Kislev: Gratitude

Dear Friends,

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

Rosh Chodesh Kislev begins Wednesday night, the 27th of November and lasts for two days.

During this month we celebrate the festival of Chanukah, which commemorates the miracle of the oil, the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks and the rededication of the Second Temple. A key message of the festival is expressing gratitude to God for the miracles He performs for us.

Each day, either at the beginning or end of the day, spend time feeling grateful for the blessings your Creator gave you. Thank Him for His many gifts, for the bright side/silver lining of your difficulties, and for signs of His help amidst your challenges. Consider inputting this daily practice of expressing gratitude into your checklist.

In addition, express your appreciation to others. You can do this in person, on the phone, via a quick email or text, or with a written note.

Questions for the month:

“What is something I am very grateful to God for? What can I say to Him to express my appreciation?”

“Who is someone who has helped me? How can I express my appreciation?”

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

Yaakov

Everything Works Out in the End: Even when it doesn’t appear to

Dear Friends,

In the moment, when faced with challenges, we struggle and don't know what will be.
It's important to remind ourselves that:

Everything Works Out in the End: Even when it doesn’t appear to  

Have a great week,

Yaakov 

What Happens to Our Seemingly Unanswered Prayers?

Dear Friends,

What Happens to Our Seemingly Unanswered Prayers?

Have a great week,

Yaakov

Surrendering to God: 3 steps to transcend your ego

Dear Friends,

An important element of prayer is surrendering to God: realizing that we can't do anything without His help and that only He knows what is best for us.

Surrendering to God: 3 steps to transcend your ego

Have a great week,

Yaakov

Cheshvan: Prayer

Dear Friends,

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

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan begins Monday night, the 28th of October and lasts for two days.

On the 7th of Cheshvan, in Israel, prayers for rain begin. For this month, focus on enhancing your prayers. You can pick a section of the prayers to say daily with understanding. In addition or instead, you can recite daily one Psalm with understanding (longer Psalms can be read over two to three days).

One type of prayer, popularized by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, is called Hitbodedut; this is where we talk out loud to God in our native language, unburdening ourselves to Him. Try this daily practice for at least a week, preferably a month. See if it helps you feel closer to God and to feeling His comfort and support.

Part of upgrading our prayers is showing reverence for the sanctuary, and not talking during the prayer service.

Questions for the month:

“Which section of the prayers will I focus on saying this month with understanding? Or, what else can I do to enhance my prayers?”

“What issues are weighing on my mind that I can informally speak to God about?”

“How can I enhance the reverence I show for the sanctuary?”

Reading:

How to Unlock the Hidden Power of Prayer

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

Yaakov

Taking Refuge in a Sukkah of Faith

Dear Friends,

This Sunday night begins the Festival of Sukkot.
There will be no posts during the holiday.

Taking Refuge in a Sukkah of Faith

Have a Chag Sameach!

Yaakov

Audio Download and Repairing Our Mistakes: How to Ask for Forgiveness

Dear Friends,

This Tuesday night is Yom Kippur.

Here is a link to an audio class I recently gave on the High Holidays which discusses how to enhance our prayers and 10 possible New Year's resolutions.

Preparing for the Yamim Noraim: Practical Suggestions

One area that Yom Kippur does not atone for is sins between us and our fellow. For those, we need to ask for forgiveness and make amends when appropriate.

Repairing Our Mistakes: How to Ask for Forgiveness

May we all be sealed in the Book of Life,

Yaakov