Final Reflection and Wrap-Up (Weeks 21-26)

At the concnlusion of this entry, I will have taken you through 182 days of this project. How crazy is that?? And I've written all of it today! Sadly, as I have to get up fairly early tomorrow, I have to go to bed fairly soon. So here's the deal, I'm going to wish you a happy 2016 now, and I will finish my reflections at the start of the new year when I return from Israel. Than you for taking this journey with me and may the start of your new year be sweet!

[Week 21]

• Helping Non-Jews: I still don't understand why we wouldn't help everyone, but I guess it's a good reminder: help everyone regardless of religion or any other difference.
• Schedule Kindness into Your Day: We shouldn't have to schedule it should we? It should just be inherent...
• Don't Be a Pious Fool: I believe this section had to do with being self-righteous? I'm not totally sure.
• Don't Serve Liquor with an Overly Generous Hand: I don't remember...
• True Hospitality: Did You Ask Your Wife?: I remember this one! It had to do with respecting your spouse and making sure they're okay withthings you do that might affect them.
• Don't Embarrass Your Guest Don't Embarrass Your Children:

[Week 22]

• When You Suspect Spousal Abuse: I still feel uncomfortable talking about this, but I recognize it is important to be aware and watching out for the signs of domestic abuse...
• An Abused Spouse: How You Can Help:...and we should all know the resources available if, G-d forbid, we do have to help someone out one day.
• Maimonides' Advice: How to Change Negative Behavior: We have to overcorrect and our behavior will come to a happy medium.
• The Unending Obligation to Be Kind: Just be kind, it's simple.
• "What's Hateful Unto You...": I have to assume this section concluded that what is hateful to us we must not do to others.
• Not Everything  That Is Thought Should Be Said: Remember to filter your thoughts and think before you speak.

[Week 23]

• A Day of Kind Deeds: Why should it only be one day? Make it every day!In your own little ways.
• An Expensive Technique for Overcoming Anger: I don't remember what the technique is, but I'm sure it cost a fortune.
• When You're Angry at Your Spouse: Putting Things into Perspective: I don't remember what the book said, but usually I find thinking about conflicts from the other person's perspective to be very helpful for both forgiveness and empathy.
• Treating Your Employees with Respect: They deserve the same respect you expect from them.
• Abraham, the Model of Hospitality: The man rushed out to greet three strangers and offer them a full feast and the opportunity to bathe their feaet and rest in the shade. That is tthe epitome of a good host.
• There Is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch: I don't remember...

[Week 24]

• How Fear of God Can Make You a Better Person [Parts 1 and 2]: I don't remember but this is espcially one I'd like to, so I'll mark this section as one I'll go back and reread too.
• Express Gratitude to Your Parents: I still need to work on this! I say thank you for individual actions but I need to thank them for everything they've done for me. Unless that's too general and I should come up with categories of things to thank them for...thoughts?
• When Your Mate and Your Parents Are in Conflict: Remember that you left your parents to be with your spouse, but also remember the respect that your parents deserve from you (and your spouse).
• "From a Child Is Beautiful, Anything": If a child handed you a cookie they baked themselves, are you going to tell them it doesn't look delicious? That's right, from a child, anything and everything is beautiful.
• "This Is the Most Delicious Muffin I Have Ever Tasted": I remember that it is important to compliment those who might not expect it from you. I've done this this year by complimenting people whoh are in line for food with me or peple I pass whose backpacks are cool, even random people sitting next to me in lecture halls. Friends come from everywhere and everyone has something to teach you. 

[Week 25]

• When You Hear That Someone's Taking a Long Trip, Make Sure They Take Along Some Extra Money: I did not have the opportunity to do this but it's still somethingI'd like to participate in in the future.
• Steady Giving: I don't remember, but I assume it had something to do with giving tzedaka on a regular basis?
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: What the Torah Says: I took this to heart...and then my fish died and then I took it heart even more...I will make sure the water is similar temperature next time I change a fish's water.
• Can Veal Be Kosher?: I thought about this section a lot actually, but I didn't have the opportunity this year to eat veal, so that's a cool way to avoid incorporating this ethic into my life.
• Should a Jew Wear Fur?: How was the fur obtained? If the animal was harmed, how can it be ethical to wear fur?
• When Giving Enough Is Not Enough: When you think it might be better to give more, try giving mor and see how the you impact another person's life.

[Week 26]

• What Does the Sick Person Need?: Laughter, friends, happiness, smiles. Positive things in life.
• Should a Doctor or a Close Family Member Tell the Truth to a Person Who Is Dying?: I don't remember..
• Is Your Work Sacred?: Find something spiritual in what you do, your work is affecting someone else. I love this and I'll never think of my work the same way again. What I do is important no matter what it is.
• Is Abortion Murder? Should a Woman's Right to Abortion Be Absolute?: I even feel uncofrotable reflecting on this...
• Should a Woman Have the Right to Do What She Wants with Her Body?: ...as a woman, still uncomfortable...
• Rabbi Aryeh Levine and the Mitzvah to Visit the Sick: I don't remember...