What is hitbodedut? It starts by your going to a place where you’ll be alone, with no one around. When you’re settled you tell Hashem/God everything—everything that’s going on in your spiritual life and everything that’s going on in your material life. You tell Him about the good things and the kindnesses, and you tell Him about your troubles, God forbid. You thank Hashem for being kind and nice to you; you plead with Him to take away all your suffering. You also take an honest look at yourself. Ask yourself questions like: Are you as patient and sincere as you should be? Are your faith and trust in Hashem as firm as they should be? Are you still more jealous and timid than you should be? Are you cutting corners in your prayers? Are you being honest in your financial dealings? Still telling white lies?
And answer these questions as if you were answering them to God. Because you are. You have to determine whether or not you are really meeting up to Hashem’s expectations from you.
© Copyright 2014 148west.com/O. Bergman
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