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Three Simple Ideas That Can Change Your Life

A short insight from the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

By Chana Weisberg

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Three Simple Ideas That Can Change Your Life: A short insight from the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

Topics:

Baal Shem Tov, Chassidism, Elul 18

By Chana Weisberg

Chana Weisberg is the editor of TheJewishWoman.org and host of the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories podcast. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.

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17 Comments

Anonymous September 4, 2017

Is the untimely death of the apparently innocent a reward or a punishment? Chana, still waiting for a response to my query of last year re: my daughter. If God kills a child for God's own reasons, does God not also make the killer for the same reasons? You cannot have a victim without a perpetrator, unless you define God as the perpetrator. Reply

Chana Weisberg September 7, 2017

in response to Anonymous:

Dear anonymous,
One of the fundamentals of Judaism is that we all have free choice. G-d does not force us to do bad things. If someone is destined to be killed, for whatever reason, G-d sets it up to be done through someone who so chooses. The perpetrator is guilty because he chose to do so, as G-d has many means and ways of accomplishing His will.
As to an untimely death of a precious soul, for those of us living in this world who miss daily contact with this child, it is still extremely sad, even though we can be comforted by the knowledge that ultimately this was G-d's will and this soul is now in a better place.
I wish you comfort and only good things in your life. Reply

arthur yanoff August 23, 2017

Bael Shem Tov The Bael Shem Tov and miracles. It is not so much that the Besht made miracles, he taught us to how to make our own miracles. The Besht is the Besht. Reply

andy Whitechapel November 6, 2016

The secret is smile and make others too Reply

Anonymous September 28, 2016

When God takes a young life. Reprise. Chana,
The post was from the *father* of the 14 year old girled who was killed.
"I am so sorry that your child is no longer with you." Is sorrow appropriate for one who knows with total certainty that 1. my daughter's death was the well thought out 'will of God' and 2. she is existing in close proximity to God and is spared all the pain that has and will continue to hurt those who survived her? "Your pain must be unbearable." not true, the only pain that is UN bearable is the pain that totally destroys. Any pain that can be dealt with by any means cannot be "unbearable." Reply

K. Rogers South Africa September 28, 2016

3 simple ideas that can change your life So profound and very encouraging. Thanks for sharing and lifting our spirits during these very trying times. Reply

Chana Weisberg January 1, 1900

Dear mother of 14 year old,
I am so sorry that your child is no longer with you. Your pain must be unbearable.
This video was in no way intended to justify G-d's actions. As finite beings, we simply cannot and should not understand or justify tragedy in our world. May the coming year bring you happiness and healing. Reply

Anonymous September 26, 2016

when God takes a life? By your reasoning, God wanted my daughter to die at 14. Was this a reward or a punishment? In either case, for whom? Reply

V Brasil September 23, 2016

Your teachings are very important for me and all peoples.Thank you very mutch. Reply

Rick Miller La Mesa September 23, 2016

You saved me today, Chana. I cannot tell you how, but your voice through G-d kept me going one more day.

Blessings, Reply

Charity September 22, 2016

This touched my heart and my soul... These, to me, are
Words spoken at the right time. Thank you, Chana. May you blessed. Reply

christina jacobs bend September 22, 2016

Thank you Chana, I love hearing your teachings, I needed to hear this.:) Reply

A descendant of the Baal Shem Tov September 21, 2016

It is not all predetermined We have free choice. If we "go with the flow" of Hashem's opportunities (What seem good or bad to us are all opportunities) and view them as such then we prosper and grow. However we have the choice to do the opposite and run away from the opportunities. However hashem or shall I say more accuratley Elokim (the aspect of hashem that is the intelligence in this protected universe) chases us and presents more opportunities. What is predetermined is that Elokim is determined. :) Reply

chuck September 21, 2016

Beautiful. Thank you, Chana. Reply

Renee NJ September 21, 2016

There are times when you are lead to different experiences & you don't quite know why, but you know this is something you must do. Taking the time to listen to your 3 wonderful Ideas brought such joy to my heart and melted the ice that was forming around it. Thank you so very, very much Chana! Am bookmarking this. It is such a sweet, simple yet profound reminder of what is truly important. Reply

Andy England September 21, 2016

The Baal Shem Tov .An orphan.A lover of nature and the woods .A lover of the destitute .These three things also make for a special person .

Im in the woods on Rosh Hashanah praying ;not the shool Reply

Daniela Deux-Montagnes, QC, Canada September 19, 2016

Thanks so much dear Chana! You are so beautiful inside and out! Shalom! Many many blessings on you and yours!

Danielle xox Reply

Three Simple Ideas That Can Change Your Life: A short insight from the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

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