Tag Archive: inspiration
Saying Thank You for our Personal Pesach Miracles
In my preparation for the Pesach Seder (remember we who live in Israel only celebrate 1, that’s right 1 Passover Seder!) I have been researching the words of the great mystic, Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin. He reveals that on Chanukah for instance, we recite a blessing on the amazing miracle that occurred. However, on Pesach we omit this blessing. At the surface this appears rather perplexing given that the Exodus was a miracle “heard around the world!”
Accordingly, he analyzes the differences of the miracles that took place on these two distinct holidays and by extension, explains why if one would recite this blessing on Passover, Hashem would view it as being verbally brazen. As such, the custom is to not recognize the miracle of Pesach with a blessing but rather through the Pesach Seder. All in all, whether we make a blessing or not, we all know that the Almighty has certainly performed many a miracle for us on the national level as well as on the individual level.
Sometimes a miracle is obvious.
Sometimes we just need to open our eyes and see the kindness of God. But it’s the searching for the kindness that can be difficult.
Truth be told, there’s soo many more layers to this world, that even our generation that is higly advanced in the fields of science and medicine, has yet to discover. Case in point, if I were to tell you the facts in the following article just several years ago, you would have thought I was joking. And yet, Hashem has decided that now is the time that scientist will begin to regrow limbs and help reclaim what some people may have thought they eternally lost! Read here for all the details. If you need additional inspiration see here.
In general, I’ve heard on several occasions that the Pesach Seder is referred to as the Jewish version of a Thanksgiving meal, in that for many families it may be the only time that everyone comes home and sits at the table together. And so, I call upon every Jewish person to utilize the Pesach Seder (be it if you are making 1 or 2 Passover Seder’s) to say “thank you” to the Almighty not just for the miracles that took place thousands of years ago and that may be hard for us to relate to, but also to the miracles that Hashem gives us on a daily basis. In fact, you may find that when you express your appreciation for the small little things that God provides us with, it will only amplify the great miracle of our Exodus from Egypt and put it in a proper perspective.
Indeed, this year, among many other things, I know that my wife and I will be thanking Hashem for the miracle that is our daughter Ora!
I’m certain that it’s without coincidence that merely two days after Ora Rachel was born, Rabbi Zelig Pliskin wrote in his Daily Life Email:
Even if a doctor says there is no chance of recovery, one should not despair. There are an extremely large amount of cases when doctors have given up hope and nevertheless the patient recovered. While it is irresponsible to disregard reliable medical advice when something practical can be done, doctors are only human and are fallible. It is important for doctors themselves to realize this and even when the situation appears bleak, they should realize that while we cannot rely on miracles, medical miracles do occur. Whenever Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin was told that a doctor had given up hope on a patient, Rabbi Diskin would comment, “A doctor has a right to heal, but who gave him the authority to despair?” (Amud Aish, p.158; Gateway to Happiness, p.377)
All in all, this Pesach we must remember that the ‘P’ in the word Pesach stands for Perspective. With a little bit of perspective we could experience a Passover like never before!
Chag Sameach
How to be Happy…Even in a Recession!
Our Sages (see here) relate, “Who is truly happy? One who is content with his lot!” In today’s economic world this statement seems to ring rather loudly. People who spent and spent, and became used to a certain shall we say, “premium lifestyle,” now have to live within their salary–and not their credit cards.
Truthfully, the ancient wisdom contained within Judaism really can allow anyone, through thick and through thin, to live a more meaningful. Let’s be honest. You can either walk around upset at the cards that you are currently dealt; or you can spend your life no longer having to pursue happiness, but rather living a life of eternal happiness!
Indeed, the Wall Street Journal has a blog (yes blogs have gone that mainstream!), “Laid Off And Looking,” that follows eight unemployed professionals as they search for their next employer. Spencer Cutter, laid off from Lehman Brothers last spring, seems to be on his way to realizing what is important in life. He writes:
Now that I have been out of that culture for the better part of a year…I have re-discovered that the quality of my life is not determined by the quantity of my income…I’m focusing a lot less on the paycheck and am placing a much higher premium on a career that will…provide a sense of longevity, stability, and balance. Money is still important, but I’m no longer obsessed…
If there is one thing that some people (and clearly Spencer is one of them) will acquire from this recession we are facing, it is that one needs to occupy their time at a job that serves a purpose and not just look at the amount of zeroes in a paycheck. Spencer seems to be “growing up quick” and realizing that it’s not about wearing the latest designer suit. Rather, it’s about clocking in at a meaningful job and being happy with where you are in life.
To that end, I read with interest that the “happiest place on Earth!” is not Disneyland. instead, it’s the people who live in the Netherlands. Yes….you read correctly…the Dutch are the happiest country! 60 Minutes reports that the Dutch really seem to have realistic expectations of life, and by extension live meaningful and happy lives. As one resident put it:
“Well, in order to see myself as a success I would want to be happy and have a lot of time with my family. I think that’s very important to me. And the money is not that important,” he replied.
“It is more about the softer values, such as not being stressed, and feeling passionate about what I’m doing. ‘Maybe this job is not gonna pay me a lot of money. But I’m gonna love getting up and doing it every day,’” another said.
All in all, while I’m not suggesting that we all pick up and migrate to the Netherlands, I am of the opinion that it’s not healthy to yearn for the “American Dream.” Instead, dream within your own means so that you can follow the timely advice of our Sages. Frankly, once a person has mastered this particular tip on happiness, and it very well may be a tough bone to chew on, you’ll never need to spend your life pursuing happiness or a quick thrill!
Making a Difference
As a teacher, I see the difference one inspirational class or topic can have on a student, let alone on their long term future.
As a person who has the privilege of working with a master educator, namely Rabbi Label Sharfman, I am aware of the myriad of stories that people have about how his class or school for that matter, has enabled their life, family, and marriage, to forever move in a positive direction.
You know what I’ll let you all in on a little secret.
Guess What?
I still maintain a relationship with several of my teacher’s from elementary school to this very day!
And so, I encourage you all to click on this link and share this post with your friends and family.
Who knows, after seeing this short but important link you just may want to send a person who influenced you a: Teacher Appreciation Cupcake like the one pictured to your right.
One final note: Before you click on over, make sure that you have some tissues handy…
Enjoy
The Lost Generation
Who doesn’t wish that they can jump into a time mission and fast forward into the future to see what life has in store?
This short essay found in the clip below, is rather impressive in that it was produced by someone who is only 20 years old. This video was created for the AARP U@50 Video Contest and placed second. It is based on the Argentinian Political Advertisement, “The Truth.”
Much thanks to Nechy for bringing this clip to my attention.
Ora Rachel bas Tziporah Bracha: Pictures, Updates & More!
Dear Friends and Family,
I can not begin this update without apologizing to all those who have emailed wondering how Ora Rachel bas Tziporah Bracha has been doing. I’m sorry I haven’t responded until now. The fact of the matter is, that between all of my teaching and the additional responsibilities of serving as Overseas Director at Bnot Torah/Sharfman’s Seminary, I haven’t found the time as of late to write an update on cute little Ora Green.
Truth be told this is a good thing!
Why?
Honestly, the fact of the matter is that we have begun to get back to a sense of normalcy. In other words, teaching, having guests for Shabbos, spending quality time with our other kids, and so on and so forth has begun to occur as of late…!!
And so, I believe that this is all a huge sign as to how Ora Rachel bas Tziporah Bracha is improving—thanks to your continued Tefillah.
Week by week she is slowly putting on weight—she’s now over 8 pounds!! Indeed, she is making slow but visible progression at her twice a week physical therapy sessions, and her siblings love interacting with her. Best of all, we love watching her smiling and cooing back at Sima and Eliezer. What’s more, as of late, she’s even begun putting her pacifier in her mouth—by herself!
Now let’s be honest. I’m often stopped in the street or emailed, “should I still be Davening for your daughter?”
The answer is: Yes! Please continue! Her recovery will be a long but IMY”H continuously progressive one.
Clearly we have seen that through Achdus, Torah learning, Tefillah and a slew of other deeds that Klal Yisrael has performed, it has greatly impacted the immediate and long term prognosis of Ora Rachel bas Tziporah Bracha. Honestly, from a simply medical perspective the virus that she contracted while in the womb is still in her and could very well still effect her for several years!
That said, the pejorative word is could…it is ultimately up to Hashem, the Rofei Cholei Amo Yisrael, to determine what will be the final outcome.
We have seen that many of the morose outcomes that the experts predicted, have not materialized, Baruch Hashem! And this is clearly because Tefillah Hei HaTerfufah, prayer is (also a) medicine!
As such, we call upon every one of you to further your words of Tefillah and pleas on her behalf to the Ultimate Creator, Hakodosh Baruch Hu, that she only continues to improve and progress!
Indeed, her existence continues to be an Ora, a light, to the greater Klal Yisrael—and even to the not yet religious brethren who live with us in Eretz HaKodesh. You see, Ora goes twice a week to Gan Shikumei, which has a lovely brand new building at the base of Bayit Vegan. The care, love, and attention we have been receiving there is to our knowledge, unheard of in Israel, and we are forever indebted to the staff, for their devotion to our situation. What’s more, I was asked, by the head of the program, a lovely women by the name of Malka, to speak to some of the parents in the program, and share with them the secrets as to how we, as parents, seem to always walk in the building and interact with Ora and her overall state, in such a continuously positive perspective.
As frum yidden, we know that there is no secret—it is clearly due to Emunah and Bitachon (parenthetically, I’d encourage everyone to read this post in terms of having Emunah in today’s economy) and our overall increased relationship with Hashem that has infused us with this ability to appear to the general public as: B’Simcha Tamid.
We didn’t always have this ability; but we feel that we’ve been on a Spiritual Exercise Program, and that Hashem has been our Personal Trainer, guiding us and silently encouraging us along the way. And now, looking back on the past couple of months, we see how much stronger we are as individuals and as a family through the birth of Ora. Unsurprisingly, now that we have reached this stage, Hashem is asking us to share some of the experience, and the wisdom that we attained from it, with others. And so, due to the birth of Ora, I will IMY”H be speaking in Hebrew and enlightening others with the Jewish secrets to never having to pursue happiness—but to always recognize that everything that Hashem does…IS FOR THE BEST.
Every time I look at Ora, even as I type this to you now as she is sitting here in her stroller and fondly gazing up at me, I think to myself and say, “Thank you Hashem for such a beautiful Miracle!”
What’s more, while one can brush it off and presume that the timing has just worked out for Ora’s Kiddush to finally occur, I believe it’s without coincidence that her Kiddush will be taking place IMY”H the 25th of Adar / March 21st, Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei. Not only will we be graced with the presence of Ora’s great-grandmother and great-grandfather, Rabbi and Mrs. Salomon Jacobovits of Washington Heights, but all of this simcha will culminate in the month that chazal state: m’shnechnas adar marbim b’simcha (when we enter the month of Adar we increase our state of happiness). To that end, on behalf of my wife, we would like to extend an invitation to all of you who have davened, and are continuing to pray and learn for the continued health and refuah shelemah of our daughter: Ora Rachel Bas Tziporah Bracha…Thank you for your emails and words encouragement. Thank you for your conversations with Hashem, only He knows how much you have impacted our lives and the life of our daughter!
We hope that you can all make it to the Kiddush! Moreoever, we encourage you all to continue to forward these updates and invite those who we don’t even know but who certainly have aided in her recovery as well. If you will be in the neighborhood, we would love for you to stop on by…
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