The Good Life

The Good Life Isn’t it time to care for our souls with at least as much attention that we pay to our bodies? A Sacred Time Elul #7  The Good LifeThe deeper works reveal that the Hebrew word Elul has a numerical value of sixty-seven. If we add one for the word itself—what’s called its “wholeness” number—this comes to sixty-eight, the numerical value of chaim, life or vitality. What our lives hold in store for us during the coming year has a lot to do with what our Elul is like. Are we inspired to remain true to our ideals, are we yearning to actualize our potential? Are we seeking more life and vitality, or have we fallen into a spiritual slumber? Do we have a mission? From Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippur we beg G-d to grant us life, but mere survival isn’t enough. What we’re really asking is for G-d to help us begin to live the good life of spiritual fulfillment. It is natural to think that, if we will only get whatever “stuff” we crave, happiness will be ours. But, all too often, when we get the “the goods”—whether they’re material or the approval and acclaim of other people—we discover that, after the novelty wears off, these kinds of gifts can ring a little hollow. Genuine fulfillment doesn’t really reside in those kinds of goods. If I’m seeking real fulfillment, I need to focus on giving life to my own soul. Rebbe Nachman points out that, like a physical body, a soul also requires sustenance. “Soul food” is prayers and Torah study. Good deeds serve as “soul clothes.” Isn’t it time to care for our souls with at least as much attention that we pay to our bodies?God, please help get a life! Show me that mere material existence is unfulfilling. We are here to live a spiritual life. Anything else is going to fail to satisfy me in the end. Help me follow the lead of my spirit to a truly good life of Torah, prayer and good deeds.   Copyright © 2015 Breslov Research Institute, All rights reserved. “A Sacred Time” emails are sent twice-weekly and focus on finding inspiration and meaning throughout the Jewish calendar.Our mailing address is: Breslov Research Institute 44 Saint Nicholas Ave. Lakewood, NJ 08701 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences