Category Archives: Uncategorized

Keeping all the mitzvot in our lives or even changing one bad habit is known to be challenging, and it’s like this by design. Why? Why did G-d make change, self-control, or self-improvement so difficult? A primary reason is to teach us that we cannot do it alone and that we need G-d’s help toContinue reading “We Can’t do it Alone.”

When praying for something we want to change the language we use is important. For example, if someone prays that they stop speaking lashon hara or to stop looking at inappropriate material, it’s possible they could get throat cancer or blindness – G-d forbid. Since “everything is in the Hands of Heaven but fear ofContinue reading “Full & Complete Desire”

It’s not wrong to do something good that is simultaneously exponentially self-serving. In fact, it can be considered a really sweet Divine “carrot” to encourage proper behavior. What am I referring to? ATFAT — a turn for a turn. A turn for a turn (ATFAT) is similar to mirroring. With people, mirroring is the consciousContinue reading “A turn for a turn.”

The sobering quote, ‘If you do not make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness’ is a call to action — while we can. Similarly, in terms of gratitude, it could be understood as don’t wait to appreciate. In order to maintain free will in the world, GodContinue reading “Don’t wait to appreciate.”

New year resolutions, both secular and religious are known to fall apart shortly thereafter. Why not consider a simple, doable, lasting change in an area of life where the change itself is rewarding — like with gratitude? Our Sages tell us that God helps us go in the direction we desire. We may entertain ideasContinue reading “A change for the better.”

A Seudat Hoda’ah is a festive meal of gratitude for family, friends, and/or the community usually made because of a salvation brought about by God. It’s a way of saying, “Thank You!” to God — but publicly. One might (or should) host a Seudat Hoda’ah after recovering from an illness, serious accident, or from beingContinue reading “A public expression of thanks.”

There are many reasons why blessings are made before (and after in some cases) enjoying or receiving benefit from food, drink, smells, etc., and one of them is gratitude. It is a known challenge to maintain any degree of freshness or mindfulness with actions that are continually repeated, and blessings are no exception. Blessings areContinue reading “An expression of gratitude.”

It is not surprising that the pinnacle of gratitude is found in the Torah and it’s also not surprising that it comes from one of the Patriarchs. (At least, in my opinion.) In the book of Genesis, Yaakov prepared for a potentially hostile meeting with his brother, Esav. He sent ahead to Esav huge flocksContinue reading “The pinnacle of gratitude.”

In the exceedingly popular book Garden of Emuna, Rav Shalom Arush breaks down emunah (the belief in God) into three levels: Basic Level : The firm belief that everything comes from God. Intermediate Level : That everything God does is for the best. Upper Level : Everything that God does is done with a specificContinue reading “Hindsight is 2020.”

Sephardi selihot starts with Ashrei (Psalm 145) followed by Ben Adam, a short piyut calling on man to rise from their spiritual slumber and seek forgiveness. Immediately after Ben Adam selihot continues with a very poignant question, “How can we complain?” It’s a good question. In Rav Arush’s book, the Garden of Gratitude, he writesContinue reading “How can we complain?”