THE ART OF MEANINGFULNESS
THE ART OF MEANINGFULNESS Parashat Behar Behukotay by Rabbi Yosef Farhi The wisest of men taught us that there is always a deeper meaning to things than the way we experience them on a superficial level. As King Solomon taught הַכֹּ֥ל הוֹלֵ֖ךְ אֶל־מָק֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד הַכֹּל֙ הָיָ֣ה מִן־הֶֽעָפָ֔ר וְהַכֹּ֖ל שָׁ֥ב אֶל־הֶעָפָֽר: And the following passuk states מִ֣י יוֹדֵ֗עַ…
Read Full PostTHE ART OF ALTRUISM
THE ART OF ALTRUISM Parashat Emor by Rabbi Yosef Farhi Rashi points out that right in the middle of the Torah’s detailed discussion of all the Jewish yearly Holidays and their respective laws and sacrifices, there is a law that seems to be unrelated to the subject. After speaking of the cutting of the barley…
Read Full PostTHE CHOICE OF EXTRAORDINARINESS
THE CHOICE OF EXTRAORDINARINESS Parashat Aharei Mot/ Kedoshim by Rabbi Yosef Farhi There are five choices that we can make that will decide if and how much we are productive, especially when bouncing back during times of crisis and challenge. Choice no. 1: Act on the Important; Don’t react to the urgent. Choice no. 2:…
Read Full PostTHE ART OF THIRD PERSON PERSPECTIVE
THE ART OF THIRD PERSON PERSPECTIVE Parashat Tazriah Metzorah by Rabbi Yosef Farhi In the ability to adapt to changes and bounce back from challenges, there are two lessons from this week’s Parashiot. One from Parashat Tazriah- the art of self-reflection. The other from Parashat Metzorah- the art of hope and reframing luck. The two…
Read Full PostTHE ART OF ADAPTING TO CHANGE
THE ART OF ADAPTING TO CHANGE Parashat Shemini by Rabbi Yosef Farhi We all like Seder, order. But life is not Seder. It never was and never will be. When life has no Seder, we are forced to think hard and make an internal Seder. I.e., we are forced to answer the hardest questions in…
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