Tuesday, July 14, 2015

To Kindle a Fire

"You're the meaning in my life - You're the inspiration. You bring feeling to my life - You're the inspiration." (C)

Are we spreading the fire within?
Each day brings with it another fascinating advancement. Never before have we been able to do so much, so fast, so effortlessly. Never before have we been able to move so little, work so little, think so little, yet seemingly accomplish so much. However, when we turn our attention to activities that require effort, patience, time and concentration, we may too often find ourselves unable to achieve. In the world of education, the profound movement of evolving methodologies continue to marvel the masses. With the growing popularity of blended learning, project-based learning and flipped classroom models, all of which have immense strengths and significantly positive benefits, we are witnessing a decline in an essential area that is most precious and priceless to Jews.

With the opening bell came the all-familiar sight of students uncovering their iPads and initiating the necessary app to begin the lesson. Since embracing the digital content company the previous Fall, the teacher sat at her desk and watched her students actively engaged in learning, manipulating, reviewing and progressing through the information and mathematical content. On several occasions, she walked around the room to ensure that everyone was on task, though she could have done the same by gazing at the dashboard on her iPad. 
Tap, tap, drag. Drag, drag, tap. With a few slight motions, the students accomplished what they need. The information was learned, reinforced and assessed. The data was automatically collected by the app, and the teacher will review the analytical information gathered later that day. The bell sounded for the end of the lesson, and the teacher called out, "Time for Mincha!" The subtle, yet noticeable sigh from the students was only the preemptive measure before the next 15 minute activity of hiding somewhere else in the building.

If students used their iPads with the siddur app, would that encourage Tefilah participation? Doubtful. 
If students used their iPads to create videos demonstrating the theme of the Tefilah, would that motivate greater involvement? Minimally. 
Does wearing tefillin, leading davening and leining seem to increase the momentum and true student engagement? Barely. 
Is there a connection between the changing mode of education and davening? Quite possibly.
Is there something terribly missing that requires us to kindle a fire well beyond the limitations of our technological advancements? Most absolutely. 
Are our students inspired enough? Why not?

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Heel the World

"Heal the world, make it a better place - for you and for me and the entire human race." (MJ)

The Earth is not flat - what about us?
We frequently hear about the end of the world. There are countless people committed to spread "end of days" fears across the globe. In Judaism, we constantly speak about the coming of Moshiach and what will be experienced at that glorious time.
The time that immediately precedes the coming of Moshiach, the era in which we currently find ourselves, is called Ikvisa d'Mishicha, the Heel of Moshiach. According to Chazal, it will be a period of great strife as the world will be subject to terrible conflict. However, amid the anguish that this time will bring, we must understand that the entirety of Jewish history depends upon us. Every part of our illustrious past rests upon the success of our generation. As great as our distinguished Avos and Imahos were, the destiny of our Nation is dependent on our deeds and steadfast determination in our service of Hashem.

Someone I know once recounted an interesting situation he found himself in. He suffered from terrible back pains, and didn't know what to do with himself. He finally agreed to make an appointment with his doctor to see what could be done. After he explained his symptoms to the doctor, the doctor instructed, "Please take off your shoes."
"Shoes?" the fellow asked. "But doc, my back is hurting me! What does that have to do with my feet?"
"Just take off your shoes," insisted the doctor.
After he removed his shoes, the doctor exclaimed, "Exactly what I thought. You have flat feet. Since you have flat feet without a supportive pair of shoes, it is causing you to have back pain."
A new pair of shoes later, the back pain was now a matter of the past.

We support our past just as the feet support the body. The body’s health and direction follows our lead. If we achieve our goal, we will bring the world - present and past - to experience the Final Redemption with the coming of Moshiach.

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please support me today as I try to help bring Moshiach through my good deeds!"

Every Step We Take

Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take - I'll be watching you.” (TP)


Are we on track?
There are many titles credited to our generation. The information age. The technology age. The age of convenience. Perhaps, the reason why we have earned so many titles is due to the fact that we live in such a busy age. In a world so absorbed in multi-tasking, we must pause for a moment to acknowledge that there are so many powerful and meaningful lessons to be learned from this generation, and in particular to our fascination and dependency on technology.


I, like most right-handed people, wear my watch on my left wrist. Yet, we would not want to make the right wrist jealous. In our age of technology, we have solved this dilemma with the creation of something called a personal activity tracker. With a little rubber, plastic and a few flashing lights, these trackers are worn day and night, even more than the watch on the other wrist. While wearing these trackers, every step we take and each move we make is recorded. With its corresponding app on our smartphones, we can monitor our steps, calories burned, stairs climbed and even use it to personalize a diet and workout program. Most trackers will now even tell us how well we slept. By wearing such trackers, we would reportedly be motivated and stimulated to become and remain more active throughout the day.

Every step that we take is recorded. While we may utilize the technology in a personal activity tracker to benefit our physical well-being (which I have for two years now), we must be cognizant of the fact that every action we take and word we speak is being monitored beyond our physical terms. Just as a pair of tzitzis serves as a visual reminder of the 613 mitzvos to the wearer, a Fitbit, Fuelband, Jawbone and Smartband can similarly represent a significant reminder for us that our actions are meaningful and measurable, and we will ultimately be responsible for each and every one. Not only can an activity tracker inspire greater physical health, but it could compel and invigorate our spiritual performance and level of fulfillment, as well.

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please give me the strength and ability to make every step I take today a good one!"

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Penny for Your Thoughts - It's All Inside

"I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone" (TC)

Unlock your potential -
think outside the 20% box.
Therapists and counselors will unanimously tell you (that's a scientific statement, by the way) that one of the most destructive mindsets that causes incalculable damage from unhappiness and oftentimes depression is the lack of confidence and low self-esteem. Chances are that if a person does not feel or think that he can succeed, he won't. However, if we were to truly understand the vast, G-D given potential we have all been provided, we would surely believe more in ourselves and the achievements that are within our reach.

Scientists have determined (a real scientific statement) that humans only use approximately 20% of our brain capacity. This leaves us with two questions: how do we access the remaining 80% and if we can only use the 20%, why create the other 80% to begin with?
Perhaps, the intention was not to utilize the remaining 80% at all, rather to serve an entirely different purpose - a message. Our 20% functioning was designed for us to internalize the lesson of how much more potential we truly possess. 

It is an undisputed fact that we are created with limitations, and our brains' capabilities is a clear case in point. Yet, this should not deter us in our efforts to achieve in life. Quite the opposite. It should remind us that regardless of the limitations, the overwhelming potential that remains dormant is far greater. And although we may not be able to tap into that wealth of potential, the message is that we always have more to offer. More strength and more ability.

Potential is all around us. In nature. In life. In us.

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please give me the courage to see the talent You graciously gave me - and use it wisely!"

Monday, July 9, 2012

iPhone Home

"It's my life, it's now or never, 'cause I ain't gonna live forever - I just wanna live while I'm alive" (JBJ)

Stay connected -
there's always an app for that.
Wherever we turn in this glorious world, we see infinite wisdom. We see creativity and beauty. We see people empowered to build, develop, mold and cure. Mankind has been endowed with the incomparable gift of intelligence, which has bestowed upon the world the most magnificent and priceless tools imaginable. With  already an almost limitless array of professions and skills that serve all of the world's inhabitants in so many countless ways, we can only anticipate greater growth and advancement in the years to come. How fortunate we are to be living in such a marvelous and brilliant age. How proud we should be of our achievements.
And how high are the stakes - how high are the expectations.

There are many titles given to our generation. Perhaps, one of the more frequently used terms is the Smartphone Age (I might have made that up, though it sure fits the bill). If you don't own a smartphone, you may get that awkward feeling that you are far behind the times when everyone is looking to the palm of their hands, poking a screen, while you must flip open your phone to see anything.
The smartphones boast 100,000's of apps for any purpose at all. As we're told, for whatever the need, "there's an app for that." There are apps for productivity, business, finance, education, lifestyle, news, navigation and many more. With these apps, we can rule the world - pretty much. We can organize our lives, communicate with friends and business associates across the globe, and make reservations for dinner. In short, we can accomplish almost any task with a smartphone. This, however, comes with a price. These smartphones aren't cheap. Be prepared to spend a small fortune for all this power.
Let's imagine for a moment, that you are not using your smartphone for any of these tools. Your personal finances are not organized, you are soon to be fired for the lousy communication you maintain with your clients, and your social life is an ugly mess. But do you have the most insane collection of games on your iPhone! You're a "killer" in Angry Bird, a four-star slugger in Homerun Battle (I am, actually), and you've shot more zombies than anyone on the silver screen. 
What a waste of a smartphone!


Hashem has truly given us uncanny capabilities. Each talent is another app waiting to be utilized. These abilities were given to us to make the best of life - to fulfill a lofty mission that requires high productivity, positive communication and a sensible lifestyle. Yet, how tragic would it be if we were to squander these abilities, only to replace our "home screen" with games and entertainment alone? Is that all our "smartphones" are designed for? 
Certainly not. 
We can surely enjoy life - we must. G-D gave us this exceptional world to appreciate it. And while we eat His delicious food, we must make a beracha. When we witness His great marvels, we must thank Him. And while we sit back on a much needed vacation, we should look at the exquisite sun as it sets with a sense of gratitude. Look into the crisp, clear water and say, "Hashem - man did You do a good job!"
Let us always remember that we are all "smartphones" - an ingenious work of art with G-D given potential. Let us, therefore, use our gifts - each and every app - appropriately. 


Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, thank You for everything You've given me in life - I hope to use it all well!"

Friday, July 6, 2012

Couldn't Hurt a Fly

"Let your spirit fly, where we are one … I want to get away, I want to fly away" (LK)

Torah Airlines - the only way to fly.
Life's tricky. With choices to be made at every turn, our very lives hang in the balance beyond our comprehension. Our futures depend upon our every move. And, although we enjoy relaxing and spending "free" time with virtually no movement and effort, we know full well that we cannot become wastefully absorbed in frivolous behaviors and inconsequential pursuits of satisfaction all our lives. We all have a sense and need for accomplishment. We naturally seek achievement and fulfillment.
And sitting on a couch doesn't really seem to be the most appropriate or best suited place to succeed in this goal.

One of the most entertaining and humorous sights one may ever witness is when someone tries to kill a fly. As the small, winged insect stealthily flies from one end of the room to the next, avoiding its pursuant, it seemingly never runs out of steam. In its desperate attempt to both avoid being squashed and find its way to freedom, it doesn't let up. It doesn't rest. It's constantly on the move. And if it does pause momentarily, the instant it senses someone on the attack, it immediately takes flight again. 
Earlier today, I tried my hand at catching a fly that found its way into the kitchen. It isn't easy! At the fast pace that little guy flew, I could hardly follow it! After a short while (alright, quite a while), I simply gave up! As long as that creepy crawly was on the move, I couldn't hurt a fly!

There are many obstacles on the road of life that have the potential of stopping us dead in our tracks. Indeed, the yetzer hara has a wide array of weapons at his disposal. At every and any moment in time, he may be a step away, lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce upon us when we least expect it.
We cannot be idle. We cannot be immobile. To do so would deem us ever so vulnerable. To avoid his attack and to secure our safety, we must always be on the move - the move forward. Just as a soldier in war, we must be at attention.
We must always be ready to fly. We must be swift and protect ourselves so that the yetzer hara couldn't hurt a fly!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please help keep me safe from harm - and keep me closer to You!" 

Rubber-necking vs. Stiff-necking

"What you thought was real in life somehow steered you wrong, now you just keep drivin' tryin' to find out where you belong" (3DD)
Don't be Rubber-made.
Focus on the road of life!

They say that we're a stiff-necked People. Well, the Torah actually testifies to this reality. Although this usually connotes the fact that we are stubborn (which is certainly extremely accurate), albeit in a somewhat negative tone, there may be a valuable lesson that can be learned from this "stereotype," one that is far more positive and admirable.


For those drivers out there that have ever sat in traffic - we're talking about real bad congestion - knows the frustration of finally pulling up to the "scene" that has caused the delay, only to realize that the commotion was on the other side of the highway. 
"Why can't everyone just move!" we say out loud as if someone can hear us (or that it will actually make a difference). 
While we slowly drive by, we turn to take a quick look over our shoulder, just like everyone else. After we let out a deep grunt, gazing at the time as we move forward, we're pleasantly surprised that miraculously, the traffic begins flowing freely once more. Although we sat in nearly motionless traffic for what seemed to be an eternity, we all understand why - rubbernecking, a term so very descriptive of the behavior.
If only everyone wouldn't look, right? If only everyone would focus on the road. If only everyone would concentrate, we would not have to sit in unnecessary traffic, delaying our arrival at our destination.


If only we weren't so interested in every aspect of our surroundings - so distracted. Wouldn't we move faster? Wouldn't we be more efficient - with our actions and our time? 
But remember - we're a stiff-necked Nation. We were created with the inborn ability to remain focused and attentive on our tasks and responsibilities, both on a personal and national level. We must learn to harness this strength and master this skill in every facet of our lives so that we never lose sight of our objectives. 
Life is one long rubber match! But to truly Livestrong, our lives cannot be made of rubber!


Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please give me the strength to remain focused today - on You!"