Mar 18, 2008
Posted on Mar 18, 2008 in Miscellaneous, Personal | 1 comment
Just a recent thought from my heart…
A few nights ago, I realized the most subtle and powerful tactic of the Yetzer Hara to keep us from the things Hashem is trying to do in our lives: Good Things. What do I mean by that? Let me explain…
As my wife and I were just getting into bed for the night, she said that she had a restless feeling, and really felt a need to pray. She shared a little bit about that with me, and then after a few minutes of discussing what she felt, she reached over and grabbed her book on modesty with the intent of studying. This in and of itself is a wonderful thing. The book she is studying (Modesty, An Adornment for Life) is a wonderful work based on insights into the Scriptures in regard to modest dress and behavior. However, studying was not the most important thing at the time. Hashem had beckoned to her to speak to Him. She had gotten distracted. The very thing that was good, had been substituted for what was best. I gently put my hand on her and said, “Sweetheart, I know that’s a wonderful thing, but that’s not what you are supposed to be doing right now. You are supposed to be praying.” She immediately acknowledged the rightness of this statement, smiled, put her book away and got up to pray.
This battle was won. But how many in our day to day existences are lost? I’m not saying prayer is always better than study. I’m saying that if Hashem has a specific mission for us at any time day and night, and we substitute it for “the next best thing” we have missed out. It could be praying rather than giving tzeddikah, or giving of our time to a person in need while our children are left needing. The tool of the Adversary is deception, and the best form of deception is when it’s 99% truth mixed with 1% lies. Our enemy doesn’t attempt to deceive us with blatant wickedness, but with compromise and self-justification.
I was talking with a dear friend just this morning. He’s come to me over the last few months for advise and help getting his spiritual bearings back after being knocked around like a rag doll at sea for the past few years. After much discussion, it was concluded that this was his case. He had settled for the good, but not Hashem’s best time after time. After many years of this compromising, it has lead him to a point where he doesn’t have his own convictions or values. His convictions have been determined by his circumstances, rather than the revelation of Hashem and His Torah. He is having to start at the very beginning and re-shape his core understanding and ask big questions, like “Who is Hashem?” and “What is our responsibility to Him?” This is a scary place to be. My friend has made the bold confession that he is at this point. However, many of us are already there, yet don’t even know it. Are you? Am I? We must shake ourselves and awake from our slumber in order to impact a generation of hopelessness and despair. We must quit settling for the deception of good in order to obtain the best.
Rise up O Generation of slumbering spiritual giants! Rise up for the Kingship of Hashem!
Jan 18, 2008
Posted on Jan 18, 2008 in Miscellaneous, Personal | 1 comment
This is really off-topic, but interesting…
Close to a year ago I had to give up coffee cold turkey (ok… I still have an occasional cup, maybe once every 2 to 3 months). Coffee was a love of my life. No, I wasn’t a Folger’s addict (that’s barely classified as “coffee” in my book), but somewhat of a connoisseur of whole bean, organic, medium-dark roasted blends with nice body and a smooth finish. Since that time I’ve really missed my morning coffee. I replaced it with a medley of teas (mostly Chai teas, my favorites being Numi Ruby Chai with Rooibos, and Tulsi Masala Chai or Tulsi Goto Kola). Recently, I came across an herbal “coffee-type” drink (Teeccino Original Herbal Coffee).
Yesterday morning, as I was sipping it for the first time, I had a flash back to when I was in Israel a few years ago on an archaeological dig. Every morning our hotel would serve this delicious “coffee.” At least that’s what I was told, and no one ever made any indication otherwise. Each morning when I drank my cup, I was totally confused. My eyes and nose told me it was coffee, but my mouth told me it was closer to chocolate than coffee. I couldn’t figure it out. As I sip on my “herbal placebo” I really have to think that the main ingredient in this mixture had to have been in the “coffee” I had in Israel.
What’s the main ingredient? Roasted carob (hence the chocolate flavor). Has anyone else had a similar experience? I would love to hear I’m not totally crazy…
Nov 14, 2007
Posted on Nov 14, 2007 in Ethics, Judaism, Mussar, Personal | 0 comments
Recently, I’ve been reading an teaching from Rabbi Joseph Telushkin’s book, A Code of Jewish Ethics (Volume 1) and came across a quote that says it all:
“A person wants to become a scholar and a leader overnight, and to sleep that night as well.”
Rabbi Yaizel of Navorodock
May 25, 2007
Posted on May 25, 2007 in Paul, Personal | 1 comment
I’m sorry, but I’m really, really fed up with people using Paul as a whipping stick for anyone who holds to Torah. I just finished an hour long phone conversation with someone who verbally attacked my wife for believing in Torah. It’s one thing to have a biblical discuss, and another to make personal accusations of someone simply because they “follow the Law.”
Why do people who stress “grace over law” have to be soooooo UN-gracious and ?
At this point I really wish Paul would have either not existed, or would have spoken in such a way as to not give people ammunition to slam Torah and the people who live by it. Is he really wearing a halo right now, or polishing his horns? I’m irritated. I’m distraught. I’m tired.
YES, I HAVE READ GALATIANS!
One day, Paul… One day…
Nov 28, 2006
Posted on Nov 28, 2006 in Personal | 2 comments
Life has been a blur over the last month and a half. I apologize for my absence, but the duties of being a husband, a father (now of four), a business owner and one of the leaders of our Torah fellowship have had me quite busy. I have a tendency to give my best to others, while leaving my family with the scraps. I’ve been working hard at changing that over the last year, and this last month or two has given me even more of an opportunity. Thank you for your prayers during this time. The family is healthy and happy, and that’s more important that all of the trinkets or glory the olam hazeh could ever offer.
By way of textual studies, here are a couple of passages with which I’ve been wrestling:
Hillel would say: Be of the disciples of Aaron — a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one who loves the creatures and draws them close to Torah. (Avot 1:12)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)
These two little texts have been the source of my frustration for the past two or three months. I initially set out to develop a commentary of the mishnah from Avot in relationship to the Master’s words. However, I failed to realize that I would have to actually “encounter” them at full force before being allowed to comment on something of which I hadn’t fully surrendered. Since this time I have been given sufficient opportunity to put my understanding into practice. Sometimes I passed. Sometimes I failed. The upside to this, however, is that Hashem is faithful to lovingly correct me and steer me back in the right direction, giving me fresh understanding and ample practice in order to correct my mistakes.
I’ve also been studying several chassidic works & concepts, such as the Tanya and simcha, respectively (and I can’t help but relate it to the Apostolic Scriptures!). It seems as though it is too easy for me (and evidently most others) to get caught up in the toils of life (and even the “work of Hashem”) and lose our joy in the journey. The chassidic approach to joy, life’s struggles and the sovereignty of Hashem is a cool breeze amid a warm summer night. It’s Scriptural, it’s spiritual, it’s practical and it just plain makes sense, even if it’s like pulling your molars putting it into practice—all serious and lasting changes in life are thus.
Well, that’s all for now. I’ve got to hit the hay and prepare for a long day tomorrow. Blessings to all.
shalom,
-Darren
