Archive for A bissle Torah
Today is the day to say the special prayer for Livelihood – Parshas HaMan
Posted by: | CommentsWhile it is true that ever day is a good day to pray for livelihood, today there is a special segula to say it. And since we all know that G-D is really the one in charge of handing out our livelihood (Parnossa), any type of segula that can help us is one worth doing. During great economic times we often feel it is our own brain power and dedication that makes us succeed. During a bad economic recession we tend to blame others and often turn to the one who has his hand on every agurah that goes out and that is Hashem.
Below is some information from ArtScroll.com about why today is a special day and it includes a link to a PDF version of the special prayer.
recited by many especially on the Tuesday of Parshas Beshalach.
When
our ancestors were in the Wilderness, a month after the Exodus from
Egypt, they faced a tomorrow with no food. Justifiably, they asked
Moshe if he had taken them into the desert to starve to death. Hashem
responded that in the morning they would see that He had not forsaken
them.
In the morning – and every morning for the next 40 years – there was manna
waiting for them. By evening there was nothing left, and the next
morning, it was there again. Can you imagine how we would feel if we
went to sleep every night with empty refrigerators? There in the
Wilderness, Hashem showed our ancestors that ultimately, parnassah is in His hands.
We pray for it every day – to provide for our families, to assist worthy causes, to build sturdy foundations for the future.
This year, more than any in living memory, we pray for parnassah.
The recession has hit everywhere. Relatives and neighbors, institutions
and hopes for the future have been battered. So we pray for parnassah perhaps more fervently than in the past – but some days are more propitious than others.
The Torah reading of this coming Shabbos — Parashas Beshalach — includes the chapter telling how the Jewish People in the Wilderness received manna. Many people recite the chapter daily, as a special prayer for parnassah.
There is also a widespread custom to recite this chapter on the Tuesday
of the week of Beshalach, which this year is February 3rd.
As
a public service, we offer the text and interlinear translation of the
chapter, from the Schottenstein Edition Interlinear Siddur. Please feel
free to download it.
Click on this link to download: The Chapter of Manna.pdf (PDF: 206K)
Raising money is a lot like Shidduchim (match making) AKA: Mazel Tov it’s an investment!
Posted by: | Comments
One of the things any start-up needs to get off the ground and then to grow and survive is money. I was just thinking and this is what I tell the people in my company that raising money is just like shidduchim, you need to put in your popular effort (hishtadlus) and then hope G-D lets you find the right match that is perfect to you. Now just like you may go out with 100 girls or guys until you find the right once, the same thing with raising money. You may have to present your company 100 times before you find the rigth investor or even less times.
Also, just like in the world of Shidduchim there is a shadchan that are professionals or semi-professionals in finding you dates, so to in the investment world are their investment brokers who can help you find the perfect investor.
Now once you have your first date and the investor is interested there will be a second and third date etc… while he does his due dilligence. This is when he will call up people that know you and ask about you as well as current clients or potential clients if you have not yet opened for business.
Now at some point, as the investor gets to know you he will finally make a verbal commitment and then send you what is called a Term-Sheet (if he is a seasoned investor) or you will send him your investment sheet which outlines the term of the investment. Then just like when you get engaged you sign the Tanaim so to here you sign the term sheet and just like when you get married you give or get the Kesubah, so to when you "close" you actually get the signed investment agreement and just like the ring you get/give you will get the cash!
So as you can see dating and raising money are very similar. Bottom line is that G-D already knows who you are going to end up with as a spouse or investor, you just need to keep putting in your best efforts until you find the right one.
You deserve a break today
Posted by: | CommentsAll I got to say is thank G-D for Shabbos! Sometimes the best thing for your business is not to think about it all for 24 hours. Take a break and concentrate on Hashem and your family! You and they deserve it!
Doing good deeds in the time of economic recession
Posted by: | CommentsShabbos night in Shul, Rabbi Haber mentioned that he asked the Gadol Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg Sh'lita what his thoughts were on this crazy economic situation. Rav Scheinberg answered that Hashem is now acting with Midas HaDin (Strict Judgement) and the only way to counter act Midas HaDin is with Chesed.
That got me thinking about the real challenges ahead. When a recession happens on this large of scale and people all around us are losing their jobs, the knee jerk reaction is to tighten up the wallet and only spend money that is necessary to continue day to day living. It seems that the Yetzer Harah has a new friend called "The Economic Situation" that he is going to take full advantage of.
When people come to your door for Charity or if an institution that you normally support now needs your help more then ever, are you giving the same or more? Or are you hearing yourself say "you know times are tough and we are all taking a hit from the situation, sorry, but I wish it could be more."
What about having gusests for Shabbos or other Mitzvhos that "cost money"? Are we holding back?
It's a very tough question, at least it was until we listen to the words of Rav Scheinberg. The only way out of the current situation (Midas HaDin) is with acts of Chesed!
The good news is that there is plenty of acts of Chesed you can do that doesn't cost any money. Visting a sick friend, going to an old age home to bring some cheer, even sending an email to someone you know that is going through a hard time to cheer them up!
The best chesed that you can do is to find someone that lost his/her job another job. Can you imagine the joy it would bring to this family? If you hear of a job opening, don't keep it to yourself, but spread the word! You never know when you will be the one zoche to be the Shadchan and help battle this economic depression in more ways then one.
