Home Page: Inspirations of Love and Hope

Tag: Jewish teachings

  • Touching the Mezuzah of Bread

    Touching the Mezuzah of Bread

    A mezuzah on the doorpost—reminding me to pause, to wake up, to touch awareness. Now, even cookies and bread can serve the same purpose.

    This is kind of a fun little poem that I thought you might enjoy as I reframe my impulsive eating of cookies and bread as a mindfulness bell. Instead of seeing it as a bad habit I need to fight, I’m experimenting with turning it into a moment of presence.

    In Jewish tradition, a mezuzah on the doorpost is more than a symbol—it’s a mindfulness bell. Each time we pass through a doorway and touch it, we are reminded to pause, to wake up, to remember the presence of the Divine in our daily lives.

    But what if mindfulness could extend beyond the doorpost? What if even our impulses—those habits we struggle with—could also become mezuzahs, gentle invitations to awareness?

    Recently, I’ve been reframing my impulsive eating of cookies and bread. Rather than seeing it as a failure of willpower or a battle to control, I’ve begun treating each craving as a doorway. Just as I touch the mezuzah before entering a room, I now use the moment of reaching for food as a reminder to pause and rest in awareness.

    Not to resist. Not to judge. Just to see.

    This shift is transforming something that once felt like compulsion into an unexpected spiritual practice. It’s not about stopping the impulse, but about using it as a touchstone for presence—turning even cookies or a loaf of bread into a mezuzah.

    The Mezuzah of Bread

    Hand to the doorpost, a pause in the flow,
    A moment of presence—just touching, then go.
    The cookie, the loaf—no different in kind,
    Each one a doorway to seeing the mind.

    No need to battle, no need to fight,
    Just rest in awareness, simple and light.
    The hunger may linger, the craving may call,
    But presence is spacious—it holds them all.

    Not stopping, not striving, just waking instead,
    Touching the mezuzah of cookies and bread.

    🙏🕊🙏

  • Into the Mystic: Hitbonenut and the Path of Dissolution into the Divine

    Into the Mystic: Hitbonenut and the Path of Dissolution into the Divine

    The Journey Continues

    In the journey of Jewish mysticism, Hitbonenut stands as a gateway to true contemplation, an invitation to move beyond the mind’s grasping and into the silent vastness of divine presence. Unlike traditional meditation, which often focuses on concentration, Hitbonenut opens the heart to experience, not through thinking, but through the quiet surrender of the self. Inspired by my conversations with Rabbi Shmuel Reich, this post explores Hitbonenut as a pathway to Bittul—a dissolving of ego that leads to Ein Sof, the boundless divine.

    Hitbonenut: Beyond Thought, Beyond Self

    Hitbonenut, or contemplation, is more than simply focusing the mind on an idea—it is a practice that prepares the heart and mind to dissolve into the divine through Bittul (self-nullification). Rabbi Shmuel often emphasized that Hitbonenut is not merely meditation as commonly understood but an opening into a vast, boundless state where the self, with all its concepts and boundaries, melts away into Ein Sof, the Infinite. This contemplative state aligns with what Dzogchen calls “pristine awareness” or what Christian mystics like Saint John of the Cross describe as the “dark night” of pure contemplation.

    In the words of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Hitbonenut involves immersing oneself in the twin sources of divine light—sovev (transcendent) and memale (immanent)—allowing these aspects to penetrate deeply until the boundaries between self and divine dissolve. Rabbi Shmuel echoed this teaching, suggesting that through Hitbonenut, “we let go of the illusion of separation,” arriving at a state where we no longer perceive ourselves as separate entities but as part of the divine unfolding itself.

    A Practice of Letting Go

    For those inspired to explore Hitbonenut, the practice is one of gentle release rather than mental control. Begin by choosing a divine concept or phrase to contemplate—perhaps the boundlessness of Ein Sof itself. Let the mind rest on this concept, but instead of trying to “figure it out,” allow your thoughts to quiet. As thoughts naturally rise and fall, practice letting them pass without clinging to them. Over time, this brings the mind to a non-conceptual stillness, where even the idea of a “self” softens and dissolves.

    Rabbi Shmuel described this process as “training the mind to be calm and quiet, like rabbis of old, who would spend hours in silence before prayer, merging with Ein Sof through Bittul.” In this silence, the ego relaxes, and the self opens into a vast presence, where all notions of “I” and “other” fall away. This is the true heart of Hitbonenut—not a mental exercise, but an invitation to rest in divine unity, beyond words and concepts.

    Explore Further



  • Into the Mystic: Devekut and the Journey of Clinging to the Divine

    Into the Mystic: Devekut and the Journey of Clinging to the Divine

    Continuing Our Journey

    In our last post, inspired by the teachings of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi and The Philosophy of Chabad by Nisan Mendel, we began a journey into the depths of Jewish spirituality and mysticism. This miniseries is inspired by the many timeless conversations I had with Rabbi Shmuel Reich, and it will open a window into practices that have been cherished by spiritual seekers for generations, offering insights into the heart of Jewish mystical thought. Through each post, we’ll explore one theme that guides us toward greater awareness and peace.

    Devekut: Clinging to the Divine

    Our journey begins with devekut, a concept that rests at the heart of Jewish mysticism. The Hebrew word devekut means “clinging” or “attachment,” yet its spiritual depth reaches far beyond any single word. To practice devekut is to hold the presence of God close in each moment, to see the divine as an unbroken current running through all things.

    Rabbi Shmuel described devekut as a path where every thought, word, and deed becomes an offering. He shared that “devekut must exist in all daily acts and in social contacts, as well as in prayer.” These words remind us that clinging to the divine is not only for moments of prayer or meditation; rather, it is an unceasing relationship, woven into the fabric of daily life.

    The Baal Shem Tov, a luminary in Jewish mysticism, emphasized devekut in all things—even distractions. He would advise, “Follow your thoughts to their roots in the divine,” inviting seekers to see even their doubts as paths back to God. In this way, devekut becomes a way of life, a way to move beyond the “self” and dwell in the silent, abiding presence of the divine.

    A Practice in Devekut

    If you’d like to explore devekut in your own life, start small. Choose a simple daily activity—perhaps preparing a meal, walking, or tending to a small task. As you engage in this act, hold in your mind the intention of connecting to the divine. Let each movement, each breath, be an offering of presence. See if you can sense the life, the spark, in what you are doing. Even if your mind wanders, return to the task and gently remind yourself of the sacredness within it.

    Over time, this practice can become a way of living devekut, where even the mundane becomes a bridge to the infinite.

    Explore Further

    🙏🕊️🙏



  • The Spark Within: A Journey of Inner Awakening

    There’s a light within each of us—an undeniable, ever-present spark. This light, though sometimes hidden, is never truly absent. It may flicker when the winds of confusion blow or dim when the shadows of doubt creep in, but it is always there, quietly waiting to be noticed, nurtured, and allowed to grow.

    For many, the journey toward that inner light is complicated by the noise of the world—by dogma, expectations, and the need to “belong” to a certain path. But the truth is, this light doesn’t belong to any one religion or tradition. It is the essence of all paths, the core of what it means to be human. And it is awake within you, even now, quietly glowing, waiting for your attention.

    Beyond Dogma, Into the Heart of Spirituality

    Perhaps you’ve felt it—this pull toward something deeper, something spiritual, but without the constraints of organized religion. Many feel this way, walking a fine line between the spiritual yearning within them and the weight of doctrines and beliefs that feel restrictive. The good news is that the essence of spirituality is not found in rigid dogma but in the spaciousness of the heart.

    The great mystics of every tradition—whether Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, or others—have pointed to the same truth: the divine is already within us. Jewish mystical teachings speak of the divine spark within every soul, a reflection of God that can never be extinguished, no matter how much the world may try to cover it.

    As we walk our own unique paths, there is no need to choose between spirituality and religious identity. You don’t have to subscribe to a particular belief system to nurture the light within you. All you need is a willingness to be present with yourself, to sit quietly with that spark, and give it space to breathe.

    Fanning the Flame

    When you feel that spark flicker, pay attention. You may not need to do anything grand. Simply acknowledge it, as you would the first sign of dawn, and let it unfold naturally. Like sunshine and water for a plant, the light within needs only a little attention, a little care, and it will grow.

    This is not about seeking or striving. It’s about letting go of the distractions that pull you in different directions and coming back to that simple truth: you already have everything you need. The divine presence you seek is already alive within you, waiting for you to notice it.

    Whether through moments of quiet reflection, connection with others, or simply being with the world around you, this light will grow. It doesn’t require the labels of religion or the boundaries of belief. It only asks for your awareness, for the quiet recognition that it is there—and that it has been all along.

    A Shared Journey

    Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Throughout history, countless others have walked the path of spiritual discovery, often feeling the same pull toward something deeper. The great mystics, the sages, the poets, and even those who quietly reflect on their own lives, have all touched this truth: that our essence is divine, that we are all connected, and that the light within us is the very light of the universe.

    You have already felt this light. You have already seen it, even if just for a moment. Trust in that, and allow yourself to be curious, to explore it further without fear or hesitation. There is no rush. There is only the gentle unfolding of what has always been true: you are that light, and it is enough.

    In today’s world, we often exchange greetings without much thought. Words like “How are you?” or, in Hebrew, “Ma Shalom Cha?”—which many now interpret as “How are you?”—slip past us with little depth or reflection. But Ma Shalom Cha is much more than just a casual greeting. In its original meaning, it asks, “How is your peace?”—“How is your inner peace? How is your connection with the divine?”

    When I met Avi, a young man on his own spiritual journey, I looked into his eyes and asked him, “Ma Shalom Cha?” At first, it seemed to him like the casual phrase he’d heard a thousand times. But when I explained the true meaning, he paused. For perhaps the first time, he understood that I wasn’t just asking how he was doing, but how his peace was. How was his soul resting in the presence of the divine?

    It was a moment of awakening, a recognition of something deeper. In that moment, Avi saw the light within himself, the divine spark that flickers beneath the surface, often hidden by the noise and distractions of modern life.

    Beyond Dogma, Into the Heart of Spirituality

    In a world where even deep questions like “Ma Shalom Cha?” have been reduced to casual greetings, it’s easy to feel pulled in different directions, confused by dogma or by what others expect us to believe. But the truth is, the essence of spirituality is not found in rigid rules or religious identities. It is found in the quiet, gentle presence of peace within each of us.

    The great mystics of every tradition—from Jewish mysticism to the teachings of the East—all point to the same truth: the divine is already within us. The spark of God, the neshama, is already alive in each soul, and it doesn’t need labels or doctrines to be real. It only asks for our attention, for us to pause and reflect: How is my peace?

    Fanning the Flame

    The modern world often reduces “Ma Shalom Cha” to a simple “How are you?” and “Ma Nishma?” to “What’s up?”—losing the sacred depth these phrases once carried. But the light within you is not lost, and the questions themselves still hold power if we let them.

    When we take the time to sit with these questions—How is my peace? How is my soul?—we give the divine spark within us space to breathe. It’s not about striving for enlightenment or seeking external answers. It’s about recognizing that the peace you seek is already there, waiting to be acknowledged. Like sunshine and water for a plant, this inner peace grows with care and awareness.

    A Shared Journey

    So I ask you, as I asked Avi: Ma Shalom Cha? How is your peace? Not as a casual greeting, but as an invitation to look inward, to nurture the light within you. And as we close, I’ll ask you a deeper question: Ma Nishma? How is your soul?

    In a world that often reduces these profound questions to surface-level exchanges, let’s reclaim their depth. Let’s reconnect with the divine spark within us, the light that ties us all together. It’s there, waiting to be seen, to be nurtured, and to grow. The peace you seek, the light you long for—it’s already within you.

    Adonai Echad—the Lord is One. It beautifully echoes the truth of oneness that transcends all divisions. In the heart of all traditions, we find this profound recognition that there is only one source, one truth, one Divine presence, no matter how we name or perceive it.

    The unity of Adonai Echad reminds us that, despite the apparent differences in our paths, we are all connected, all part of that oneness. It’s a call to embrace the shared divinity in ourselves and others, to see beyond the surface and recognize the sacred unity that binds us all.

    All you need is a willingness to be present with yourself, to sit quietly with that spark, and give it space to breathe.

    🙏🕊️🙏