blessings Archives - Values & Ethics

OUR ANCESTORS BEFORE US…

Posted by TTT | Sep 11, 2020 | blessings, family |

NITZAVIM — Many of us approach parenthood as if we and our children were clean slates. As if, with some coaching from our friends and relatives, and a few good books, we can be exactly the kind of parents we wish to be and our children will turn out exactly how we want them to be. But it doesn’t often, or ever, turn out that way. We are heavily influenced by the way we were brought up, as well as by many factors not totally in our control. Our health, our socioeconomic situation, and the health and character of...

SHARING WHAT WE HAVE…

Posted by TTT | Sep 4, 2020 | blessings, compassion, gratitude, new challenges, sharing |

KI TAVO — Many of us in this country have an overabundance of goodness in our lives. But sometimes in our society, with its saturation of goods and services, it is difficult to be aware of this abundance. If we have enough to eat, a place to sleep, and clothes to wear, we already have more than many people in the world. Becoming aware of how much we have, we naturally begin to think about what it means to give back to this world from which we’ve so plentifully received. In this Torah portion we are required to take...

BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE…

Posted by TTT | Sep 4, 2020 | blessings |

KI TAVO — Imagine a parent bringing a six-month-old baby to the doctor. The mother looks on while the baby screams and squirms as the doctor pokes and pulls and gives a shot. The same baby grows up and is now a four-year-old at a birthday party; her mother stops her from having that final candy that she knows will make the daughter sick. Although from the child’s perspective the mother may seem very mean, she is in fact acting with the greatest mercy and kindness imaginable. Ki Tavo, this week’s Torah portion, describes a beautiful relationship between man...

DOES GRATITUDE COME NATURALLY?

Posted by TTT | Sep 4, 2020 | blessings, gratitude, responsibility |

KI TAVO — We have many magic moments in our families. There are times for us to appreciate our accomplishments and the people in our lives. Yet gratitude does not come naturally to most people, especially children. “Don’t forget to say thank you!”… Sound familiar? We try to teach our children gratitude. Being reluctant to express thanks is common in children. It is important to help children overcome this resistance. This week’s portion, Ki Tavo, relates the story of a farmer who has successfully produced a new crop. The first fruits have to be selected for a special ceremony...

WILL YOU SPEAK FOR THE TREES…

Posted by TTT | Aug 20, 2020 | blessings, compassion, responsibility, rituals |

SHOFTIM — Dr. Seuss introduced us to the children’s book The Lorax, his 1971 children’s book that was recently remade into feature-length film. The Lorax tells the story of how the environment is destroyed by human activity and ambition. We hear the unforgettable voice of the gruff but wise Lorax, who says to the greedy Onceler. “I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues!” Like the Lorax, we too learn to speak for the trees in this week’s Torah reading. Portion Shoftim includes the mitzvah to protect fruit trees from destruction. Trees should not be chopped down for the benefit of humans. This mitzvah...

Category: blessings

OUR ANCESTORS BEFORE US…

BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE…

DOES GRATITUDE COME NATURALLY?

WILL YOU SPEAK FOR THE TREES…

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