I am constantly inspired by seeing how others have reached their own success in life. To be sure, success does not equal the dollar amount showing in a bank account. Success can be anything one aspires to in one’s life. Sometimes – for me, success is completing studying a Torah book. When I manage to work through a volume of hundreds of pages in length, it brings me a great sense of satisfaction. I’ve done it! One day – I am at the beginning of the book, unable to imagine ever getting through such a thick work! Weeks or months later – I turn around and say that I have actually done it! Now… I must find the means and time to learn it a second time!
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The Jewish Cemetery in Vilna and What is Currently Happening to it (Video)
This video (below) is the story of the cemetery in Vilna. Vilna used to be a hub of the Jewish people, and in years gone by was known as the “Jerusalem of Lithuania”. Today – our very Talmud’s are based upon the standard printed edition of Vilna from years gone by. It was from Vilna that the outstanding Torah giant – Rabbi Eliyahu Kramer – known as the Vilna Gaon, arose. His pupil, Rabbi Chaim of Volohzin would set up the first standard Lithuanian Yeshiva, from which all Lithuanian-style Yeshivas continue their learning styles and schedules to this day.
None Of Us Can Make It Alone – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Success – we all want it! We all need it! As each day goes by, each of us strives to attain greater heights in our lives. Life is about growth. Every day should bring with it further success. When most of us are young, we tend to feel our achievements a lot easier. We work our way from kindergarten to primary school. From primary school to high school. From high school, we move onward. Some of us obtain a tertiary education – while others learn a craft. Some of us go on to work – just in order to be able to sustain ourselves. For the most part, this may constitute perhaps only a quarter of our lives.
Katherine’s Beautiful Mind – The Power of a Photographic Memory
The power of the mind. The power of the brain. The power of the soul. Those who study the writings of the holy Arizal – Rabbi Yitzchak Luria – as taught by his pupil Rabbi Chaim Vital, especially in his work Shaar HaGilgulim (the Gate of Reincarnations) will certainly know that there are many mysteries behind the process of souls entering bodies. As the soul enters, different powers are given to it to use in this world. Each of us has some sort of different brain power – as well as a variety of other powers (Kochot). The video below is just a snapshot of one person’s powerful brain – a gift from God.
The Crow and the Kitten – Both are Beautiful…
I am beyond excited when I see videos like this (see below)! I think they teach about life itself! They teach us – what we should already know as people. They teach us that we’re different, but that it doesn’t mean we have to be segregated from each other – let alone show animosity one to the other!
Issues and Benefits of Davening at the Graves of Tzadikim
By פארוק (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Yesterday, I found myself near the main cemetery in Sanhedria in Jerusalem. Sadly – many are not aware of the nature of this cemetery and the people who are buried there. For the most part, almost every person buried there is a Tzadik – a righteous individual! The cemetery came to prominence in about the year 1948 – that year when a serious war was taking place which would lead to the proclaiming of a country where the Jewish people would feel safe in – a country of their own… but that idea was already in the making more than three thousand years before!
Continue reading “Issues and Benefits of Davening at the Graves of Tzadikim”
Advice From an 80 Year Old Man
Being Happy on Sukkot – Even Without Your Own Sukkah
By Ori~ (Own work) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons
With regards to the Festival of Sukkot, the Torah tells us that, “And the Lord spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the Children of Israel and tell them, the 15th day of this seventh month shall be the Festival of Sukkot – seven days for the Lord… for seven days, you shall present a burnt offering to the Lord…
On the first day, you shall take for yourself a fruit of the citron tree (etrog), a palm frond (lulav), myrtle branches (hadas) and willows (aravah). You shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. During these seven days each year, you shall celebrate to God. It is an eternal law for all generations that you celebrate in the seventh month.
How to Make Lulav Rings and Assemble Your Lulav According to Chabad Custom
My Worst Prayer of the Year – The Best Prayer of the Year
Perhaps, the best day of the year has just passed by… Yom Kippur. Coming with Yom Kippur is that feeling that the day is truly providing some sort of unique cleaning over the soul – that no other day can provide. Working through Elul, Rosh HaShanah and then the Ten Days of Repentance, keeps one in touch with just how much there still is to correct – to fix up! Then – Yom Kippur comes along. It’s an intense day. There’s fasting, standing for lengthy time periods, focusing on prayer and keeping one’s mind focused on the day itself and what it means.