Blog Archive

Blog Archive

About Me

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.
View my complete profile

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.
Thursday, April 25, 2013

The 48 Ways to Acquire Torah: Loving G-d, Loving Mankind

The next of the 48 ways to acquire Torah is loving G-d and loving mankind. Loving G-d is not the easiest thing to do since we know He runs the world and is in control, there are many times that we don't understand His ways. We are obligated here to love Him because it would seem that anything else is insignificant.

If we look at our lives and see the good things that we have, shouldn't we be thankful to Him for everything He has given us? No matter what life throws our way, life could be even worse, couldn't it? Is the cup half full or empty?

We says this every day in the Shema that we have to love G-d. He has done so many things for the Jewish people throughout history which continues until this day. Probably the most important reason we should love Him is because He has given us life. I guess if we don't have life we are dead, and that probably isn't good so at the very least we should be grateful for that.

Performing mitzvos because we love G-d enhances our observance and helps us to reach high spiritual levels. It is only because I give of myself and try to emulate G-d's ways that allows me to do this.

The next part after loving G-d is love humanity. This comes after loving G-d since loving G-d is essential for our existence and observing mitzvos, loving humanity is just as crucial. Loving people that you like is easy but what about people that we don't like or annoy us?

This is more difficult but the idea is that the more people we love and want to give to and help make us better people. This helps us to go beyond our comfort zone so-to-speak and go beyond ourselves. By giving to others, we look at their virtues which makes us appreciate them even more.

We need to look at the good in others and focus on the positive. The problem is that we often focus on a person's faults which hinders any relationship. Isn't there enough negativity in the world as it is, why do I need to add to it?

When we look at other's virtues and good qualities it is easier to give and respect them. This in turn makes us feel good and boosts our self-esteem. When we appreciate even the small things that others do for us, it gives us great pride that we are part of this world and that we can make a difference.





  




0 comments: