Congregation Ohave Shalom, Pawtucket, RI hosts the Jewish Spirituality Mailing List

Jewish Spirituality
Volume 29

By way of preface:

The "Jewish Spirituality" mailing list is an outgrowth of several conversations in which people told me that they felt "alone" in their quest to develop their relationship with Gd. I knew they weren't alone, just from my own interactions with other people, and so I extended an invitation to the Jewish community of Rhode Island to join in a weekly mailing list exploring issues within their relationship with HaShem.

Many of the messages posted on the list reflect people's personal struggles and sensitivities. As a result, some of the people who post remarks on this list opt to do so anonymously; they send me the e-mail, and I drop their names. The list is "blind cc'd," as well, so that no one knows who else is on the list. Our goal is that the members of this list should draw strength and inspiration from the words of their peers, and thereby continue to develop as Jews.

If you would like to join the list, please e-mail me at rijewish@juno.com.

Jewish Spirituality - Volume 29

Re: Putting Spirituality to Work

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Subject: Re: Putting Spirituality to Work
By: Lisa Ravitz

I attend two weekly Jewish classes. After each class I feel a sense of reconnection to Judaism and spirituality. I usually leave the classes more inspired to perform mitzvot. I notice that just a few days later, I can lose that feeling of excitement. How can it be that after only two days I move back to where I started? I remarked to my husband that by the time the next week of class rolls around, I really need it to rejuvenate me and make me feel more excited about mitzvot again. He responded that we need these experiences every day, not just a couple of times a week. He said we actually need them more than once a day. He reminded me, "Why do you think we are required to daven three times a day?"

I find that I need to actively go to a class, read something Jewish, or listen to Jewish music every day in order to stay motivated. I also marvel at my son, ponder why Hashem created babies with their particular needs and behaviors, and try to give thanks to Hashem every day for my son. I feel myself move away from the spirituality that I seek when I don't give myself some daily Jewish input.

Our Weekly Jewish Spirituality E-mail

E-mails are generally sent out on Friday mornings, Eastern Daylight Saving Time. You need not live locally to be added to this mailing list. Please send e-mail to rijewish@juno.com to be added; there's always room for more people, and there is no fee!

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