The book “What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid? ” by Michal Oshman was published on May 4, 2021. The book takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery to identify one’s true potential, overcome fear, and pursue personal and professional fulfillment.
It combines practical advice, personal stories, and Jewish wisdom to help readers live an authentic and meaningful life.
Shvira
The Hebrew word for “brokenness” Feeling broken is universal; everyone feels broken in some way at some point in their lives. Brokenness is not something to be feared; it doesn’t need to be fixed. Broken people should not be discarded.
In fact, it is in the space between the shards of our broken hearts and our fragmented selves that we will learn and grow. The cracks are what make us who we are. They make us unique. The cracks make us more beautiful, more special, more powerful, and more whole.
Neshama
The Hebrew word for soul Neshama also means “breath,” which is consistent with the Torah’s description of the creation of humankind—that God blew the breath of life into the body, making it a living being.
Your soul is what makes you who you are. Your neshama is your essence, your unique, eternal, beautiful self. To nurture your precious soul, you must look past the superficial aspects of daily life and find your purpose.
Chinuch
The Hebrew word for “education” When educating our children, we need to teach them according to their way. It is not about what we want them to be; it’s about what their souls need them to be. You are there to guide, not control. It is up to you, the parent, to make your home a safe space for your children based on higher values.
Set boundaries and expectations; let them know the family and humanitarian behaviors you value, but allow them to make their own choices. Create a place where they feel accepted and listened to—and most of all, a place where you can help them discover their individual passions, ambitions, and dreams and help guide them on their own journey.
Parents can only give good advice or put them [children] on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hand
The secret to a meaningful life is to do something outside yourself, something to repair tears in your community, something to make life a little better for people less fortunate than you
Gesher Tzar Me’od
This phrase literally means “a very narrow bridge.” It is taken from a well-known song based on the words of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. The narrow bridge represents the scary, unknown path ahead of you in your life.
The rest of the song encourages you to “have no fear at all.” We must try to take that first step onto our narrow bridge, whatever it may be. We must always move forward if we want to conquer our fears. Just the action of taking a single step may be enough to change things for you.
The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.
Teshuva
The Hebrew word for “repentance,” teshuva, actually means “return.” This reflects the idea that to repent, we should return to our true, essentially good essence.
It shows us a way to improve ourselves and overcome the obstacles we face without feeling guilt or shame. Instead of blaming ourselves for our shortcomings, we should assess where we are on our path compared to where we should be—where our soul wants us to be—and correct our course.
If we regularly think about how to return to our essence and our own unique path, we will be able to always move forward with purpose, meaning, and without fear.
From every human being there rises a light.
Distancing is for the purpose of drawing near.
Tzimtzum
The Hebrew word for “contraction” or “concealment.” In the Kabbalah of Jewish mysticism, tzimtzum is used to describe how God created the world. Tzimtzum is an incredibly holy and complex concept because it describes the process in which God made space for us, His creations.
God contracted and concealed a part of His eternal light to make space for His creations: the world and us. We can use this fascinating principle to inspire us in our approach to others.
Even when we have the power and authority to take all the space, we should “contract” ourselves to make space for others: space for them to express different voices, feelings, emotions, and ideas.
In every sadness there is benefit.
Bittul
a Hebrew word that means “self-nullification” or “nothingness.” Bittul is the practice of internal reflection, in which one empties oneself of ego and purely selfish thoughts in order to connect with a higher reality. Bittul is not self-annihilation. On the contrary, it is a state of transcendence. It asks that you fill yourself with meaningful thoughts and actions to lift you up beyond egocentric focus.
Use this method of self-nullification to remember that not everything is about you. Empty your heart and mind of unhelpful thoughts and try to “fill” yourself with the right things: meaningful, purposeful things. This will feed your soul and help you overcome fear and despair.
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Tikkun
In Hebrew, tikkun means “repair” or “correct.” Repairing ourselves allows us to better repair the culture around us. We must always be aware of the culture we create. The way we act at work, at home, or anywhere else can influence how others feel. So think about your own actions and how you can create an inclusive, warm culture around you.
Show others that they can be themselves with no fear of judgment or rejection: flawed, quirky, emotional, quiet, passionate—help them remove their masks. Mistakes are okay. Failure is fine. Show the people around you that you care about them. Give feedback in a positive, constructive, and compassionate manner.
Be honest and speak from the heart; you’ll find that if you do, others will feel comfortable doing the same.
Mitzrayim
The Hebrew word for Egypt is Egypt, where the Israelites (the Jewish people) suffered years of slavery. The literal meaning of mitzrayim is “boundaries or “narrow straits,” which takes the idea of slavery to a symbolic level.
Each of us has a personal mitzrayim, our own narrow straits that restrict, stifle, and trap us. These internal chains of slavery—our own limiting thoughts and restrictive beliefs—might be what’s making us afraid, what’s keeping us from moving forward. But now it’s time to break free.
