Author: Dov Heller

Songwriter Leonard Cohen wrote, “Forget your perfect offering. There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” There is no perfection in life. Each of us is given a different hand to play and our job is to do the best we can with what we’ve been given …

There are five relational movements towards becoming intimate with the Eternal. KNOWING It is impossible to have a relationship with an imaginary person.  Likewise, it is impossible to have a relationship with the “idea of G-d.”  One can only have a relationship with a real person who is fully present.  …

Perhaps the most fundamental psychological task of a human being is to differentiate from his or her family and become a unique individual. For all eternity, there will never be another you. Imitation is death, uniqueness is life. To differentiate we must do one thing: listen to our own voice. …

The Disney animated movie, Inside Out teaches one of the most powerful principles I know for authentic transformation: We experience joy by embracing sadness (and other troubling feelings). At first glance it seems counter-intuitive. How can a positive emotional state arise by embracing a negative emotional state? Doesn’t Judaism teach …

In the film Inside Out, when Riley finally takes ownership of her sadness and is no longer in conflict with it, she feels one with her feelings and with herself. As a result she experiences joy and an upsurge of vitality and empowerment. The more we feel emotionally integrated, the …

Judaism is a system for living that is built on obligations as opposed to rights. This is especially true with respect to the Jewish approach to marriage. Obligations foster responsibility and giving. Rights foster a sense of entitlement which can lead to irresponsibility. In Judaism, one is not entitled to …

Feelings are information and listening to them is essential for personal and spiritual growth. Every feeling has a unique meaning attached to it. Feelings educate us. They are the royal road to self-discovery and self-development. To ignore, dismiss, or avoid what we feel is like choosing not to open an …

There are two fundamental approaches to life, taking and giving. The path of giving leads a life of expansiveness and joy.  The path of taking leads to a life of self-absorption and misery.  In Judaism, giving is being G-d-like which is why it is such an empowering way to live.  …

Rosh Hashanah is the Judaism’s Day of Judgment. Sound scary? Actually, it could be the most enjoyable day of your life. Here are five ideas to help you have a blast this Rosh Hashanah. 1. God judges us because He loves us. I was visiting a family recently and the …

One of the greatest indications that someone loves and cares about us is that they give us the feeling that we are always on their mind. They check in with us on a regular basis to see how we’re doing and how our life is going. The call of the …