Bina R.E.L.A.T.E.S

Rabbi Michoel Gourarie’s  weekly articles will form a series called R.E.L.A.T.E – a formula for healthy relationships with practical strategies, based on Jewish Wisdom. Read more

Commitment to Change…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In a few days we will enter into the first Jewish month of the year- Tishrei. This season  is a time of spirituality and strong Jewish experience. Read more

It’s not the blowing…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

We are just two weeks away from Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of a new year.   Read more

Just once?..asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Question:
Rabbi, thank you so much for BINA’s ‘7 for Seven’ education program, leading up toThe Shabbat Project at the end of October. I came yesterday to the first lecture and thoroughly enjoyed it. I can feel the buzz and excitement in the air and many of my friends have already signed up to observe that Shabbat. Read more

Looking back or moving forward…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Yesterday  you discussed the current month  “Elul” – the month of preparation for the New Year. You described it as an opportunity to take stock and strongly reflect on the past year, identify and analyze areas of weakness, and resolve to improve our performance in the coming year.

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Forgiveness – the gift you give to yourself…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Forgiving someone who has really hurt us is one of the most difficult things to achieve.

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Describing or creating…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Question: You always emphasize the importance of positive speech. But it is not always possible. In times of crisis we need to be brutally honest without hiding behind false perceptions. You cannot describe an ill person as a picture of health and you can’t call a deficit a surplus. How can we speak positively and be realistic at the same time? Read more

Is the “Mirror Theory” always true?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Question:

Last week , you explained the “mirror theory”. You said that when we look at others we are looking at a mirror. Noticing defects in other people is really the undeveloped parts of our own personality showing up. Read more

It’a a mirror…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

We can all think of a few people that we would describe as being ‘impossible’. These are individuals who push the wrong buttons, irritate us to no end and annoy us whenever we talk to them. These are the people that we find arrogant, critical, and negative or possess some other character deficit. How do we handle impossible people?

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Don’t be an Angel…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

There are different ways that parents praise their children when they are being really good. One compliment I often hear parents give is: “you are such an angel.” Read more

Not naive – just loving…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

A gentile seeking to convert to Judaism once approached the great sage Hillel and said: “Teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot.” Read more

We can make a difference…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Israel is once again under attack with multiple rocket attacks aimed at densely populated areas. Read more

“and you don’t have a birthday?”

Sydney’s Rabbi Michoel Gourarie visited New York to attend the commemoration of the 20th Yahrzeit of the man known as The Rebbe…Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Read more

A Jungle or a Garden…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

This coming Tuesday marks the 20th Yarhzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe o.b.m. Read more

Safe Travels…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

A few years  ago on a  trip to New York an interesting thing happened both on the way there and again on the way back. After the plane had already pulled away from the gate, the captain announced that there was a delay due to a “maintenance signal problem”. Read more

Is this relationship for me?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Uncertainty in relationships is very common. Over time people date and build relationships with apparent compatibility, common values and love. But making the final decision becomes very difficult with the nagging question: “How can I know without a doubt that this relationship is for me?” Read more

To speak or not to speak

The wise King Solomon taught: “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.” The challenge in implementing this clever advice is to know when to do what. It isn’t always easy to know when to speak and when to be quiet. Is there a guiding principle that teaches us when to open our mouth and when not to? Read more

Cheesecake…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In a few days we will celebrate the Festival of Shavuos – the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Read more

Just Do It…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Many things that we do and experience require a combination of emotion and action. The absence of feeling can affect the sincerity of the action and minimize its effectiveness. For example, wishing a close friend Mazel Tov without display of excitement has minimal meaning. Mechanically helping a friend in need without empathy and interest will result in incomplete support. Praying just by mouthing the words seems like a meaningless exercise. Read more

Tough Conversations…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Communication is central to human existence. With communication we can create and strengthen relationships, share feelings, communicate ideas, instruct, guide, and educate.  Read more

Will you notice me if I’m not a failure?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Over the past few decades we have become experts in responding to the problems of society through crisis management and intervention. We now have excellent programs focusing on substance abuse, kids on the street, homelessness, domestic violence, difficult teenagers and many other problems facing our world. Read more

Fire and Ice…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In the Pesach Hagadah  we read the story of the ten plagues that punished the Egyptians. Read more

Bread and then matzah…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

One of the important parts of Pesach is the Mitzvah to eat Shmura Matzah at the Seder.  Read more

Have you eaten dessert?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Question: I have worked hard to be a good, decent and honorable human being. I don’t drink, smoke or eat unhealthy food. I don’t cheat, lie, gossip or humiliate other people. I stay away from bad company and am allergic to shady business. But I am still unhappy and constantly have this ongoing feeling of emptiness. Can you help? Read more

It’s not all in the packaging…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In our modern society achievement seems to be linked with external appearance. Read more

Unmasking…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

The festival of Purim is the happiest day in the Jewish calendar. One of the traditions of Purim is dressing up in fancy dress and wearing masks. What is the reason for this custom and how does it connect to the celebration of the day? Read more

Describing or Creating?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Question:

You always emphasize the importance of positive speech. But it is not always possible. In times of crisis we need to be brutally honest without hiding behind false perceptions. You cannot describe an ill person as a picture of health and you can’t call a deficit a surplus. How can we speak positively and be realistic at the same time? Read more

Whose Side Are You On?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Question:
I have a jealousy problem. I am envious of anyone that succeeds more than me or has more than I do. It makes me miserable but I just can’t get rid of this emotion. What can I do to feel differently? Read more

Make the first dent…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

The Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi – founder of the Chabad movement) was urgently raising money to ransom Jewish prisoners. Read more

It’s the chocolate not the drink…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Currently in Australia there is a discussion on alcohol related violence, which has recently become more of a problem. One suggestion is to raise the legal age of drinking. The other strategy is to increase mandatory sentencing for violence that is a consequence of being intoxicated. Read more

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