. Study Torah every day of your life – even if only for a few minutes, e.g., reading a few pages from a book, an article, or listening to a class during your commute or while exercising. Preferably, have a set inviolate time for Torah study. Input into your checklist what and when you plan to study.

The two most important areas of Torah to study are (A) teachings which inspire you and (B) Jewish law – so you know how to act.

Questions for the month:

“Which behavioral change will I incorporate into my life?”

“Which translation or commentary on the Bible will I use for the upcoming annual cycle?”

“What area of Torah am I currently most drawn to? Who can I study it with, or from which resources?"

Have a Shana Tova, 

Yaakov

You: As God Intended AND New Transformative Question

Dear Friends,

This article is about Rosh Hashanah and how the holiday elicits the question, “Am I living my life as God intended when He created me?”

You:As God Intended

This week I added a new question to the article, What’s the Point of It All? The Power of Transformative Questions.

Here's the new question:

Am I a giver or a taker? 

To determine which one you are, ask yourself the following questions, “Am I more focused on what I can do for others or on what others can do for me? When the needs of others clash with my wants, to whom do I give priority? Am I willing to inconvenience myself to help someone out?”

Ethics of the Fathers teaches us to look out for ourselves (1:14), “If I am not for myself, who [will be] for me?” But once our needs are met, our focus has to shift toward helping others as the above teaching continues, “And if I am [only] for myself, what am I?”

Big egos can lead to people being self-centered and selfish. They think, “OK, so I'm inconveniencing others, but I want it my way.” Or, “OK, so I could help someone out, but why should I spend my time or money helping them?” When we are humble, we realize that we are no greater than anyone else; in God’s eyes, the needs of others are just as important. In addition, with humility, we realize that without our Creator we would have nothing and be nothing. We are more than happy to share the blessings He gives us to fulfill His commandment to help His other children.

We have a natural tendency to focus on ourselves; the way to focus on others is to consider them part of ourselves. On a deep level, we are all one, creations of God. When we view others as an extension of ourselves, then when they are lacking, we are lacking; when we help them, we help ourselves.

Have a great week,

Yaakov

How to Unlock the Hidden Power of Prayer

Dear Friends,

During the High Holidays, we spend a lot of time immersed in prayer.
This article discusses three keys to enhancing our prayers. It also discusses hitbodedut, both the commonly practiced form as well as silent hitbodedut.

How to Unlock the Hidden Power of Prayer

Have a great week,

Yaakov

Is Your Commitment to Judaism Strong Enough?

Dear Friends,

Continuing the theme of introspection before the High Holidays, here is a choice between two articles. 

This one gives 8 strategies to help us strengthen our commitment to Judaism. It has been updated and now includes diagnostic questions.

Is Your Commitment to Judaism Strong Enough?

This one focuses on dealing with moral dilemmas.

Who Are You? A Balaam, a Job or a Jethro?

Have a great week,

Yaakov

What’s the Point of It All? The Power of Transformative Questions

Dear Friends,

As Elul is a time for introspection, here is the link to the updated version of this article. It now has 16 questions.

What’s the Point of It All? The Power of Transformative Questions

Have a great week,

Yaakov

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 Friday night, the 14th 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, refraining from hurting others, or some other area. Correcting our key flaw(s) is a main component 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 checklist. If possible, speak to your rabbi or spiritual mentor for guidance. The focus on repentance continues into next month until after Yom Kippur.

Questions for the month:

“Which area do I struggle with, which I am motivated to address this Elul?”

“What is a manageable commitment I will make to repair this issue?

“Is it clear to me what area to focus on and how to repent, or, who can I speak to for guidance?” 

Readings for the month:

Debunking 5 Myths about Repentance

“Am I a Faker or a Genuine Person?”

What is Your Number One Spiritual Stumbling Block?

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

Yaakov 

Nourishing Yourself with Faith during Difficult Times

Dear Friends,

Along the theme of Shabbat Nachamu (a Shabbat of consolation which follows Tisha B’Av), here are two articles of comfort for difficult times. They are updated versions of previous articles.

Nourishing Yourself with Faith during Difficult Times: Part I

Nourishing Yourself with Faith during Difficult Times: Part II

Have a great week,

Yaakov