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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
February 29, 2008
/ 23 Adar, 5768
Wise-hearted
By
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski
We usually think of wisdom as solely associated with the mind and brain rather than with the heart. This week's Bible reading — reinforced by the author's decades of practical experience as a therapist — teaches us otherwise. More importantly, why it matters
“ Every wise-hearted person among you shall come and
make everything that G-d has commanded.”
— Exodus 35:10
“Every wise-hearted woman spun with her hands.”
— Exodus 35:25
“ He [G-d] filled them with a wise heart to do . . . every craft.”
— Exodus 35:35
/
“ Bezalel shall carry out — with Oholiab and every wise-hearted man
within whom G-d had endowed wisdom and insight to know
and to do all the work for the labor of the Sanctuary.”
— Exodus 36:1
“The wise-hearted among those doing the work made the Tabernacle.”
— Exodus 36:8
The repeated references to the trait of ''wise-hearted'' cannot be without
significance.
On the verse, ''Every man whose heart inspired him came'' (Exodus
35:21), Ramban comments that none of the Israelites had learned the skills
necessary for the work of the Sanctuary and the vestments. However, because they
were intensely motivated to do the Divine will, they discovered that they were in
fact able to do the skilled craftsmanship. This might be interpreted as a miraculous
endowment of skills they had not had. However, the words of Ramban indicate that
it was not an endowment of something new. Rather, it was a discovery that they
had these skills within them.
This is an important lesson. Clinically, I repeatedly encounter people who are
not aware of their inherent skills and personality assets. In my writings on selfesteem
I point out that not only are many people oblivious of their personality
assets and potential, but even when these are pointed out to them, they persist in
denying them. One can only wonder why intelligent people are not able to accept
such factual information.
It is not uncommon in psychotherapy to repeatedly point out something to a
patient, but it does not have the slightest impact upon him. After regularly pointing
this out for a year and a half, there is a sudden insight. The patient may then
say, ''Doctor, I've been coming here for a year and a half. Why haven't you ever
pointed this out to me before?''
During the year and a half of therapy, when the therapist interpreted the
patient's symptoms, the patient said, ''I understand everything you've said, but
it doesn't make me feel any better.'' I can conclude only that intellect is subordinate
to emotion, and that intellectual knowledge that is not accompanied by emotional
knowledge is ineffective. If there are emotional factors that do not allow
a person to accept something about himself, whether it is something good or
something bad, no amount of intellectual information will register.
According to Ramban, this is what happened with the Israelites. Many people did
not have an inkling that they had the requisite skills for the intricate work in
crafting the vessels, vestments and curtains of the Sanctuary. But their devotion to
G-d and their desire to do His will resulted in ''their hearts being elevated in the
ways of G-d'' (II Chronicles 17:6). Their spirits soared, and the emotional fervor
enabled them to discover the skills within them.
We usually think of wisdom as associated with the mind and brain rather than
with the heart. We associate the heart with emotions rather than with wisdom. The
Torah repeatedly refers to the ''wise-hearted'' to indicate the overriding influence of
emotion over intellect, and that only when one's emotions permit can one implement
the powers of the intellect.
We have untouched reserves of both physical and mental abilities. Under conditions
of stress, people have been known to perform physical feats that they never
thought were within their capacities. There is reason to believe that some geniuses
were not of such superior intellect, but rather that their emotional investment
allowed them to fully utilize their potential.
This is an important principle in education. If we can stimulate interest and
desire for knowledge in children, they are likely to excel in their studies. A good
teacher is, therefore, one who can reach the students in a way that they become
''wise-hearted.''
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes inspiring articles. Sign up for our daily update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment by clicking here. Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D. is a psychiatrist and ordained rabbi. He is the
founder of the Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh, a leading center
for addiction treatment. An Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University
of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, he is a prolific author, with some 30 books to
his credit, including, "Twerski on Chumash" (Bible), from which this was excerpted (Sales of this book help fund JWR).
© 2007, Mesorah Publications, Ltd.
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