Growing up, I thought of Bible stories as little more than fairytales. When I was finally able to get glimpses into the vast richness of the Torah, I found that the Torah could provide enlightenment on multiple levels simultaneously.
While my day-to-day involvement in Chabad activities and programs has waxed and waned depending on what my children were up at that particular period of time (think colicky babies), there is one area that I never wanted to cut back on: the time I invested in personal relationships with community members.
While it’s true that everything is directed from Above, the one thing that isn’t are our choices and reactions, and to a large extent, they help determine our destiny.
In the past few years, I have coached and mentored many women, and I am seeing a common trend among many—the fear of being judged, the fear of appearing “not normal,” fears of imperfection, and feeling misunderstood and alone.
The dancing that had previously felt like a dishonor to the grief and sorrow now took its place in juxtaposition to the celebration. With unbelievable inner strength, he had carved out a space in his heart for both emotions to rest.
There are so many stress triggers in our often overwhelming lives. Living an authentic Jewish life helps reduce our stress while heightening our spirituality.
While feeling bitter may be justified in our eyes, it’s not a way to endear ourselves to others or improve our predicament. Moreover, it punishes us more than anyone else.
I am an oasis of peace and serenity, a home to so many, a place of refuge for a nation that flees; I am the source of controversy and conflict, of fighting and bloodshed, a land that weeps in fear and pain while suffering constant beatings from the world.
It was at that moment—when she described something as “silly” instead of using a term that was a little saltier—that it struck me. My new friend never swore.
We think that it only happens to us. But most of the issues people grapple with happen to everyone. That's why G‑d sets up a system of living that help us avoid the pitfalls most people deal with.
We’re given a message through advertising and social media that you can or should do it all. We’re being sold that success is doing everything right, and, of course, doing all that as you appear beautiful and calm.
Yelling causes damage, irreparable damage, to the environment, to our relationships, to our psyches and nervous systems, and to our mental and physical health.
We may not remind people of their past misdeeds, insult someone, tease them, bully them, threaten them or in any way use words to cause them pain or anguish. Even hinting at something that might cause them pain is not allowed.
We live in a youth culture that idolizes youth and prizes innovation. Judaism, however, while recognizing the benefits of youth, vaunts the wisdom and experience of old age, and urges us to respect and listen to the older generation.
We’ve all heard the expression, “Funny you don’t look Jewish,” or “I knew you were Jewish by just looking at you.” Jews seem to have
internal radar for identifying one another. It isn’t just a Semitic appearance or the Je ne sais quoi of Jewishness. It is, actually, the neshama—the Jewish “soul” radiating outwards that we recognize in each other.
We need to plug in. We need to recharge our spiritual batteries. What good is our life and our actions in this world if they are devoid of spiritual energy?
There are two ways to live life: focus on what you lack (and you’ll be miserable) or focus on what you have (and you’ll be happy). It’s as simple as that.
I usually focus more on the more powerful nuclear reactions, where there is a very evident immediate effect. But who is to say that these subtle moments of grace are not at least as powerful, if not more so?
If the pragmatic circumstances of Shalo’s life gave me pause, the physical crises he had endured and wondrously overcome from birth onward completely bowled me over.
Life is hard. So many painful, disturbing and distressing events occur to us and to the world around us. Can we really be joyful in this kind of environment?