Thinkingaboutme.org
9 years of Parasha articles.
THE BREAKDANCING PRESIDENT
THE BREAKDANCING PRESIDENT Parashat Chaye Sarah There are three peculiar Berachot, that we make each day. שלא עשני גוי, שלא עשני עבד, שלא עשני אשה. Blessed are You… for You did not make me a gentile, … for not making me a slave, … for not making me a woman. What is so bad about…
Read MoreTHE SECRET MOTIVE TO PASS LIFE’S TESTS
THE SECRET MOTIVE TO PASS LIFE’S TESTS Parashat Lech Lecha We are all on this 120 year voyage through a world of tests and trials. One of Judaism’s core beliefs is that we get rewarded for passing tests. Not always do we have access to that inner power to overcome the challenges and temptations…
Read MoreSUKKAH CONTRADICTION
SUKKAH CONTRADICTION Sukkot has some sort of paradox in it. On the one hand, we are to go out to the hut and live a temporary lifestyle for a week, to internalize the lesson of temporariness in this world. On the other hand, there is a concept of תשבו כעין תדורו – the sukkah needs…
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THINGS vs. RELATIONSHIPS
THINGS vs. RELATIONSHIPS Sukkot There is a secret in happiness that is hidden in Sukkot. On Sukkot, we are commanded to be happy. But what if I am not? There is a mitzvah in Sukkot to make our families happy. There is a mitzvah on Sukkot to be happy with G-d. But what if I…
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THE LAW OF INFLUENCE AND PERSUASION
THE LAW OF INFLUENCE AND PERSUASION Parashat Pinhas The most powerful way to persuade and influence is to offer a vehicle that will get the person from his point A to his point B. Everyone has a point A, the place where they are at the moment. And everyone has a point B, the place…
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HAPPY IN THE HOLOCAUST
HAPPY IN THE HOLOCAUST Parashat Hukat Everybody wants to be happy. Very few people are. One fellow says, “All I need is to get married, and then I can be happy”. His friend says back to him, “All I need is to get divorced, and then I can find happiness in life.” A third fellow…
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THE "F" PIRATES
THE “F” PIRATES Parashat Korah The emotions that control us the most are the emotions that we do not notice. Just awareness of an emotion is more than 50% of the solution. Many times, others can be more aware than we are of the emotions that are inhibiting us, because emotions are blind spots. This…
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EMOTION C3
EMOTION C3 Parashat Shlach A woman that one of my family members knows had three children. All girls. The woman was a bit bubbly, and when she was on her fourth pregnancy, she would tell her friends and acquaintances in a laughing manner, “If this child is also a girl, I will leave her in…
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YOLTO
YOLTO Parashat Behaalotcha Rebbi Shimon said, Why didn’t G-d bring Mannah for the whole year at once? Why did G-d bring it in daily portions? It is similar to a king who would support his son by giving him all of his sustenance once a year. Then, the son visited his father only when there…
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TORAH LISHMAH – OUT OF THIS WORLD
TORAH LISHMAH – OUT OF THIS WORLD Parashat Behukotay The first Mishna in the sixth perek of Avot reads. כל העוסק בתורה לשמה זוכה לדברים הרבה ולא עוד אלא שכל העולם כלו כדי הוא לו . נקרא רע, אהוב וכו’ Anyone who learns Torah Lishmah, will merit many things. Not only that, but the entire…
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THE REAL ANSWER TO LIFE'S PROBLEMS
THE REAL ANSWER TO LIFE’S PROBLEMS Parashat Emor Ben Zoma said, “Who is wise? One who learns from all people. Who is mighty? One who overcomes his own Inclination. Who is rich? One who is happy with what he has. Who is honorable? One who honors others.” The commentators explain that Ben Zoma was asking…
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THE SIGN OF BELIEF
THE SIGN OF BELIEF Parashat Acharei Mot – Kedoshim In order for a coach to be a good coach, a Rebbi to be a good Rebbi, a parent to be a good parent, and a boss be a good boss, he needs to look at his client, student, child, employee, as if they are wearing…
Read MoreHOW TO BECOME RICH AND FAMOUS – GUARANTEED!
HOW TO BECOME RICH AND FAMOUS – GUARANTEED! Purim The Megillah ends with a lesson to take with us throughout the year. But first, a bit of coaching. Here is a “gentile” definition of success, from one of the best master- coaches in the world. “Success is the ability to live your life the way…
Read MoreA LESSON FOR ALL LESSONS
A LESSON FOR ALL LESSONS Purim /Tezaveh And the king removed the ring from his hand, and he gave it to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. (Esther 3 10) Our Rabbis teach that this act, the removing of Ahashverosh’s ring, was the catalyst that made the Jews repent. Despite the fact that the threat…
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A LESSON FROM A MEKUBAL
A LESSON FROM A MEKUBAL Parashat Terumah I like this story, and not only because I am Sefardi. A certain X-Kollel guy went to a Mekubal. He was down about his spirituality, for although he was still learning Daf Hayomi and reviewing what he had learnt from his Yeshiva and Kollel years in his spare…
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THE CHICKEN NUGGET PIRATE
THE CHICKEN NUGGET PIRATE Parashat Mishpatim מדבר שקר תרחק Distance yourself from deceitful words. The Torah does not warn us to distance ourselves from any sin except this one: lying. What does this mean, to distance yourself from deceit? The Peleh Yoetz, on the word Sheker, gives us a gem for developing social skills. We…
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HE’S ON FIRE!!!
HE’S ON FIRE!!! Parashat Yitro A retired elderly couple sits on a bench at the Oceanside, watching the sunset. They say to each other, “If only this moment would never end!!” The couple feels that way, for they have finally reached the Golden Age. They have married off their kids, paid their mortgage and are…
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WHAT'S THE PROBLEM
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM Parashat Beshalach Allow me to ask you a question. Is “life” difficult? I pondered this a lot lately, and I realized that the answer to that question is – Yes, and No. Life is a series of problems. That is a great truth that we need to accept, in order for us to…
Read MorePRAYING FROM YOUR BUMPER CAR
PRAYING FROM YOUR BUMPER CAR Parashat Bo We are all moving around in this world, as if we were bumper cars. In the amusement park, riding around on the bumper cars, it feels like you are driving. It feels like other people are driving, and they bump into you, and you need to dodge them.…
Read MoreDON'T BE A WHY'S GUY
DON’T BE A WHY’S GUY Parashat Vaera I recall one of my father’s great lessons to my family as we grew up. ! למה? ככה Why? Because! In coaching we were taught the power of a question. The greater the questions one asks, the greater the person. The less intelligent the questions one asks, the less…
Read MorePSYCHO-ARCHEOLOGY
PSYCHO-ARCHAEOLOGY Parashat Shemot There is a quote from Menachem Medel from Kotsk: “I do not want followers who are righteous; rather, I want followers who are so busy doing good that they don’t have time to do bad.” Some problems in life don’t have solutions. Some tendencies can’t be uprooted. Call it Habit. Call it…
Read MoreTHE JEWISH GHETTOS
THE JEWISH GHETTOS Parashat Vayechi It takes 10 hours by plane to get to Eretz Yisrael from America. But once you are here in Eretz Yisrael, it takes 10 years to get America out of you. To get into the zone of “spirituality over luxury”. Yehudah took Yosef out of the pit and sold him…
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PAIN IN THE NECK
PAIN IN THE NECK Parashat Vayigash When the goblet of Yosef was found in Binyamin’s bag, all the brothers of the Tribe started to hit Binyamin on his neck saying, “Thief! Son of a thief! Just as your mother stole the idols from her father Lavan’s house, you, too, followed in her footsteps and stole…
Read MoreTHE BELIEF OF A DEAD MAN
THE BELIEF OF A DEAD MAN Parashat Miketz Beliefs are powerful. A fellow walked into the office of the psychiatrist, looking healthy, successful, but concerned. After an hour of therapy, the psychologist could not figure out what was bothering the person. “What is it that you are concerned about?” “Dr., it is strange, but I…
Read MoreTHANKS IN THE DARK
THANKS IN THE DARK Parashat Vayeshev – Hanukkah The main theme on Hanukah is not the lighting of the candles. That is the Mitzvah, but not the theme. The theme is להודות ולהלל , to thank and praise G-d. We recite the full Hallel during Hanukah. But, why is Hanukah a time to be…
Read MoreLOSING CHESS
LOSING CHESS Parashat Vayishlach In Sipurim Mehachaim (and Anashim Mesaprim Al Atzmam 6) Chaim Walder tells an amazing story. By shortening it, I am doing it a great injustice. Forgive me. Miriam was an 8 year old girl, an only child, who lived in Poland. Her father owned a factory, and she lived in a…
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ABSOLUTE PARENTING
ABSOLUTE PARENTING Parashat Toldot Yitzhak was criticized by the sages for not rebuking Eisav enough. The Midrash tells about some other “parenting mistakes”. Avraham did not rebuke Yishmael enough, and King David did not admonish Avshalom, or Adoniah, and that is why they became who they became. On the other hand, Avraham reproved Yitzhak, and…
Read MoreSARAH'S RECIPES FOR SUCCESS
SARAH’S RECIPES FOR SUCCESS Parashat Chaye Sarah State of mind is probably the most crucial element for peak performance in all life areas. In business, playing sports, and wherever else performance makes a difference, state of mind can be “the make it or break it” factor. Especially in serving G-d, state of mind is a…
Read MoreHOW TO PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAPS
HOW TO PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAPS Parashat Vayera What did you do when your teacher or Rabbi asked you, in grade school, to “put on your thinking caps?” What does a thinking cap look like, anyway? After reading this, you will know the dimensions of the thinking cap and will be familiar with its…
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KING OF THE CLASS
KING OF THE CLASS Parashat Lech Lecha According to Chassidut, the weeks of these Parashiot are weeks when we can ask ourselves the age old question, When will my actions reach the actions of my Forefathers. There is a special Hashpa’a during these weeks, when we can connect ourselves to Avraham Avinu, to his Emunah,…
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THE SECRET INGREDIENT TO TRULY FORGIVE
THE SECRET INGREDIENT TO TRULY FORGIVE Yom Kippur On our way back from Tashlich, a yeshiva student approached me with a touchy subject. I asked him if he believes in this Tashlich thing, that you can get rid of sin, do Teshuvah and become a new person. He said he did not believe that G-d…
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ROSH HASHANA SURVIVAL KIT
ROSH HASHANA SURVIVAL KIT My 8 year old daughter came back from school and brought home a beautiful concept. Her Morah, her teacher, was displaying the Shofar to the class, showing them its shape, its colors. One end is thin, while the other end is wide. My daughter raised her hand from the back of…
Read MoreTHE ELUL THAT VIBRATED IN MY POCKET
THE ELUL THAT VIBRATED IN MY POCKET Parashat Ki Tavo Last week my phone vibrated, and that phone call shook me up to the core. ” Hi. Rabbi Farhi, I need your help. This year’s Elul is all over the place. I am just too busy, lately, helping out at home, and it is…
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TZEDDAKAH! TZEDAKKAH!
TZEDDAKAH! TZEDAKKAH! Parashat Ki Tetzeh Tzedaka is difficult to give, only if you believe that the money you earned was earned by your hard work alone, and not given to you by G-d. Tzeddaka is one of the greatest tests on your core beliefs, measuring how much you believe that G-d is in your life…
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