Tisha B'Av starts this Monday night.
If the Messiah does not come beforehand, may this be the last Tisha B'Av we mourn,
Yaakov
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Av: Restoring Love
Dear Friends,
We mourn the loss of those who died in recent terror attacks in Israel, the most recent being this past Shabbat, when three family members were murdered during their Shabbat meal in the town of Halamish. We pray for the speedy recover of one of the family members who was seriously injured.
We mourn the loss of those who died in recent terror attacks in Israel, the most recent being this past Shabbat, when three family members were murdered during their Shabbat meal in the town of Halamish. We pray for the speedy recover of one of the family members who was seriously injured.
Soon, will be Rosh Chodesh Av, which begins Sunday night, the 23rd of July, and lasts for one day.
On the 9th of this month – Tisha B’Av – we fast to commemorate the destruction of the First and Second Temples.
Last month, we focused on removing hatred. This month, we will focus on the next step: Restoring love by apologizing and helping others.
Consider if you may have caused someone distress, by what you said or did. If yes, commit to apologize to them as soon as possible.
In addition, each day of this month, consider checking off on your checklist if you did an act of kindness; it can be something small. If the day is coming to a close and you have not yet done an act of kindness, ask yourself if there is someone you can call or email, who would appreciate that you reached out to them. At the very least, put some money in a charity box. Do not let a day go by without doing something for someone else. As the Sages teach, (Ethics of the Fathers 1:14), “…If I am [only] for myself, what am I?”
The topic of not wronging others is discussed in, “What is Your Number One Spiritual Stumbling Block?”
On the 9th of this month – Tisha B’Av – we fast to commemorate the destruction of the First and Second Temples.
Last month, we focused on removing hatred. This month, we will focus on the next step: Restoring love by apologizing and helping others.
Consider if you may have caused someone distress, by what you said or did. If yes, commit to apologize to them as soon as possible.
In addition, each day of this month, consider checking off on your checklist if you did an act of kindness; it can be something small. If the day is coming to a close and you have not yet done an act of kindness, ask yourself if there is someone you can call or email, who would appreciate that you reached out to them. At the very least, put some money in a charity box. Do not let a day go by without doing something for someone else. As the Sages teach, (Ethics of the Fathers 1:14), “…If I am [only] for myself, what am I?”
The topic of not wronging others is discussed in, “What is Your Number One Spiritual Stumbling Block?”
The topic of apologizing is discussed in, “Repairing Our Mistakes: How to Ask for Forgiveness.”
Questions for the month:
“Who can I apologize to?” (And make amends if applicable)
“Who can I help?” (Some examples: Giving emotional, financial or physical support, advice, or helping someone find a job, a spouse or a needed resource.)
May God bring the redemption soon and turn this month into one of rejoicing.
Yaakov
Questions for the month:
“Who can I apologize to?” (And make amends if applicable)
“Who can I help?” (Some examples: Giving emotional, financial or physical support, advice, or helping someone find a job, a spouse or a needed resource.)
May God bring the redemption soon and turn this month into one of rejoicing.
Yaakov
Saturday, July 15, 2017
“Why?” 5 Reasons for Suffering
Dear Friends,
When we look for meaning in our difficulties, they serve as a catalyst for growth.
“Why?” 5 Reasons for Suffering
Have a great week,
Yaakov
When we look for meaning in our difficulties, they serve as a catalyst for growth.
“Why?” 5 Reasons for Suffering
Have a great week,
Yaakov
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Who Are You? Getting in Touch with Your Essence
Who are you?
At your core, are you a nice or nasty person?
If you think about the nice things you have done, you will likely answer, “I’m a nice person.” If you think about the nasty things you have done, you will likely answer, “I’m a nasty person.” So which one are you?
At your core, are you a nice or nasty person?
If you think about the nice things you have done, you will likely answer, “I’m a nice person.” If you think about the nasty things you have done, you will likely answer, “I’m a nasty person.” So which one are you?
Saturday, July 1, 2017
The Freedom of Forgiveness: 3 Strategies to Letting Go
Dear Friends,
Forgiveness does not happen automatically. But if we put in the effort, we will reap its benefits.
The Freedom of Forgiveness: 3 Strategies to Letting Go
Have a great week,
Yaakov
Forgiveness does not happen automatically. But if we put in the effort, we will reap its benefits.
The Freedom of Forgiveness: 3 Strategies to Letting Go
Have a great week,
Yaakov
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Conflict Resolution: How to Win the Battle for Peace
Dear Friends,
We just read in the Synagogue the story of Korach and the negative consequences of that conflict.
Chodesh tov and have a great week,
Yaakov
We just read in the Synagogue the story of Korach and the negative consequences of that conflict.
Yaakov
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Tammuz: Removing Hatred
Dear Friends,
This post is about the Jewish month of Tammuz, as it relates to The Chazak Plan: A 12 Month Journey to Spiritual Strength.
Rosh Chodesh Tammuz begins Friday night, the 23rd of June, and lasts for two days.
On the 17th of this month, we fast to commemorate the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the First Temple. This is the beginning of the period known as The Three Weeks which ends next month on Tisha B’Av, the day we mourn the destruction of the First and Second Temples. The Sages teach that a key reason the Messiah has not yet come to rebuild the Temple is because of the sin of hating one’s fellow Jew.
We are a small nation surrounded by enemies bent on our destruction. To defeat the hatred against our people, we must defeat the hatred within our people. This month, go out of your way to be forgiving and overlook the faults of others.
One of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s most transformative teachings is his emphasis on finding the good in ourselves and others (Likutey Moharan I, 282). A complementary practice is to realize that we all have difficulties and to feel compassion for our own challenges and for those of others. Each day, look for the good in yourself and others, and feel compassion for the struggles we all face. Then, you will be more forgiving and loving toward yourself and others.
Check off on your checklist each day you complimented someone, or at least spent time thinking about a person’s good points (including your own).
For additional discussion on the sin of hating one’s fellow Jew, see, “What is Your Number One Spiritual Stumbling Block?”
A number of misfortunes have occurred to the Jewish people during The Three Weeks. Because of this, this month and next month’s focus is also on how to overcome adversity.
Questions for the month:
“Who in my life do I feel hatred toward or greatly dislike?” (Pick one person and depending on the situation, either work on forgiving them or on reducing the hurt you feel.)
“Who pushes my buttons? Can I focus on their good points and be more complimentary and understanding?”
“What is the first step I can take to try to resolve a conflict I have with someone?”
Take care and may God grant us success in the coming month,
Yaakov
This post is about the Jewish month of Tammuz, as it relates to The Chazak Plan: A 12 Month Journey to Spiritual Strength.
Rosh Chodesh Tammuz begins Friday night, the 23rd of June, and lasts for two days.
On the 17th of this month, we fast to commemorate the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the First Temple. This is the beginning of the period known as The Three Weeks which ends next month on Tisha B’Av, the day we mourn the destruction of the First and Second Temples. The Sages teach that a key reason the Messiah has not yet come to rebuild the Temple is because of the sin of hating one’s fellow Jew.
We are a small nation surrounded by enemies bent on our destruction. To defeat the hatred against our people, we must defeat the hatred within our people. This month, go out of your way to be forgiving and overlook the faults of others.
One of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s most transformative teachings is his emphasis on finding the good in ourselves and others (Likutey Moharan I, 282). A complementary practice is to realize that we all have difficulties and to feel compassion for our own challenges and for those of others. Each day, look for the good in yourself and others, and feel compassion for the struggles we all face. Then, you will be more forgiving and loving toward yourself and others.
Check off on your checklist each day you complimented someone, or at least spent time thinking about a person’s good points (including your own).
For additional discussion on the sin of hating one’s fellow Jew, see, “What is Your Number One Spiritual Stumbling Block?”
A number of misfortunes have occurred to the Jewish people during The Three Weeks. Because of this, this month and next month’s focus is also on how to overcome adversity.
Questions for the month:
“Who in my life do I feel hatred toward or greatly dislike?” (Pick one person and depending on the situation, either work on forgiving them or on reducing the hurt you feel.)
“Who pushes my buttons? Can I focus on their good points and be more complimentary and understanding?”
“What is the first step I can take to try to resolve a conflict I have with someone?”
Take care and may God grant us success in the coming month,
Yaakov
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