Dear Friends,
When faced with difficulties, many of us have asked: "Why God?"
“Why?” 5 Reasons for Suffering
Have a great week,
Yaakov
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Saturday, June 12, 2021
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Tammuz: Forgiveness
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 Wednesday night, June 9th 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).
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, as this hurt only harms you.)
“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?”
Reading:
The Freedom of Forgiveness: 3 Strategies to Letting Go
May God grant us success in the coming month,
Yaakov
Rosh Chodesh Tammuz begins Wednesday night, June 9th 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).
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, as this hurt only harms you.)
“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?”
Reading:
The Freedom of Forgiveness: 3 Strategies to Letting Go
May God grant us success in the coming month,
Yaakov
Saturday, May 29, 2021
What Does God Want from Me?
Dear Friends,
At various points in our lives, many of us have asked:
Have a great week,
Yaakov
Saturday, May 15, 2021
The Hidden Side of the Ten Commandments
Dear Friends,
This Sunday night, the 16th of May, begins the Holiday of Shavuot, where we celebrate receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai.
The Hidden Side of the Ten Commandments
Have a Chag Sameach!
Yaakov
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Sivan: Living the Torah’s Wisdom
Dear Friends,
This post is about the Jewish month of Sivan as it relates to The Chazak Plan: A 12 Month Journey to Spiritual Strength.
Rosh Chodesh Sivan begins Tuesday night, May 11th and lasts for one day.
The festival of Shavuot occurs during this month. On Shavuot, we celebrate receiving on Mount Sinai the Torah, God’s instruction manual for life. Even those who are unaffiliated, without realizing it, observe part of the Torah. Take for example the 10 Commandments, many already believe in God, do not worship idols, honor their parents, do not commit murder, adultery etc.
Begin at whatever level of observance you are currently on, and pick one area you are motivated to strengthen this month. At the end of each day/week, mark off on your checklist if you kept that observance.
Question for the month:
“What area of observance will I strengthen this month or at least learn more about?”
Take care and may God grant us success in the coming month,
Yaakov
This post is about the Jewish month of Sivan as it relates to The Chazak Plan: A 12 Month Journey to Spiritual Strength.
Rosh Chodesh Sivan begins Tuesday night, May 11th and lasts for one day.
The festival of Shavuot occurs during this month. On Shavuot, we celebrate receiving on Mount Sinai the Torah, God’s instruction manual for life. Even those who are unaffiliated, without realizing it, observe part of the Torah. Take for example the 10 Commandments, many already believe in God, do not worship idols, honor their parents, do not commit murder, adultery etc.
Begin at whatever level of observance you are currently on, and pick one area you are motivated to strengthen this month. At the end of each day/week, mark off on your checklist if you kept that observance.
Question for the month:
“What area of observance will I strengthen this month or at least learn more about?”
Take care and may God grant us success in the coming month,
Yaakov
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Tragedy at Meron
Dear friends,
We are all heartbroken over the tragedy at Meron.
Any tragedy needs to be addressed on multiple levels: praying for the wounded, donating to those affected, learning from past mistakes etc.
When we hear about a tragedy like this, we cannot go on with business as usual, it needs to affect us in some way. To serve as a catalyst for growth. To grow in our prayer, good deeds and Torah study and to realign our priorities, realizing how fleeting life is and to make the most of every precious moment God gifts us.
How to Respond Effectively to a Tragedy or Crisis
May God send comfort and healing to our people,
Yaakov
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