Author Archives: Yitzhak Sasson

What were the sins that brought about civilization’s three major destructions? The Torah tells us the flood was brought about because of robbery. The first Beit Hamikdash was destroyed because of bloodshed, immorality, and idol worship. The second Beit Hamikdash was destroyed because of baseless hatred. Nearly all of the sins are between man andContinue reading “The Flood and Two Houses”

G-d manages all of His creation through His profound, mindboggling system of Divine Providence (aka hashgacha pratit) or Divine supervision — even to the smallest detail. In the book Spiritual Principles, a book of spiritual principles based on the translated writings of Rav Avraham Mordechai Gottlieb he writes: Our disconnect with G-d, all the mistakesContinue reading “Divine Providence”

Chazal tell us that G-d leads a person on the path he desires. * Makkot 10b They also say Everything is in the hands of Heaven, except fear of Heaven (aka desire). Berachot 33b From these (and more), we learn the significance of desire — and that it’s the root cause of our behavior andContinue reading “The Real Punishment”

There might be times or situations in life that feel they’re broken beyond repair. But this is not true. Personal struggles, addictive behaviors, and broken relationships are not beyond repair. About this Rebbe Nachman said: If you believe that you can destroy, believe that you can repair. Meshivat Nefesh #38 Additionally, and possibly more difficult to internalize,Continue reading “Broken Beyond Repair”

When renovating one’s life and removing undesirable traits or behaviors a void from what was removed may result. For example, removing unhealthy food from one’s diet. Healthy food has to be available to fill the dietary void left by removing unhealthy foods. Another example is reducing mobile phone use or uninstalling time-wasting apps. It’s importantContinue reading “Fill the Void”

G-d designed the world so that we would need His help — to make G-d a partner — to “let us make man” together. The success of our endeavors whether it’s peeling an apple, driving to work, or raising children is in the Hands of G-d. That being said, we still need to put forthContinue reading “We Can’t Do It Alone”

I don’t know the origin of the song Ma Sheya Haya but it is probably Breslev and it’s highly connected to Rav Shalom Arush. The words are simple and straightforward: What’s past is past. The important thing is to start anew.What’s past is past. The important thing is to start anew.Father, renew me completely, igniteContinue reading “Going Forward”

Did you know that airplanes and ocean vessels spend about 80% of their time correcting their course? Natural elements like winds, currents, and waves continually push them off course requiring repeated corrective steering measures. We too are no different. The ill influences of family, friends, and workmates push and pull us off course like aContinue reading “An Honest Assessment”

There is an old saying, “Man plans and G-d laughs” implying that G-d has an alternate (and better) plan for us and that His will shall prevail. A few years ago I read there was a Chasidishe Rebbe who would say, “G-d’s greatest attribute is that he doesn’t laugh.” Coming from a Rebbe it wasContinue reading “No Laughing Matter”

Consider these two scenarios… A teenage son rejects dinner lovingly made by his mother and eats box cereal instead. A teenage daughter rejects her father’s offer of a special day shopping, eating out, and the theatre to be with her friends. The loving experiences these parents tried to give their children go undesired and ultimatelyContinue reading “The Cow & The Calf”