It’s a Mentality Game. Based upon what is fed to your mind that’s the attitude you take.

Some put two words in their mind “I Can’t.” Really the “I Can’t” many times is “I don’t feel like putting in the effort.” But the mind gets used to the “I Can’t” propaganda and really thinks it is so.

The elephant is a good example. People train Elephants to stay put by a simple trick. The young elephant is chained with a strong chain to a strong post. After the elephant struggles with the post – not being able to escape – it resigns itself to not trying anymore to escape. The keepers then replace that post with a weak post from which the elephant can easily escape. Yet he does not try. He assumes he cannot get out.

This technique stops people from personal progressing, from reaching higher heights, from putting their self-esteem at risk – like in the case of making cold calls, etc. I am afraid of rejection – so I won’t make that sales call. Why? Society has trained us to be averse to failure. But failure helps us to improve.

Hash-m / G-d wants us to try and rewards us for effort – more than what we accomplish.

Many people use the “I can’t” technique to absolve themselves from investigating or observing Torah Judaism. They say “I can’t” do the Shabbat. Really they could – but it’s convenient to say “I can’t.” They could gain so much if when approached by Torah Judaism – they would say – it’s “doable”. G-d does not give you Torah commandments that you cannot do.

A mother will not tell her 3 year old to jump over a 20 foot fence. She tells him things to do that are doable – not things that are not doable.

Even more so – Hash-m / G-d knows the capability of humans. Thus he gave the Jews 613 doable Torah commandments. And the Gentiles 7 doable Noahide laws.

Let’s take it one step further. Many religions believe in the Torah. They say “G-d gave the Torah to the Jews – but the laws were not “doable”. Make sense? Would G-d give a law that was impossible to do? Obviously not. Like a mother would not tell her son to jump over a 20 foot fence.

There is another contradiction. Some religions say that the Jews were punished for not observing their commandments. At the same time – they say that the Torah commandments were not doable. If that is the case – why would G-d punish them if they were not “doable”?

If the religion says yes the Torah laws were “doable” – so why would G-d want to change them?

Think you can – and you’ll be better able to do the doable.

You want to get work done. Procrastination and distraction are major productivity breakers. I know.

Being Productive by Removing Barriers

To be more productive short-term & long-term we try to find ways to break the productivity breakers. One major step in the right direction is to get a flip phone instead of a smart phone. Many executives made the move and found afterwards they focused more on business than distractions.

To break the breakers we must know what activities causes the most time wastage. Is it surfing the shopping sites? Is it communicating with whatsapp? Is it talking to friends over the phone at work? You decide. Write down 5 and focus on those.

Rules for Efficiency

An idea to break the productivity breakers is to establish rules and stick by them. At times I tend to get distracted. So I made a rule and put it on my list of tasks on my email software – that has a simple task manager – like “No talking to friends on phone during work before clearing desk.” Obviously dealing with non-work related issues should be kept to a minimum. But breaking the habit or establishing a good habit takes concrete steps – like the one above and dedicating a short time – let’s say 2 minutes daily (for continuity) towards the goal.

The 2 Minute Rule

Those are the short term habits. Work habits. We also can use the same system for personal habits. Like taking 2 minutes a day to express appreciation to one’s spouse or children or parents.

Torah Rules

The Torah provides laws to be most productive in life. It says in the Torah – that a person only transgresses – when a spirit of folly enters their mind. If a person thought out thoroughly their actions before they did them – they would come to the conclusion that the way of the Torah is best.

Let’s take some examples: A Jew follows the 10 commandments – which are major categories of 613 commandments that they follow. Gentiles follow the 7 Noahide laws from the Torah – which are major categories of 30 commandments that they follow.

Examples of Gain vs. Loss

One commandment for both is “Do Not Steal.” A person who gets away with stealing – may gain in the short term – ie, the money they stole. In the long term – they put themselves in a situation of worrying about being caught, covering their trail, losing their reputation, losing their job. Is the $1000 gained worth the worry? No.

A Jew observes the Shabbat. We do not write, light a fire, initiate electricity, etc. Some go shopping instead. So what did they gain? A good sale? What did they lose? A time to connect to spirituality – ie, connecting with Hash-m / G-d. A time to connect with family and friends. The Loss outweighs the gain.

Torah – In Best interest of Man

The Torah – written by Hash-m / G-d – is made in the best interest of man on a personal, community and global level. What we gain by following Torah allows us to live a more productive life.

Regrets of Youth

I have a friend. He said when he was a youth – he followed the way of the world. He had girlfriends, toured the world – enjoyed the high life. He complained that while he was “living it up” – others were establishing families and building their future. He expressed regret. Some – learn quickly and correct the errors of youth and eventually align themselves with Torah values. Some don’t.

Starting a New Page

To be most productive – to become the best that you can – G-d / Hash-m gave us the Torah. A good place to start for a Jew is by learning the Pirkei Avot / Ethics of the Fathers and about the 613 commandments. For a Gentile – the best palce to start is to learn about their 7 Noahide commandments. That is a good start to live a productive and meaningful life.

Note: This is one person’s account of how he dealt with COVID-19. Obviously, one should consult a competent physician for treatment of any ailment.

The Man & the Motorcycle

Once a Baal Teshuva – a person who repented from their past ways and decided to follow halacha / Jewish Laws talked to Rabbi Noach Weinberg – the founder of Aish HaTorah – a Yeshiva for Baalei Teshuva. He said “Rabbi – G-d and I are close. Once I was riding on my motorcycle on a narrow road winding around a mountain. All of a sudden a big truck is coming my way. I veer off the side off the road – my motorcycle falls and I grab onto a branch on the mountain side and I hold on until the police came. You see how G-d saved me!” Rabbi Noach answered him “That’s impressive. But who do you think sent the Truck?”

He meant to tell him – that just as his being saved was sent by Heaven – his dangerous situation was also sent by Heaven.

If that’s the case – why did G-d send the the truck in order to save him. Let this young man not encounter the truck? The answer – this is the way G-d communicates with us. He sends us messages daily. Whether we listen or not is in our hands. But if we tune ourselves in – we can hear clear messages daily. Sometimes a person deserves a bad decree due to their actions – but their prayer, teshuva / Repentance to Hash-m & Tzedaka / charity to a worthy Torah cause – changes the decree.

Teshuva, Tefilah & Tzedaka Removes a Bad Decree

If G-d just let this young man go on his way – he would probably be still be riding his motorcycle into the horizon. This incident gave the person a reason for self-introspection. The boy was intelligent and was appreciative of G-d’s kindness of saving his life and thus decided to learn more about Torah Judaism by enrolling in a Yeshiva.

HaKol Biydei Shamayim – Hutz MeYireat Shamayim. Everything is in the hands of Heaven – except for the fear of Heaven.

Recently, I received a message in the form of the Covid-19. Barukh Hash-m, I survived. Someone in my family tested positive for Covid. Soon after I felt tired. I had the symptoms and also tested positive. Due to fatigue I spent much of my days resting in bed. I could hardly eat or drink. I took a sip here and there of seltzer or some soup. My sense of smell became more attuned. I shunned smells of cooking from the kitchen. I had the chills and getting up at times invoked dizziness. I was reluctant to sit up because I did not want to feel that dizziness. Almost 5 days I spent going from couch to bed.

When my sister heard I was not feeling well – she sent me a a slew of Vitamins, minerals and pills – Zinc, Quercetin (to help allow the zinc to be processed by the body), vitamin C, vitamin D and others. She was in Morocco about a year before – she happened to buy (Azix / Zithromax) Azithromicin (Z-pack) 500 mg. There – Azithromicine is sold over the counter. She sent me the Azithromicin.

I was reluctant to take it but my spouse mentioned that it is most effective if you take it in the beginning of the ailment. So I listened. I took 1 pill the first day and 1/2 pill the rest of the days.

After about five days I was able to get up. I started eating small amount of foods. I avoided – meat, eggs, nuts, beans, dairy and cheese and other proteins. (as it says in Masechet / Talmud Tractate Berakhot 57b). Little by little I was able to build up strength to be able to leave the house after about 10 days of the onset.

Someone suggested I take an IV (Intravenous) for dehydration but I abstained. I took mineral water. Some people who had Covid did do the IV and did feel better from the dehydration.

Fortunately, I didn’t need a respirator or an oxygen mask. Some people who did use the respirator – were caused more harm than good. If the technician who sets it, is not an expert – it may cause harm. Thus in many cases the oxygen mask is more prudent. My father, z”l, who passed on many years ago, was hooked up to a respirator. I am not sure if the hospital’s staff din not regulate the machine properly. One of his last words was “I am exhausted.”

I prayed to Hash-m to heal me. I said I know that my transgressions caused me to receive this. I did some teshuva and did my hishtadloot – effort to be healed and Hash-m sent me a refuah. It was a tough message – but Barukh Hash-m – thank G-d I survived.

Afterwards, since I was in bed for at least 1 day – I did the birkat ha Gomel at the Torah. Birkat HaGomel is said after an Aliya at the Torah to thank G-d for saving a person from a dangerous situation (Kol “HaHayim” Yodukha Selah / All the Living will Praise You (Hash-m) forever. – is the verse that alludes to this blessing. It is said by H’avush – a captive. Yisurim – a person who was ill in bed. Yam – someone who traversed a sea. Midbar / Mem – a person who went through the Midbar / Desert.)

ארבעה צריכים להודות יורדי הים כשעלו ממנה והולכי מדברות כשיגיעו ליישוב ומי שהיה חולה ונתרפא ומי שהיה חבוש בבית האסורים ויצא וסימנך וכל החיי”ם יודוך סלה “חולה “יסורין “ים “מדבר:

We learn the way to life in the Yom Kippur services – Teshuva, Tefillah and Tzedaka save a person from a bad decree. I was fortunate that my and my beloved ones tefilot / prayers were answered.

At times we hear but don’t listen. At times we listen but don’t hear. Many people talk about the inefficiency of using a smart phone. I shrugged it off. “I need to check Whatsapp messages. I can see the weather. I can check the web. I need a GPS. I can’t get rid of it.”

Recently I was listening to a shiur / lecture by a Talmid Chacham – Rabbi Lior Glazer in Hebrew. I forgot the topic. But one of the things he mentioned was that the smart phone has become an item of addiction.

Today, many people search for Yeshuot / salvations. They do segulot, give tzedaka, pray. All good things. Some go to great rabbis to ask for a blessing. Rabbi Glazer said that a Gadol HaDor / Great Rabbi of the Generation – Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky – used to tell people to go to a person who was humiliated in public – and did not respond – and ask him for a blessing. That person’s blessing will most likely be effective.

He said recently – Rabbi Kanievsky – has been giving other advice to have a Yeshua / Salvation. “Get rid of one’s smart phone.”

So I decided to put my smart phone on ice. I bought a flip phone. I locked the web browser. Now I can’t surf with my phone or check my whatsapps with it. (Now I check my whatsapps with my computer once a day).

I noticed something interesting. I have Norton Parental control on my smart phone and computers. I noticed that just my weekly whatsapp usage went down to about a one quarter of the time of my former usage. Let’s say the usage time was about 3 and one half hours. It went down to 50 minutes – Saving me about 2 hours and 40 minutes a week.

When I do check my whatsapp – it do it once a day. I get all these messages. Most of them are not personal. Many are ads.

I used to check my messages almost every hour. Now I check once a day. People can still call me. People can send me text messages. I don’t get distracted.

I feel less stressed. More in control. Less dependent on the phone. It’s a great feeling. And I’m more efficient.

I learn from experience. I can prove to you anything that the Torah says is true. I can prove to you my point of view. However – sometimes when one gets involved in a discussion the heat goes higher and the words get louder.

In the Parasha of VaYechi – the last parasha of Bereshit – Yosef at the end of his life talks to Benei Yisrael – he tells them – pakod yifkod etchem – G-d will surely deliver you. Why does he use a double language –  He he could have said just – “yifkod”. The Baal HaTurim mentions that “Pakod” is that G-d will deliver you in the merit of the forefathers. “Yifkod” refers to that G-d will redeem you because of the merit of the matriarchs.

In order for a person to be redeemed – one must make an effort to be redeemed. He can’t wait at his home and wait for the mailman to bring him his income. He has to make some kind of effort – as small or great as he thinks will be fruitful to achieve his goal. What is that amount? Apparently – the amount that he will not regret that he should have made more effort.

So the Jews had to make some kind of effort to be redeemed. The merit of the patriarchs and matriarchs – might just be that they ingrained in the Jews that each one is responsible for one another.

That is one of the three reasons why they were redeemed – because they didn’t change their language (they spoke in Hebrew), they didn’t change their style of dress and they did kindness with one another.

Apparently to be redeemed they also had to fix the trait that caused them to descent to Mitzrayim / Egypt. The Brothers were jealous of Yosef. This caused them to judge him unfavorably. This had a domino effect leading them to ultimately descent to Egypt for 210 years.

What was the cause of this? One reason was the lack of communication. If it was bothering them that Yosef had grandiose dreams of becoming a ruler of them- they should have expressed it to him in a non-provocational manner. And worked it out.

They did not. We went down to Egypt. What can we learn? If something is bothering you – go to the person and express it in a non-provocational manner. Ask him or her in a calm and private setting why they acted that way and that it upset you. The person will likely respond nicely if you don’t start with accusations or provocations.

In having a peaceful relationship – one must also make an active effort to have peace and not just expect things to work out.

So what are these two requirements to win an Discussion, Debate or Argument?

1. Win the argument – through open discussion, willingness to hear truth vs. what you want to hear.

2. Assure that throughout the discussion, you are not putting the other down, making them feel badly, provoking them or insulting them. That’s the more difficult part. You should try to sincerely understand where they are coming from and they should understand where you are coming from.

If you do win the argument but make the other feel badly – you may have provided the proper proofs but lost in the long run. You want them to be on your side when you finish the discussion – not against you.

Make them feel good. That was what Yosef did when he interpreted the dream of Pharaoh – he showed all the advisors of Pharaoh that they would be needed to save Egypt from hunger. Yosef taught us this method. His way of discussing helped in ultimately saving Mitzrayim from hunger. It is also a method that could save your friendship, your job or your marriage.

Segulot for Zot Chanukah by Rav Raphael Avitan

https://chat.whatsapp.com/C0o7wU5KIwi1SF8LpAljik

This was sent out this morning, we only had the chance to translate it now. There’s a video that was sent out as well, that we’re working on the translation as well.

“Greetings.
Baruch Hashem we have reached one of the greatest and most auspicious days of the year, where we can be blessed with our salvation and good tidings which is the holy day of Zot Chanukah- “This is Hanukkah” which will take place tonight Thursday to tomorrow night before Shabbat. To take advantage of this very important day, I am writing out some segulot that will help each and every one of you with Hashems help receive an abundance of salvation physically and spiritually:

1. The first thing you need to do, is to be kind and pass on and share this message on Facebook and WhatsApp to as many men and women as possible, in order to increase your merits, especially on such a big day.
2. Tonight after the lighting of the eighth and last candle of Chanukah, one should try to disconnect from the phone TV computer etc. and concentrate on the great light emanating from the holy menorah and draw from it all the holiness and tremendous energy that is within it.
3. After reciting the tehillim you said every day by the menorah (last verse in chapter 90 going right into chapter 91- 7 times, followed by chapter 30, 19, 67- preferably in the shape of a menorah, 121, 100, 33, and 150 followed by Ana BKoach) it is very important for both men and women to say the general correction known as the Tikkun Haklali revealed by Rabbi Nachman of Breslav and say orally that you are aiming to be cleansed of all the negative shells and energies.
   (The Tikkun Haklali consists of the following ten chapters of Tehillim 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137 and 150)
4. It is very important to say the chapter 119 of Tehillim. Not all of it, just the 8 verses that correspond to the letters of your name and your mother’s name.
   Example דוד בן שרה David ben Sara… you’d start with verse number 25 through 32 each of those verses begins with the letter ד. Then find the 8 verses that begin with ו
   those verses begin from 41-48 etc. Once you’ve said all the verses pertaining to your name(s) and the verses that pertain to your mother’s name(s) then say the verses that begin with א.מ.ו. נ.ה and the letters מ.ז.ל.
5. It is important to say the prayer of Nishmat Kol Chai, followed by Yishtabach very important not to say the blessing at the end of Yishtabach (you can find Nishmat Kol Chai in your siddur in the Shabbat morning prayers or Google Nishmat Kol Chai Ashkenazi or Sefadic Nusach) on this holy evening.
6. You must know that your whole next year depends on these prayers, so invest your time in prayers tonight reciting as much Tehillim/ Psalms as possible. And in particular thank our Father in heaven for all you have, and ask Him for everything you are missing. As much as you ask even if you repeat the same words it brings great salvations.
7. Since this day is an important day of the year equivalent to Yom Kippur, as the Kabbalists wrote. It is therefore very important that each one takes upon themselves a mitzvah that is a bit hard for them, that they want to work on more. Saying bli neder (without a vow) “I take on the mitzvah of __ to work on it more”, this “vow” is between you and the Creator. This is a great way to create a vessel to hold abundance and blessing.
8. A great segula for single men and women, say tomorrow, either Friday morning or afternoon, the seventh chapter in sefer Bamidbar and then ask Hashem in your own words that by next Chanukah you’ll establish a bayit ne’eman b’ Yisrael – a faithful home in Israel.
   https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/9935/jewish/Chapter-7.htm
9. Take one area that is most difficult to you in life. For example, finding a spouse, livelihood, health, peace, home, etc. And pray for it for 15 minutes straight while all the candles are lit, even if you repeat the same words and requests over and over again the main thing is to have a quarter of an hour straight on one thing, not including the other things you have already prayed for.

I wish everyone a happy Chanukah full of salvation and a good signing for a good and sweet year.

From me, Rabbi Raphael Avitan.”

Please excuse any typos and or grammatical errors.