Shalom's 18th Yartzeit

My brother Shalom's 18th yartzeit is coming up. It's hard to wrap my head around this big number. A number that means life, when he is not alive with us. Sure, I believe he's living the most precious and beloved existence and his life is more real than the life we live in this world of falsehood. But my life feels so real to me. And I want to do something special to carry on his name and his life in a way that gives life to others. 

I'm knee deep in reading an incredible and inspiring book, 90 Seconds, about Eli Beer, the man who started United Hatzalah. This book speaks to me on so many levels. He was a teen who couldn't sit in class, got kicked out of school so many times and ended up leaving school for good, starting his own business ventures and initiatives just to keep busy. He volunteered for Magen David Adom which lead him to starting an organization whose goal is to reach each call for help within 90 seconds, by having volunteers in every part of Eretz Yisroel. It's a long story and worth the read and I want to do something to contribute towards his life saving efforts.

Here's my idea. I am looking for 18 people to commit to donating $18 (or more) to United Hatzalah, in memory of my brother Shalom whose 18th yartzeit is this Friday. To honor his life, and the 18 years since he was last present on this earth, let's help the organization that gives life and extends the lives of so many! And if you'd like to level up your donation, you can donate any amount not just once, but every month for the next 12 months.

I'm going to be the first!

Can you join me?

Click on this link to fill out a form if you're in: https://bit.ly/GiveLifeForShalom

L'ilui nishmas Shalom ben Chaim Nosson whose yartzeit is this Friday, August 4th, י"ז אב.

Parshas Behar

The mitzvah of Shmittah is in this weeks Parsha. The farmers who keep shmittah face major challenges of emunah and bitachon-how will they have the money they need if they aren't working? They become more selfless and generous when they allow people to take from their fields. By exercising their spiritual muscles, they become stronger in their avodas Hashem. 

Our spiritual challenges enable us to reach higher levels. Next time you are struggling, remind yourself that it is through THIS challenge that you can become better. Realize that each time you overcome a challenge, you climb up a level...and every little step will get you closer to your goal!

May we be able to strengthen ourselves to overcome our spiritual struggles and always keep growing!

Parshas Emor

There is a special mitzvah for a farmer to leave the corner of his field for the poor man when he is harvesting his crop. He demonstrates his awareness of Who blessed him with this good and shares it with those who are less fortunate than he is.

When we are blessed with plenty, we should remember those who aren't as fortunate as we are and share it with them. And while we think of giving in terms of money, there are so many ways to give. We can give our time or our knowledge, a listening ear or a compliment, encouragement or good advice. Some forms of giving don't have a price tag but they're worth more than all the money in the world!

May we always be on the giving end by sharing whatever good we have with others - from money to talents and everything in between!

Parshas Shemini

The pig is non kosher even though it has one of the qualities of a kosher animal. When it stands, it sticks out its split hooves as if to show off and say, "Look at me! I have one sign!" 

Hashem has gifted each of us with many things. We shouldn't feel the need to flaunt the good we have. When we are satisfied with our blessings and acknowledge that our talents come from Hashem, we won't need to show off. We can feel grateful and even share the good we have with others!

May we be able to use the good we have been blessed with to bring happiness to other people and never feel the need to flaunt the extras that we have!

Purim Poem-Lottery

Here's my Purim Poem for this year. Enjoy the message!

Purim is here, a day of happiness and fun for all,

We dress up in costumes whether big or small.

Yet there is a deeper message in this special day,

About connecting to Hashem in a truly meaningful way.

The name פורים comes from פור, which means raffle or lottery,

And that is a random selection, that’s what it seems to be.

But the תורה tells us that a raffle is an expression

Of what Hashem wants to tell us, it’s His specific instruction.

The two goats on יום כיפור as well as dividing ארץ ישרא-ל among the tribes,

Were done byגורל  to see what were Hashem’s true vibes!

And whenיונה  was in the boat that was twisting and turning,

Lots were cast to see who was at fault for all that churning.

So the message we can take is that things that seem random,

Are all part of the bigger picture of details working in tandem!

And on Purim we are supposed to look for Hashem in everyday things,

And appreciate the many gifts we have from the King of all kings.

When we go shopping and there is more than enough at the store,

We should know that Hashem set aside one for us and there’s extra, there’s more!

It’s only when there’s just one left of the very thing we need,

That we take the time to thank Him, oh yes indeed.

We learn this from when רבקה metיצחק  for the very first time,

And if we look closely, we’ll see the תורה records a very curious line.

ויצא יצחק לשוח בשדה –The walk was in גן עדן, a very holy place,

And then ותפל מעל הגמל-Rivka fell off the camel and covered her face.

The reason she fell was because she saw him walking-yes-upside down,

His feet were in the air and his hands were on the ground!

Why was he walking in such an unusual way?

Because He represented finding Hashem in the earthly, regular and everyday.

So on Purim, it’s thisונהפוך הוא , an unusual way to connect,

We thank Hashem for the “random” bounty with which we are blessed!

He hides Himself in the plenty so it takes effort to notice and see,

That the things He gives us are a gift for each of us individually!

This is the message from the name פורים which means lottery,

That nothing is random, it’s just that Hashem is hidden, we cannot see

And on this day we should look out and try to find Him in the regular things

So we can connect with gratitude and happiness to the King of all kings!

A Freilichen Purim!

Parshas Vayakheil

The men and women gave so much to the mishkan that Moshe Rabbeinu had to tell them to stop. They understood the value of their contributions and that everything they gave would be used for a building so special and so holy.

When we give tzeddakah, we need to realize how valuable our donations are. We have the ability to help people we know and to help complete strangers by giving generously to organizations who help our fellow Jews. If Hashem blessed us with extra money, we should feel lucky to be in the position to give to others. And if we don't have extra, we should realize that giving things that don't have monetary value is just as important.

May we be able to use the money and qualities Hashem blessed us with to help other people with positivity!

Parshas Mishpatim

We are told not to cause pain to geirim-converts because "you were strangers in mitzrayim." Since we know what it's like to be a newcomer, we need to be more sensitive to those who are new to Judaism. 

Our life experiences help us become more sensitive to other people in similar situations. If we know that when we are super busy (with a simcha, moving to a new house or while someone close to us is sick lo aleinu,) there's no time to eat, we can send food to a friend when they are overwhelmed with life. We can apply this to so many areas in our lives, as long as we look out for and notice when people need us to step in and be there for them. 

May we able to use our intuition that comes with life experience to always be on the giving end!

Parshas Bo

One of the last makkos was that of darkness. When the darkness was so heavy and so thick, the mitzriyim couldn't even move. They became paralyzed. 

When a person is going through a dark time in their life, they can become paralyzed. They can't think clearly and the small things become overwhelming for them. We should try to be the light for them, to illuminate their path by listening to them when they need to talk and by helping in whatever way we can. We should try to by being a good support for them on an emotional and physical level whenever we can.

May we be able to use our capabilities to bring light into the lives of those who are going through hardships and may we always be on the giving end!

Parshas Vayigash

Yehudah stood up for his younger brother Binyomin when Yosef threatened to keep him in mitzrayim as his slave. He was the one who took responsibility to bring him back home to his father.

When we encounter someone who is in a vulnerable position, we should stand up for them and do whatever we can to help them. Whether it's in school or at work, at home or at shul, there are many people who need someone to stick up for them when they are being wronged. Sometimes it's a life situation and they need help. If we have the ability to make their burden lighter in any way, we should step up to the plate and take responsibility to do everything we can to help those who are struggling.

May we be able to notice those who need help, have the strength and resources to assist those who reach out to us and always be on the giving end!

Parshas Toldos

When Eisav came in from the field tired and hungry, he agreed to sell the bechorah in exchange for lentil soup. He gave up something eternal and got something fleeting instead.

When we are tired, hungry or stressed, we don't have the clarity to make good decisions. We might say or do things we will later regret. It takes a lot of work to be able to maintain an inner sense of calm but when we can do that, we will be in complete control of ourselves and our reactions. We will be able to respond to people with calm logic instead of reacting with emotional intensity. 

May we be able to pay attention to our inner selves and regulate our emotions in a healthy way so we can deal with all situations calmly and with clarity!

Parshas Vayeira

Avraham Avinu invited three guests into his home, even though they didn't look like him and they were idol worshippers. His kindness extended to every type of person, no matter what they looked like on the outside.

Hachnosas Orchim sometimes transforms us into kinder, more sympathetic people. We treat strangers with more respect and tolerance than our own family. Perhaps this week, we can pretend our close family members are our guests and treat them with an extra level of care and consideration. We can be more giving, more patient and more understanding of those closest to us. Although it's easy to fall into the trap of habit and snap at the people who push our buttons, if we put in the effort to treat them with extra consideration, we can transform our relationships and make them stronger.

May we be able to act with forethought and respond to our close family members with a gentle touch, bringing more light and love into our homes!

Parshas Bereishis

The Torah discusses things that cast people in a negative light. It talks about the cheit of Adam and Chava in detail, the story of Kayin and Hevel and ends with Hashem deciding He wants to destroy the world. Why does the Torah write about all these bad things? Shouldn't it only tell us the good things people did? 

We see that all people make mistakes. Mistakes don't make us bad. They make us human. We need to learn from our experiences and do something different next time. Then, the mistake becomes something positive. 

We learn from Adam and Chava about overcoming temptation, from Kayin and Hevel to give the best when you're giving a gift and about the negative effects of jealousy. The aveiros the Torah talks about help us gain important lessons for life!

May we be able to pick ourselves up after we stumble and have the strength to do better next time we are faced with a challenge!

Succos-Koheles

As the wisest of all men, Shlomo Hamelech describes how he explored all the wisdom and experienced all possible pleasures. He built houses, planted vineyards and orchards, collected gold, silver and musical instruments. And he concludes that all of it is worthless and pursuing it leads to frustration.

So what is the purpose of life if chasing wisdom and pleasures leaves us feeling dissatisfied?

There are two things to focus on. The first is to rejoice-in our actions and in our lot in life. When we are satisfied with what we have and with what we are doing, we won't need to run after things that are meaningless. 

The second is to give to others. If we are intent on giving and sharing (anything-our money, a listening ear, advice, our time), we will look out for what others need and wont harp on what we don't have. This will keep us happy and content and fill our lives with meaning.

May we live our lives with joy and always be on the giving end so we can feel happy and fulfilled at all times!

Parshas Nitzavim

Moshe tells Bnei Yisroel - you have a choice between life and good and death and bad. He says, choose life!
The way to choose life is by making choices that connect us to the source of life, Hashem.

Now, before Rosh Hashanah, we should ask ourselves, are we doing things that bring us closer to Hashem or are we distancing ourselves from Him? Are we using the gifts He gave us-our eyes, ears, mouth, hands and feet to connect to Hashem in a real way?

Do we try to see Hashem in our daily life?
Are we receptive to inspiration?
Do we speak calmly and kindly to others?
Can we use our hands to do chessed thereby making a kiddush Hashem?
Have we walked away from arguments and negativity?

It's the last shabbos of the year. We have a chance to fix everything we've corrupted over this past year. Let's make a commitment to use our body to connect to Hashem, the source of life. 

May we be able to elevate every fiber of our being to connect to Hashem, the source of life and this way, well merit to be written down for a year of life, connection and meaning!

Giving Back

Watch this touching video and let me know what you think. It's a little long and takes patience but if you watch it slowly, you can take a message from it.



What I took from it is-it's amazing to see how much a parent does for a child...and that when the parent ages it is time for the child to give back. Sometimes, an elderly parent can be almost like a child in their ability or inability to do certain things. It takes patience for a child to be able to see through it all and be able to really give back to their parent-in the way their parent gave to them.

Do You Deserve It?

Sometimes, when things get tough, a person can think to themselves, what did I do to deserve this?

But in truth, if you think about it, what do we really deserve?

Anything?

Does Hashem owe you anything at all?

He wakes you up every morning.

He keeps you breathing every second of the day.

He gives you so many little things-little things that you may sometimes fail to notice because they seem so insignificant-until they are taken away.

Like simple health.
Nothing complicated.
Just the fact that you can breath...what happens when you get a cold? All of a sudden you realize what a gift it is to be able to breath from your nose!

He gives you a social life.

He gives you a job, a school, things to do to keep you busy.

He sends people who care into your life.

He is constantly giving, giving, giving.

Even if you do good things does that make you deserving of anything?

Hashem created you! He doesn't owe you a thing.

The fact that you can do those good things, the ability to walk to do chessed, the strength you have to help others...all this comes from Him.

But...He loves you.

And so...He continues to give to you.

So next time you wonder if you really deserve something difficult that is happening in your life, take a moment to think about all the good things you have that you don't either deserve.

Hashem loves you.

He'll never stop giving.

Say thank you and realize...you are lucky you get so much...so much more than you deserve.

Faith Crisis

All of us, at some point or another have what is termed by some as "a faith crisis". For some it's stronger than others but for all it amounts to the same thing: The Yetzer Hara trying to ruin us.

This is nothing new and nothing unique to any one individual, this is how Hashem created His world. This is how He wants us to struggle. This is His way of giving us opportunities to "earn" our share in Olam Haba.

The Yetzer Hara in his cunning way usually springs on us right when we are davening, learning or otherwise doing something positive. We have to learn how to ignore him and be indifferent to his stupidity and remember that Chazal teach us that the Yetzer Hara, Satan and Malach Hamaves, are ONE AND THE SAME! HE causes us to sin, then HE goes and tells Hashem that we sinned and deserve punishment then HE gets to kill us for our sins. Quite a backstabber if there ever was one!

He is our enemy. We must internalize that and ignore his advances at all costs.

Do we fall? Yes. we all do.

Do we fail? Yes we all do.

Do we sin? Yes, we all do.

But the main thing is to get right back up again and continue with our Avodas Hashem. We grow not DESPITE our falls, rather we grow BECAUSE of our falls. Sheva Yipol Tzadik V'Kam (Mishlei Perek 24:16). A Tzaddik USES his falls to his advantage. See Siddur HaGra, Pirush Siach Yitzchok on the Posuk (that we say daily in Pesukei D'Zimrah, fromTehilim 147) "Harofei Lishvurei Lev U'Mechabesh L'Atzvosam".

You must always believe in yoursef, as Rav Tzadok teaches us that just as one is obligated to believe in Hashem, so too one is obligated to believe in themself! (Tzidkas HaTzadik 154)

The more you grow and the closer you get to Hashem, the more pressure the lousy yetzer Hara will put on you to try to bring you down.

Just close your eyes for a few minutes a day and make a mental list of all the good that Hashem gives you on a daily basis. Do you deserve any of it? Have you really earned it? NO! It is only Hashem's endless kindness and love for us that causes Him to give, give, give and give us always.

He is our loving Father and if He ever gives us trials and tribulations, think of them as opportunities, not as punishments.

As the great Tzaddik Rav Avigdor Miller Zatzal used to say, There is no such thing as a bad situation; rather it's a difficult situation. Everything Hashem does is for our ultimate good. Everything. No exceptions.

The best way to try and get rid of "faith crisis" thoughts is to NOT THINK ABOUT THEM. Of course, adding Torah, Tefilah, Mussar etc. to your day is always a good thing to try and control the Yetzer Hara.

Of course, whenever any negative activity is overcome, it leaves in its place a void, which should be filled immediately with something positive, as the Yetzer Hara thrives in a vaccum.

And finally, keep your Simcha intact, as the #1 tool of the Yetzer Hara is making people sad, down and depressed. Avoid that at ALL costs.

Simcha Shel Mitzvah!

Always.

Taken from www.halachafortoday.com with permission

Giving on Purim - An Amazing Thought!!

THIS IS THE EMAIL I SENT AROUND LAST YEAR (and the year before too) AND I STILL FIND IT INSPIRING.

Even if you've read this before, trust me, it's definitely worth rereading!!!!

I LEARNED SOME NEW THINGS THIS YEAR BUT DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO TYPE IT ALL UP SO PLEASE ACCEPT THIS GIFT…AN AMAZING DVAR TORAH ON PURIM FROM R’ SHIMSHON PINCUS ZT”L!!

Purim is a time where we see Hashem revealed to us through the natural things that happen to us, not through major miracles…

He says that megillah comes from the lashon of l'galos, to reveal because thru reading the megillah, Hashem is revealed because we see that every detail was planned with such accuracy…Esther becoming queen and marrying Achashveirosh…saving the whole Jewish nation with the help of her uncle, Mordechai who was one of the ministers of the king…All these details looked like a regular story, a king kills the queen, picks a new one…but really, Hashem is behind the whole story! And that’s why His name is not mentioned once in the megillah, because He is behind it, and we have to look out for Him!! And so too, each detail of every person’s life is planned to perfection! And this fills our heart with such love for Hashem that we wish we could give him back!! But how can we give back to Hashem?

There are 2 types of giving.

One: give someone to fill a void, ex: someone gets hurt, you buy them a present (a bike for a child in an accident)
Two: you love someone sooo much, you just want to give them a gift to show them how much u love them not because they need it. (ex: a dozen roses)

On Purim, we give both types, but only after we have heard the megillah and feel that tremendous love towards Hashem.

One: matanos l’evyonim-we give to many people because they are missing out and need the money
Two: mishloach manos-we just read the megillah, in which Hashem was revealed to all of us and we are all filled with such love for Him that we want to give Him a present...but we cant because He has everything already! The best thing you can give to someone who has everything is to give his children, so we give it to His children-mishloach manos-which is a present we wanted to give Hashem but give to His children instead!!

Isn’t that an awesome thought and an unbelievable way of looking at it?! I’m telling you, when I read this, my heart was filled with such LOVE for Hashem…DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH HE DOES FOR US????!!!!!! Just the fact that you woke up this morning and are healthy and well and able to read asher yatzar and see and hear and understand and even the fact that you can read this post!! We have sooo much to thank Hashem for!!!

So let’s use this day of Purim (and the time before) to thank Hashem for all the never-ending gifts He gives us…and the more you thank Hashem, the more He will want to give!!!

Have a beautiful and inspiring Purim!!

Purim-Pierce the Heavens!!

Purim is a huge day of tefillah. It says about Purim kol haposhet yad nosnim lo, whoever extends their hand is given to. This phrase is used to express how careful we should be when someone asks us for tzeddakah on Purim day but it is also reminding us all how powerful this day is for our tefillos to be answered.

If you ask, Hashem will hear. And if you think He didn't answer you last year, don't be mistaken. Your tefillos are going somewhere.

I heard a mashal that compares it to a freezer. Sometimes, the time is not right for that specific tefillah to be answered. So Hashem saves the tefillah - he puts it in the freezer and then when the time IS right (and only Hashem knows when that is), He will take it out and "defrost" it for you and your yeshuah will come!!

I have a request to make from all the readers of this blog. My sister, Chaya Sara, coauthor of this blog is b"h 30 years old. It's a bracha that she is alive, happy and accomplishing so much with her life. B"h she helps many teens at risk, she speaks to parents and teens alike, helping them along this bumpy road we all called life. She inspires everyone wherever she goes. She speaks for school functions at Shabbatons, Chagigas and other gatherings.

She is still waiting to get married. My heart goes out for her and wishes so strongly for her to find her other half.

Do you want to be part of this mitzvah? I want to organize something on Purim day - so that we can utilize the power of this day to pierce the heavens and beg Hashem for her to experience her own personal miracle of Purim.

I want to try to have the entire tehillim completed on the day of Purim by all the readers of this blog - as a zechus for her. There are a lot of followers and people who read this in google reader so I'm hoping that I can organize it between all the readers of this blog.

Do you want to join? Leave a comment or send me an email at inspirationalinformation1 [at] gmail [dot] com letting me know how many perakim you are able to say (and if you have a preference of a specific few perakim) and I will let you know which ones to say.

If you want to have her in mind in your daily tefillos, her name is Chaya Sara bas Charna Raizel.

Thank you!

Purim

Every Yom Tov, says the gemara in Pesachim (68b), is "Chetzyoi LaShem V'Chetyoi Lachem" (half for Hashem and half for you). Of course it is all for Hashem but our celebration has two parts. One part in pure spiritual devotion like davening and learning and the other part is more earthly through eating (albeit with the goal of Kiddush Hashem).

What about Yom Kippur, where is the Chetzyoi Lachem as we are wrapped in talis and fast all day? The Vilna Gaon answers that the Lachem part of Yom Kippur is Purim. Purim is the completion of Yom Kippur. It is the physical half. Moreover say Chazal, Purim is the holier half as Yom Kippur is only Yom "K"Purim a day whose kedusha only approaches the incredible kedusha of Purim.

Rav Shimshon Pincus says that some Meforshim explain the connection between the two with the Chazal that says "Kol HaPoshet Yad Nosnim Lo" (whoever opens his hand is given to). Just like on Purim where we are obligated to give tzedaka to whoever stretches out his hand, so to on Yom Kippur Hashem gives us whatever we ask for. Purim is a day where Hashem also gives whatever we ask and is more effective than Yom Kippur when we need to fast and daven to get it. Purim we can be in a state of obliviousness "Ad D'Lo Yadah" and still get what we need.

Rav Shimshon Pincus himself offers that there are three days of celebration of Matan Torah during the year. Shavuos where we celebrate the first Luchos with the hearing of them on Har Sinai, Yom Kippur when we received the second luchos, and Purim when we finally accepted the Torah by our own volition without being forced. This was the most joyous kabalas HaTorah that came from a physical revelation that the torah is in our best earthy and heavenly interest. That is why on this Kabalas HaTorah we celebrate in a most earthly way.