Tag: spiritual growth
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What if you woke up tomorrow and could only keep the things you were grateful for today? Would your list include the basics we often overlook—clean water, fresh air, your health, and the people who fill your life with meaning? Most of us rush through life, taking these blessings for granted. It’s only when something…
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In this week’s Parsha, Toldot, Yitzchak Avinu asks Eisav, “V’asei li matamim ka’asher ahavti”—make me delicacies like what I love—not just food, but delicious, enjoyable dishes. At first glance, this might seem surprising. Why would Yitzchak, one of our greatest spiritual leaders, place so much focus on the pleasure of food before giving the brachot?…
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The Yetzer Hara vs. Bitachon: A Battle of the Mind How is it possible for someone with strong bitachon to commit an aveira? This perplexing question underscores the astonishing power of the yetzer hara. The yetzer hara doesn’t fight fair—it chips away at our trust in Hashem, playing on our fears, desires, and weaknesses until…
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We can learn a lot about Bitachon from Eliezer, Avraham Avinu’s servant. Avraham makes Eliezer promise to follow his directions and go to the place of Avraham’s birth to find a wife for his son Yitzchak. Eliezer swears but asks “what if she won’t come home with me?” Avraham tells him that if the girl…
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Have you ever been asked a question so surprising, it made you stop and rethink your values? That happened to me years ago on a date when the girl said, “I hear a lot of people where you live are very wealthy.”Trying to redirect, I replied, “Like any city, there are people at all levels.”…
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Let me ask you something – how often do you check your phone to see if anyone liked your latest post, commented on your story, or even just viewed your content? If you’re anything like me, that “just checking” habit can get out of hand. It becomes a cycle. You share something, refresh the page…
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A Sukkot Wake-Up Call This past Sukkot, we had a lot to celebrate. One night, I was walking home from shul when I heard music and saw people dancing out of sheer joy in the street. So, of course, I joined in, soaking up the celebration. Later, my wife showed me a video of the…
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Why Do We Say Vidui on Erev Yom Kippur? Something about Erev Yom Kippur seems really out of place. Let me explain. Over Yom Kippur, we said vidui, the confession of sins, nine times. But what seems out of place is that one of those times is during Mincha before we eat our final meal…
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Lessons From Kids I absolutely love my kids. Each one of them is unique, with their own special qualities and personality quirks that bring so much joy to my life. Some of the younger ones are particularly eager to help out at times, around the house. They take their “job” very seriously, creating detailed schedules…
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There’s a story I heard once about a religious man who got into a taxi in Israel. As often happens, the driver struck up a conversation. “I can tell you’re religious,” the cab driver said. “I have a friend who became religious through a crazy story.” He continued: “My friend and I served in the…
