Monthly Archives: June 2019

BS’D

Since our souls yearn to have free choice, they actually want to be challenged in this lifetime because they knows that it is only the existence of the evil inclination which makes this free choice real and meaningful. Our evil inclination is part of our DNA make-up in this world.

It tries to make it difficult to see G-d through our life’s experiences. G-d gives us the evil inclination as a strengthening coach and emuna builder as an answer to our soul’s yearning for free choice. As such, our evil inclination is part of us and is actually our ticket to our free will.

Feel & Heal Exercise of the day:

Think about one way your evil inclination may actually be serving your personal growth and development.

BS’D

Before our soul descended into this realm, we were shown our entire life’s events. We saw the identity of our parents, our siblings, the neighborhood, our physical attributes, financial standing, emotional and physical health, sweet and sorrowful occurrences, our spouse, our children, etc.

Though it is possible to change ourselves spiritually and affect upon these circumstances (a subject beyond the scope of this lesson), these factors are generally out of our hands. We may ask: ‘Where is our level of creativity and free choice if everything is pre-ordained?’ G-d responds: ‘You can choose to see Me through all the circumstances of your life. The extent to which you do so is the extent to which you will attach yourself to Infinite wisdom, clarity and strength and thus become a co-partner in Creation.’ 

Feel & Heal exercise:

How stuck are we in thinking that we are victims of life’s circumstances? How ready are we to adapt our emuna viewpoint that G-d is the One who brought upon the circumstances in order to guide us to greater good. 

BS’D

Increasing our emuna helps our ears listen to the Bat Kol once again. This Divine message redirects us back to our true path, where we will receive boundless strength and protection again.

When we travel on this path, we are buoyed with the joy of knowing we are on our G-d-given mission to build, develop and become. Consequently, our negative emotions – of fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, sadness – are minimized. 

Feel & Heal exercise:

Ask yourself what is my mission in life? One way of zooming into your mission is by exploring your G-d given talent. Your talents were deposited by G-d for you to use to shine your light in this world. Make a commitment to embrace them. 

BS’D

Difficulties may arise if we stray from our calling and become sidetracked from our true mission. The literal translation of the Hebrew word for sin, cheit, means ‘missing the target’. Transgressions are indications we have traveled away from our worldly assignment. We are then left vulnerable to negative influences and feeling unprotected.

The protective outpouring of Divine energy is thus blocked, hidden under layers of personal desires and distractions. This deviation may lead us to feel lost, confused or lethargic.

Feel & Heal exercise:

Contemplate the blockages in your life and try to connect the dots between the blockages you are experiencing and what the underlying Divine message may be in those hindrances. 

BS’D

With emuna we understand that life is a matrix; we are all connected and each of us holds a vital piece of the puzzle of life that remains empty if not properly set in place. Living a life of Torah and emuna promotes a life of loyalty (emuna = ne’emanut); each of us is dedicated to our collective mission in life and understands that each of us is dependent on the other on our journey to geula.

The need to be loved and bestow love is a universal need hardwired into every human being; the list of studies proving this is endless. Torah’s teachings are packed with instructions on how to give love and be compassionate to others under all circumstances.

Feel & Heal exercise:

Who can you bestow unconditional love to today?

BS’D

G-d’s Presence is not automatically clear. G-d deliberately puts in place hindrances and doubts, remaining hidden in order that we have free will to choose whether to search for Him or not. Yet, G-d is always there, communicating to us through the circumstances of our lives. Every person, event and issue are all opportunities to ‘see’ G-d. The events of our lives are Divine signposts, indicating His Presence and directing us to our next destination.

Emuna enables us to see more of the full picture, even if it is not right there in front of us. This emuna mindset enables us to live a calmer, emotionally balanced life as a result.
Feel & Heal exercise:

Find a crack on a wall. Try to make out the picture of an object from it. Contemplate how everything in life is about forming a complete picture from the fragments that are presented to us. Use this exercise to remind yourself of G-d’s loving Presence in times when you may not readily see or feel it.

BS’D

There is only one– Echad, Yichid u’Meyuchad, One, single and unique Creator – Who sustains our every living breath. Emuna is internalizing this knowledge in our hearts to the point where our emotions are calmed and equalized as a result.

Living life completely in tune with Hashem’s presence opens our eyes to the many joys in life that we may otherwise overlook. Emuna removes the masks of hardship and reveals a Loving G-d that is always with us.

Feel & Heal exercise:

Close your eyes and visualize how it feels to be ‘tucked in’ to a comfortable, warm bed after a long day. Imagine someone lovingly stroking your forehead as you drift off to sleep. Imagine falling asleep with a smile of contentment, knowing you are loved and all your needs are being completely taken care of by the Number One Caregiver.

BS’D

We are emissaries of G-d here to fulfill our unique task that no one else can do. Each individual has his/her own tafkid (purpose). The greatest Rabbi cannot achieve the calling we were sent here to fulfill. As an agent of G-d’s will, we are enveloped with Divine energy called koach hamishalayach (literally “the strength of the sender”). G-d grants us the strength, knowledge and ability to achieve our purpose. Staying loyal to our G-dly mission serves as a protective layer, warding off negativity and evil from entering our lives.

The Ba’al Shem Tov teaches that everyday a Bat Kol, a Heavenly voice echoes from Mount Chorev (the mountain on which the Torah was given), sending us a reminder of our true mission. Even though we may not be consciously aware of it, our soul listens to this call, receiving a new outpouring of strength, guidance and tools to help us accomplish our G-dly mission. As long as we stay on our true path, we will continuously receive the blessings directly from our Creator.

Feel & Heal exercise:

The Heavenly echoes come in the form of seemingly random desires and thoughts. Pay attention today to those moments and recognize they are ‘calls from above’. Whether we embrace or remove them is our choice. 

BS’D

Our souls did not want to part from G-d and descend into this world of Asiya, action. Rather, they were content to bask in the boundless Heavenly light. However, G-d instructed they must go down to become greater than they currently were in the higher realms.

The Midrash describes the intimate conversation between G-d and the soul, and tells of the soul’s disappointment in having to go down to this world and disconnect from her source of vitality. In response to the soul’s imploring G-d for an opportunity to become one with His light again, G-d granted her the ability to reveal His infinite light in all of creation.

Feel & Heal exercise:

Think about your unique mission in this world. Check where your resistance is and strive to take one further step to embrace it.