Accessing Your Best Self with Devorah Vale

When the Jewish people said Na'aseh v'Nishma they became like angels who know the secret of total compliance to Hashem's will. How can we use this principle of doing without understanding, accepting without knowing all the details in our daily relationships with spouses and children? 

Humility is the antidote to all negative traits. During this time of Omer we have been refining ourselves in order to be ready to receive the Torah on Chag HaShavuot. The Or HaChaim teaches 3 lessons we can learn from the verse in Shemot that describes the B'nai Yisrael's journey towards Har Sinai . They are the prerequisites for sucessfully receiving the Torah. Listen and find out. 

This is the week of HOD. Hod is the midda of Humility. In order to reach true greatness, we have to admit our shortcomings and work on being grateful to others and to Hashem. Being humble should not be confused with low self esteem. You cannot be humble without good self esteem. Rabbi Akiva who began with 5 students teaches us resilience which is fueled by humility.

Iyar is the month of illumination. It is a bridge between Nissan and Sivan and is represented by the letter vav - the letter of connection. 'If you are connected above, you don't fall down below' is a Yiddish expression.

In this month, there is more light and more air available to us to broaden ourselves and prepare for the giving of the Torah on Shavuot? How do we access it? What do we need to understand about ourselves and the world around us to gain greater connectivity to Hashem and His Torah.

Counting the Omer is something that only YOU can do!!! It is a mitzva that no one can do for you.! That's because Hashem wants you to know how important you are to the Jewish people and to HIM. These days of counting are opportune days to return to your authentic self. Who am I and what do I have to contribute to the Jewish people, to our mission as a people. How can I radiate my light and shine the light the Torah to the world which so desperately needs light and healing??? I matter! I make a difference!!! 

Why can't we just eat matza without getting rid of every speck of chametz? Aren't they the same thing? Flour and water? OK we ate matza when we left Egypt - I get that! But what does chametz have to do with MY EXITING EGYPT THEN OR NOW? 

 To all my devoted listeners: I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a Chag Kasher v'Sameach and invite you to be in touch with me at [email protected]. I welcome any questions and comments, and a complimentary coaching session . What are your unique challenges? How can I help you to access your own wisdom to free yourself from your own personal Mitzrayim? l am here to help you to access your best self through the Torah's wisdom for living. Enjoy the holiday and stay well!!

Cleanliness is next to Godliness as the saying goes. Is spring cleaning part of the mitzva of getting rid of every speck of chametz or is it going above and beyond. How do you know how much cleaning is enough. Like every pleasure, there is a point of diminishing returns. Make sure you don't reach this place and destroy not only the chametz before Pesach but yourself and everyone in your path.

'When wine enters, the secret comes out' says the Gemarra in Sanhedrin. What is the secret? Through wine we can change our consciousness and elevate ourselves and the world around us. Or we can use wine negatively to escape our purpose and mission in this world. Learn how the Purim story taught us how to use wine properly towards kedusha and how Pesach through the 4 cups helps us continue this process . Wine can help us return to our true and higher selves. 

Why is this day called the Fast of Esther? Esther's fast took place in Nissan. What is the purpose of fasting in general and what can we accomplish when we begin everything with a spiritual plan and then take action? 

Who is Amalek? Why do we have a mitzva to remember what he did and never forget? How do we eradicate Amalek or evil in this world? It begins with uprooting Amalek from ourselves. Emuna is the antidote to Amalek and Doubt. Being God - centric and creating a world ruled by the ethics, morals and values of our Torah spells the end of Amalek.