People always want to know why teshuva--repentance- is so difficult. After all, if Hashem is really desirious of our returning to Him, shouldn't it be relatively easy? What does it take to start praying on a daily basis, or keep kosher, or become Shabbat observant? Well, the same could be said as to losing weight. How much does it take to lose 30 pounds? Just cut out some meals or at least use portion control and/or exercise and watch the pounds melt away. Oh, if it was only so easy! In reality it is, but the results take time. Pounds don't fall off overnight, regardless of how much one exercises or starves oneself. Similarly, returning to Hashem and the Torah doesn't happen overnight regardless of how much studying or praying one does in a day. Rather both religiousity and weight loss take time and patience. It's true that one must start the process a.s.a.p. but if one expects results overnight, all one is doing is setting oneself up for failure.

In my last two blogs we talked about what happiness is and how I have to be responsible for my own happiness. Now I want to speak about how I can always be happy... Read More

It's a well known custom amongst Jews that during the omer, for a 33-day period, one neither shaves nor gets a haircut, listens to music, gets married, etc. The reason given for these mourning rituals is that a plague struck Rabbi Akiba's students, killing 24,000 of them during this 33-day period. The Rabbis inform us that they died as a result of their lack of derech eretz--mutual respect and common courtesy--towards each other.

“If I'm not happy, I'm doing something wrong.”

A key part of this phrase is “I'm”. It's very important that one takes responsibility for what he or she is in charge of. Too many times today, people blame others or other circumstances for their own shortcomings.

Hillel said in the Ethics of Our Fathers “If I am not for myself, who am I?” This phrase shouts out that I have to take care of myself. I can't rely upon anyone else. It is only I who can work for myself for my physical and spiritual well being. It is only I who is to blame if I am not happy. I have free choice. Sometimes my choices lead to prosperity and tranquility. Sometimes my choices lead to difficulties and travails. Yet it was myself who took me there.

Every Shabbat morning, at a table near you, read the “latest” headlines and see what the people in Biblical Times were saying. While the Jews were traveling through the desert on the way to Israel, many things occurred during that 40-year trek. Read first hand accounts of what happened at the debacle of the golden calf, Korach’s rebellions, and so much more. And you absolutely cannot miss the interviews with Moshe, Aharon, Betzalel, etc. It’s truly amazing to read what these people had to say about the events of the day.

The Desert Herald is available every Shabbat for your reading pleasure, but it is only delivered to the Midwest Torah Center! Our Shabbat services begin at 9:30am. The Herald will be waiting for you!