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February 13, 2012
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Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
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Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Feb. 2, 2007
/ 14 Shevat, 5767
Love thyself!
By
Rabbi David Aaron
Secrets to your ultimate and everlasting net worth
“Just as a person must believe in G-d, so too, he must afterwards believe in Himself. That is to say, that G-d is involved with him and he is not a waste — that he is here today and gone tomorrow….
“Rather one must believe that his soul is from the Source of Life, may His name be blessed and that G-d gets pleasure - taanug— in him and is — mishtashaya — playfully involved with him when he does His will.
“And this is the meaning of the verse "and they believed in G-d and Moses His servant" (Exodus 15). [The soul of] Moses consisted of the 600,000 souls of the Jewish people of that generation —- and they believed that G-d desired them - wants and receives pleasure from the good within them.”
— Rabbi Tzadok Hacohen: Tzidkas HaTzadick 154
I heard an interview with a famous singer. The interviewer asked her, "What are your feelings about yourself?"
She said, "I've always had low self-esteem."
She went on to explain, "Well, most people in this industry have low self-esteem. Why else would you and me be out here on stage, in the spotlight, looking for acknowledgment?"
Torah teaches that receiving acknowledgement from a bunch of people or having your name in lights does not access your inner being and true self worth. Despite the fact that this singer is successful, accomplished, beautiful, talented, and, I am sure, a very confident performer, she still suffers low self-esteem. Accomplishments might give her fame and confidence, but they did not lead her to true belief in her self.
Self-esteem does not have to be acted out vis-à-vis the outside world. You don't need to act upon something or someone else to help you feel worthwhile and valuable. You don't need to tell somebody else, and you don't need somebody else to tell you, that you are valuable. If you need somebody else to tell you this, then you are not tapping the source of true and lasting self -worth. A hermit, attuned to his soul connection to G-d, may be living a more empowered life than a king who may reign supreme but neglects nurturing his relationship to G-d. Ultimately, self-worth is something you have to come to know from inside yourself by virtue of your internal and eternal connection to G-d. Of course what we do outside can help us access and affirm this realization inside. But the truth of sacred self love lies within.
There is a big difference between looking good and feeling good about ourselves. Looking good is acted out vis-à-vis the outside world. It sounds something like this: "I am technologically savvy, I built a successful business, people acknowledge me, I am honored at dinners, etc.." True, these people have an honorable dignified existence, but they do not necessarily find true inner value. Success in the outside world is how you achieve confidence and self worth is rooted in the conquest of your inner world. Your inner worth comes from communing with G-d — the Master Self, from plugging into the Ultimate I. Self-worth is an inner power and security derived from feeling your self anchored in something, or to be more correct Someone, stable and unchanging.
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We experience self-worth as a catharsis, a truth that is our greatness unleashed from within. We do not get self-esteem from an outside source rather we release it from within by tapping into the inner Ultimate Source of all. Self-worth comes from digging deep inside of ourselves until we find the gold within, or more specifically G-d within. Therefore, self- worth is encountered in the privacy of one's own in-depth soul experience.
Having a great net worth in assets doesn't necessarily make us feel that we have worth. Having power and control of the world outside of us doesn't help us feel the true divine essence and unconditional value of our soul.
HUMILITY AND SELF-CONTROL
A confident person may have mastery over his environment. A person with great self-worth, on the other hand, has mastery over himself. What does it take to have self-control? The answer is being in touch with our souls. To lead a disciplined life means that you are in the driver's seat, you have a grip on yourself and you are working from a soulful place within. Sometimes we talk from our lips, without thinking. Sometimes we talk from our heads, with much thought but little or no emotion. Sometimes we talk from the heart, with more emotion than intellect. And sometimes we talk from our soul, from a place where our heart and mind come together to fully express who we really are; from a place where we are connected to the Master Self and serve to express G-d's wisdom, love, compassion, beauty and truth. When we operate from that soulful place, we are living a disciplined G-d centered life.
Sometime ago I read a book called I'm O.K., You're O.K. After I read it, I felt O.K. but not great. Maybe I misunderstood the book.
G-d does not want you to think you are just O.K. He wants you to know that you are great. His message is "I'm Great and You're Great" — because you are a part of me. So, please do yourself a favor and act accordingly — Love Thyself!!!!
— For more on this topic, please see: Endless Light: The Ancient Path of Kabbalah
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JWR contributor
Rabbi David Aaron is the founder and dean of Isralight, an international organization with programming in Israel, New York South Florida, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Toronto. He has taught and inspired thousands of Jews who are seeking meaning in their lives and a positive connection to their Jewish roots.
He is the author of the newly released, The Secret Life of G-d, and Endless Light: The Ancient Path of Kabbalah to Love, Spiritual Growth and Personal Power , Seeing G-d and Love is my religion. (Click on links to purchase books. Sales help fund JWR.) He lives in the old City of Jerusalem with his wife and their seven children.
© 2007, Rabbi David Aaron
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