A Soulful Journey

"Who is wise? He that learns from every One. Who is powerful? He that governs his Passions. Who is rich? He that is content.   Who is that?  Nobody."  - Benjamin Franklin Ben Zoma  said: Who is wise? He who learns from every person. Who is mighty? He who subdues his [evil] inclination.  Who is rich? He who rejoices in his lot.  Who is  honored? He who honors his fellow human beings."  - Pirkei Avot

A Prayer When We Are Too Hard on Ourselves Teach me how to love myself, God. I am so critical of myself. I set such high standards for myself. I accept shortcomings in others, but I am so unforgiving of myself. Help me, God. Teach me how to enjoy my life. Remind me to be kind to myself. Show me how to embrace the person I am. Lead me to appreciate all the miracles that surround me each day. Soften my heart, God; open my eyes. Fill me with the capacity to treasure my life. Thank You, God, for creating me as I am. Amen. “Talking to God: Personal Prayers for Times of Joy, Sadness, Struggle, and Celebration”                 by Rabbi Naomi Levy

 "We call a fool a chacham , which really means 'wise.' "A chacham has already arrived.  He thinks he knows everything and that makes him a fool. A Talmid chacham is the eternal student. He knows that he needs to learn more. He is willing to sit at the feet of others. A T almid chacham is the symbol of wisdom because he never arrives...." - Rabbi Ralph Simon

"Each of us has been blessed with a purpose that makes our heart sing."

Song of the Shattering Vessels BY  PETER COLE   Either the world is coming together, or else the world is falling apart —      here — now — along these letters,      against the walls of every heart.    Today, tomorrow, within its weather, the end or beginning’s about to start —      the world impossibly coming together      or very possibly falling apart.   Now the lovers’ mouths are open — maybe the miracle’s about to start:       the world within us coming together,       because all around us it’s falling apart.    Even as they speak, he wonders, even as the fear departs:       Is  that the world coming together?      Can they keep it from falling apart?   The image, gradually, is growing sharper; now the sound is like a dart:      It seemed their world was coming together,      but in fact it was falling apart.   That’s the nightmare, that’s the terror, that’s the Isaac of this art —      which sees that the world might come together       if only we’re willing to take it apart. 

  The Greek words for "toil" and "strive" were used to describe the grueling struggle of athletes in Olympic competition: the driven desire, endless discipline, training and endurance.  As marathon runner Peter Strudwick put it, "Call me a fanatic, if you will, but I'll be out there running for as long as the challenge exists.  And when I face my final race, if I can't run, I'll jog; if I can't jog, I'll walk; if I can't walk, I'll crawl on all fours if I have to; and if I can't crawl, I'll die with my face to the finish line...and a thousand runners who are faster than I will take my place." This is life.  Adversity comes and we muster up the energy to confront it, move around it or overcome it.  And when the race is over, others will take our place. But...the human race will be richer when we present it with a hope that all things are possible, no challenge is to great to stop us unless we give up.

 tov m'at kavanah m'harbeh blee kavannah - Shulchan Aruch . "Better is a little kavanah (intention, devotion, while praying) than a lot without it."

 At the end of the 18th century, in midst of persecution and impoverishment, Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav, one of Judaism's most profound philosophers, cried out: "Jews! Never despair! But why should Jews not despair, when their history is so drenched in blood and tears? Because miracles -- hard facts that remain wondrous and incredible  -- are always possible. But how do  miracles become possible? We make them possible."

There is nothing we cannot overcome with time, persistence, focused thought, help, and faith. 

 Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger (1926-2007), a Jewish apostate from Poland, became the cardinal of Paris but on his death bed, requested that  Kaddish  be recited at his funeral.   Remember who you are and live it.

 "People want things but neglect to read the small print" that comes along with it. - Rabbi Lionel Blue Think and only then do.

 Der Eybershter zol gebe as di veler zoln kenen un di kener zon viln. May the Eternal One grant that those who to want to will be able, and those who are able will want to.  - Hans Nusbaum

Psalm 16 These are among David's golden words: Watch over me, God, ****for I seek refuge in You. You said to the Lord: ****You are my Master, ******but my good fortune is not Your concern. "Rather, the holy ones on the earth ****--You care for them *******and for the great ones whom I should emulate. "When their pain multiplies, ****they know to speedily turn to another. **But I cannot even pour their libations because of guilt, ******I cannot even lift their names to my lips." The Lord is the Portion, which is mine by right, ******my Cup. ******You nurture my destiny. Labor pains turn into pleasantness-- ******so, too, I must see my inheritance of beauty. I will bless the Lord who counsels me, ******though at night my conscience afflicts me. I keep the Lord continually before me; ******because of God-Who-is-my-Right-Hand, ******I shall not break down. So my mind is happy, ****my whole being joyful; ******even my body rests secure. For You shall not abandon my soul *

In 1969 just before Mies van der Rohe's death. the famous architect was asked what he would most like to build but never could.  Van der Rohe, who was born in 1886 answered, a Cathedral.  - Hans Kuns We should aspire to do things, create things, and spread ideas, that ennoble the idea of God and elevate humankind.

"Become accustomed to saying, 'I do not know,' lest you become entangled in a web of deceit."   - Talmudic teacher, Mar, Berakhot 4 a