Monthly Archives: May 2019

As our feelings come out of the dark and surface, we are here to explore and confront them, even befriend and welcome them with the intention to better ourselves.  Our faults are the raw material we have come to fix; they are the reason for existence to perfect the imperfect. To achieve complete wholeness we should accept, work through and let go of our many parts we attempt to push away. Fixing ourselves means fixing the world since we are a small world.

So too when a person observes the 365 prohibitions by refraining from what is forbidden, the spiritual sustenance that comes from carrying out the positive commandments is able to flow through the 365 channels of the divine soul to vitalize the 248 limbs. When a person fails to perform a particular mitzvah, the corresponding limb will lack its proper nourishment.

Feel & Heal exercise:

Contemplate the association between a physical pain you may be experiencing, had at one point or is in your family history and a spiritual weakness or imperfection. Many times, we can clearly see the connection.

We are summoned to fix what went wrong in our psyche, body and emotions as a result of the sin. Questions such as ‘Who am I’ and ‘What is the purpose of this life’ can either pose instability or awaken us to higher understanding and acceptance. Dedicated Torah study, emuna strengthening and prayer are the spiritual backbones and wean us back to wholesomeness. The commandments are opportunities to connect to higher states of consciousness and tap into our higher potential. However many times we resist the messages G-d sends us. 

Often the messages come in the form of bitter elixir met by defense and denial.  Although difficult to accept, G-d may hand over our life’s lessons through distressful circumstances and may transmit a message that requires that we change certain aspects in life. The ego does not allow us to readily accept this is Divine sent nonetheless we need to embrace the message and make the necessary changes to heal.

Feel & Heal exercise:

Contemplate: which distressful area in my life clearly shows me that I need to change?

Emuna is conscious reaching and connecting to one’s deepest self; focused expansive perception – an appreciation of the limitless awesomeness of our Creator. Submission to G-d’s will is an act of self-expression that stems from knowing there is an authority, the authority, that knows better than me what’s good for me.

Oswald Chambers said in order to find peace, “Remember who you are and whose you are.” When we forget G-d, we wonder who is in charge of us and sees me. That trigger sets anxiety into our lives. If G-d does not love me then bad things will keep happening. 

Feel & Heal exercise:

Remember the Torah teachings that G-d is good; G-d is just and loves us to no end. Let a deep sigh of relief settle in and feel the anxiety begin to dissipate.

Life constantly renews itself each year we review the same Torah portion for the week over again. Here we learn that reflecting on the reoccurring lessons from a fresh angle and applying them to current life challenges is beneficial. Though we are born with innate tendencies, our role is to face our weak character traits and become more G-dly by rising above our seeming nature and growing. Growing takes courage and having the emuna that our Creator can see our growth and be proud of our strength helps us take the leap above nature.

Feel & Heal exercise:

As we travel through the Omer and look for ways towards self-improvement let us ask, “What area in my life do I receive the same signs to grow but face difficulty?” Take one small step towards the growth that awaits you.

Factor number 4 for complete wellness:

•             A feeling of growth, development and change

We need to remember how important it is to feel loved; this is an essential part of living we often leave out. G-d sends His message of love in the Torah in countless places: “Banim atem l’Hashem Elokeichem”, “Heneh lo Yanum v’lo Yishan Shomer Yisrael” and “Imo Anochi b’Tzara” to name a few. G-d is loyal to His words and since the beginning of creation has never ‘given up on us.’

Self-image is intrinsically tied to constant investment in ourselves, which occurs throughout the span of a lifetime. A positive attitude towards oneself requires self-respect that comes as a result of constant development, working from the inside out and seeing ourselves honestly while accepting that we are a work in progress. Torah outlines the stages of growth while opening up the pathway for teshuva, a corridor for forgiveness and letting go. Looking back on who we were and who we are becoming is a major springboard Torah wishes us to embrace.

A well-balanced individual needs all four parts to live a happy life. Emuna offers all four.

Feel & Heal exercise:

Do a mitzvah without taking it for granted. Apply the four principles we have learned the past few days: feel its significance, connect to its meaning, recognize that G-d loves you for doing this and feel how you have grown from it.