Take a Deep Breath

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Va'eira

Did you ever try to encourage someone who then just ignored you?

That's what happens when Moshe tries to talk to the enslaved Children of Israel. He has a message from G-d Himself that He will take them out of Egypt into the Promised Land! But "they did not heed Moses, because of shortness of breath and hard work." (Shemot 6:9)

Rebbe Nachman teaches that "shortness of breath" refers to a lack of emunah, or faith. How can they listen to Moshe when they have no hope on the horizon?

The next time you're feeling down, notice your breathing. It is deep or shallow? Take a few full breaths. Do things look a little brighter?

Do it Right: Have Emunah

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Lech Lecha

Move over, Yuri Gagarin. The first man in outer space was actually our patriarch, Avraham. That's according to the midrash on Bereshit 15:5.

Avraham is a prolific astrologer. He understands from the constellantions that he can't have children. In a dramatic display, G-d takes him "outside" above the stars to show him how abundant his descendents will be.

Here we learn a powerful lesson about emunah -- faith in G-d. "And he trusted (he'emin) in G-d, and He considered it as righteousness (tzedakah). The first time a root appears in the Torah is its essence. As far as I can tell, this is the debut appearance of both roots. The fact that they both appear together in the same verse strongly suggests an interconnection.


Tzedekah is based on the root for justice, because it's what's right to do. We don't need to travel far to know that trusting G-d is the right thing to do. But even Avraham has to be taken out of his own perspective to receive a new perception of himself.

How do you currently view youself? From a bird's eye view, and with faith in G-d's highest wishes for you, how could you perceive yourself in a new light today?

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In the Footsteps of Avraham

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Lech Lecha

Emunah. Emunah. Emunah.

-- The sounds of Avraham's footsteps.

Children. Wealth. Fame.

-- The sounds of Hashem's response.

What great blessings are awaiting your next step of faith?

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