The Journey of Baal Teshuva & the Power of Self-Reflection

Show Notes
Transcript

Have you ever wondered about the transformative power of spirituality? By listening to this episode, you'll get an inside look at the journey of my devout parents as Balei Teshuva- Jews returning to their religious roots. We share an enlightening conversation about their spiritual road and the special connection Balei Teshuva form with the Almighty. We also dive into the intriguing question of regret, mulling over the idea of those who have not embraced this transformation ever contemplating what if they had.

The latter half of our dialogue brings to light the significance of self-introspection in our lives. Drawing from the wisdom of Ramchal in Mesilas Yesharim, we discuss how a spiritual journey should commence with analyzing one's actions instead of wading through life haphazardly. Hear us discuss the value of setting aside time each day for self-reflection, also known as 'Cheshbon Ha-nafesh,' and how this reflective practice can shape a more meaningful life. Get ready to experience a wealth of insights and discover how small changes towards self-reflection can bring substantial differences in your life.

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Questions or Comments? Please email me @ michaelbrooke97@gmail.com

Transcript

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I would display this fact prominently upon my shidokh resume and if it ever comes up in conversation, i tell everyone about it.

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It's something that excites me and clearly the Gamaris has beautiful words about it.

00:00:16.638 --> 00:00:19.547
Yet some people seem to misunderstand the topic.

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My holy parents are Balachuva, unbelievable.

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They have come close to the fold of Judaism I swear, before I was even born, more than 30 years now where probably my father knows more Torah than your father and my mother has more Yerishami than your mother.

00:00:35.826 --> 00:00:38.848
I'm just trash talking because I'm big fans of my parents.

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They're my role models.

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The Gamaris says bimokim shabalachuva oimdem einsadikim gemurim yechayim la'amod.

00:00:45.350 --> 00:00:50.831
Balachuva have special treatment, certain proximity, a closeness with the Almighty.

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And in a recent conversation with my father we were schmoozing back and forth and I asked him you know some of your old friends, do they ever look back at some of their decisions, those that have not become Balachuva?

00:01:05.126 --> 00:01:12.567
Do they ever think about what life perhaps would have looked like if they stayed friendly with my parents and became Balachuva as well?

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And my father said something shocking.

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He said you know, truthfully, it's not really the normal way.

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People don't really think about their actions.

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Decide if this is right or if this is wrong, did I make a bad decision there?

00:01:25.224 --> 00:01:42.250
And it kind of struck us that moment That the difference between chuva and na'chuva is exactly what Billum said at least how Gamara expounds Billum's words Al-kein yoymuha, moishlim bo'u lecheshbon.

00:01:42.250 --> 00:01:50.847
Somebody who was moishel be'yitram, somebody who has taken the reins on their life, is someone who was they called a moishel be'yitram.

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That's why it's for one reason because they made an accounting, a reckoning of their actions.

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A'chejbon ha-nafesh.

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And if you're to ask the Ramchal what is the best place to start in your spiritual journey, he will tell you.

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In Masih As-Yashar, chapter 3, k'lal hadavar, the general rule is ye yeh'odam ma'ayin al-maisav kula mu'vakayachal kodh rechav, thinking and making an accounting of your actions.

00:02:15.348 --> 00:02:28.752
Shalolahaniach la'atsmo hergol roh midarah, just living haphazardly, you may have God forbid sins or things that you don't want in your life, but you've never thought about them, so you've never discovered them, so you've never taken the leap to rid yourself of them.

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Vehenein irroyetso yerech la'odam.

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A person need sheyem edaktik.

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Ve'shaikil d'rochav dovaryan be'yayin ma'ayin, set times every day for khejbon ha-nafesh, k'socharem agedayim.

00:02:40.008 --> 00:02:46.288
Like diamond jewelers that balance their checkbooks, weigh their diamonds, they make a khejbon ha-nafesh.

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We know that it's a serious practice.

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It's something that we should do a very lauded thing to make a khejbon ha-nafesh.

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But it came to my attention through the conversation with my saintly parents that the difference between Chuvah, oilamhabah, vip seats of the Bessam Migdash and a life full of thistles and thorns a life very far from that is khejbon ha-nafesh.

00:03:12.131 --> 00:03:17.008
Thinking about our lives meaning and what we can do to get better.

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Take 30 seconds out of your day, out of your night time to make a khejbon ha-nafesh and accounting of your actions.

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