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Distances like a light-year or the size of a galaxy are unfathomable. Very, very small things like an electron or quark are unfathomably small. Spiritual incentives, like the eternal reward for doing a mitzvah are also unfathomable. Below are three unfathomable — but obtainable — spiritual incentives from the book Inner Work: The Ari HaKadoshContinue reading “Unfathomable Incentives”

Alain de Botton the Swiss-born British author and philosopher said the following: “Anyone who isn’t embarrassed of who they were last year probably isn’t learning enough.” Although de Botton focuses on personal growth and self-improvement, the same principle can apply to teshuvah. Imagine making major behavioral changes like to the point where it’s surprising, sobering,Continue reading “Last Year”

Teshuvah is a positive mitzvah in the Torah and a great gift given to us from G-d. There are four steps in the teshuvah process as outlined by the Rambam in the Mishneh Torah: This teshuvah process is easy to remember and only valid for sins between man and G-d.

The famous teshuvah quote in Mishlei 24:16,says: The tzadik falls seven times and gets up. The popular explanation is that the tzadik continues to get up after falling repeatedly. His unrelenting desire — what makes him a tzadik — is evident by his continual getting up. I recently read a story of someone who wentContinue reading “Ups & Downs”

One of the Six Constant Mitzvot* and the first of the Ten Commandments is the belief in G-d. It is also the first of Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Faith Belief in the existence of the Creator, who is perfect in every manner of existence and is the Primary Cause of all that exists. Chabad.org :Continue reading “Emunah”

In the world of programming, there is a famous acronym; GIGO which means Garbage In, Garbage Out. In other words, poor coding will produce junk results. This succinct little acronym applies to change, self-improvement, and teshuvah as well. If we put in lackluster efforts, we will typically receive lackluster results. Conversely, in the book, InnerContinue reading “GIGO”

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.