Do we indeed leave Egypt this year or we just adorn our personal Mitzraim with a pretty Pesach theme? The picture here is the unfortunate symbol of many Seders that might be conducted this year… Kosher-style, mehadrim min mehadrim, comfortably staying in personal bondage… Untouched pyramids of slavery coated with matza… or we can really make a difference in our lives……
Frequently we are starting an endeavor and from the start we encounter an obstacle, a strong resistance to our efforts, not even from people but from circumstances around us. Where do Obstacles come from? Are those Obstacles the Sign from Above that we are on a wrong path and should use our resources differently? Or, may be otherwise, those obstacles…
Tisha B’Av is the lowest day in the Jewish calendar, however precisely because of its gloomy nature it is the most suitable day to rectify all the falls that happened on that day, in this time of the year.
Tefillah is extremely potent spiritual tool, however like every tool it needs proper tuning and usage skills – that’s what we’ll try to cover in this posting. There is a tremendous amount of literature dealing with the topics of prayer and meditation, however there is a lot of ambiguity in the meaning people give to those terms. Here is…
The three-week period between Shiva Asar Be’Tamuz and Tisha
B’Ab is known as “Ben Ha’mesarim,” during which we observe
certain practices to mourn the destruction of the Bet Ha’mikdash.
The Arizal (Rabbi Yishak Luria, 1534-1572) wrote that it is proper
during this period for “Hasidim Ve’anshe Ma’ase” (particularly
pious and devoted people) to recite each day the “Tikun Rahel”
section of the “Tikun Hasot” prayer
Rosh Hodesh, the New Moon of the New Jewish Month, is a time of renewal, both of body
and spirit. The day before is practiced as an ancient tradition as a Yom Kippur Katan –a
mini Day of Atonement–where many fast and say prayers of penitence. It is a tremendous
opportunity to review the past month’s activities, admit one’s miss-takes, regret doing
them, and pledge to try to not repeat them in the upcoming month.
We should not require any kind of a “push” to propel us up – the springboard return motion will do it for us.
Rosh Hodesh is an active opportunity to use the flow of energy that is descending at that time into the physical world. On Rosh Chodesh the surge of energy that is creating the reality of the upcoming month is available to us – and the way to receive it is to be joyous!