Using the tools Hashem gave me.

... "for a bird of the skies may carry the sound, and some winged creature may betray the matter". (Koheles 11:20)

Shlomo Hamelech, blessed by Hashem with Chochma Yeseira (an extra measure of wisdom), reminds us that the nature of "Chai", the highest level of creation, is its difficulty of holding onto a secret. He admonishes that, before one speaks, one should be aware that "a bird in the skies may carry the sound".

And yet, I am not free to shrug off my responsibility, and claim that gossip is part of human nature. I must use the tools Hashem gave me, the double barrier of my lips and teeth, to guard me from gossip and sharing others confidences. If I safeguard others' confidences by maintaining Anonymity, I will be cultivating an important character trait within myself, which will spill over into my life. It's interesting that maintaining abstinence and practice of anonymity in the OA program are both dependent on the closure of the lips and teeth, the natural barriers given us by Hashem.

I cannot totally abstain from speech, and neither can I abstain from all food. Therefore, I must exercise caution, and ask for Hashem's help, in refraining from excesses, both in speech and in the consumption of food.

Hakodosh Baruch Hu never reveals secrets I share with Him. Let me strive, for today, to emulate Him.
guest post by Hessie

Do not allow yourself to become discouraged.

Sometimes you may make a great effort but find that you still cannot pray. No matter what, do not allow yourself to become discouraged. This is the most important rule of all. Force yourself to say each word of the service with complete simplicity, like a child who is just learning to read. Keep saying the words. In most cases God will then touch your heart with a flame and you will pray with great feeling.

From "The Essential Rabbi Nachman" by Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum p131

The time after Yom Tov is a let down. We looked forward to Yom Tov and seeing our families and the spiritual lift that comes with Yom Tov. All of a sudden, it is over. My sponsor tells me that many people lose their abstinence after Yom Tov. They let there guard down and they think that there is nothing to worry about now that they made it this far, and suddenly they slip. Keep connecting to Hashem. Keep davening.

A brilliant erev Shabbos Labor saving device.

You know it is Bein Hazmanim when you notice your yeshiva bochur spraying the kitchen floor with the sink hose. He explained that it is a quick way of cleaning the floor, he already put the cleaner on it, and this way he does not need a bucket.

Funny enough my patience in this led to the discovery that my mop was not working properly. Because he needed to get a lot of water up from the floor he realized that the mop was missing a piece that causes it to wring out the water. Another case of Gam Zu L'Tovah.

And Aron Was Silent

After the sons of Aron were killed the Torah says that he was silent. This is said in praise of Aron that he accepted Hashem's will. I have taken this as my motto in many things. In fact, I have a sign that says "V'Yidon Aron" hanging on my computer.

Very often the seemingly bad in our lives turns out to be for our good. Sometimes Hashem lets us see this, and sometimes we just have to believe that everything that Hashem does is for the good. May we never be tested like Aron, but may we always have his strength to accept Hashem's will.

Sacrificing For Hashem – Shavuos

As we move towards Shavuos, we must set a list of goals and objectives. We need to sacrifice for Hashem. Sacrificing for Hashem in our times, means giving up something (whether it be a negative behavior etc.) which has become second nature to us; something which we have become accustomed to and almost cannot live without. You cannot quantify the meaning of this in an isolated or individual act of Mesiras Nefesh, since what constitutes an act of Mesiras Nefesh for one person, might not be a big deal (sacrifice) or achievement for another .

We all know where we need to make corrections, let’s do it!


April 8, 2010 by ylevi
from:
http://ohrshimshon.com/

The strict measure of justice.

Whenever a person commits a transgression, a destructive being is created, as stated in the Mishnah (Avos 4:13), "He who commits a single transgression acquires against himself a single accuser..."

The strict measure of justice would justify that the Holy One, Blessed is He, should claim, "I do not nourish destructive beings! Go to the one who made you, and derive your sustenance from him". The destructive being would then immediately descend or cut him off from his spiritual source...But the Holy One, Blessed is He...bears and tolerates the sin, and just as He nourishes the entire world, He nourishes and sustains this destructive being until...the sinner repents...(Tomer Devora - Noseh Avon - 2)

Through my own erroneous behavior with food, I created destructive beings, which cut me off from my spiritual source. I can no longer justify filling my body with substances which are detrimental to my health. It is evident that this is not the Will of Hakodosh Baruch Hu.


Today I follow a plan of eating, so that I may be connected to the Supreme Source. I do this one day at a time. There is nothing that succeeds like success.

guest post by Hessie

Occupy ourselves with Chesed

It hath been told thee, O man, what is good, and what the L-rd doth require of thee: Only to do justice and to love mercy (Chesed) and to walk humbly with thy G-d. (Michah 6:8)

When we occupy ourselves with Chesed, we reap the benefits. Our program does not exist merely to "serve us", but we also need to do service. We need to be actively involved. By taking a phone call and giving words of encouragement, we help another. The act of abstinence, itself, demonstrates to others that we are not speaking of the impossible, and that this program is within the realm of reality. It is a way of life many have adopted successfully. And our example gives strength to others to join in our mutual success.

We reap the benefits of proper nutrition and also gain a grand opportunity to perform many acts of kindness.
Guest post by Hessie

Eating is a spiritual experience.

When you eat with correct thought in advance to the mitzvot that you are fulfilling with this food, you are doing something extremely spiritual.  Eating is a spiritual experience because the food becomes a part of your essence.  How we eat elevates the essence of our body and helps us to connect to Hashem.  We become holy by knowing that what we eat has an effect on our soul. Every time that we eat we can say a short devar Torah to elevate the spiritual environment at the table.  If we can not do it at every meal, we can do it on Shabbos.
from the Shiur
Parshat Shemini: Holy Bites
Teacher: Mrs. Shira Smiles Class: Parsha Topics - 5768

Bringing Kedushah into our house.

Physical food has the ability to make a real difference on our neshamah.
The laws of Kashrus are found in the same place as the discussion of the Miskan. This is to teach us that our table is a place where we can bring Kedushah into the house.


from the Shiur
Parshat Shemini: Holy Bites
Teacher: Mrs. Shira Smiles Class: Parsha Topics - 5768

Harmful abstinence

Harmful abstinence, however, resembles the ways of the foolish gentiles who not only refrain from what is unessential but also deny themselves what is essential and chastise themselves, (often) in strange ways, which the Eternal  totally rejects.  Mesilis Yisharim- Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato p. 98

A person can not eliminate all materialism from their lives.  It is the purpose of the Jew to elevate the physical and bring it to a spiritual plane.  For those of us who want to achieve this level, but are not really there yet, it helps to have a guide (our sponsor) who keeps us on the right path, and keeps us from trying to reach a harmful abstinence.  I think that without my sponsor, I might have become so carried away with my abstinence that I might have gone to the other extreme.  My sponsor keeps me on the right path.

The ideal way for a person to aquire abstinence.

The ideal way for a person to acquire abstinence is to examine the inferior nature of the pleasures of this world, their insignificance, and the serious ills that are likely to emerge from them.
               - the beginning of chapter 15  Misilis Yesharim
                - Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzatto

Pesach was a time of stark contrasts.  As hard as it was to stay abstinent, the benefits were extremely clear.  I walked to Shul, up and down a big hill, and it was easy.  I feel like a whole new world is opening up as my physical abilities improve.  I could get down on the floor and play with my grandchildren, and even get up again without to much difficulty.  Overeating is a serious issue for many on Pesach, and as I emerge from the Yom Tov feeling healthy and good, and I listen to others complain about the misery of overindulging, I am extremely grateful for my abstinence.

Having the proper mental attitude as I begin my Shabbos preparations.

Guest Post:
The following is appropriate when preparing for Shabbos:

And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in...(Shemos 16:5)

As I begin my Shabbos preparations, I am mindful to begin with a proper mental attitude. Of course, I want to enjoy savory meals in honor of the Shabbos. At the same time, I also want clarity to participate fully in all the joys of Shabbos. To that end, I need to prepare for an "abstinent" Shabbos.
Yes, it is challenging, but it can be done! It is a matter of organizing and prioritizing. By beginning early, I avoid undue pressure. If possible, I delegate some tasks to others, so that they, too, may share in the Mitzvah of preparing for the Shabbos Queen. As I weigh and measure, I can say the words "L'kovod Shabbos Kodesh" and pray that Hashem bless my home with an aura of serenity and tranquility, and that the Kedusha of Shabbos linger and sustain me from one week to the next.

Seeking wisdom from the right source.

Guest Post
Since it is traditional to begin saying Pirkei Avos after Pesach, I have chosen the following:
R' Yose bar Yehudah of Kfar Habavli taught: If someone learns Torah from the young, what is he like? He is like a person who eats grapes that are not ripe and drinks wine that is not yet ready. But if someone learns Torah from older people, what is he like? He is like a person who eats ripe grapes and drinks aged wine. (Pirkei Avos 4:26)

When people have been doing something over a long period of time, they develop a depth and scope that is not possible with lesser experience. I benefit from aligning myself with a person of such expertise.

There is a hierarchy in program (OA), which directs us as to who can guide whom. The wisdom of this is expressed in the above Mishnah. If I want success, I need to find a sponsor who understands me, because she has experienced and mastered the same challenges I am faced with.

Erev Shabbos/ Yom Tov and eating

It is amazing how much you can eat and still think you didn't eat anything.  When you sit down to your weighed and measured food, you know that you had your meal and you don't need to eat anything else.  Now as I look with different eyes, I see that Erev Shabbos/Yom Tov is a time when everyone is busy and they don't "stop to eat" so they just nibble.  I can't believe how much food gets consumed without a feeling of satiation.  I know that I used to do it to and I am grateful for my weighed and measured portion.

Don't be a slave to anything.

The minute one loses one's personal sense of worth and a positive self image, he or she becomes a slave.

Lack of self-respect, self-deprecation, and ignorance of one's own marvelous qualities and heritage are tickets to the slave train. Shame or embarrassment about one's ethnic or religious background is tantamount to carrying around an iron shackle with a 50-lb. ball and chain.

These feelings of inferiority are an invitation to let society dictate how you should live your life. People who feel inferior are weak; it's easy to exploit a person with no backbone. Controlled and exploited people are the most miserable creatures on the face of the earth.

For a Jew, one of the most important Passover messages is learning who we are and why we're celebrating. Modern society often discourages us from learning about our wonderful background, our G-d, and what emuna - the full and simple faith in Him - can do for us in every level of life, be it emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and even physical.

Emuna helps you feel good about yourself. As soon as you begin feeling good about yourself, you become free. Every human has an inherent right to freedom; that's the universal message of the Passover holiday. Happy Passover!
copied from:
http://lazerbrody.typepad.com/

Freedom from slavery to your physical desires is a wonderful and empoyering thing. Every person that I have spoken to who has followed the 12 steps and worked the tools of OA has said that they became closer to Hashem through the process.