Chayei Sarah 5775

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Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18 )

20 ways to connect to God.

GOOD MORNING!   This week I wish to share with you some thoughts about Spirituality. Spirituality is feeling the presence of the Almighty. Feeling this connection to the Almighty is the greatest pleasure a person can know. It is the pleasure we feel when seeing a magnificent sunset, looking from a mountaintop over the beauty of the Almighty's creation -- or seeing your newborn baby for the first time.

How does one develop spirituality? First, learn Torah. How many times have you heard people say, "I just love John Grisham ... or Hemingway ... or Dickens? But they never met those authors! However, they read their books and intuitively love the author for his writings. Ergo ... read the Torah and love the Almighty!

Also, by reading the Torah, one gains wisdom for life and knowledge of how to make the most of his life. The word "Torah" means "Instructions." "Toras Chaim" means instructions for life -- the Torah is the Almighty's instruction book for maximizing your life!

Secondly, take pleasure in the Almighty's creation -- the beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, forest, plains, glaciers, oceans, the ecosystems ... Love the creation and you love the Creator! Study the intricacies of the creation -- the ecosystems or the systems within a living organism for an even deeper appreciation and love.

Thirdly, do the Almighty's commandments (mitzvot). Each commandment is a means of connecting to the Almighty and perfecting your soul. There are many mitzvot that a person might do instinctively -- giving charity, helping a widow or an orphan, assisting someone in need. If one focuses on doing the deed because the Almighty commanded us, it raises the deed to an even higher level of spirituality. One is not doing a kindness just because it makes him feel good, but because he understands that this is the Almighty's will to perfect him and the world. Why miss an opportunity for additional pleasure and spirituality?

As mentioned, any time there is a mitzvah, commandment, to be performed, it is actually an opportunity to connect with the Almighty. Unfortunately, oftentimes people do mitzvot out of habit. One needs to understand the mitzvah, and then to concentrate on doing the mitzvah as a commandment, to reap maximum benefits!

For example, putting up a mezuzah (the Shema written by a scribe on parchment which is rolled up and affixed usually in a mezuzah case on the right hand doorpost as one enters the room. For details, see To Be a Jew by Rabbi Haim Donin available at your local Jewish bookstore, at JudaicaEnterprises.com or by calling toll-free to 877-758-3242). One can put it up knowing nothing about the mezuzah and perhaps the only benefit is knowing that s/he did a mitzvah. (I remember helping a visitor to Jerusalem who wanted to buy Mezuzah cases for his doors. I asked if he needed to also buy the scrolls to put inside. He replied, "Oh, No! We're not that religious!" The case is there just to protect the scroll. There is no mitzvah to put up just a case!). The more you know about anything, the more meaningful it will be!

People often make the mistake of saying "I am not religious" when they mean to say "I am not fully observant." Then again, even the most Torah committed Jew is not fully observant -- we aspire to be fully observant of the Torah, but we don't always succeed. We are all somewhere on the path, hopefully ascending!

One of my favorite books is My Father, My King: Connecting with the Creator by my good friend, prolific author (over 20 books), energetic speaker, personal counselor, Rabbi Zelig Pliskin (available at your local Jewish bookstore, at JudaicaEnterprises.com or by calling toll-free to 877-758-3242). From time to time, nearly everyone talks to God, but what would God answer you if He would answer in words rather than just in actions? Reb Zelig beautifully writes awe-inspiring responses of how God would answer you, based on Torah sources. Just reading this book infuses me with a sense of spirituality!

Based on his book, Reb Zelig has developed the following list of ways to increase your spirituality and enjoyment in life. You might want to make a copy of the list to review daily; it could change the whole tenor of your day!

 

20 WAYS TO CONNECT WITH THE ALMIGHTY

  1. Have a constant awareness of our Father, our King, Creator and Sustainer of the universe. As soon you think of the Creator, you immediately connect with Him. Think of Him often.
  2. Feel a sense of awe for the Creator by frequently contemplating the size and complexity of the universe.
  3. Realize that you are created in the image of the Creator and you are His child. When looking in a mirror, say to yourself, "I am a child of the Creator."
  4. Everything you have in life, you have because it is a gift from the Creator. Be constantly grateful. This gratitude creates love.
  5. The Almighty loves us more than we love ourselves. Frequently say to yourself, "The Almighty loves me even more than I love myself."
  6. Realize that everything that the Almighty causes to happen in your life, He causes to happen for a positive purpose. Some you will recognize, some you won't. Frequently repeat, "This, too, is for the good."
  7. Respect each human being because each human being is created in the Almighty's image.
  8. When you do an act of kindness, you are emulating the Almighty. Do so frequently.
  9. Every prayer you say, whether formal or in your own words, is an expression of connecting with the Creator.
  10. Make a blessing to thank the Creator before and after eating. This adds a spiritual dimension to the food you eat.
  11. Thank your Father, your King, for each and every breath. Since you are constantly breathing you are always connecting with the Creator.
  12. Let your trust in the Almighty's love for you give you an inner sense of serene Trust.
  13. Developing your character traits is considered, "Walking in the ways of the Almighty." Each positive step takes you far.
  14. Every life situation has been sent to you as a test and challenge from the Creator to help you grow and develop your character.
  15. Don't speak against or harm the Almighty's children. Thinking of this and acting accordingly connects you with the Creator.
  16. You are always in the present moment. Right now, connect with the Creator even if you've gotten off-track a moment ago.
  17. Sincere repentance out of love for the Almighty elevates you to such a degree that you can retroactively elevate the negative of the past with an absolute resolution not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
  18. Feel joy for the joy of the Almighty's children and have compassion for their distress.
  19. Realize that you are never alone. Wherever you are, the Almighty is always with you. Speak to Him in your own way and ask Him for your wants and needs.
  20. At all times, hear Your Father, your King, Creator and Sustainer of the universe saying to you, "I love you."

 

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Torah Portion of the week

Chayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1 - 25:18

Sarah dies at the age of 127. Avraham purchases a burial place for her in Hebron in the cave of Ma'arat HaMachpela. Avraham sends his servant, Eliezer, back to the "old country," his birthplace Charan, to find a wife for Yitzhak (Isaac). Eliezer makes what appear to be very strange conditions for the matrimonial candidate to fulfill in order to qualify for Yitzhak. Rivka (Rebecca) unknowingly meets the conditions. Eliezer succeeds in getting familial approval, though they were not too keen about Rivka leaving her native land.

Avraham marries Keturah and fathers six more sons. He sends them east (with the secrets of mysticism) before he dies at 175. Yitzhak and Ishmael bury Avraham near Sarah in the Ma'arat HaMachpela, the cave Avraham purchased in Hebron to bury Sarah. The portion ends with the listing of Ishmael's 12 sons and Ishmael dying at age 137.

 

Candle Lighting Times

November 14
(or go to http://www.aish.com/sh/c/)

Jerusalem 4:05
Guatemala 5:12 - Hong Kong 5:22 - Honolulu 5:31
J'Burg 6:15 - London 3:55 - Los Angeles 4:32
Melbourne 7:49 - Mexico City 5:39 - Miami 5:14
New York 4:21 - Singapore 6:33 - Toronto 4:35

Quote of the Week

In life you have your choice --
you can do it the right way or the easy way

 

 

With Deep Appreciation to

Mr. Sami Bilmen

 

     
With Special Thanks to

Stan & Marla Frohlinger

 

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