Please Follow Your Doctor's Orders

B'SD

9 Tishrei, 5778

Tonight begins the Yom Kipur fast, and with it many medical issues. They can be alleviated by speaking with your doctor and your rabbi.

We are NOT required to fast if that endangers our health.

Please. Follow Your Doctor's Orders.

Soothe your mind and heart 
by speaking with your rabbi.

Listen to the call of the Shofar. GOD does, and it echoes our cries for compassion in both directions.







Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 





Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism.

Fill your prayers and actions with sensible decisions.

Some Psychological Insights into How to Keep Life Simple

B'SD

10 Tevet, 5775

Today is a low-key fasting day for Jews able to endure a lack of food during the daylight hours. 

The rest of the world is recovering (or not) from staying up too late and partying too hard last night.

So today's blogpost is a lighthearted look at The 4 Greatest Psychological Discoveries of 2014.

Gosh, a lot of good sense aka folk wisdom can be found in that research.

Keep life simple, everybody. Life is a work in progress. You are, too.

 
Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 

   

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism.

Fill yourself with compassion.

Tisha B'Av Tutorial

B'SD


8 Av 5771




Tonight the Jewish people will observe one of the saddest days of the Jewish calendar: the 9th (Tisha) of Av (B'Av). Here's a quick tutorial on what it's about.






If you find going without food for a day problematic to your health, speak to an Orthodox rabbi before Tisha B'Av begins. Judaism does NOT advocate ruining your health/self over religious observances.


On an even happier note, Tisha Bav happens on a Tuesday this year. Tuesday is the day Hashem/GOD referenced creation of the world as "ki tov" (it is good) twice. Tuesday is a manifestation of the sefirah of Tiferet (the kabbalistic emanation of beauty and glory into the universe) and thus Tuesday is a day inclined to success and good fortune! (per R. Adin Steinsalz).


May we earn the merit to be blessed by GOD/HaShem with the end of suffering. Be as decent, compassionate and honest as possible. Turn Tisha B'av turn into a Yom Tov (happy holiday)!



Learn more about how to promote and to protect your physical, emotional and spiritual health despite illness and/or disability. EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

How to Go on a Fast Safely

B'SD


1 Av 5771




The Jewish calendar is in a somber state. Nine days to go until Tisha B'AV, the 9th day of the month called Av. We've already been in the midst of a mourning period known as The Three Weeks.


Tisha B'AV, the 9th day of the month called Av, is a day of fasting: no drinks or food unless you're quite ill/weak (check with your doctor to learn if the fast should be  minimized or avoided for your optimal health. Your local Orthodox rabbi can advise you what to do in such a case). Here's something you can do, starting today, to reduce your discomfort during the fast:


Stop eating/drinking things with sugar (pastas, candies, snax) and caffeine (coffees, sodas) - at minimum ingest less of the stuff each day until the fast. It's the sudden withdrawal from sugar and caffeine that can unhinge your hopes to get through the fast without headaches and feeling "ill."


Here's how to get through the high heat/humidity in the

meanwhile: Cool off and reenergize with chilled unsweetened organic teas (or, sweetened with a bit of agave syrup if you must have sweet flavoring), pure juices without additives, filtered water, cold fruit, peaches or other fruit pureed in a blender then chilled for fantastic refreshment, and cold soups (read some recipe books).


Avoid nausea after the fast by first drinking simple beverages, then eating s-l-o-w-ly.


For more can-do tips for better health, read It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry If I Need To: EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge." Buy it at http://booklocker.com/books/3067.html 

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

Quick Tips for Successful Yom Kipur Fasting

B'SD

8 Tishrei 5769

Yom Kipur begins Wednesday night. The 25-hour-long fast is hard on people with medical problems.

It is a MITZVA (Divine directive) to protect your health. Ask your doctors if you may be excused from the avoidance of food and drink. We are NOT supposed to kill ourselves over Yom Kipur nor are we allowed to use this time to make ourselves sicker.

If you know that you may safely endure the no-drinks or food day while focusing on spiritual matters, check out THIS SITE for a quick look at foods that can fortify you before and after Yom Kipur if indeed you will be fasting.

Please join world Jewry in begging The One Above for world peace, physical health and emotional comfort. May it flow like sweet water. Worldwide.

Yoji