Conviction

I was persuaded by your "dose" of wisdom ... until I read Julie's response, which was astute and raises a lot of honest, thought-provoking questions. How DO we know that what we believe is inner guidance is, indeed, inner guidance and not simply our minds or hearts pushing us, and helping us by rationalizing that we're going with our "gut."

Many of life's choices are clear. We know what's right and wrong, no matter how much we tell ourselves otherwise. But what about that massive gray area in between? Oh, how I would love to know that what I believe is G-d's guidance is indeed, divinely given ... and not my own desires masquerading as truth.

Still, as always, a wonderful post.

"All is vain" proverbs. Ultimately EVERYTHING is under the control of G-d so even giving charity can be vain. As we are not in control of who will be blessed with livelihood, or wealth etc. The sole function of man is to serve God. Lucky for Jews we have the Torah which tells us what to do. Even though much of it doesn't "make sense" . sense is vain, morals are vain, conviction is vain. We must just do.

It is true that philosophical arguments are flimsy when you are faced with real life, when survival kicks in etc and takes the wheel.
What indeed is the inner compass that must guide one.

I know when I read Torah and it says clearly G-d said do this or don't do that. It speaks to me and I believe it to be true.

What I would like is for my soul to speak to me. My jewish soul to be heard loud and clear above all the clamour of the world. my personal truth (within Torah) to be heard above all the clamour, my path of Godliness to be loud and clear. My tikkun (rectification) to be clear to me. My unique purpose to be clear. My personal womanhood to speak to me loud and clear. From within these answers must come.

I have a friend who is very convicted , through babies etc for eg she religiously swam every morning. But what is that particular value based on, what does it serve?

Most values when put up to real scrutiny are pretty vain. Even family etc can often just be self serving.

I am uncomfortable with the premise that conviction is right. It can be based on prejudice and ingrained,irrational beliefs . e.g Nazis had a conviction that Aryans were a superior race. Christians had convictions that they were right,at different times in the past, to convert people,a President of the u.s.a stood by his conviction to get involved in several wars outside u.s territory leading to the loss of many lives.No, basing your actions on conviction is simplistic and dangerous.

dear friends,

it is not the first time that I write a comment on the daily dose that I receive, because of the direction it gives me in my thinking.
I want you to know I am not a Jew but just as the first time also this time your daily dose hit the core in that it struck at the foundation of my faith.
I found myself lately in a depression which causes everything I once believed to doubt. And so at a certain moment I cried out to Him: what about the words You spoke to me Yourself once?
I received the answer through those daily doses from inner engravings and conviction.
I give praise to G-d for hearing my cries and inner despair and also for speaking through your daily doses.
This has put me back in course and so I am again mediating on the daily prayers in your beautiful siddur.
They always bring me in contact with Your God, whom I love and seek with all my heart.
You are doing a great work with these messages!