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Rabbi Chaim Coffman
Rabbi Coffman has helped people from all across the spectrum to prepare themselves properly for Orthodox Conversion to Judaism. His students admire his vast knowledge and appreciate his warm, personal attention and endearing sense of humor.
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Followers

Welcome to Rabbi Chaim Coffman's Blog!

I would like to thank you for visiting my blog, Beyond Orthodox Conversion to Judaism.

The conversion process can be a lengthy and daunting one to say the least and I want you to know that I am here to help you through it.

I have been teaching newcomers to Judaism for over a decade and over the last few years I have seen that conversion candidates really lack the support and knowledge they need to navigate the conversion process and successfully integrate into the Orthodox Jewish community.

I created my mentorship program in order to help make this whole experience as smooth and as painless as possible! (Can't do much about the growing pains, though ;)

Feel free to get to know me a little through the posts on my blog and visit the mentorship and syllabus page if you are interested in possible joining us.

I sincerely wish you all the best in your search for truth and spiritual growth.

Looking forward to meeting you,
Chaim Coffman

My Rebbe, Rav Moshe Sternbuch

In case you were wondering why I have all of these articles written by Rav Moshe Sternbuch, he is my Rebbe, and one of the gedolei hador (greatest Rabbis of our generation).

Rav Sternbuch fully endorses me and supports my mentorship program.

He is the address for all of my halachic or hashkafic (practical and philosophical) questions that I or my students may have.

The articles are based on his weekly talks on the Torah portion that the Rav gives in Jerusalem in his kollel. As a member of the kollel I get first dibbs on the photocopies and I type them up for my blog so you can all benefit from the Rav's erudition and insight.
Monday, April 22, 2013

The 48 ways to Acquire Torah: Being Content with One's Lot

The next of the 48 ways to acquire Torah is being content with one's lot. This means that regardless of what may happen in our lives, our reaction will be controlled which will help deal with that particular situation. The reason is because if I possess this character trait, a person will realize that whatever they have or whatever comes their way will not affect them negatively.

This is easier said than done. When we see our neighbor's have nicer clothes, a fancier car, a higher position in their company...doesn't that make us want to scream out, "hey how come I don't have that or why am I not as successful as Mr. X?"

We all have to make the best effort we can whether we are trying to make a living, learning Torah or interacting with our kids. At the end of the day, though we are given what G-d deems best for us, be it our financial position or other things.

If we look at what we have and think of the positive things that go with that, then jealousy is something that doesn't even enter our vocabulary. G-d has given us the potential to deal with whatever we need to go through and we have to look at it as this is the best for me.

What is the point of getting upset or ranting or raving about what I don't have or how difficult life is? This will not help me, just the opposite, it will confuse me, irritate me and depress me. Appreciating what one has without looking at what they don't have gives a person a proper perspective of what they have.

We have goals, desires and aspirations to reach the highest levels in the physical and spiritual realms. Even if we don't reach them, we should still strive to maximize our potential. G-d knows what he is doing running the world and giving each person, family what He knows that they need even if we think we need more.

When we look at what others have (and maybe lack) compared to ourselves, we realize that we are happy with the trials and tribulations that G-d has given us and helped us to raise ourselves higher in spirituality.

It is hard, though not to look at what others have and not be jealous. The goal is to realize G-d gives us what we need and to internalize that message.

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