The book of Job is surely the most shocking book of the Bible.
Job is a righteous man — there is “no one like him on earth; pure, straight, God-fearing, and does no evil” (Job 1:8). He is wealthy, accomplished, respected, and the father of ten children.
God decides to test Job. And it’s not a stubbing-one’s-toe type of test. In one fell swoop, his children die and his wealth is completely obliterated.
Don’t let the pursuit of a better life be an excuse for not living that better life right now.
By Chana Rosenblatt
What if we are reading it all wrong?
What if God is actually our loving, caring Father in Heaven who is not looking to hurt us and cause us pain but actually loves us, cares for us and is looking out for us?
How often does human intellect completely override and subvert human wisdom?
I talked last week about a new and different approach to mental wellbeing. An approach that is very much in line with the Torah’s perspective – that we are souls created butzelem Elokim. And that our inherent G-dliness is the only place to seek psychological health and resilience.
By Chana Rosenblatt
The etymology of the word ‘psychology’ derives from psychi, the Greek word for ‘soul’, coupled with the suffix –ology meaning ‘science of’. Psychology, in its original form, means science of the soul. And that makes a lot of sense to me. Teach people about their own innate G-dliness and surely you can restore them to mental health. Because mental health resides in the soul; no matter how much someone is suffering the soul is always pure, never tainted.
Recently I was walking in the street and found myself crying. I’d spontaneously started thinking about my late wife, Elana, and the pain of her loss had made me cry. It was a simple, pure and very meaningful experience.
I don’t see the purpose of Judaism’s ritual as to keep us grounded in this world. I believe, rather, it is to enhance our experience of freewill. In other words…
By Chana Rosenblatt
Why understanding of mind will only bring a person closer to Torah and God.
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