A Soulful Journey

"Do not believe the absurd ideas of astrologers, who falsely assert that the constellation at the time of one's birth determines whether one is to be virtuous or vicious, the individual being thus necessarily compelled to follow out a certain line of conduct."  - Rambam Trust God alone.  And you are in charge of you, and responsible for your actions.

If [a person] were able to survey at a glance all he has done in the course of the life, what would he feel?  He would be terrified at the extent of his own power.” - Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel “The impulse to do evil is at first like a passer-by, then like a lodger, and finally like the master of the house.” – Talmud, Sukkah 52b What habits have taken up residence this year?  (R. Debra Orenstein) “No sin is so light that it may be overlooked.  No sin is so heavy that it may not be repented of.” – Moses Ibn Ezra “Better an open rebuke than hidden love.” – Proverbs 27:5 It’s hard to hear that someone it is dissatisfied with us but considering that it is usually an actor friendship and love when someone is honest enough to tell you where they believe you have gone wrong.  (R. Debra Orenstein) “If a person sinned against another and the latter died before pardon was sought, the sinner should bring a minyan, station them at the grave of...

“To be is to stand for.” -Abraham Joshua Heschel "To be is to do." - Myriam Mendelow “Say little and do much” - Pirkey Avot "Rabbi Simlai taught: The Torah begins and ends with acts of caring, loving kindness ." - Talmud: Sotah 14a "A person who runs to do just, good, and kind deeds attains life, success, and honor." -Proverbs 21:21 "Whatever I want for myself, I want the same for that other person."     -Maimonides "Advice and words do not fill an empty stomach.”  - Midrash “One who does tzedaka in secret is greater than Moses.” – Talmud, Baba Batra “No one has ever become poor from giving.” – Anne Frank

Whatever I want for myself,
 I want the same for that other person.
  And whatever I do not want for myself or my friends,
 I do not want for that other person.
 This is the meaning of the verse, “ And you shall love the other person as yourself.”   (Leviticus 19:18)  ,   Maimonides, Sefer HaMitzvot

One who withdraws from the ways of the community, even though that one does not commit himself any transgression, but merely separates oneself from the congregation of Israel, and does not perform the commandments in their midst, and does not enter into their sorrow, nor fast on their fast days, nor feast on their feast days, such a one has no share in the hereafter. — MOSES MAIMONIDES