Author Archives: Yitzhak Sasson

Giving the benefit of the doubt is a healthy (and holy) outlook, promotes personal happiness, and saves one from unnecessary trials and tribulations. We all make mistakes — or sometimes they seem like mistakes to others — but with ahavat Yisrael the benefit of the doubt can be given creating a magnificently wonderful spiritual rippleContinue reading “Benefit of the Doubt”

During these days of teshuvah, there is a big emphasis on overcoming the yetzer hara – like two Sumo wrestlers grappling to get the upper hand in a match. We might win a battle here or there, but is this an effective way to long-lasting change or teshuvah? Benjamin Hardy an organizational psychologist and the authorContinue reading “Overcoming the Yetzer Hara”

In today’s world, our people have been subdivided into many smaller groups for ease of communication and identification. Unfortunately, the misdeeds — or even perceived misdeeds — of one/some can elicit lashon hara or baseless hatred toward the whole group. A great way to reverse the spiritual damage brought about by baseless condemnations is byContinue reading “Bless that Man!”

Pain, suffering, and difficulties are inevitable and part of our current life experience. How we address them is like day and night. When talking to G-d about our difficulties there are two approaches.

The common thought is that we pray for things we want or changes we want to see happen. And this is 100% what we are supposed to do. But why? What happens when we pray for something? The purpose of prayer is to change us — not G-d. G-d is perfect and does not needContinue reading “The Purpose of Prayer”

Complaining can be tantamount to heresy. It means that we do not believe that G-d is doing the right thing — chas v’shalom! Just because we don’t understand why something seems unfair/wrong doesn’t mean it is. Besides being the reason for 40 years in the desert and countless other tribulations, nobody likes a complainer. TheContinue reading “No More Complaining”

It is a known fact, that employers want qualified, dedicated, and energetic employees. Single people commonly have a list of qualities they want their future spouse to have. But what about G-d? How well do we know His qualifications? Do we appreciate His skill set? This brief Divine resume review is an alternative, light-hearted, yetContinue reading “The Resume”

In the physical world things that are physically near to each other are said to be “close” to each other. For example, an apple is 5″ from the bowl. They are close to each other. But what does it mean to be “close” in spiritual terms? (The answer is very fascinating and I hope youContinue reading ““Closeness” in Spiritual Terms”

There is no doubt in any parent’s mind about the influence of our children’s friends. As adults, we may also look back at the friends of our youth and see the positive or negative influences they’ve had on us. These realizations can be sobering but there’s no need to regret them because well…we learn andContinue reading “The Power of Friends”

Personal prayer is not just for Brelovers or Chassidim — it’s for anyone and everyone. The Chofetz Chaim was meticulous concerning his utilization of time but would spend 1 to 2 hours a day in personal prayer. Clearly, personal prayer is not a waste of time. Personal prayer was the way of our Fathers andContinue reading “Personal Prayer & Teshuvah”