I posted this last year but wanted to share it with you once again.
Hashem gave us all a very special gift,
And with it each neshama can get a lift,
It has awesome powers and teshuva is its name,
And without it our lives just wouldn’t be the same.
I have the ability to get rid of my aveiros from the past,
And even turn them into mitzvos that forever will last,
But of course I must make sure to do it right,
The three step process will turn darkness to light.
Because my neshama is a diamond shining so strong,
And it gets darker each time I do something wrong.
So the first thing to do to make it shine once again,
Is to verbalize and say, “I’ve sinned against Hashem.”
I must specify the aveiros I did, say them all out,
Hashem hears when I say them, there’s no need to shout
Just by saying them all, one by one,
The first step of the teshuva process is already done.
The next step is charata, to sincerely feel in my heart,
That the aveiros I’ve done made me move far apart,
From my Father in Heaven who loves me so
He gives and gives and never says no.
How could I be so ungrateful and do the wrong thing?!
He does so much for me, He’s my father and my king,
I feel so embarrassed to have done what I did,
And I hope to improve this year and become a better yid.
Feeling bad for what I’ve done is step number two,
And in the third step I must be earnest and true,
I will do everything I can to make sure,
That I will not repeat these aveiros anymore.
I will try to figure out what was the cause,
Of my feeling of carelessness to Hashem’s precious laws.
Yes now is the time to work on planning ahead,
And through this my aveiros will turn into mitzvos instead.
For there is nothing in the world that could be greater,
Than when someone does teshuva out of love for his creator,
So let us all grab the chance while Elul is still here,
And through doing teshuva may we all have a beautiful year!
May you have a year full of every kind of beracha,
And may you always feel content and always be b’simcha,
May you be able to serve Hashem with all your heart and soul,
And may we meet in Yerushalayim, the Jewish nation as one whole!!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Practical Tips During Elul - Part 2
Question: We are in Elul and I know I should be doing teshuva and improving myself. I understand that we are in a special time and could probably even write a bunch of divrie torah on the topic too! But since the summer started I've kind of been in this slump and haven't really been working so much on myself. Its not like I'm short on what to work on, I know there are things I would like to change. I was hoping that by the time Elul rolled around I would have gotten out of it but now its Elul and im still feeling this way. Do you have any ideas on how to get out of it?
Click here to read the first part of my answer.
Let's just say you need to work on helping your mother the first time she asks. The first thing you have to do is be aware of the fact that this is what you need to fix. Then, come up with some sort of plan-what will you tell yourself to feel motivated to help her when she asks you the first time and not just push it off? You know what makes you tick and what the right thing you need to tell yourself is. Ask Hashem to help you - especially when it's hard. Tell Him how you feel and how difficult it is and how you really want to listen the first time. Then, at the end of your day, check yourself and count your wins. If you were able to overcome this challenge even once a day, you are moving in the right direction.
Or let's say you know that you always end up stumbling in lashon hara when you shmooze with your friends on the phone. It's very hard to stop because it is so tempting! So the way to correct that is with baby steps. Catch yourself once a day so that you are aware that you stumbled. Once you notice that you did it, you will be able to work on correcting it. Then, talk to Hashem and tell Him how you feel - that you really don't want to do it but it's so hard! Ask Him to help you stop speaking negatively about other people. Think of ways you can stop yourself from speaking Lashon Hara - either by cutting your conversations short, switching topics, trying once a day to ignore a phone call if you know that person is someone who might make you stumble.
And remember, count your wins! Don't be discouraged if you keep falling - the yetzer hara wants you to give up so he makes you focus on the times you didn't accomplish so you'll stop trying! Every time you DO overcome, every time you don't give in, you are climbing higher!! That's what you need to focus on.
Let's say you know that you need to work on time management. You spend so much time online or just not doing anything and you wish you can feel that you were more productive by the time the day was done. So being aware of this issue, knowing that it's something you need to work on is the first step. Then you need to brainstorm, think of what you can do to make sure you don't waste so much time during your day. Maybe you can give yourself a time limit - an amount of time you will spend on the computer and then you will get off - and set an alarm when the time is up so you know you have to stop. If you have too much free time because it is the summer and you aren't so busy, maybe you can think of ways to keep busy.
Listen to a shiur on the phone (Kol Halashon has a TON of shiurim to keep you inspired and uplifted! Their number is 718-906-6400.) or online (like Torah Anytime or Simple To Remember). Read a book or learn something together with a friend every day or once a week at a specific time. Sign up for Partners in Torah so you can teach someone who wants to learn more about Judaism.
Ask Hashem to help you use your time in a productive fashion. Tell Him that you want to feel accomplished and use your time wisely. At the end of the day, look back and see how your day went and if you did something that made you feel good about how you spent your time. And remember, count those wins! That is what will help you move forward the next day - by noticing that the day before you were able to do it.
I only gave you a few examples but I'm sure you can use these suggestions for other things that you need to work on.
Try to use this equation and "plug it in" to whatever you need to work on.
Be aware of what you need to work on.
Notice when you stumble so you know what makes you fall.
Think of ways to fix it - see what "talks to you" to help you get out of it.
Talk to Hashem about how you feel and ask Him to help you correct your mistakes.
Count your wins so you don't get discouraged and you keep climbing.
I know it's hard. It's going to take work. Change doesn't happen on it's own. That's what Elul is all about - you have to think about what you need to do and then be active about what you want to fix.
I hope this helps you!
Click here to read the first part of my answer.
Let's just say you need to work on helping your mother the first time she asks. The first thing you have to do is be aware of the fact that this is what you need to fix. Then, come up with some sort of plan-what will you tell yourself to feel motivated to help her when she asks you the first time and not just push it off? You know what makes you tick and what the right thing you need to tell yourself is. Ask Hashem to help you - especially when it's hard. Tell Him how you feel and how difficult it is and how you really want to listen the first time. Then, at the end of your day, check yourself and count your wins. If you were able to overcome this challenge even once a day, you are moving in the right direction.
Or let's say you know that you always end up stumbling in lashon hara when you shmooze with your friends on the phone. It's very hard to stop because it is so tempting! So the way to correct that is with baby steps. Catch yourself once a day so that you are aware that you stumbled. Once you notice that you did it, you will be able to work on correcting it. Then, talk to Hashem and tell Him how you feel - that you really don't want to do it but it's so hard! Ask Him to help you stop speaking negatively about other people. Think of ways you can stop yourself from speaking Lashon Hara - either by cutting your conversations short, switching topics, trying once a day to ignore a phone call if you know that person is someone who might make you stumble.
And remember, count your wins! Don't be discouraged if you keep falling - the yetzer hara wants you to give up so he makes you focus on the times you didn't accomplish so you'll stop trying! Every time you DO overcome, every time you don't give in, you are climbing higher!! That's what you need to focus on.
Let's say you know that you need to work on time management. You spend so much time online or just not doing anything and you wish you can feel that you were more productive by the time the day was done. So being aware of this issue, knowing that it's something you need to work on is the first step. Then you need to brainstorm, think of what you can do to make sure you don't waste so much time during your day. Maybe you can give yourself a time limit - an amount of time you will spend on the computer and then you will get off - and set an alarm when the time is up so you know you have to stop. If you have too much free time because it is the summer and you aren't so busy, maybe you can think of ways to keep busy.
Listen to a shiur on the phone (Kol Halashon has a TON of shiurim to keep you inspired and uplifted! Their number is 718-906-6400.) or online (like Torah Anytime or Simple To Remember). Read a book or learn something together with a friend every day or once a week at a specific time. Sign up for Partners in Torah so you can teach someone who wants to learn more about Judaism.
Ask Hashem to help you use your time in a productive fashion. Tell Him that you want to feel accomplished and use your time wisely. At the end of the day, look back and see how your day went and if you did something that made you feel good about how you spent your time. And remember, count those wins! That is what will help you move forward the next day - by noticing that the day before you were able to do it.
I only gave you a few examples but I'm sure you can use these suggestions for other things that you need to work on.
Try to use this equation and "plug it in" to whatever you need to work on.
Be aware of what you need to work on.
Notice when you stumble so you know what makes you fall.
Think of ways to fix it - see what "talks to you" to help you get out of it.
Talk to Hashem about how you feel and ask Him to help you correct your mistakes.
Count your wins so you don't get discouraged and you keep climbing.
I know it's hard. It's going to take work. Change doesn't happen on it's own. That's what Elul is all about - you have to think about what you need to do and then be active about what you want to fix.
I hope this helps you!
Practical Tips During Elul - Part 1
Someone emailed this question to me. After responding to her, I realized that so many people are probably thinking the same thing so I decided to post it here (with her permission, of course). I'm putting this here in two separate posts so it's not too long to read at once.
Question: We are in Elul and I know I should be doing teshuva and improving myself. I understand that we are in a special time and could probably even write a bunch of divrie torah on the topic too! But since the summer started I've kind of been in this slump and haven't really been working so much on myself. Its not like I'm short on what to work on, I know there are things I would like to change. I was hoping that by the time Elul rolled around I would have gotten out of it but now its Elul and im still feeling this way. Do you have any ideas on how to get out of it?
Answer: Thanks for your question-I think it's a very important one and a question that many other people have. It's so special of you to ask this - it shows that you really care about your spiritual growth and don't want to just let Elul slip by too quickly! You want to take advantage of this special time and really accomplish!
What you have to keep in mind is that it's not going to happen automatically. It would be nice if when Elul came around each and every one of us would suddenly shift gears and be in "teshuva mode" and just start changing. But it doesn't work that way at all! It takes thought, time and work. Even if you know you have to work on certain things (don't we all have things we have to work on?), the only way for change to happen is with work!
So where do you begin?
The good thing is, you know it's Elul and you know that you have things to work on. So that's already a start. Now you have to move on to the active part of turning the changes you want to see in yourself into a reality. One thing to do is to take baby steps. Do things slowly. Slow change lasts. When you do things too quickly (too much too fast), it can become overwhelming and then you will end up slipping back (possibly lower than when you started because it gives you a feeling of hopelessness and then you end up giving up) and that's not good.
Pick something you know you are good at and work on improving it one little bit.
You have a friendly personality? Greet people with a smile. Engage in conversation with somoeone. Cheer up the people you are around.
You are able to write well? Write out something inspiring email it to your friends.
You have free time on your hands and love old people? Visit them in the hospital or nursing home once a week.
Any talent or quality that you do have can be built upon and improved so that you become better in that area.
Then, look at the thing(s) you know you need to work on. You need to really be into it - think about it every single day at a certain time and come up with a plan on how you are going to fix yourself. Tell yourself that once a day, you want to make sure you don't stumble in that area.
It's hard for me to be specific when I don't have real examples that relate to you, but I can try to give you some of my own examples.
Click here to continue on to part 2.
Question: We are in Elul and I know I should be doing teshuva and improving myself. I understand that we are in a special time and could probably even write a bunch of divrie torah on the topic too! But since the summer started I've kind of been in this slump and haven't really been working so much on myself. Its not like I'm short on what to work on, I know there are things I would like to change. I was hoping that by the time Elul rolled around I would have gotten out of it but now its Elul and im still feeling this way. Do you have any ideas on how to get out of it?
Answer: Thanks for your question-I think it's a very important one and a question that many other people have. It's so special of you to ask this - it shows that you really care about your spiritual growth and don't want to just let Elul slip by too quickly! You want to take advantage of this special time and really accomplish!
What you have to keep in mind is that it's not going to happen automatically. It would be nice if when Elul came around each and every one of us would suddenly shift gears and be in "teshuva mode" and just start changing. But it doesn't work that way at all! It takes thought, time and work. Even if you know you have to work on certain things (don't we all have things we have to work on?), the only way for change to happen is with work!
So where do you begin?
The good thing is, you know it's Elul and you know that you have things to work on. So that's already a start. Now you have to move on to the active part of turning the changes you want to see in yourself into a reality. One thing to do is to take baby steps. Do things slowly. Slow change lasts. When you do things too quickly (too much too fast), it can become overwhelming and then you will end up slipping back (possibly lower than when you started because it gives you a feeling of hopelessness and then you end up giving up) and that's not good.
Pick something you know you are good at and work on improving it one little bit.
You have a friendly personality? Greet people with a smile. Engage in conversation with somoeone. Cheer up the people you are around.
You are able to write well? Write out something inspiring email it to your friends.
You have free time on your hands and love old people? Visit them in the hospital or nursing home once a week.
Any talent or quality that you do have can be built upon and improved so that you become better in that area.
Then, look at the thing(s) you know you need to work on. You need to really be into it - think about it every single day at a certain time and come up with a plan on how you are going to fix yourself. Tell yourself that once a day, you want to make sure you don't stumble in that area.
It's hard for me to be specific when I don't have real examples that relate to you, but I can try to give you some of my own examples.
Click here to continue on to part 2.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
How Far?
Sometimes you go through something and then you just say, "Hashem, how much more do you think I can do? How far do I really have to stretch myself? Isn't it enough already?"
If you were able to hear Hashem respond to you, you'd probably hear Him say, "My dear child, my precious child, I love you so much and I have only the best things in mind for you. I know that what you are going through right now is hard and you feel like it's too much but through this you will come out a better person - and that's what you were put into this world for, to perfect yourself and refine your character. So yes, it may feel like a lot for you right now but I know you can do it!"
When things are tough and you feel like it's just too much for you to do, feel Hashem encouraging you along the way. Let these words enter your heart: Hashem loves me. Say it again and again until it penetrates. Keep reminding yourself, tell yourself, He knows what's best for me.
Hashem created you. He knows you better than anyone else because He knows what makes you tick, what is too much and exactly how much you can handle. What you are going through now is perfectly designed for your personal growth. You can fly! You can soar!
You have to keep telling yourself that you CAN do it and you WILL. Try to take it slow. Face your challenges with a smile even when it's hard. Tell yourself that you will be happy no matter what. You will come through, you will persevere, you will go higher. That smile that you wear on your face, even if you don't really feel happy will eventually make you happy.
Like they say, fake it till you make it. Just keep that smile plastered onto your face and eventually you will start to realize that no matter what you are going through you have so many reasons to be happy!
Count how many things from this list you have and think about how fortunate you are to have them!
When you think of the things you have that cannot be bought with money, you will realize how lucky you are to have them! Hashem gives you so many gifts on a constant basis - all He wants you to do is say thank you!
So when things are difficult and you are not sure where to turn, think about the things you have that you should thank Hashem for. Remember that He knows just what you need to help you become a better person - all the pain He puts you through is for a purpose. Perhaps it's so you can understand and help other people who go through similar tests in life and become more sensitive to their needs. Maybe you need to work perfecting on a certain middah and it can only be done if you are in the situation you were put into.
There are many reasons why Hashem puts people through hardships. You may never know the exact reason why you had to experience something. But what you do know is that Hashem has a good reason for every single thing He does even if you don't see it right now. Whatever you experience is for the ultimate good of your neshama. Hashem loves you and only wants the best for you!
May you always feel happy and content knowing that you have the most Loving Father taking care of you!
If you were able to hear Hashem respond to you, you'd probably hear Him say, "My dear child, my precious child, I love you so much and I have only the best things in mind for you. I know that what you are going through right now is hard and you feel like it's too much but through this you will come out a better person - and that's what you were put into this world for, to perfect yourself and refine your character. So yes, it may feel like a lot for you right now but I know you can do it!"
When things are tough and you feel like it's just too much for you to do, feel Hashem encouraging you along the way. Let these words enter your heart: Hashem loves me. Say it again and again until it penetrates. Keep reminding yourself, tell yourself, He knows what's best for me.
Hashem created you. He knows you better than anyone else because He knows what makes you tick, what is too much and exactly how much you can handle. What you are going through now is perfectly designed for your personal growth. You can fly! You can soar!
You have to keep telling yourself that you CAN do it and you WILL. Try to take it slow. Face your challenges with a smile even when it's hard. Tell yourself that you will be happy no matter what. You will come through, you will persevere, you will go higher. That smile that you wear on your face, even if you don't really feel happy will eventually make you happy.
Like they say, fake it till you make it. Just keep that smile plastered onto your face and eventually you will start to realize that no matter what you are going through you have so many reasons to be happy!
Count how many things from this list you have and think about how fortunate you are to have them!
- A pair of eyes that work and help you see where you walk each day.
- Two ears that can hear music, conversation, noise.
- A brain that understands and comprehends.
- Ten fingers that can type, grab hold of things, touch.
- A mouth with a tongue and teeth that can taste and eat all the delicious foods there are.
- A digestive system that works properly so you can go to the bathroom on your own.
- Two feet that walk or run.
- A house to live in.
- Air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter.
- Washing machine and dryer to keep your clothes clean.
- A school/camp to go to or a job to keep you busy and help you earn a living.
- Money for necessities or luxuries.
- Life itself.
When you think of the things you have that cannot be bought with money, you will realize how lucky you are to have them! Hashem gives you so many gifts on a constant basis - all He wants you to do is say thank you!
So when things are difficult and you are not sure where to turn, think about the things you have that you should thank Hashem for. Remember that He knows just what you need to help you become a better person - all the pain He puts you through is for a purpose. Perhaps it's so you can understand and help other people who go through similar tests in life and become more sensitive to their needs. Maybe you need to work perfecting on a certain middah and it can only be done if you are in the situation you were put into.
There are many reasons why Hashem puts people through hardships. You may never know the exact reason why you had to experience something. But what you do know is that Hashem has a good reason for every single thing He does even if you don't see it right now. Whatever you experience is for the ultimate good of your neshama. Hashem loves you and only wants the best for you!
May you always feel happy and content knowing that you have the most Loving Father taking care of you!
Labels:
Appreciation,
Middos,
Pain,
Purpose,
Think
The Doctor
This poem was written by Chaim Bashevkin and was in the Yated last year. I think it has an incredible and powerful message. Enjoy!
The doctor's office
Cloaked in dread
A somber spirit looms
Uneasiness
Uncertainty
Fills each one of the rooms
The tears are clearly
Palpable
The husband and the wife
Is there anything
That we can do
That may just save his life?
Cloaked in dread
A somber spirit looms
Uneasiness
Uncertainty
Fills each one of the rooms
The tears are clearly
Palpable
The husband and the wife
Is there anything
That we can do
That may just save his life?
"I'm sorry,"
Said the doctor
"There's nothing I can do
I wish there was
Some miracle
That I can offer you"
Dejected
They both left the room
And shuffled back on home
When suddenly
A ring was heard
Coming from the phone
The doctor
Found a protocol!
He said it's guaranteed!
And so the couple
Rushed back in
With superhuman speed
"It may take
Too much effort"
The doctor did explain
"And nausea and tiredness
And often lots of pain"
"Of course! Of course!
We shall comply
If this can bring the cure!
No task you ask
Is beyond us
We're positive! We're sure!
"We'll wake up
Before dawn each day
We'll follow protocol
We'll listen to
Each word you say
We'll miss nothing at all!
"We'll read instructions
Carefully
We will not skip a word
We won't ignore
A thing you say
For that would be absurd!
We'll watch our actions
Cautiously
We'll eat just what prescribed
We'll study what
The doctor said
And every word transcribed
For somehow when
We know "it works"
No treatment is a pain
We'd follow
Every therapy
With zest and not complain
Imagine that the doctor
Who truly holds the key
Would tell us the prescription
To true eternity
We'd wake up hours
Before dawn
And reach each slichah slowly
We'd open up
Our eyes and ears
To only items holy
We'd follow
Shaarie Teshuvah
Like a sacred guide to cure
If we believed
In every word
If we were really sure
Would it be hard?
To learn some more
And give more charity?
Recite each bracha
Loud and clear
And bentch with clarity?
If we'd believe
The doctor said
That this would work for sure
We'd follow
Every protocol
Not treat it like a chore
We're in the Elul hospital
The prognosis
Is grim
They said that there
May not be hope
To save our life and limb
And suddenly
Almighty
The Doctor gave the cure
Prescribed it
And He promised us
Recovery for sure
Bud suddenly
We're tired
We'd like to fall asleep
Not listen
When the shofar sounds
And not wake up and weep
If only
The Almighty
Would wear a nice white coat
And come in
With a stethoscope
On every word we'd dote
So wake up
My dear readers
Let's follow the prescription
And I'm sure
Health and happiness
Will be our great inscription
Said the doctor
"There's nothing I can do
I wish there was
Some miracle
That I can offer you"
Dejected
They both left the room
And shuffled back on home
When suddenly
A ring was heard
Coming from the phone
The doctor
Found a protocol!
He said it's guaranteed!
And so the couple
Rushed back in
With superhuman speed
"It may take
Too much effort"
The doctor did explain
"And nausea and tiredness
And often lots of pain"
"Of course! Of course!
We shall comply
If this can bring the cure!
No task you ask
Is beyond us
We're positive! We're sure!
"We'll wake up
Before dawn each day
We'll follow protocol
We'll listen to
Each word you say
We'll miss nothing at all!
"We'll read instructions
Carefully
We will not skip a word
We won't ignore
A thing you say
For that would be absurd!
We'll watch our actions
Cautiously
We'll eat just what prescribed
We'll study what
The doctor said
And every word transcribed
For somehow when
We know "it works"
No treatment is a pain
We'd follow
Every therapy
With zest and not complain
Imagine that the doctor
Who truly holds the key
Would tell us the prescription
To true eternity
We'd wake up hours
Before dawn
And reach each slichah slowly
We'd open up
Our eyes and ears
To only items holy
We'd follow
Shaarie Teshuvah
Like a sacred guide to cure
If we believed
In every word
If we were really sure
Would it be hard?
To learn some more
And give more charity?
Recite each bracha
Loud and clear
And bentch with clarity?
If we'd believe
The doctor said
That this would work for sure
We'd follow
Every protocol
Not treat it like a chore
We're in the Elul hospital
The prognosis
Is grim
They said that there
May not be hope
To save our life and limb
And suddenly
Almighty
The Doctor gave the cure
Prescribed it
And He promised us
Recovery for sure
Bud suddenly
We're tired
We'd like to fall asleep
Not listen
When the shofar sounds
And not wake up and weep
If only
The Almighty
Would wear a nice white coat
And come in
With a stethoscope
On every word we'd dote
So wake up
My dear readers
Let's follow the prescription
And I'm sure
Health and happiness
Will be our great inscription
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Women, Elul and the Shofar
I was just wondering about this specific question and then read the answer in today's Hakhel post! I wanted to share it with all of you.
"The Gematria of Elul (67) is the same as the Gematria of binah (67), understanding - for when one acquires sufficient understanding, he will be moved to do Teshuva."
With this awareness, we can perhaps suggest the answer to a question which may initially trouble many women. (This was the question I was just thinking about this morning!!)
Why is it that men have the benefit of the Shofar being blown every weekday morning in Elul to awaken them to the special times while women davening at home have no such fearful reminder? We may propose that the Shofar is intended to instill the binah, the understanding in a person to recognize his position and situation and do Teshuvah. Women, on the other hand, are blessed with a binah yeseira - a special level of binah, which jump starts them without the actual need of the Tekias Shofar every morning.
Indeed, Binah's sharing of the same gematria as Elul, may indicate to us that women are on a heightened level of awareness the entire year!
In a similar vein, the Yarmulke which men must wear to remind themselves to subjugate themselves to their Creator is not worn by women because though their added level of binah - they are already Yarei Malka - they are a step ahead in the fear of their Creator. The Shofar, then, is the great equalizer - we all have a little over three weeks to get the job done - let's really succeed this year!
I think it is amazing that when you have a question and really want to know the answer, Hashem will send it your way! It was as if Hashem was giving me a little message that if I want to find answers, He will help me get them!
Another thing for us to focus on is that we should find ways to arouse ourselves to teshuva, even if we do not go to shul every morning and hear the shofar. Women have a special intuition that allows us to be in touch with our emotions and the unique time that we are in and we do not need the daily shofar blowing as a reminder to wake up!
"The Gematria of Elul (67) is the same as the Gematria of binah (67), understanding - for when one acquires sufficient understanding, he will be moved to do Teshuva."
With this awareness, we can perhaps suggest the answer to a question which may initially trouble many women. (This was the question I was just thinking about this morning!!)
Why is it that men have the benefit of the Shofar being blown every weekday morning in Elul to awaken them to the special times while women davening at home have no such fearful reminder? We may propose that the Shofar is intended to instill the binah, the understanding in a person to recognize his position and situation and do Teshuvah. Women, on the other hand, are blessed with a binah yeseira - a special level of binah, which jump starts them without the actual need of the Tekias Shofar every morning.
Indeed, Binah's sharing of the same gematria as Elul, may indicate to us that women are on a heightened level of awareness the entire year!
In a similar vein, the Yarmulke which men must wear to remind themselves to subjugate themselves to their Creator is not worn by women because though their added level of binah - they are already Yarei Malka - they are a step ahead in the fear of their Creator. The Shofar, then, is the great equalizer - we all have a little over three weeks to get the job done - let's really succeed this year!
I think it is amazing that when you have a question and really want to know the answer, Hashem will send it your way! It was as if Hashem was giving me a little message that if I want to find answers, He will help me get them!
Another thing for us to focus on is that we should find ways to arouse ourselves to teshuva, even if we do not go to shul every morning and hear the shofar. Women have a special intuition that allows us to be in touch with our emotions and the unique time that we are in and we do not need the daily shofar blowing as a reminder to wake up!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Chain Reaction
Here are two meshalim that have a very good lesson. You may have heard them before, you may have not. But the lesson is so important.
The Hole In The Boat
A man was called to the beach to paint a boat. He brought his paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright, new red, as he was hired to do. As he painted the boat, he noticed that the paint was seeping through the bottom of the boat. He realized that there was a leak, and he decided to mend it. When the painting was done, he collected his money for the job and went away.
The following day the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a large check. The painter was surprised. "You have already paid me for painting the boat," he said.
"But this is not for the paint job. It is for mending the leak in the boat."
"That was so small a thing that I even did not want to charge you for it. Surely you are not paying me this huge amount for so small a thing?"
"My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened."
"When I asked you to paint the boat I had forgotten to mention to you about the leak. When the boat was nice and dry, my children took the boat and went fishing. When I found that they had gone out in the boat, I was frantic for I remembered that the boat had a leak! Imagine my relief and happiness when I saw them coming back safe and sound. I examined the boat and saw that you had repaired the leak. Now you see what you have done? You have saved the lives of my children! I haven't enough money to repay you for your 'little' good deed..."
A Piece of String
A wealthy merchant bought a wonderful candelabra for his home. It was a masterpiece, made of pure crystal and studded with precious stones. It cost a real fortune.
Because of the candelabra's massive size, the ceiling in the merchant's dining room could not support its weight. In order to hang this beautiful candelabrum, a hole was bored in the ceiling, through which a rope was run and fastened to a beam in the attic.
Everybody who came to the house admired the wonderful candelabra, and the merchant and his family were very proud of it.
One day a poor boy came begging for old clothes. He was told to go up to the attic, where their old clothes were stored, and to help himself to some. He went up to the attic, and collected a neat bundle of clothes. After packing them into his bag, he searched for a piece of string with which to tie it. He saw a rope wound around a nail and decided to help himself to a piece. So he took out his pocketknife and cut the rope.
Crash! There was a terrific smash, and the next moment the whole family rushed to the attic crying: "Look what you have done! You have ruined us!"
The poor boy could not understand what all the excitement was about. He said: "What do you mean, ruined you? All I did was to take a small piece of rope. Surely this did not ruin you?"
The merchant replied, "Yes, all you did was to take a piece of rope. But it so happened that my precious candelabra hung by it. Now you have broken it beyond repair!"
These two stories, have one moral: Very often, by doing what seems to us a "small" good deed we never know what wonderful thing we have really done. And conversely, in committing what seems to us a "small" transgression, we are causing a terrible catastrophe. Both good deeds and bad deeds cause a "chain reaction." One good deed brings another good deed in its succession, and one transgression brings another. Each of them, no matter how seemingly small, may create or destroy worlds.
Don't you think these two stories are worth remembering?
The Hole In The Boat
A man was called to the beach to paint a boat. He brought his paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright, new red, as he was hired to do. As he painted the boat, he noticed that the paint was seeping through the bottom of the boat. He realized that there was a leak, and he decided to mend it. When the painting was done, he collected his money for the job and went away.
The following day the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a large check. The painter was surprised. "You have already paid me for painting the boat," he said.
"But this is not for the paint job. It is for mending the leak in the boat."
"That was so small a thing that I even did not want to charge you for it. Surely you are not paying me this huge amount for so small a thing?"
"My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened."
"When I asked you to paint the boat I had forgotten to mention to you about the leak. When the boat was nice and dry, my children took the boat and went fishing. When I found that they had gone out in the boat, I was frantic for I remembered that the boat had a leak! Imagine my relief and happiness when I saw them coming back safe and sound. I examined the boat and saw that you had repaired the leak. Now you see what you have done? You have saved the lives of my children! I haven't enough money to repay you for your 'little' good deed..."
A Piece of String
A wealthy merchant bought a wonderful candelabra for his home. It was a masterpiece, made of pure crystal and studded with precious stones. It cost a real fortune.
Because of the candelabra's massive size, the ceiling in the merchant's dining room could not support its weight. In order to hang this beautiful candelabrum, a hole was bored in the ceiling, through which a rope was run and fastened to a beam in the attic.
Everybody who came to the house admired the wonderful candelabra, and the merchant and his family were very proud of it.
One day a poor boy came begging for old clothes. He was told to go up to the attic, where their old clothes were stored, and to help himself to some. He went up to the attic, and collected a neat bundle of clothes. After packing them into his bag, he searched for a piece of string with which to tie it. He saw a rope wound around a nail and decided to help himself to a piece. So he took out his pocketknife and cut the rope.
Crash! There was a terrific smash, and the next moment the whole family rushed to the attic crying: "Look what you have done! You have ruined us!"
The poor boy could not understand what all the excitement was about. He said: "What do you mean, ruined you? All I did was to take a small piece of rope. Surely this did not ruin you?"
The merchant replied, "Yes, all you did was to take a piece of rope. But it so happened that my precious candelabra hung by it. Now you have broken it beyond repair!"
These two stories, have one moral: Very often, by doing what seems to us a "small" good deed we never know what wonderful thing we have really done. And conversely, in committing what seems to us a "small" transgression, we are causing a terrible catastrophe. Both good deeds and bad deeds cause a "chain reaction." One good deed brings another good deed in its succession, and one transgression brings another. Each of them, no matter how seemingly small, may create or destroy worlds.
Don't you think these two stories are worth remembering?
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