Can't see images? Click here...

Yehuda Lave, Spiritual Advisor and Counselor

Yehuda Lave is an author, journalist, psychologist, rabbi, spiritual teacher and coach, with degrees in business, psychology and Jewish Law. He works with people from all walks of life and helps them in their search for greater happiness, meaning, business advice on saving money, and spiritual engagement

May no person be made to suffer on my account. (Siddur, Prayer on Retiring)

Although the Torah does not require people to love their enemies, it does demand restraint, in the sense of not seeking revenge (Leviticus 19:18). The Talmud extends this concept to forbid not only the act of revenge, but even a prayer that God should punish our enemies. If someone is punished on account of another person, the latter is not admitted to the Divine Presence, for as Solomon says in Proverbs (17:16), For the righteous, too, punishment is not good(Shabbos 149b).

When Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berdichevs adversaries expelled his family from town during his absence, his colleagues asked Rabbi Wolf of Zhitomir to invoke the Divine wrath upon them for their heinous deed. I cannot do anything, Rabbi Wolf said,because Rabbi Levi Yitzchok has anticipated us and is now standing before the open Ark, praying fervently that no harm come to them.

Actions like this incident may appear to be the ultimate of magnanimity, but it is not necessarily so. To the contrary, they can also be understood as helping ones own interests. If we pray that another person be punished for his or her misdeeds, we become vulnerable ourselves (see 3 Kislev), for the Divine sense of justice may then bring our own actions under greater scrutiny. After all, is it not reasonable to expect a high standard of personal conduct in someone who invokes harsh treatment of his neighbors? Consequently, it is wiser to seek forgiveness for others and thereby merit forgiveness for ourselves than to pray for absolute justice and stern punishment for others misdeeds and thereby expose ourselves to be similarly judged.

Now, nothing I said above means that one should look for suffereing, but to put it its proper perspective.

Today I shall ...
... try to avoid wishing harm to anyone, even to those who have greviously offended me.

Love Yehuda Lave

AS HEARD FROM RABBI AVIGDOR MILLER Z'TL

"So said Hashem: My first born son is Israel" (4:22)

This all-important declaration is now being proclaimed to the nations. To the wealthy and powerful and technically advanced nation of Egypt, this statement was a stunning affront. The despised Hebrews, with whom the Egyptians could not eat together "because it was an abomination to Egypt" (Beresheet 43:32), were now announced as the choicest of the nations. In view of the fact that this statement is in the Torah, we understand that it chiefly is intended for Israel to know. Whether or not the nations hear this message, every Israelite must hear it and gain the knowledge that Israel is Hashem's first born son.

But for Pharoh (and for the nations in general) it was not easy to concede that Israel was the chosen nation, and that the G-d of Israel (named Hashem) was the sole Deity. Egypt was a very important and powerful country, with its own gods; and any claim of superiority over Egypt and over its gods would meet violent reaction. "So said Hashem (the G-d of Israel): My first born son is Israel". These two principles were the most unwelcome words to Pharoh's ears, and to the ears of the nations, "Hashem has chosen you as His particular treasure" (Devarim 14:2). Not only is the nation collectively called "My son", but every Israelite is a son of Hashem. "You are sons to Hashem your G-d" (Devarim 14:1). "Beloved (Chavivim, plural) are Israel, for they are called sons of the Almighty" (Abot 3:14). "Is He not your Father?" (Devarim 32:6). The relationship denoted by "son" and "father" is the attitude of love. The son seeks to cause pleasure to his father, especially when he knows the extent of the father's love. Because all of Hashem's love is for Israel alone therefore Israel's love is for Hashem alone: "And you shall love Hashem your G-d with all your heart" (Devarim 6:5).

The concept of Israel as Hashem's son requires also that Israel should consider Hashem as their Father. "Is He not your Father?" (Devarim 32:6). To this concept of Hashem as Father, the sons of Israel afterward added the concept of Hashem as King. Quoted from "A Nation Is Born" by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT'L

Scientists Reveal the Indispensable Exercises That Can Help Us Live Longer.

Not everyone knows that health is wealth. There are many who simply ignore what it takes to remain healthy and live longer. The reason for good health isn't only to ensure you live longer, but to have a better quality of life as you age. You have just one life and by making it healthy, you live a fulfilling a happy one enjoying each and every cherished moment with your family and loved ones rather than having them visit you in a hospital several times a year. 1) The key to good health. Good health doesn't mean being a fitness freak or a gym enthusiast who develops and obsession of going to the gym every single day. It's simply eating healthy, avoiding unhealthy food, being physically active with some exercise at least thrice a week and of course positive thinking. The key to long life is to ensure your body is in good condition and the more flexible you are is proof that your bones are still supple and not rigid or brittle. Take the following tests to see where you measure up and here is the exercise to live longer. 2) How to test your body's age. Warm up by stationery jogging or brisk walking up and down a room. If you have a treadmill at home then ten minutes on that will help pump up your metabolism a bit. Now perform a forward stretch by bending over and trying to touch your toes or the floor with your hands, How far do you go. Don't bend your legs and back too should be straight. Now make a mental mark of where your hand reached and stand up. 3) At 20-25 years, you should be able to touch the floor easily. If you can touch the floor easily with your legs straight, it means your muscles are still flexible and relaxed. If you couldn't, then take note, you aren't very flexible for your age. Did you know that if you stop exercising or reduce your physical activity, you lose your flexibility? Once you start trying to touch your toes again every day, you will find yourself improving day by day. You just need to commit yourself to start. 4) At 25-38 years, if this is how much you did. If you can touch the floor with your fingertips with slightly bent knees, it means the exercise isn't to discomforting. However, those who are physically active will touch their toes even at 38 years of age without bending knees. As mentioned earlier, inactivity and poor metabolism makes your bones rigid and muscles weak. Get back on track as soon as possible. 5) 38 to 50 years. Your fingers touch only the upper feet but with knees considerably bent and muscles tensed. You feel like standing up immediately. This means at your age, your muscles aren't strong at all with no flexibility in your body. Between 38 and fifty years healthy people should be able to touch toes with a slight bend in the knee. The exercise will not be discomforting even f the activity s performed ten times. 6) If you are more than 50 years. You just can't touch your feet and even when trying to bend over makes your knees bend immediately. You experience a lot of discomfort in such a position. This means that rigidity has set into your body because of no exercise and activity. But!! All is not lost. You'll be surprised when you gradually start exercising how your body may respond positively. Within a month of exercising you may find you can bend over with no discomfort. If you keep at it, you may regain a considerable part of your flexibility and at least manage to ouch your feet with a slight bend of the knee. 7) How to improve your flexibility and overall health. There is no need to get worried f you aren't happy with your own results. If you want to regain your flexibility back and improve your health, start performing this exercise 30 times a day and after a month you will surprise yourself. However, you should not be suffering from any joint or bone ailments in which case consult with your doctor first. 8) Stretching works wonders for your body. Such activity where your body is stretched increases circulation and oxygenates your muscles. With more oxygen to your muscles and organs, your health improves drastically. You also regain your flexibility to a great extent. 9) What Tibetan monks say about age and health? Tibetan monks believe that the age of a person's body depends on the health of his liver. The liver is also connected to flexibility. A sedentary lifestyle with all the wrong food choices damages your liver and cre3ates a negative impact on your muscles and organs Bending 30 times daily will strengthen all ligaments, tendons, and your joints. What you may be surprised to know is that you can improve your flexibility at any age. 10) Release muscle tension with static gymnastics. Static gymnastics is good for eliminating internal muscle spasms. It is a simple and easy exercise but it helps to relive the entire body of tension and oxygenates every part of the body. Several muscles are worked out and it can also massage your internal orga