Today we discussed repentance. I chose this topic because we’ve just commenced the Jewish month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish year. In Judaism the thirty days before every holiday is traditionally prep time and the month of Elul is the thirty days before the High Holidays, the days of judgment and repentance.
We should now be evaluating our relationship with our Maker.
Mending this relationship used to consist of roving preachers painting pictures of hell for the people warning that this was their only hope if they don’t repent.
The Baal Shem Tov and Chassidus taught us is that if you ever find yourself in a spiritual dilemma you can get your answer by comparing your relationship with G-d to an ordinary marriage. Ask yourself, “Would doing this result in a healthy marriage or not?”
Repenting or returning to G-d means returning to a committed relationship. Last year we committed to give G-d our undivided attention. During the year we got distracted by all the things listed in Oprah's list of twenty questions (see below)! Now it’s time to recommit, to begin to love again, to respect again and to focus on what He needs.
A man once read in a magazine that a good husband brings his wife flowers everyday. So he bought flowers on his way home. His wife thanked him but gently explained that she doesn’t like flowers. He said he understood and that it was OK. But the next day he came home with flowers and again the next despite his wife’s protests. This man was trying so hard to be a “Good Husband” but in realty he wasn’t being a husband at all. He was giving her what HE felt she would want not what she actually needed.
So if you think going to Shul and beating your chest is just because you feel you are lacking and this will make you a better person, don’t even bother. That’s not what being devoted is, that’s just being selfish, self centered.
I gave an example of why our society is going ... in a hand basket. It’s this article by Oprah Winfrey, “Questions to ask before you get married.”
It’s not until the 14th question that she talks about family at all. No, it’s all about money! Here you have a well-respected celebrity telling us to treat dating for marriage like job interviews…
Then we discussed how to get our minds to control or “rule over” our emotions.
Michael called and said, “I’ve been giving G-d what I thought He would want, you’ve uprooted that notion for me. You’ve given me peace.”
Join us next Wednesday at 7pm for “Guilt: a healthy reflex.”
Until then,
Shalom
We should now be evaluating our relationship with our Maker.
Mending this relationship used to consist of roving preachers painting pictures of hell for the people warning that this was their only hope if they don’t repent.
The Baal Shem Tov and Chassidus taught us is that if you ever find yourself in a spiritual dilemma you can get your answer by comparing your relationship with G-d to an ordinary marriage. Ask yourself, “Would doing this result in a healthy marriage or not?”
Repenting or returning to G-d means returning to a committed relationship. Last year we committed to give G-d our undivided attention. During the year we got distracted by all the things listed in Oprah's list of twenty questions (see below)! Now it’s time to recommit, to begin to love again, to respect again and to focus on what He needs.
A man once read in a magazine that a good husband brings his wife flowers everyday. So he bought flowers on his way home. His wife thanked him but gently explained that she doesn’t like flowers. He said he understood and that it was OK. But the next day he came home with flowers and again the next despite his wife’s protests. This man was trying so hard to be a “Good Husband” but in realty he wasn’t being a husband at all. He was giving her what HE felt she would want not what she actually needed.So if you think going to Shul and beating your chest is just because you feel you are lacking and this will make you a better person, don’t even bother. That’s not what being devoted is, that’s just being selfish, self centered.
I gave an example of why our society is going ... in a hand basket. It’s this article by Oprah Winfrey, “Questions to ask before you get married.”
It’s not until the 14th question that she talks about family at all. No, it’s all about money! Here you have a well-respected celebrity telling us to treat dating for marriage like job interviews…
Then we discussed how to get our minds to control or “rule over” our emotions.
Michael called and said, “I’ve been giving G-d what I thought He would want, you’ve uprooted that notion for me. You’ve given me peace.”
Join us next Wednesday at 7pm for “Guilt: a healthy reflex.”
Until then,
Shalom
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