Don’t Let the Inspiration Go Stale

InspirationParsha

Oct 9

Since October 7th, the Jewish People have changed forever. Israel has changed forever.

Many things have changed, one of the most obvious ones is that we no longer wait for our enemies to attack before we take action, we make the first move. We no longer worry what the world will think (they don't like us anyway), we're going to be proactive. It's about time! Whatever happened to self confidence?!

On the recent flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv Israeli's demonstrated this. AND saved a plane full of passengers.

This Shabbos is called Shabbos Bereishis. It is the first Parsha we read in the New Year. There is a Chasidic saying, "the way one sets themselves up on this Shabbos, so goes the entire year".

Coming off the High Holiday season, we are energized with a sense of connection, identity and enthusiasm. We have not been passive this past month. Shofar, Tashlich, apples and honey, new fruit, fasting, praying, sitting in the Sukkah, shaking Lulav and Etrog, dancing with the Torah, it has been a chock full month of action action action!

The question is what now? Are we going to revert or are we going to act?!

This Shabbos is the test. Don't let things get stale.

Join us for Shabbat 360 - if there are seats left :-).

Join us for Mysticism and muffins Shabbat morning at 9:00 AM

Join us for Torah study, Kabbalah and Coffee, the Conversation, Finding Calm, Kabbalah and the hidden architecture of you, New Moon Society and much more! www.intownjewishacademy.org.

Pick a class, study group or course and sustain your holiday actions. The YOU that you've gotten to know this past month is looking for nurture, don't let it go to sleep.

See you at a class or service soon!

L'chaim to a year of learning and growth!

Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman

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Don’t Let the Inspiration Go Stale

Since October 7th, the Jewish People have changed forever. Israel has changed forever.

The Case For Simchas Torah

For starters, if you are going to do Jewish, Simchas Torah is definitely the holiday to celebrate. It has food, dancing (who doesn't like to dance and let loose), L'chaims, pretty short prayers, brisket, Jewish pride, and a little bit of holy spirituality too! All other Jewish holidays may have one or the other, but not all of them.

Secondly, the Torah is the basis of everything Jewish.

You’re Forgiven. Now Dance.

A great Rabbi (I believe Reb Simcha Bunim of Pshischa) once said that the sin we leave Yom Kippur with is not believing that G-d has forgiven us.

I don't think he meant that we don't believe G-d is capable of forgiving us.

You are Heavenly!

This season can feel heavy. The Yom Hagadol - the Big Day of Yom Kippur is upon us and it pulls deep into our soul.

This Shabbos we read the Haazinu song. It is Moshe's last blessing and instruction before his passing.

He begins with the words "pay heed heaven". There are many reasons our commentators tell us for this call upward.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

For this commandment which I command you this day, is not concealed from you, nor is it far away.

It is not in heaven, that you should say, "Who will go up to heaven for us and fetch it for us, to tell [it] to us, so that we can fulfill it?"

Playing Hard To Get

"Ani l'dodi v'dodi li." I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine. This is the verse from Song of Songs whose initial Hebrew letters spell out the Hebrew month of Elul, the month we are currently in.

In the book of Song of Songs, we read the poetic story of a young maiden and her beloved shepherd, and the fascinating progression of their courtship.

Don’t Waste the Discomfort - Preparing for Rosh Hashanah 5787

I've never related to people who dislike the marking of theirbirthday. I find my birthday to be a joyous and positively uplifting day. Conversely, there are those who find rainy days to be uplifting and nourishing :-).

An Elul Love Story

It is spring in the Land of Israel. The rain has stopped, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the smell of spring wafts through the air. A young maiden goes out to the vineyards for some fresh air and encounters a handsome-looking shepherd.

Standing on the Roots of Those Who Came Before Us

Even though they’re dead, they are not gone — they continue to find a way to help others out postmortem. These fallen giants provide “generational facilitation” in the afterlife, they continue to offer safety, nurture, love and protection from outside unhealthy influences, thus nurturing and making way for the new generation.

My Journey of Accepting Criticism

Adam was created from the dust (Chava from Adam's side). It has been said that this is the reason that men are defensive and a bit ego focused. After all, when they look back to their origins, it is just a mound of earth - not a very auspicious pedigree.

Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman

Don’t Let the Inspiration Go Stale

Light Shabbat Candles in Atlanta at 7:22 pm

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Light Shabbat Candles in Atlanta at 7:22 pm -

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