Spiritual Tools For An Outrageous World

We’re entering into a new month – Teves – with a personality all it’s own. Since all things are encompassed within Torah, every piece contains a taste of the whole. We will look at this special month from the point of view of (as always) The Human Condition, it’s special letter, tribe, relationship with Chanukah — the works![audio:WhatisYourSuccessFantasy-Teves2008.mp3]The post What is Your Success Fantasy? first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post What is Your Success Fantasy? first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hanukah – much needed light in the darkest time of year. Historically, this was the last holiday that was incorporated into the Jewish calendar. It is sending a message to us for all of history until the world is redeemed — that Hashem, so to speak, is keeping the porch lights on for us until we all come back home. One the special things about Hanukah is the dreidel. What does it tells us about our lives, and how to live them more purposefully and deeply?The post Hanukah – The Fixing of Randomness – 2008 first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Everyone knows there are 613 mitzvahs. These consist of 248 positive actions to be taken and 365 negative actions to refrain from. Since we are here in large part to fix the world — I would have thought that the number of positive actions would greatly outweigh those actions which are to be avoided —…The post Why Shouldn’t I? – Understanding the Thou Shall Nots in the Torah first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What happens when we are given a test? So often we view it as a hardship, hope our best we pass it and then if we make it to the other side in one piece, consider ourselves lucky! But on a much deeper level, the process of undergoing a test involves on the deepest level a journey into the creation of self. Seen through the lens of the greatest test ever given an individual — the binding of Yitzhak, we explore how all this relates to our own lives.The post Why is G-d Testing Me? first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Why is G-d Testing Me? first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What do you do after your world is destroyed around you? The answer is, you keep moving. Last week’s Parsha was Noach which chronicles the great flood that destroyed the world. This week’s Parsha is Lech Lecha, which spells out Hashem’s divine command to our holy father Avraham to journey forth to the place that Hashem will show Him. Hashem doesn’t even tell Avraham where to go! This was to give Avraham and Sarah even more reward. We don’t always need to know where our mitzvahs are taking us. The key thing is to do them with all our hearts and not to ever ever stop.The post In Trouble? Keep Moving! – Lech Lecha 2008 first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post In Trouble? Keep Moving! – Lech Lecha 2008 first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We made it through the holidays and are now ready to plunge into the new year!  What better gift from Above then being able to start the Torah again.  Because the Torah is infinite, Hashem in His goodness, grants us increasing depth into our understanding of it.  It may be the same sequence of letters, with the same mitzvahs, but believe me — we are standing before a new Torah!  How does this work exactly?  This is the subject of today’s talk (there’s also a little discussion of evolution and the age of universe). [audio:TheTorahisNewAllOverAgain-Breisheis2008.mp3]The post The Torah is New All Over Again (Breisheis 2008) first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post The Torah is New All Over Again (Breisheis 2008) first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In today’s talk, we analyze the structure of the Succah for lessons it can teach us about the world and how to better live our lives.  We even take a look into the modernist theories of the artist Piet Mondrian (an example of his unique style is pictured) and how this connects to what the Succah represents.The post The Light of Succos first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post The Light of Succos first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Can you  imagine being so close to someone that you are actually in physical contact with them, and yet at the same time being so far away?  This is what happens when you stand “back to back” with another.  You are so near and yet you don’t see them at all.  For so many of us this is our relationship with Hashem.  He is closer than close, and yet we seldom turn to Him and face Him directly.  Yom Kippur is coming!  It’s the greatest day of the year!  In this talk we talk about the process of turning to Hashem so that we can face Him directly in all His Majesty and Goodness.The post The King is Coming (Yom Kippur – 2008) first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post The King is Coming (Yom Kippur – 2008) first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The last day of the year presents special opportunities for spiritual elevation that are unique to it. The mitzvah that correlates with this day is prohibition not to cut your Payus. How does that connect with Rosh Hashana and reflexology? For that you’ll have to listen!May this year see the answer to all of all prayers for the good!P.S. Here’s a piece I wrote on Rosh Hashana.  I hope you like it.http://www.aish.com/hhRosh/hhRoshDefault/Becoming_You.aspThe post The Last Day of The Year – Message from David Sacks first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post The Last Day of The Year – Message from David Sacks first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Who does this world belong to?  Who do we belong to?  What does it mean to make G-d King?  And even if we want to do it, how do we begin?  This week’s Torah portion speaks of taking the first fruits, putting them in a basket, and bringing them to Hashem.  As Rosh Hashanah approaches, on a deeper level, we too, are asked to gather our lives to present before Hashem.  In today’s talk, we discuss how to start the process.The post Bringing Yourself as an Offering to G-d first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Bringing Yourself as an Offering to G-d first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In explaining what goes on in these talks to someone at work, I surprised myself by saying that it’s a little like “couples therapy” between us and G-d. Toward that end, this week’s talk has lots of ideas relating to relating to G-d, especially in light of the New Year fast approaching. Eventually, we build to the idea of the importance of simplifying our lives so that we can better focus on what really matters.The post Achieving Simplicity first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Achieving Simplicity first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ask anyone in the world if they want to be a “success” and the answer will be a resounding “yes!”. What becomes more complicated is when you ask the person what “success” means exactly. As you can imagine being able to define success is crucial — it’s that clear focus which enables us to direct our efforts most efficiently, while avoiding lengthy and often painful detours in life. In today’s talk, I try to define success, looking at the Hebrew word for victory — netzach — as a guide — and to show how the soul, and eternity fit in to all this.The post The Necessity of Defining Success first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post The Necessity of Defining Success first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We’ve entered the month of Elul which means that the new year with all it’s decrees and judgements are around the corner!  It’s both exciting and a little scary, but Hashem is good so we don’t have to be afraid!  Hashem gives us Elul, this last month of the year, to finish on a strong note.  How do we do it?  Well, that’s a big subject, but we begin the discussion in this week’s talk with a look at the importance of appreciating the present moment and also a look at false prophets.The post Elul – Keeping the Love Alive first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Elul – Keeping the Love Alive first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What is lower than the heal of your foot?  Ekev or “heel” in Torah stands for so many things — from the actual bottom of your body, to spiritual insensitivity, to the end of days.  It can also stand for the emotional lows we all reach.  In this talk we look at the interplay between the first two words of the Parsha and strategies we can learn for combating sadness when it comes.The post The Battle Against Sadness first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post The Battle Against Sadness first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Just days after the saddest day on the Jewish calendar comes one of the happiest!  It comes to teach that Hashem’s salvations can arrive in the blink of an eye.  We explore this concept and the role that the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai plays in this process as well in this week’s talk.The post Reversal of Fortune – From Tisha B’Av to Tu B’Av first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Reversal of Fortune – From Tisha B’Av to Tu B’Av first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What is the difference between men and women in Torah?  How are we to understand the separation of men and women during prayer?  Is it fair that men have more mitzvahs than women?  Tzelafchad’s daughters are heroes in the Torah.  Starting with a detailed discussion of what they accomplished and how it applies to us today, we turn to a more general discussion of the different genders in light of the equality of the sexes we see in today’s society.The post Women in Torah (Parashat Pinchas) first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.The post Women in Torah (Parashat Pinchas) first appeared on Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.