Thursday, May 31, 2007
Step 77 - 10 Commandments of Business
Hashem , the Creator & Controller , the CEO of the Universe teaches us how to maximize our accomplishments.
Yes and this leads us to the first Rule - Hashem is always looking over our shoulders.
The Talmud calls this Emunah which leads to the need to always pray for mercy from the Owner of all Wealth. He is the silent Boss of every major & minor corporation.
This leads us to the idea taught in Avos 1:10 - Love Work. Because you are working for & with Hashems help.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Step 76 - Greatest Goals
There is one place where the Talmud groups together 3 goals
- How to achieve Wisdom ?
- Wealth ?
- and Children.
For each of the 3 we are taught
1- the type of efforts that are required , &
2- the type of Prayers that are essential.
The underlying principle of all of these 6 areas is
On the path one is focused on achieving , Hashem will lead him.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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S. 75 - Marriage 10.
Don't worry about what others seem to have. Focus on the incredible treasures Hashem has reserved for you. You & your spouse are actually amazing , Baruch Hashem.
Hashem has given both of you unique talents & assests to utilize , develop & bring to fruition. You can resolve specific issues & challenges & help the world in many ways.
****
Every person
Is
Obligated
To Say
Bishvili Nivra Haolom
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
S 74 - Marriage 9
This includes a general admonition to watch your words.
The fence for Wisdom is
Silence ! Avos 3:15
The best way to communicate is by lending a hand , not by mere talk.
Say less & do more - Avos 1:15
Show that you care by helping out. Help set the table , clean up , do the dishes , the shopping etc.
Nothing is better for the body than Silence , Avos 1:17.
This means you will be healthier & have less stress & have a better marriage.
Overeating & overspeaking are both harmful - One who gaurds his mouth & tounge will be protected from many troubles , Mishlei
When you talk too much you say silly things & you ruin your image in the eyes of your spouse.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
S. 73 - Marriage 8
This includes all types of theft. Not to steal a spouses feelings , their ego , their self - respect & their needs.
Always display a high regard for each other. Always be polite. Please & thank you is essential , but strive for more. Try to say - with pleasure etc.
One may not steal another persons sleep or their peace of mind. If someone is expecting you at a certain time , be careful not to disappoint them or to notify them of your delay.
Also do not steal compliments that are deserved. One who works hard all day to support the family should be praised & admired regularly. If he also goes to study Torah , she should make sure to say , I'm proud of you.
He should say , thanks for the delicious meals , for the house in such good shape , for your great touch in caring for the children etc.
Rav Miller ztl said the first Dvar Torah a husband should say at the shabos table is to compliment his wife !
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
S. 72 - Marriage 7
There is a comparison between
Clinging to Hashem &
Clinging to one spouse.
A husband should think that his wife is the best cook for him. She is the most beautiful , the best etc.
The Mitzva to love Hashem is also compared to
Love others as yourself which refers to a spouse , even more than to others.
Thus every Jew is required to work this major goal into his regular thoughts & actions to love ones mate on a regular basis.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
S. 71 - Marriage 6
Avoid mean words at all costs. Always use kind words. Compliments not complaints.
Life & death are in the hands of a gun? No. There is something worse - the Tongue. Mishlei 18.
Every day , the words you say to your spouse make a great difference in how they feel all day long. If you say , you look good today & you smile (: you are gaining a super mitzva besides fulfilling your obligation in marriage maintenance.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
S. 70 - Marriage 5.
But there is a fundamental lesson here :
The best way to teach any message is by example. How will your children learn how to honor you ?
From the way you honor your parents !
And how can you demonstrate to your spouse how you plan to treat them for 120 years ?
A starting point is by how you treat your dear Parents.
But at marriage your central focus shifts from your parents to your spouse because now you have to set up a home together. And that is part of the greatest nachas to your parents that you have learnt from then how to be a mentch & to honor your spouse properly.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
Monday, May 28, 2007
S. 69 - Marriage 4
We get busy & we forget to focus. Some people forget to eat at times.
We are obligated to recite the Shma twice daily where we proclaim our love of Hashem , so too , one should express words of affection at least twice daily to a spouse.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
S. 68 - Marriage 3
When a person begins to lose ones focus there is a tendency to start to become arrogant & think I can run my own life. This can lead to marital stress. To aviod problems we need to keep our eyes on the ball of Hashems world - let Him run the big deals & the small ones as well.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
S. 67 - Marriage 2
There is no option. Resolve today that you are committed to do whatever it takes to make your marriage truly excellent.
Of course you need ongoing prayer for Hashems help , but you also need to buckle down to self - midos - control.
The rule to remember - your life gets better , when you get better.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
Step 66 -the Marriage Model
There are great gifts of perfection & reward that Hashem has prepared for every couple - but they need to apply themselves to utilize their marriage correctly.
We will suggest a list of
10 Commandments of Marriage to help keep our eyes on the path.
1 - Dream Big - Hashem created everyone & He is the great Matchmaker who sent you the best mate for you !
You have to be determined to always thank Him for it & to make the best of it. He took you out of the narrow confinement of being unmarried & He enabled you to this state of unlimited potential , Baruch Hashem.
Dream to be like the Avos & Imahos , like the Vilna Gaon , the Chofetz Chaim etc. One you want to become great Hashem will help you.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Step 65 -Planning Ahead
Bava Kama 46b
This teaches how we must appreciate & utilize our ability to think ahead for serving Hashem.
* when people were hurt due to wearing spiked shoes , the Sages decreed that we should avoid them
Shabos 60a.
# a person who responds to a verbal attack in a tough way tends to aggravate the situation. Thus Mishlei 15:1 teaches - A gentle response will calm anger.
This advice is so potent that
The great Abayei used to repeat it frequently as a favorite , beneficial slogan. Brochos 17a.
Thus we need to stay alert to avoid possible dangers & / or to avoid dissension.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Step 64 - WoW
7 questions :
- does anyone say WoW when they use it?
- are there any happy surprises for the user ?
- do they feel it is a pleasant change ?
- is there any fun to it ?
- is it energetic ?
- is it refreshing ?
- Does it redefine your expectations ?
There is a shocking revealation in Tosfos in Brochos 37 a where we discover what Hashem had in mind when He created Apples (the real ones ). Its the top tosfos 4 lines down from top.
It is actually so amazing that books have been written to explain it & we will only use the two words of tosfos for now - letaanuk balmah.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
Step 63 - Examples
If you have space & you are going somewhere there is an obligation to help others when possible.
- you need to focus on
Safety , being on time , & courtesy.
- you can have bottles of water for your geusts , a fruit basket , other snacks
- you can offer to play music tapes or thinking , torah tapes
- you can offer a cell phone for their use
- you can insist they pay for the service by sharing a dvar Torah with you or by listening to one from you.
- you can offer to share information with them which they may be in need of.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Step 62 - Learn from Experts
One of the greatest methods Hashem leaves in our hands - it is up to the proportion to which you find out what other successful people are doing , and do the same.
This may seem simple & obvious that we may overlook it. But it is at the risk of transgressing the open Mishna , Avos 4:1 - Who is wise ?
One who learns from all - including the experts.
It has been said that this is the most significant principle for success ever discovered - to learn from experts. But the Mishna says learn from every person- because you never know where you can find a gem that can be utilized to your benefit with Hashems help.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
Step 61 -Building ones Desire
Imagine someone who is thinking they would like to make some more money in order to pay some bills.
In short you are looking for a new idea that will help you make
More. You know you need to pray to Hashem & you do so 3 times daily.
Well here is an idea that can get you rolling based on the Mitzva to emulate Hashems ways & the beginning of Breshis.
Hashem creates man as a combination part angel & part animal = MAN.
The rest is history.
We need to emulate Hashem in whatever field of endeavor we are in by asking ourselves - how can I combine A & B to develop a new product or service that will be useful to others ?
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com