The Whole Person…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) where our sages teach us many lessons in personal growth it states: “Rabbi Joshua the son of Prachia says, “Make for yourself a mentor, acquire a friend and judge everyone favorably.” Read more

Doughnuts of the Brain

Question: I was troubled by the mass consumption of doughnuts during Chanukah. Read more

Humility…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Jewish sources continuously promote humility. Our sages ask us to “be humble before everyone”. When the Torah praises Moses, it is his great humility that is highlighted. What is the definition of humility? Read more

Do it Now…advises Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Why are so many good resolutions never translated into practice? Read more

The Individual and the Whole…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

The holiest Jewish object is the Sefer Torah – the Torah scroll. In this scroll there are six hundred thousand letters. For a Torah to be kosher every letter must be carefully written. Each letter is a critical part of the whole Torah. If one letter is missing the entire Torah scroll is invalid.   Read more

Kindness – Strength or Weakness?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Kindness and charity are one of most honourable and elevated traits. Read more

Making Morality Attractive…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Q: Recently some friends got really upset with me suspecting me of doing something wrong which I hadn’t actually done. I am very comfortable within myself knowing that it is untrue and that I am completely free of any wrongdoing. I have been totally misjudged. How much effort do I need to invest to convince them of my innocence? Read more

The Goal

The Torah begins by describing the six days of creation…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Effective Treatment

Question: I have come to the realization that I have a real temper problem…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Can You Wait?

One of the interesting agricultural commandments in the Torah is called Orlah. It states that when we plant a tree we are prohibited to eat its fruit for the first three years. Read more

I’m just not in the mood…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In a few days from now, we will celebrate Rosh Hashanah and usher in the New Year. In the month leading up to this special festival, we reflect on the past year, identify areas of weakness, make amends, forgive others and resolve to improve our performance in the coming year. This process is called Teshuva – returning.  Read more

Chaos Good or Bad?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Do you ever feel like your life is out of control and completely chaotic? Read more

Give Up Control…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Our sages say: “He who gets angry is like an idol worshipper.” We can understand that losing our temper is ineffective and detrimental to our personal growth. Read more

Keep laughing…says Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

The Talmud relates that the great sage Rabbah had the following practice. Read more

One Small Candle …a question for Rabbi Gourarie

Question:
I happen to know a number of people who are experiencing big difficulties and challenges in their lives at the moment. Some have been hurt and need a listening ear to share their pain. Others are struggling with their relationships and a few of them are grappling with emotional issues such as anxiety and depression. But I am not a psychologist and do not have the necessary skills to provide support, nor do I have the energy to help each one with their specific issues. On the other hand I feel a sense of responsibility. Can you advise? Read more

Not Everyone – Just You

This Tuesday is Tisha B’av – 9th of Av, the day we mourn the destruction of the first and second Temples…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Growing from Difference…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Question:

I recently married someone who I thought was just like me. We are similar in so many ways. But with time I have begun to notice significant differences in various areas.  Some of these newly discovered dissimilarities I actually dislike. I am afraid of how this might develop in the future and of the potential damage to the relationship. Any thoughts? Read more

How to tell a lie

The Torah tells us: “Stay away from falsehood”. Our sages teach that lying is evil and damages our relationship with G-d. The simple definition of lying is telling a falsehood. But there’s more to lying than that. Lies come in several different forms…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Say it

A woman once complained to a marriage counselor that her husband never says that he loves her. The therapist turned to the husband for his perspective. “I told her thirty years ago that I love her,” he explained, “and If anything changes, I’ll let her know”…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie Read more

Should I Go?

Question:
I just received an invitation from my friend to her son’s Bar Mitzvah. Unfortunately a few years ago we had a bad fall out. I was terribly offended and hurt, our relationship was badly damaged and we never really resolved anything. Read more

A Good Thief

There is a Jewish axiom that we can learn and draw inspiration from everything that we see and experience. Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli taught that we can even learn from a thief. By observing the seven behaviors of a burglar, we can design a formula for successful personal development…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Why worry?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Question:
I worry a lot. I am anxious about losing my job, I constantly think about the health of my family and am always scared about saying or doing something that will embarrass myself. How can I put a stop to this? Read more

You Matter

This coming Wednesday and Thursday is Shavuos, the festival when we remember and celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mt Sinai 3322 years ago…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Trust and Acceptance

There is a custom at this time of year, between Pesach and Rosh Hashanah, to study the teachings of Pirkei Avot – Ethics of the Fathers. These are moral and ethical lessons that motivate appropriate social conduct and the betterment of the human being. Read more

The Bow and Arrow

This coming Sunday is a special day in the Jewish calendar…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie Read more

Whose side are you on?

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

Different but one

Central to the design of creation is that everyone is different…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Be a Child

Growth, change and self-development aren’t always easy. They require a lot of effort, and some risk taking…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Breaking the Eighteen Minute Rule

It is well-known that Matzah is baked very quickly. From start to finish it must not take longer than eighteen minutes…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Leaving the Four Prisons

In the weeks leading up to Pesach there are four special Torah portions that are read in the synagogue in addition to the regular weekly Parsha: Read more

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