“My way of doing things” is very different from being “addicted” and not being able to stop. But when “I can't do it any other way other than my way of doing things”, that's when it starts looking and feeling a whole lot like an “addiction”.
When we get used to the way we like or want things, despite how correct or justified it may be, there always comes a time when we have to reconsider and rethink how things have been in order to allow for positive change and growth.
If we are unable to change, we are addicted, and addiction sticks in the face of any logic and reason, addiction can be very damaging.
Only with the power of humility can one master one's own life and truly be free to make the correct choice in each individual circumstance, regardless of what one may be used to.
----------------------------------- Let's start talking about giving our children a real Jewish education.
20% off of tuition for anyone affiliated with Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn.
Offering grades K - 8, hundreds of Jewish children grow everyday and maximize their potential with excellence in secular classes, a minimal but impactful Judaic curriculum, love, warmth and personalized care of child. Make your reservation to attend the parlor meeting today!!!
Saturday Night, January 8th at 7:30pm
End of Shabbos Ceremony, Awesome Movie and games, Pizza and Ice Cream!
Free admission! Open to all teens in grades 9-12
Come and bring your friends!
Tuesday, January 11 at 4pm
Learn about the importance of a Jewish name and make your very own name plaque.
Learning, games, crafts, snacks and fun!
Open to all girls ages 11-13.
Monday, January 17 at 8pm
Join for an evening for women, in honor of Tu B'shvat the New Year for Trees.
Enjoy a live demo by Lina Perchuk, who will make delectable desserts using raw, vegan and natural ingredients.
All participants will make their own assorted chocolate truffles gift box.
All desserts are nut or coconut based, sweetened with natural sweeteners. Dairy, egg, gluten and refined sugar free.
Couvert: $30
Complimentary for Partners in Pride
By reservation only.
Thursdays 4pm- 5pm Geared for boys and girls in grades 6th - 8th, MVP is volunteering and Mitzvah madness, while connecting with other pre-teens and having a meaningful impact!
MVP is open to all junior teens free of charge!
A BISSELE HUMOR
A man walks into a bar. He calmly orders a drink and proceeds to abruptly pick up his glass and hurl it at the shocked bartender.
After a moment of uncomfortable silence he begins apologizing profusely, pleading for forgiveness: “I am mortified, I suffer from uncontrollable rage, I am deeply ashamed of it, I don’t know what came over me, please forgive me for my embarrassing behavior.” The bartender graciously forgives him. However this happens nightly for a week straight, each outburst followed by sincere regret. Finally, the bar tender makes an ultimatum: “Either undergo intense anger-management therapy or do not ever enter this bar again.” The man consented.
A year later, he returns to the bar, a rehabilitated man. But lo and behold, he immediately takes his glass and heaves it at the bartender. “What are you doing?” the bartender thundered, “I thought you went to therapy!” “I did,” the man replied, “and now I am not embarrassed anymore.”
WEEKLY eTORAH
This is the week when we read of the great Exodus. "Let my people go that they may serve Me", was the Divine call transmitted by Moses to Pharaoh. Now, if the purpose of leaving Egypt and Pharaoh's whip was to be able to serve G‑d, so where is the freedom? We are still slaves, only now we are servants of the Almighty!
Indeed, countless individuals continue to question the merits of religion in general. Who wants to submit to the rigors of religion when we can be free spirits? Religion, they argue, stifles the imagination, stunts our creative style, forever shouts instructions and lays down the law. Thou Shalt do this and Thou Shalt better not do that, or else! Do's and don'ts, rules and regulations are the hallmark of every belief system; but why conform to any system at all? Why not just be "me"?
Long ago, the sages of the Talmud said it was actually the other way around. There is no one as free as he who is occupied with the study of Torah. But how can this possibly be true? Torah is filled with rules of law, ethics and even expectations and exhortations that we take the high road and behave beyond the call of duty. How could they say that Torah makes us free? Surely it is inhibiting rather than liberating?
The yachtsman knows that if you want to enjoy the freedom of the high seas, you must first become a slave to the compass.
A young novice might challenge the experienced professional's advice. But why should I follow that little gadget? Why can't I go where I please? It's my yacht! But every intelligent person understands that without the navigational fix provided by the compass we will flounder and sail in circles. Only by following the lead of the compass will the wind catch our sails so we can experience the ecstasy and exhilaration of the high seas. If you want to enjoy the freedom of the high seas you must first become a slave to the compass.
The Torah is the compass of life. It provides our navigational fix so we know where to go and how to get there. Without the Torah's guidance and direction we would be lost in the often stormy seas of confusion. Without a spiritual guidance system we flounder about, wandering aimlessly through life. Just look at our kids when they're on vacation from school and are "free" from the disciplines of the educational system. Unless they have a program of some kind to keep them busy – like a summer camp – they become very frustrated in their "freedom."
Within the Torah lifestyle there is still ample room for spontaneity and freedom of expression.
We can be committed to the compass and still be free spirits. Indeed, there are none as free as they who are occupied with Torah.
