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Great Shavuot message


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The effort that changed the event

They woke up and looked outside. In one corner there was a hint of sunlight, and in the other corner there was gray clouds. 'Interesting' they thought.

They got ready and went to Coffee Bean to meet some friends. After talking for a while, one of them mentioned that they are planning on going to this awesome purim party.

Someone sitting nearby overheard the mention of this and felt a little concerned, and then thought of an interesting idea.

The moment had come and they gathered into the room where everything was set up. It looked a little different, but it didn't matter.
The music started, and the lights colored the walls. One of them looked around at the colors and said, 'Nice touch'

They were smoozing and drinking, and then the music stopped and someone said on the mirophone, "Everyone, put down your drinks and gather around in the center."

They were curious as to what's going on, but decided to follow along. They all gathered in the center, and the speaker said, 'Now I'm going to show you some true celebration." The music started again and everyone danced in a circle. Their joyous energy filled the room for a long while. Then they walked back and one person said, 'Man I'm wiped out'

They looked around for a drink but didn't see any. "Where it go?" They said. There was only bottled water. Disappointed, they still took a cup because they were thirsty.
One of them went up to the speaker and said,"What gives?"
He answered, "You had some, now enjoy the party."

The group smoozed a little more and then the speaker said, "Anyone up for some improv?"
A few people took turns putting on a skit. Some of them were really good!

After awhile, the party came to a close, and everyone went home.

The next day, someone was talking his friend and mentioned the interesting party he went to.
His friend answered, 'That sounds better than me, I got so drunk, I wroke up somewhere and didn't know where I was.'
"Where's that?"
"At the park, in the middle of the night."
"How did you get home?"
"Called a friend."

The other one thought back to the one he went to and realized that that was the best party he's ever been to. Plus, he can remember it.


Please also read my post on giving,
thanks enjoy

what-are-you-giving

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What are you giving

Adar and Purim is coming

There’s so many creative things that we can do with shalach monos. We can do a spring theme and make a cookie garden and send that out. Or do a music theme, or a sports and so on…. The possibilities are abundant.

The great thing about this is the message of giving to others. We have this message on Purim because this holiday is about coming together for a common goal (reversing haman’s decree)

There’s also another kind of giving that is so important nowadays, and that is the giving of time to others. Whether it is time with our spouse or with our children, it’s very important that we take a little time to be there with them. It can be just a short while, like during dinner time, or at night someone tucks the kids in. It doesn’t matter how long or short the time, the quality counts more than the quantity. Make this time enjoyable. For example, on shabbos, cherish the moment together. This might be easier with younger children, whereas teens might want to be with friends. This time spent, whether it’s the couple alone, or time with the kids, can make a big impact on both the couple and the children.

Btw, here's a story that I wrote for a previous Purim, enjoy :)

new-reality-show 'Bloggers

Might do a new story, IY'H

Light up the nights

Happy Chanukah

Like the small group of Chamona'im(maccabees) defeated the huge Greek army, this shows us that anything is possible.

In the Chanuka story, there was a spiritual threat to us from the Greeks; Jews physically fought for what they believe in. Yes, some went astray, but some stuck to their heritage.

In the Purim story, there was a physical threat to us from Haman. The Jews fasted and prayed and did teshuva and survived.

Sometimes we need action, sometimes prayer. In general though, they are both important.

shanah tovah

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שנה טובה

Shana tovah everyone, have a great year

Here's one of my favorite songs from this singer's album

Ps, there's a pause in the beginning, but then continues

Sukkos in Israel

My brother went to Israel in the spring and my sister went this summer; I have yet to go there. But hopefully someday

One thing that I would love to experience is Sukkos in Israel. I read an experience about someone who wrote that in Israel, you can feel the energy everywhere, the atmosphere is amazing. - We too feel it here when we walk around. But there, it's on a whole different level. I can only imagine what the simchas beis hashoeva(sukkah party) must be like. If you have any stories of your experience there, I would like to read it

One really good lesson about Sukkos is having guests come to our sukkah. The message is, lets come together, the door is open. This experience is especially fun for younger individuals who like to go to their friends sukkahs.
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Btw, I'm going on a break, but you can look at other things on here, there's plenty of topics

shalom
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Using time wisley

Some might have already heard this from others. But it's good to remember.

While listening to a certain lecture online, the speaker made a good point about why we count up during sefiras haomer and not down. I would have mentioned this message back then, but I only recently watched it. Anyway, he said that we count up and not down because when you count down, those days in between are in the way, and it feels like a long time until you reach that special day. However, during the omer, each day counts, and we are suppose to use each day as a chance to grow. We count up, taking one step, and then two steps and three. On the 48th day we are 48 steps closer toward Shavous.

It's like a student waiting to graduate. They can either count down the days until they're done with school, and feel anxious, and just want to fast forward to that day. Or they can take the opportunity to use this time wisely as they come closer to that day.
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Happy Pesach

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Just want to wish every a chag kasher v'sameach

May we be united in Eretz Yisrael soon

PURIM

Happy purim everyone

May we have an enjoyable and meaningful one

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shana tova

The new year is coming. During this time, we are to look at ourselves and think about what we can do to get closer to our potential self. I know I have plenty to do :)

Which reminds me, I'm reading a book called, "Taking Action" which is an excellent book for students and others, especially me because I tend to procrastinate.


shana tova

Lag B'omer

Man, I would love to go to Israel and sit around a bonfire.
I know that Lag B'omer is not here yet, but anyway, here's a small poem that I wrote last year on it.

enjoy

Click here


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just an update

Hey everyone. Hope you all had a nice pesach.

Just to update you all, I finally got a new job, baruch Hashem

Oh, and it feels like summer came early, lol

Hope it cools down a little soon.

Well have a good week

Which do you prefer

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Which do you prefer, staying home for the seder or going away to a hotel or something? I have always stayed home, although I would like to experience it in a hotel to see what it's like. But I think at home is probably best, it's more personal and less expensive. :)

What do you do?

Purim

Purim is almost here. The megilla starts with the challenges that the Jewish people were facing. But with effort and prayer and determination and hope, they were able to turn around the situation for the good. So too, we also have hard challenges, but we can turn things around for the good.

Here's a site with good purim articles to make the day very meaningful.
Click here

Have a safe, happy and meaningful purim everyone

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Coming soon

The month of Adar is here
which means soon is purim

Purim
They wrapped the gift basket
and sent it out.
Giving to one another
And collecting funds
for those in need.

Lets come together
and remember
the message of unity

Tu b'shvat

Took this pic at central park

Tu b'shvat
Trees all around
start to wake up
and slowly
come alive again.
Soon the brances
will color the sky
with its green leaves
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Just like trees have strong roots underneath that keep the tree standing even in harsh weather, so too, we also need a strong fondation so we can stay strong even through our challenges.
For some of us unfortunately, our personal fondation is not strong enough and so we fall. However, we have the ability, with the help of other people, to make our foundation strong.

Trees and people both need water and other nutrients to survive. But besides feeding our body, we also need to feed our soul with the torah and mitzvos that our Father gave us. This some times is harder to do. But just like we need to work at staying physically fit, we also need to work at staying spiritually fit. We don't need to be perfect, just make an effort and keep trying to go forward, and trust that with the help of Hashem, we can do it.

Happy tu b'shvat

Time, the best gift

In this video message, this person mentions that the best gift we can give to our spouse and children is the gift of time.

The Ultimate Gift

Especially nowadays, we need this because many people work long hours. Then they come home and go busy themselves with other things. This message is deffinately something we could all consider; both those who have their own family now, and those who will in the future.

Lag B'omer

Gathering around
Fire crackling
People talking and dancing

Let the celebration begin

But on the other hand, lets enjoy it

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I understand how people feel. Nowadays, purim is probably more wild because some drink more than is required and then make others annoyed with their behavior. Or maybe someone gets sick from having too much. - Eventhough it's a mitzvah to drink on this day, the problem comes when people drink too much and act too wild and don't focus enough on the message of purim and making the day meaningful. Me personally, I like to see people acting silly but in a good controlled way that makes the day more interesting and joyful.

What helps to enjoy the day is to concentrate on why we are celebrating. We are celebrating because we were almost annihilated by Haman in Persia but we survived. We prayed and fasted and G-d turned around the bad decree. That's why we celebrate. Like some of you probably heard before, G-d is not mentioned in the story but He was there guiding Mordechai and Esther and helping them to save the Jewish people. This story gives us a good lesson about hidden miracles and that He is always there with us even when we don't see Him.
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True, some people might not behave like they should, but we shouldn't let them ruin it for us. And we should still have a good time. I think what we should do is try to be a good example for others to follow.

May we have an enjoyable and meaningful purim
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funny purim post coming soon

The weekend

The first two days of Sukkos were really nice, B''H. My brother, who lives on the east coast, came with his wife along with her sister and brother in law. They had dinner here and lunch somewhere else. It's nice to see them again.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do for chol hamoed, but hopefully I'll do something interesting.
How's your sukkos going?