blessings Archives - Values & Ethics

EACH FAMILY HAS A MISSION IN THE WORLD…

Posted by TTT | Jan 10, 2020 | blessings, communication, family |

VAYECHI — Each family has a mission in the world. With reflection, you could probably write a mission statement for your family. For example, parents might work toward their children growing up to be secure, contributing members of society, ensuring that they have compassion for others and do good in the world. Everything we do while we are raising our children, large and small, contributes to this overall mission. In our parsha this week, we find Jacob on his deathbed, offering a blessing to each of his sons. Each blessing includes a vision of that child’s future. For example,...

BEING CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE…

Posted by TTT | Dec 13, 2019 | blessings, compassion |

VA-YISHLACH — Everyone has his or her own methods for calculating happiness. We all have different criteria that we think are important and often judge our level of comfort based on these things. While it is often easy to list all that we wish we had, sometimes it is harder to take stock of what we already have. Sometimes, we simply need a reminder to be appreciative of our lives and give proper value to what we might take for granted. This week’s Torah portion, Va-Yishlach, contains the story of two brothers, Jacob and Esau. At one point in the story Esau expresses to Jacob that he has enough, and Jacob...

TITHING…

Posted by TTT | Dec 4, 2019 | blessings, compassion, responsibility, sharing |

VA-YETZE — We all have something to give. By giving, we show that we are responsible for those less fortunate in our communities and, more broadly, in the world. We can give financially, starting as small as a child setting aside a small part of his or her allowance. Or we can give by volunteering our time. Especially when we feel things are missing in our own lives, helping others can help us realize how we are blessed in different ways. In this week’s Torah portion, Va-Yetze, Jacob promises to give a tenth of everything he receives. At this point,...

SIMCHAT TORAH—Opportunities for Joy

Posted by TTT | Oct 20, 2019 | blessings, gratitude, holidays, rituals, teaching moments |

SIMCHAT TORAH — Unbridled joy is the gift that children often experience as they go through their daily lives. They are capable of so much feeling, of happiness and sadness, and with such intensity. We celebrate with them when they are happy, and we are sad when they grieve. At times it’s important not to get too caught up with our children’s emotions and to maintain a calm front in the face of their ups and downs. At other times, it’s important to get right in there and rejoice or grieve right along with them. As a parent it...

SUKKOT—Fragility, Fear, and Blessing

Posted by TTT | Oct 13, 2019 | blessings, challenges, holidays |

SUKKOT — Much of what we do tries to instill in our children a sense of security. What a challenge it is when life presents something unexpected to us that shows us how fragile we really are. Life in all its fragility can be difficult. We carry around fears of illness and worse for ourselves or our children or other loved ones. Everyone, at some point in life is faced with this feeling of fragility. The Holiday of Sukkot is all about fragility. A sukkah is a temporary shelter with a roof that allows us to see the sky...

Category: blessings

EACH FAMILY HAS A MISSION IN THE WORLD…

BEING CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE…

SIMCHAT TORAH—Opportunities for Joy

SUKKOT—Fragility, Fear, and Blessing

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