A Soulful Journey

Rabbi Yisrael Salanter once noticed that a fancy restaurant was charging a huge price for a cup of coffee. He approached the owner and asked why the coffee was so expensive. After all, some hot water, a few coffee beans and a spoonful of sugar could not amount to more than a few cents. The owner replied: "It is correct that for a few cents you could have coffee in your own home. But here in the restaurant, we provide exquisite decor, soft background music, professional waiters, and the finest china to serve your cup of coffee." Rabbi Salanter's face lit up. "Oh, thank you very much! I now understand the blessing of  Shehakol  -- 'All was created by God’s word' -- which we recite before drinking water. You see, until now, when I recited this blessing, I had in mind only that I am thanking the Creator for the water that God created. Now I understand the blessing much better. 'All' includes not merely the water, but also the fresh air that we breathe whi...

  The Talmud  ( Berakhot 35a ) teaches that eating food without saying a  brakhah  (a blessing) beforehand is like stealing. A lot of people know that teaching, and it’s deep. But here’s an even deeper part: the Talmud doesn’t call it “stealing” ( g’neivah ) but “ me’ilah “, which means improperly taking or using  sacred property that belongs to the Temple and the priests .   -Rabbi David Seidenberg Bless first.

A Rabbi sat in the rear of one of the Hebrew school classes observing the teacher and the pupils. The children were young, and the rabbi was deeply moved by the politeness, attentiveness, and eagerness to learn. At the end of the session he walked forward and warmly addressed the class, “My dear students, may the Almighty help you to understand the Torah and become better and wiser Jews.” The polite young boys and girls replied, “Thank you Rabbi and the same to you!”

Our Rabbis have taught: It is forbidden to a man to enjoy anything of this world without a benediction, and if anyone enjoys anything of this world without a benediction.” –Berachot 35a

Dear God, help me break My desire to eat too much. Instead, let me eat and drink just enough To be strong and fulfill Your will. May I be worthy of sharing my food with guests, Particularly those who are in need. Protect me always from forbidden foods Since they bring impurity to my soul. Help me fulfill, dear God, the mitzvah Of washing my hands for meals, Which purifies my hands And draws down Your holiness upon me. May I please say the blessings before and after eating With concentration and devotion. Grant me the ability To eat in holiness, As this calms my mind And allows me to be in charge of what I do. Please God, when I eat, Let me have You in my thoughts. And then, through eating, I can reach true understanding . -Between Me and You

The Rabbis teach: When Israel is in trouble and a Jew separates himself, two angels accompany that person and place their hands on his head.  They say, 'This man has separated himself from the community will not see its redemption.' It is further taught: If the community is in trouble, a person must not say, 'I will go home, eat and drink and have peace in my soul.'  Each person must share int he burdens of the community as did Moshe Rabbenu .  The one who shares its turmoil will live to its its redemption. - Taanit Our responsibility is always to assist one another.  We are charged by God and blessed by His emissaries to always be a part of k'llal Yisrael .

We thank You, O God, for our family and for what we mean and bring to one another.   We are grateful for the bonds of loyalty and affection which sustain us and for the capacity to love and to care. Help us to be modest in our demands of one another, but generous in our giving to each other.   May we never measure how much love or encouragement we offer; may we never count the times we forgive.   Rather, may we always be grateful that we have one another and that we are able to express our love in acts of kindness. Keep is gentle in our speech.   When we offer words of criticism, may they be chosen with care and spoken softly.   May we waste no opportunity to speak words of sympathy, of appreciation, of praise. Bless our family with health, happiness, and contentment.  Above all, grant us the wisdom to build a joyous and peaceful home in which Your spirit will always abide.    Amen.      –from Gates of Shabbat, CCAR 19...