Have you ever been wondered if your money is a good thing or not?  Most people probably don’t but according to the personal development classic “Chovos HaLevavos” by Bahya ben Joseph ibn Pakuda, maybe we should.

He says that there is a sure fire way of knowing: 

• If you are at ease with your money and it doesn’t cause you undue concern or worry  AND you are using to to bring about good things in the world then it is a blessing (give yourself a pat on the back).
• If you are obsessed with your money and in a constant state of worry about it, then it is a trial and you need to be careful to a) make sure that you are setting aside some of it (even if it’s very little) to give to charity or to help people in some way and b) that you work on your “emunah”- your trust that everything happens for the good and that our net worth does not equal our self worth.
• If you are greatly enjoying your wealth but not using it to benefit anyone but yourself then it is a curse.  He writes that this person is enjoying himself so much because he is receiving all of his “Olam HaBah” (next world) in this one and his next one won’t be too pretty.

So there you go.  In as much as Judaism teaches that Rosh HaShana is the blueprint for the entire next year (including precicely how much money we will make) it behooves us to start thinking carefully about what we would like our year to look like and to start taking the appropriate steps to prepare for it.  Here are some suggestions:

• Get the fantastic book 60 Days by Rabbi Simeon Jacobson
• Book your seat for the Aish Center High Holiday Experience now
• Come to our class on Rosh HaShana and Money next Monday
• Support the Aish Center!

Shabbat Shalom