"The Secret" Revealed

Thank you for making these statements about the secret ... I know from experience that it is a very dangerous book and therefore I agree with your words ... I lived by "the secret" for a year and then, I had to spend the next two years reversing the damage it made to my brain and my life. not thinking negative? that develops into not believing evil exists, and people that deny that bad things and bad people exist in this world, are in more danger than everybody else to fall pray to it.

You are doing it wrong. Being aware of your thoughts and consistent affirmations are the key. Study how to do affirmations.

A great jewish, intelligent, humorous Answer and a Kiddush and Kevod HaShem ! B"H I am proud to be a part of the same "family" as You :)

I have read the book and I agree. If "the secret" is right there is no G-D and there is no evil either. Everything is depending on us as human beeings. It is obvious that we are no lord of the universe, we hardly manage our everyday lifes. And there is only one Lord. Acording the secret there are as many lords as people on earth. So this looks rather as a kind of polyteism in a hidden shape. Be brave and stand up for our faith! Of course there are parts of truth in "the secret", within G-ds plan we can help further events by positiv thinking and we can stop them by negativity, but the evil never presents with a handshake: hi I am the evil. He always hides behind a particulary truth. So: thank you to you all who speak this out loudly

I agree. I would be happy to discuss further. Best, Amir

The Rabbi is insightful about "the secret" being old (and faulty) news. I once had a college classmate suggest that my mother, who had died of cancer when I was ten, must have wanted to on some level! Imagine. There is of course a place in the world for positive thinking-but I would hate to see a world in which we blame the sick and poor for their suffering.

You do not know what the Secret is. He could have blamed on God too. The Secret is not about killing people.

Like many who watched it, the writer has missed the part where it was clearly spelt out that action was required. And then they watch it and wonder why it doesn't work for them. The answer is simple: they heard only what *they* wanted to hear. Then there is also the sectarian sorts that deride anything that doesn't explicitly affirm their brand of religion. It is entirely correct that The Secret makes no mention of Judaism, or Christianity, or any other club. God is universal and beyond any labels we apply. Ester Hicks version is indeed bizarre but she is not featured anywhere on The Secret so what is the relevance? This is like condemning The Zohar because you disagree with The Kabbalah Centre. In short there is nothing contained within The Secret that is anyway contrary to Jewish teachings.

Rabbi Blech: Thank you for saying out loud what I have been thinking about this hoky book and subsequent film. I am in sales, real estate, and this book is heavily touted by managers who want more production. What I really want to know is what you think of Byron Katie? I have attended a couple of her seminars and found her "ask for questions and turn it around" platform to be absurd. She has also had some sharp comments about Israel. If you have time I would appreciate your comment. Thank you.

I find the words of the Rabbi to contain the truth. Yet I am troubled by a couple of sources which seem to also point to the direction of the way of The Secret. In that the verse in Job(chapter 3) states " I have feared a fear and it has come to me and that which i worried from has visited me". Further we are thought by our sages (Makkot 10b) In the way one chooses to go he is lead. This is for the good or the bad.
We see that there is a concept that a person is leed after the way he thinks.
Which we are brought to ask how are we to resolve this with the concept of beleif that everything is in the hands of Hashem?
It may be that this is to part of Hashem's plan.Meaning, that G-d has created in us this power of G-d as we are created in his image. He has told us that we should be careful to think only good, for one that thinks bad will bring bad upon himself. Yes, Hashem may step in to the picture as a result of merit or sin to alter the persons wishes, but on a whole it is a perosn destiny to belive in the good and pursue it.
Furthermore- it has been mediaclly proven that a sick person who is given hope and feels that he can be better has higher chances then one that has no hope. This is the power og G-dliness in us that we can control our fate. But we must always remember that the outcome is totally the will of Hahsem who allowed it to come to frution.
Ponder what has been said there is much truth.

The summary says it all. Fools and their money are soon parted. I'm not even in the same ballpark as Jewish -- but truth is truth no matter who speaks it, and this fine rabbi knows the REAL secret.

In my opinion, Oprah was planning to make this new age religion her own brand as she does with everything else. She had the Secret group on twice in a short span of time. Then the VA Tech shootings happened. A terrible tragedy. I believe that the ridiculous notion of The Secret could not have gone over at this particular time. Were the students that were murdered not putting out positive thoughts that day? Suddenly, what was going to be a weekly segment, a la Dr. Phil, Rachel Ray and Dr. Oz was shelved. There was a really good piece written in Salon dot com which reflected my feelings when I read it.
The other really insulting part was that Ms. Byrne just copied several other authors including Napolean Hill and passed it on as her own. Oprah insulted and humiliated James Frey for embellishing on his autobiography yet she honored this woman for blatant plagarism.
Faith and goodness is not always rewarded with riches. If the Almighty blesses us beyond our wildest dreams that''s a real plus. In my book you do the right thing ALWAYS and then count your blessings if and when they come. Large and small. One more point, there is one other danger with The Secret''s teachings. If one happens not to get something through positive thinking, they just may have an emotional breakdown. I think the teachings can range from the ridiculous to the downright dangerous. I even know of one young man who told me how angry he was that his parents did not impart "THE SECRET" on him and he blames them for failing him. I know of another successful professional whose wife left him because he wasn''t rich enough at the ripe old age of thirty five! She had just finished a month''s stint watching all of the tapes of Ms. Byrne.
And to you Rabbi, thank you for a well written article.

I am critical of the concept mainly because I am not sure it's the "universe" that creates some of these realities.

I think our attitudes can change some things in our lives. Take the person who is disabled in an accident who wants to walk again versus the one who has given up on ever walking. That is an internal power in my opinion. It's a good attitude.

We can sense a difference between the happy man and the grump. I think people respond differently to these attitudes and in the end they end up with different results. I just don't think it's the universe providing these things.

At the same time, a good attitude can't just make cancer go away or prevent cancer. A good attitude can't change the world for the better. A good attitude can't make bad things go away and never happen again. A good attitude can't put food into the stomachs of the millions who are currently starving. So obviously there is a limit to a good attitude.

I don't like everything about the secret HOWEVER I began to think much more positively about money and I was able to increase the income of my business significantly within weeks of buying the CD's

Well done Rabbi!The worst trap is the simplest and deepest trap. So also for man. The simplest one was the one in Eden, set by the serpent.'You can have what you want,don't worry about what G-d says'.'If it works it must be true'.
My concern is that Byrne's theory may be more practically achievable that correct, and that people will be more drawn to be the centre of their own universe. That is the real 'magnet attraction'. It is a grave fallacy to call that 'true spirituality'.
This is New Age spirituality, and where it has appeared in other religions, it is from New Age influence.
Oprah is a New Age High Priestess.

i appreciate SOME of what's written in the Secret. We do attract things and people into our lives, and others come into our lives for other reasons. We Jews did NOT "attract" the Shoah, nor did New Yorkers "attract" September 11. Of course you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Judaism says to do tikkun olam, to improve or correct the negatives in our lives. I appreciate that if we say we want something, we must check if our actions are contradicting that request. I don't think I wasted money on this book, but I would be careful about who I recommend it to. If someone is going through a very rough time in life, and is gullible or desparate, this book won't help.

She may be the most dangerous woman in America, if not the world. She is the poster child for gullibility, and has tremendous influence among the gullible. Any myth gains credibility the moment she espouses it, and the people she champions become immediate successes, such as her Dr. Phil who has revealed himself as just another shock therapist, the quack plastic surgeon who recently killed a rock star's mother, and, G-d help us, Barak Obama.

I'd never heard of "the secret" until I read this article. Rabbi Blech's approach made a lot of sense to me, but still I was curious, so I found the first 20 minutes free on the internet. Undoubtedly, negative thoughts invites negative experiences, especially in human interactions. And optimism will surely make us perform at our best. But I found that image of the young woman lusting after a gold piece of jewelry both absurd and obsene. I thought that the truth that material wealth does not bring long term hapiness was pretty commonly accepted. This movie seemed to be based on false assumptions.
Personally, I have discovered my own secret. Since I have been internalizing the belief that everything that G-d brings you in your life has a purpose and is precisely what you need, I have found it easier to think positively. Before that, I was often fretting the eventuality of so many unfortunate disasters, that the fact that nothing profoundly terrible really did come to pass, only served to convince me that eventually they would. Now, since I believe that G-d loves me and will give me only what I need, even if it is unpleasant at the time, I can quit fretting and enjoy the really good fortune with which I have been blessed. And coincidentally, my life has also improved in some measurable ways. I work hard at forgiving and not holding grudges as I see this as essential to peace of mind.
Thank G-d I have never coveted money and material wealth, perhaps because I have never lacked my basic needs. And I would never flaunt my wealth causing pain for the less fortunate. Even the most well off can find himself peniless tomorrow, so what's to show off.
Thank you Rabbi Blech for sharing a much more cohesive approach to understanding a giving and generous God who in His omniscience sometimes gives and sometimes witholds.

There does not seem to be any conflict of interest between either Kabbalah or Judaism and The Secret.
The idea is that you get what you wish for under certain conditions and clearly states several times that you must take action. To me, it is similar to the idea of crossing the Red Sea with regards to 'mind over matter'.
Kabbalah practically embodies The Secret's underlying message which is The Law of Attraction or the power of intention. Kabbalah's notion that we are responsible on some level for everything that happens to us as a result of this or a past life is the same as well.
Apparently, Judaism had this all figured out years ago...

I had a near-fatal illness last year. Someone in my extended family sent me variations on the nonsensical "Secret". I took a look and was horrified. What happened to me is neither the result of negative thoughts nor bad lifestyle choices (e.g. smoking, etc); it was a congenital condition I was unaware I had or was at risk for. So my non-Secret message is: be responsible; hope for the best, plan for other contingencies, and use the brains G-d gave you to get an education, seek medical treatment, invest smartly, and even leave a few minutes early to allow plenty of time to find a parking spot!

If this misguided author really thinks she can base her approach on the bible, try this one: THe Jews are out of Egypt for a mere few days, and almost in the clear. The message from Heaven is "Don't take the logical shortcut through the land of the PLishtim. Head for the Yam Suf, the Red Sea. Great move. When they (all 3 million of them!!!) arrive, they are literally between the devil and the deep blue Sea, with nowhere to go and Pharoa's legions closing in on them from the rear. Let's examine their positive thoughts at the time: "Moshe, you terrorist, you've brought us here to DIE!!! WE will perishe here!!! Lord, how we miss the blissful existence of Egypt, what have you done!" Oh, really. So what is God's reaction to this powerful positive thinking? Well, just what this lame-brained authour would expect, right??They all get blown off the map and out of history. Well, actually, more like the sea miraculously opens up, they are saved in record time, and Pharoah's legions are outta there for keeps. Let us all take a lesson from the words of King David: "Many are the thoughts/plans of man, and God's counsel will prevail." God listens to those who are close to him, that is for sure, and that is because the thoughts of a tzaddik are highly and finely tuned to God's will in the first place. Let us all strive to get to that place.

How can someone with even a smattering of knowledge of Jewish history think that Jews have gotten what they prayed for? Did Eastern European Jews pray for shtetls and pogroms? Did they pray to have their sons forced into the Russian military under the czar? Did Jews pray for the Holy Land to be overrun by Roman then Christian and then Muslim conquerors? Did they pray for the Holocaust? Did they pray for laws that kept them out of American colleges and clubs for so many years? If the Law of Attraction is real then people like Paris Hilton must be masters of it.

Hi Rabbi Blech, After learning their "secret", I had the same thoughts. I don't mind that they repackaged old ideas, maybe more people will here the message this time of thinking positive. HOWEVER, G-D was nowhere to be found.

To assume people can attract 'anything' they want is rediculous. Wanting it is the key to enabling oneself to make the moves to get there, but overall success and the results wanted are always in G-D's hands. I'd like to take that even further by saying even the continued strength to go after something big is G-D.

The twelve step programs such as AA, NA and OA have millions and millions of people who begged themselves to close their mouths from that morself of food, that drink, or that drug.

When many of their lives were overwhelming they tried their own mind and will power, and yet were unsuccessful. The key to their and really all of our recoveries is to realize that we are powerless to G-D. That we need G-D for anything and everything.

The Missing Secret in the Secret is that IF we can truly believe we are powerless, and all is powered by G-D in our lives all the time, then and only then "We have unlimited power", because now we are merely an extention of G-D.

Like any addiction where the victim once knew there was no way they can stop, they were limited...now with this newfound connection and faith in a higher power, they are freed.

Talking about the Bible, a good example would be Moses. He had the strongest desire to visit the holy land. What did he do? He prayed so many times until G-D asked him to stop, or he would have to let him into the holy land, and it wasn't part of the divine plan.

Why did Moses pray? Why didn't he just desire it? Simply because desire translates into prayer for all of the great leaders, they know they are not the ones in control.

Do you think all of these parents who don't have children but want more badly than any monetary wish you can imagine, don't then receive because they didn't think positively enough!!!!!

All you see in the Bible over and over is Praying for what we want, desire and even need.

And Rabbii Blech, you said "What troubles me, though, is what this incredible hoopla over a publishing craze tells us about contemporary spiritual naivete. Are people really that gullible -- or simply that ignorant?"

I think it's not that people are gullable or ignorant or naive. People believe in their power, their control. "Create your own destiny" doesn't say anywhere in it that there are limits or that their is G-D yet we hear it all the time.

We are bred to believe that we can achieve anything ourselves. So it appeals to us as humans when we hear that we can completely control our destinies by thinking positively. Much of the case it's true that a person doesn't achieve because they haven't perceived and believed, the trick is many people can't continue to be positive all the time when crap happens all the time, that's where faith comes in. And how she can say that you'll see instant results is rediculous, that they played on the magic of things being attracted to you, rather than you going after them.

But something to wonder is "Be'derech she'adam Rotze Lailaich Molichin Oso" - "The way that a person wants to go , he [G-D] throws him their." So, can that be the Rhonda's secret?

Hatzlacha Raba!

The success of "Secrets" proves what I have said for a long time. If you want to make a million, just tell people what they want to hear about health, wealth, sex or losing weight. It doesnt matter whether it's the truth or not. If it shows an easy, fast solution it will sell. Why do people believe a stain on the wall is Jesus? Because they want to, not because their plumbing is leaking!! The beauty of this approach is unrefutable. If it doesnt work for you, well you weren't believing hard enough. I think I will write a book about losing weight by thinking skinny thoughts.

I totally understand that people should not always get what they want. Most of the time people don't know what they want. But the jewish people have been practicing the law of attraction for centuries. They pray, they belive and they recieve. That is how it has always been, and always will be. The law of attraction is what makes this world revolve. So maybe it was a brilliant marketing effort but you know what...it worked, why? because she wanted it to work. anybody that is looking for success, looking for something all they do is ask...i am sure you have asked for something haven't you?

gabriel Shimunov

Amen to your article for keeping it in perspective.

Let the greedy ones stand alone. Happiness is not about money or things -- it is a state of mind and less is better when it's because you have shared with others less fortunate than you and for all those things -- you have to pay tax and insurance and maintenance -- I am happy with less knowing that others have more because I'm a giver rather than a taker!

The article assumes all people are only wishing for weatlh,fame and selfish things. My own deepest desire from the age of 14 untill I was close the 30 was to build and run a orphanage. I wanted to give the children the best of everything. Well I didn't know how to stay focused and achieve that.Eventually something that big just seemed impossible to do. I think many people are just like I was. What they want to have or do most would benifit others. So if useing the ideas in The Secret could help them focus and achieve their wishes it is ok.

Good Thought, Good Word, Good Deed is the main three pillars of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is considered the mother of all these nowaday religions. It is based on that all is in the mind; what one thinks one says, then one performs what one says and thinks. It is simple and profound at the same time. Rhonda Byrne may have understood the secret of marketing, but I think she has understood the secret of simple life too. She also is intelligent to turn a simple basic life-idea into an exploding international multibillion dollar marketing idea that benefited not only herself and her company, but millions of people globally. I admire her for that.

The seek in secret. We are all seeking, I would say, this elusive thing called happiness. The secret is certainly about facing life with an optimism or hope and there is certainly a truth to the old adage: smile and the world smiles with you. But certainly, we don't always get what we think we want and it is also true, in perhaps some deeper, more cosmic sense, that we get what we need. I agree there is a danger to the philosophy in the Secret, and that is, it is indubitably true that bad things happen to good people, all the time. Everyone faces this "mine" field called life. I will say nobody, absolutely nobody, goes unscathed. Now this is not a matter of attitude. Life has its many unforeseen calamities and sorrows. Suffering, as the Buddhists do point out, is a part of all of our lives. There is no SECRET that has just emerged about how to get rich and rich means to me, so much more than wealth we carry in material goods. We are already rich. Take the time to observe a sunset, a blade of grass, a child's smile, listen to the laughter in the playground. I would say, if you are OPEN to the beauty that is everywhere and is also contained in the weathered suffering face, if it brings you to your knees, this beauty of the human soul, then you have found the SECRET. There is meaning everywhere and it is not in asking for the positive but it is in seeing what we all have, this weave, that is our connectivity to each other --- all beating hearts.

BRAVO ON YOUR ARTICLE - IT WAS RIGHT ON TARGET NO MATTER WHAT NEGATIVE COMMENTS YOU RECEIVED - THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH - FOR GOD'S SAKE FOR SURE... :)

Torah true JEws don't have to look to the "Secrets" in order to improve themselves and their outlooks in life. IF only they constantly learn Pirkei Avos, and improve themselves, or any other Mussar study, they won't have the time or need to be distracted by the "Secret". Often enough, history repeats itself, by Hashem sending secular alternatives as an option for the Jews who have not avail of themselves of our precious traditional Holy books or who have strayed from the path and forget to revisit their wealth of Jewish sources. For instance, Harry Potter materials as a distraction to the weekly Torah portions, etc.

For you Torah Jews, remind yourselves to not be distracted! Keep hanging in your Torah library of approved sources and stop relying on the "outside" secrets.

A friend of mine has shown me the dvd...
I could realy not stand it! It seams perverse, that so many Phd's are working on it together with some "spiritual" leaders!
Lead people to waste of time and spiritual power is surely not the best way to reach the Real SECRETS!

Byrne is good at marketing that's for sure. But your story is a typical scep-babble. I for long know what "the secret" is about from books as a course in miracles and a conversation with god and yes it works: Truely believing and feeling great about it, visualizing works; I got rich (yes we all want the same things) drive a porsche and a SL500, live at the lakeside, have the most attractive and sweet wife ever. Never wanted kids and turns out I can't get them. Please, stop being such a sceptic to everything, you're life could be so much better. I feel sorry for you, I really do.
M, Belgium

"The Secret" is not only about positive thinking, but avoiding negative thinking. It is not contradictory to Torah values to avoid assuming the worst and focus on the best. Of course we don't assume that we make things happen, but we do know that G-d gives to those who make themselves vessels for receiving His good.

I am a Torah-observant Jew who recently watched "The Secret". I found it not too difficult to just overlook/ignore the Hollywood production glitz and oversimplifications and to extract a couple of very helpful lessons/benefits that are improving my life:

1. I used to worry all the time. I thought of it as defensive: if I anticipated everything that could go wrong, I might be able to prevent it. Now I just consciously force myself not to worry, and instead to think of what I want to go right, instead of what might go wrong. It doesn't mean I turned off my natural defense mechanisms. They work anyway. I find that I am much happier and more calm as a result, and, as before, most things just work out fine.

2. My wife (who watched The Secret also) and I get along much better. Since we are both consciously trying to focus on the positive, we don't get in fights, there is less yelling in the house, more smiles, etc.

Obviously, The Secret's root idea is a Torah idea: look at the positive, everything Hashem does is for the good.

Sometimes Torah-true inspiration comes from "outside" sources. As Ethics of the Fathers says: "Who is wise? One who learns from every person." An educated Jew will know how to take the kernel of truth and discard the chaff.

I saw the commercial for Oprah's show about "The Secret" & wondered what it was about. After reading your excellent article, I was saying "Ahmayn," because I was inspired by the truth of what you said. It's encouraging to be reminded that "The most dangerous untruths are truths moderately distorted," and that "The secrets of God belong to those who revere Him." Thank you!

I'd like to read more

A very nice article indeed. Rhonda Byrne is a clever person who could make money from stupid people who dont believe in God.

I'm so glad Rabbi Blech spoke up about this "chazzerei" that so many people have taken to their hearts. What shameless self-promotion this film supports!

That email you sent about "The Secret" was great. I had many similar feelings after watching it. Today spirituality is becoming more and more about how to "get stuff". These systems are only teaching the greedy how to become greedier causing people who actually accept this crap to become more enmeshed in materiality which is exactly opposite of what this world needs right now or ever. If you look into the eyes of the actors in this movie you can tell that they think they are so wise and have it all figured out simply because they think they have learned how to continue to fill there pockets and satisfy their selfish desires. But what can one expect from something that is based on legion channeled teachings?

found this article to be very interesting and for the first time i understand why prayers may not be answered.

1.Because not every wish deserves to be granted.(Understandably)

2.Because what we asked for,may not be in our best interest from the divine perspective.

I now truly believe that Happiness is the reward for those who choose to follow the ways of God.

Thank you for the article.I really enjoyed it.

"The Secret" RevealedI enjoyed Rabbi Blech's assessment of "The Secret". I, too, have felt the book didn't say anything we haven't heard, and feared it would give people the misconception that they deserve whatever they want and all they have to do is think positively about it. Seems our society's sense of entitlement is growing.

The Rabbi is so true in what he writes because if what Max Green is saying would be true, then think of it: Is he, that is Max, truly right? Are we getting everything we want?

Truly, the Rabbi states it perfectly. Many people are not getting what they want because what many, as Max assumes, would beget will be suffering to the highest degree possible at the end.

What the Rabbi is talking about is the light, the divine light. That's our true us within the depth of ourselves. And as long as we don't see it, but still get what we dreamed for, then it's not G-d that is giving it us. It are we ourselves, our ego that is doing it to us because for everything we beget through our ego, another human innocent being will suffer the consequences of it, even nature and above all nature.

Look in what a dreadful state it has fallen into. Many species of fish who are on the verge of becoming extinct, as just a tiny example, because we overfish them to meet the needs of them who sayl: I want it, period. And you know what I and the Rabbi are telling. This is the dream many have begot with what they wanted, a planet almost on the brink of extinction if we keep wanting what we in reality don't want to have.

This is what the Rabbi is also warning for, and he is so true about it to the fullest, and the author of Secret is so wrong in its fullest as well. As written: the danger of an untruth is when a truth is moderately falsified. But with secrets it's clearly extremely falsified to say the least because if we all would follow her example, then I would give this planet not a very long time to survive all the attacks it will have to bear on its sanctity, namely the sanctity of life. Anyhow, at the end, nature will defend its right to exist with all the power she will have. And not one wish of those who have always forcefully wanted something will be granted anymore.

We are brought up with honoring the sanctity of life, not honoring and following the culture of dead, as, by the way, some extremist circles within a certain part of world are also so fun about. So in the case of Secrets this means that they wish it, and so should unquestionably beget it?

How false can that not be as this is even completely disconnected from even the basics of human values of life, not to mention the truth who taught us it all about as Jews. But again a proven fact about the wrong within the book secrets and the trueness in the Rabbi's point of view about it.

We only can truly beget what we desire if it truly meets the criteria of divinity and consequently its divine respect for every life. Everything else is just crap, our ego, pure individualism, the jungle of the strongest. That's what the book of secret is promoting, namely push or be pushed. It's as simple as that.

Isn't this metaphysics? What next- concentrating and making objects float in the air?

In Proverbs it says that as a man thinketh in his heart so is he. In the book of Job, Job declared that the thing he feared the most came upon him. I do agree that God is not a Cosmic bell hop and just because I want something does not mean I am going to get it, but what if I do? That is entirely up to God. The results that people have had cannot be deniedare all these people crazy? are their results false? There are alot of things about God's law and principles we have yet to learn about. No God is not our divne butler, he should be treated with reverence, but perhaps these people understood some of the divine laws and have taped into it. Can you explain electricity? You may not understand entirely how it works but do you stop using it just because you don't understand how it works? How about the law of gravity? I do not support treating God like a genie, but perhaps with respect to God perhaps you should further investigate in what way he may permit the results people are expereinceing before dismissing it completely.

Food for thought- what you're saying is that bryne tok an idea and marketed it, and it doesn't matter what the idea is, it's just good that she's making money and "the Rabbis" should learn how to make money from her. Sorry- but does that make sense? That's not even arguing with the point that you seem to make saying that it's OK to market whatever you want just to make money. You didn't respond to Rabbi Blech's opinion at all. You just said that he should go help the Rabbis makemoney for the poor of Israel. Eileen, you rasied a vrey good point- to tell you the truth I forgot what it was biut I remember I liked it. And Tony, I am emailing that phrase around, what a phrase!!! :"The lie travels around the world while the truth is still putting on socks." Great! And about the article- I haven't read or watched the Secret- in fact, I didn't know what it was until
I read this article. But I do know that when I walk in the streets, if I have confidence in myself and I EXPECT people to look at me, they do. If I don't pay attention to myself and I am vrey involved in my thoughts then people don't look at me. It makes no difference if I am looking awful- if I think I'm pretty and worth it, people think so too. I also beleive that you are what you beleive you are. This doesn't mean that you are unrealisitc about your abilites, except they ARE enhanced by your beleif in yourself.

Rabbi Blech seems unfamiliar with the classic work Chovos Ha'Levavos which teaches that bitachon (trust) alone will give you the merit to have G-d answer your prayers, whether or not you are worthy.

very succinctly said

I must point out that, from my learning, Rabbi Blech is seeing "the secret" from an all-too-common negative perspective. "The secret" is truly simple although, as with everything else, it can be overthought and become (seemingly) complicated. I profess that we do, in fact, get what we want; whether we know it or not. We can become anything we want to become, anytime. What is "truly tragic," however, is that the world is already a reflection of what the Rabbi does not see. We are already getting what we want, i.e. "the secret" is already working. Most of us are TAUGHT to want, e.g., a good job, lots of money, bureaucratic power, and more and more and more...so much that we're never satisfied or truly happy. Even if we wish for peace, or moderation, many of us have subconscious thoughts of anger, guilt, anxiety, etc., that lead to strife and emotional & physical exhaustion (i.e., sickness, disease and death).
It is important to realize that G-d grants us free will but that does not include the ability to create or change the reality of others - we can get what we want but we cannot get in the way of others who also get what they want. So wishing to "be Paris Hilton" or "marry Brad Pitt" (e.g.) is futile at best.
When the consciousness of the masses is ready, and (most importantly) willing, to see things differently, a new paradigm will flourish. Let's just be careful to keep peace and love, for the earth and ALL of its inhabitants (human and non-human), front and center in our thoughts. That way, we can't lose.

I agree with Rabbi Blech's thesis that G-d is not a cosmic bellhop doing our bidding. (And, by the way, his book "If God is Good, Why is the World so Bad?" totally changed my understanding around the topic).

However, I interpret "The Secret" (which I haven't seen, but I did read "Think and Grow Rich") as acting on the HUMAN level. Thinking positive thought, clarifying your goals & desires, and visualizing a future you want are all very helpful in shifting our own perspectives. They help us see things we wouldn't have otherwise, and take actions we wouldn't have otherwise. So changing your thinking CAN change the outcome, not through G-d being a bellhop, but by us using whatever limited power of creation & free-will G-d has given us.

Whenever I use one of these "manifestation" techniques, I am very careful to thank G-d for everything I have & am, make it clear that my wishes are to be in the best service of G-d that I can, and completely turn the outcome over to G-d.

We're just G-d's hands in this world, but as such, we have been given some amount of creative power. Let us use it, as best we can, using the techniques in "The Secret" if helpful, to do G-d's Will.

There is only one thing behind Byrn book how to make easy money out of foolish people it is nothing more but greed it is sad for me to know how many ignorants are out there to believe in her book..

Bitter, poorly written article, just bashing what is popular. Not that the Secret has the whole truth. but non-Chassidic Judaism never seems to be too hip on empowering people. Unfortunately, it is often depressing andn opressing to those searching for a left-brained spirtuality. Chassidic philosophy seems to jive more with a 'Secret' type of outlook, where a person can change his surroundings-this gives hope. Saying that the Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred is certainly more empowering than saying that Temple was destroyed because the Romans were better militarily. Your article seemed to be too black/white, just written to go against what is in popular culture. Distasteful and negative. Failing to see the good in any other philosophy. If someone says that there is wisdom amongst the non-jews, Believe.

The Secret may be flawed in some ways, but the truth that's in it is valuable and empowering. We all know about "self fulfilling prophesies". I agree with some of the other posters that I'd like to see things that will nourish and fuel people creating a life they want. I once asked a great rabbi where free will comes in to play if "it all comes from G-d". The simple answer that I got was something like "The past is all from G-d, the future is up to us."

if one sincerely explores the beauty an depth of Torah, then there is no secret.

have you read the tanya? the tehillim?, the great hasidic rebbes? nachman of breslov? the ancient jewish prayers that we say every day?

it says: mchalkel chaim b'chesed, H' sustains life with kindness/lovingkindness/love. everyday, all the time. it says that the kindness and compassions are never exhausted (amidah), that they are new every morning(shmuel), that H's kindness and compassion are on all His works (tehillim), that there is only H" and nothing else(devarim), that the world was created as an act of love(aryeh kaplan from talmud), that darkness can and will be transformed into light(tanya), the kindness of H" fills the earth(tehillim), this kindness is 'ki leolam hasdo', it is forever(tehillim), that emunah(faith)plays a central role(havakuk, also tanya)...

we need our scholars and regular yids to make THIS information available to the jewish people so we can fulfill our role as 'a light', b'ezrat H'.

THANK YOU for this well-written, concise response to a film that has received FAR too much publicity and success. I think people crave G-d's power in their lives but look in all the wrong places. This film has been recommended to me by several people but I knew from the teasers that it had to be ridiculous. Thank you for saving me time and money and providing the response I assumed would be inevitable.

I certainly appreciate the Rabbis taking the time & effort to comment on this DVD & Book. I saw The Secret long before it was featured on Oprah and gained mainstream popularity. I was coming out of a very dark period in my life and the DVD was very inspirational.

It is very easy to sit in judgement. Perhaps if a Jew used Rhonda Byrnes amazing marketing idea and presented Torah concepts in a mainstream way then more secular Jews would find it easier to return to their faith. I do understand that Judaism is not a mainstream concept to begin with and yet I feel that there is a way to communiicate with mainstream Jews in a way that will encourage them to return.

Torah for the secular Jew, who was not raised with its teachings, is an intimidating challenge. The attitude of most observant Jews & Israelis who take a high moral stance is an even more daunting challenge.

I see only good in instructing Jews to be clear on what they truly want and to be very grateful for everything they have. Hope has kept the Jewish people alive for over 4 Millenia and giving Jews more hope can only result in positive results.

Its easy to stand in judgement of someones dream and more challenging to persue your own. Focusing only on the positive aspects of your life and on the positive aspects of the people around you promotes healthier relationships both within yourself and with others.

There is also nothing in the Torah that prohibits the Jewish people from making lots of money on a marketing idea. The Jews have been bankers and very successful business people going back to very ancient times.Love alone does not build Shuls or publish Torah scrolls. 20% of the Jews in Israel live below the poverty line and it takes money to feed them. There is nothing wrong with having both Yidishkeit and money. These 2 things are not mutually exclusive. The boys & men who learn all day in the Yeshivas are supported by those Jews(like myself) who go out and make money so that we can provide for those who learn all day long. The financial contribution is no less important than the spiritual one. The money is a catalyst for good.

There is nothing wrong with marketing Torah concepts in an easily digestible way to secular Jews. Perhaps our Rabbis can learn something from this DVD about bringing people into the flock.

The remarks made in this article on the issue of God giving us what is in our best interest is also not presented in an encouraging way here.

I have heard that the Rabbis teach that when God loves us he tests us more. I have often wished to be less loved by him and more loved by the abusive, neglectful Jewish mother he saddled me with in this lifetime. I don't see how growing up an abused & sexually molested child was in my best interest either. Perhaps the Rabbis would like to revisit this teaching.

Perhaps the Rabbis might consider suspending their judgement all together, for a while, and see how much more attractive Judaism becomes to the secular Jews. We may start showing up in Shul when we don't have to face "The Look" on the face of the Rabbi and don't have to face the inevitable lectures on keeping Shabbat & Kosher.

Perhaps the Rabbis may put together their own DVD or help produce one that will give all the Jewish people more insight into Torah & Yiddishkeit and more hope & positive thought process. Since the Rabbis are in such disagreement with this DVD, they may want to consider producing a DVD that gives the "Torah" message in a positive way rather than putting forth all this negativity and judgement about what is already out there.

Instead of bashing the Secret. Use the chachma of its sucess to market yiddishkeit in a way that appeals to the masses. a light unto the nations what a constructive way to use ones energy!

Thought has inertia. This is the secret behind the secret. Understanding inertia, in relativistic terms, is fundamental to understanding the power of thought.

I was a little leery at first about this article until I read you disagreed! Good work!

thank you for an important piece. i would respectfully add that it would be helpful to include what jewish prayer is, the positive aspect that we're encouraged to see beyond our selves to the Divine will, which, whether we see it or not, is for our own good. this certainly is a difficult idea especially during times of suffering (one surely shouldn't say it to a person suffering).

i love my jewish traditions because people like rebbe nachman of breslov and the alter rebbe (the tanya) help us to connect with H', through love, devotion, study and acts of kindness.
we need more articles like this that debunk pop culture spirituality, especially when it can be harmful.
and, we also need the positive jewish perspective.

the secret has within it a simple yet profound diamond of truth that brings me joy, peace of mind ,and a closeness to GOD that is difficult to explain. The sooner the world realizes that there is enough for everyone, the sooner the Moshiah will be here because the peace we achieve within is the peace we manifest outside of ourselves.The teachings of the Secret mesh perfectly with my jewish spirituality.

of the spiritually bankrupt society we live in. It astounds me how hungry people are to find meaning in life, how spiritually starved they are for any easy answer; Make that a quick answer too since the internet has bred a culture of people to important to wait more than 5 nano seconds for anything. Americal culture especially sickens me daily with it's "Idol" watching culture of teens (size 2 ideally).
Books like this just serve to side track any real progress in rebuilding a moral fabric in this country.
Oh, but I'm optimistic. I believe it possible and more importantly, I am willing to work at it. Rabbi Paul taught me this secret years ago; "The harder you work, the luckier you get."
Shalom
Peacewriter

It is very rude and unjewish of you to trash this woman just because she doesn't define every aspect of life. She isn't presuming that innocent victims are guilty of bringing tragedy on themselves, and AIDS victims are many of them partially guilty because of unsafe practices which they involved themselves in. I think it is fair to say that in her over-enthusiastic joy in finding something that works, has worked and will continue to work for many people in most situations, she has forgotten the what-ifs and exceptions. But I'm pretty sure that's not her focus. I think most people are intelligent enough to understand there is a dark side to life. I commend her for helping us get a little lift.

It is said when non jews claim that they found wisdom believe them,when they claim that they found Torah don't believe them. This film is about one law which is taking to the extrim of trying to explain everything with it. That's its weakness. But the film has many important points.Yes we can attract things that are bad for us (it doesn't negete the law of attraction)and its dangerous to use only the feelings as a guide to what is right and not a moral compase and many other problems, but this film deserves a serious discussion and shoud teach Rabbis how to present ideas to the world.

First of all, we can all stop pretending that we don't know that every manifestation starts at Keter (thought) and makes its way all the way down to Malchut (physical reality).

Thanks to places like the Kabbalah Center, the Internet, and Amazon.com the Secret is no secret. So, now we possibly have another cult on our hands, as if Jews for J and the K Center, etc... weren't luring enough misguided neshamas away from kosher Yiddishkeit.

However, instead of kvetching about "The Secret"'s poor presentation of its concepts, I would have been interested in seeing the rabbi highlight the truthful aspects of it. The real question that I would like to see addressed is: "Why wasn't this book written by a yid, responsibly, and to the benefit of all of humanity?" We are, after all "A light unto the nations, " right? Considering the fact that Byrne evidently is not well-versed in Torah, she didn't do such bad job. What excuse do we have?

Byrne is making money off of this. So what? What do you expect in a time of such spiritual darkness as we are in, today? People, Jews and non-Jews alike, need HaShem in their lives and they are starving for light and direction. What's more, people do not appreciate that which they can receive with no effort.

Someday, according to Chazal, truth and wisdom will so commonplace that no one will need to ask anyone else to teach them (can't remember the source, Pirkei Avot?). For now, the age of Moshiach is just dawning; nobody is going to stop it and it's only going to spread throughout the world one way or the other. Good. Stop complaining.

I, personally, found the movie to be a very helpful tool to supplement what I have already learned from chasidut. Funny, the very day I saw the movie on Google video for the first time, my mom told me that after my aunt saw it she decided to buy one for each of her siblings. So, now I have the dvd in my possession without having spent a red cent.

It's more complicated than saying "think good thoughts" or that "bad" events are the result of "bad" thoughts, though there is a grain of truth to that. I definitely belive that humanity is living up to a mere sliver of its potential and that there are no limits as to what we can have IF we want those things badly enough to stay focused and follow through with actions. The only things that get in our way are our doubts; and in any case, HaShem is present in the "good" just as much as he is in the "bad." It's just one day after Purim when we learn all about this. Do we forget so easily?

I take "The Secret"'s message with the grain of salt and "fill in the blanks" (because it does have blanks) with Torah. I highly recommend a book called, "Master Your Thoughts, " by Rabbi Moshe Goldberger. Conventional Jewish wisdom teaches us to Focus your thoughts not just on what we want, but why we want it. Get to the heart of it and refine that even more. It's called tefillah (prayer).

It's so easy to clearly know what I don't want when I am attracting those things left and right; but I find that when I force myself to find the words to define and describe what I do want, it gets fuzzy. That's why the "anti-" camp is easy to join: there are no alternate solutions, no addressing of the root cause of the problem and no responsibility... Just blame.

"The Secret" has inspired me to notice my thoughts, to be selective about where I place my attention, and to have gratitude even for those small glimmers of light in my life. Once I force myself to take responsibility for my thoughts in a proactive and positive way, I actually begin to notice the things that embody those thoughts all around me... first in small and seemingly unnoticable things. Then, as I express gratitude for those small things, I find doorways to even bigger things that embody those thoughts. HaShem guides everything.

Whether it's anti-Kabbalah, anti-"Jews for J", anti-Secret, anti-war, anti-fur or whatever, we're still just dealing with the result of something within us that we participated in causing. Let's grow up and take responsibility for that.

I have sat under minister's who actually teach this pile of doo doo. I don't know how people can believe this stuff. They evidently don't read or study the Word of G-d. Thank you for bringing this to the attention of others.

I enjoyed this article. Thank you for sharing it. Certainly, by believing in our self it positions us favorably for carrying out a task. For example, if you go into an interview with the belief that you're going to do a bad job, that belief will be expressed in the interview. If you go into a job interview thinking you're going to do a great job, you will put yourself in the best possible situation and what you emote will reflect this. Your body does listen to your mind.

I believe the above is true, but the "Secret" carries it to levels for which I do not subscribe to. Instead, I think real mastery lies in how we interpret reality. He who can reshape our interpretation in a way that is good is the true master. Rabbi Laibl Wolf has been a great influence to me in this department.

I agree that the most important issue is not to let the assumption of "he/she brought it upon him/herself" turn us away from helping people in need. It is not for us to judge why a person needs help - just to extend the help needed.

The Secret of the secret is not the "law of attraction" but that when one beleives and developes a positive attitude, then positive results can be achieved. That said, rather than believe in the "law of attraction" which as you point out can not be true, it is better to beleive in Hashem who is real and not only will you develop a positive attitude and get positive results, the results will be positive for our world.

Thanks for the article! There is some truth to the film yet, the bother is it gives the glory to ourselves instead of to G_d, who all glory should be given.

The Secret is a movie about WILLPOWER or in Hebrew, ratzon. Each of us have an inner spiritual reality, a soul. When we think about something and believe in it, we create an inner spiritual reality of that thing truly existing. (((hence, the more we BELIEVE in G-d, the more He is "real" in our spiritual reality and the more close to Him our soul becomes))). G-d, in turn, decides if and how that reality will manifest itself physically. But you won't get anything you want before first willing it to exist! (but the movie definitely leaves out G-d's role in creating the real-world reality and instead attributes it to a "Law" humphhh) Unfortunately, too many people envision and will many negative things which come true too (since this is a world of free will and G-d will sometimes let negative wills occur because of this).
if you desire something, here is a "secret" 3-"S" formula for directing your will to G-d and, with His help, seeing results:
Your will should be: 1. Sincere- your will should stem from that which YOU, in your own heart, feel a true lack of- not something that society in general values or something that someone else wants but something that you yourself truly want; 2. Specific- be as specific as possible with what you want- the more detail the better; 3. Spiritual- dont ask for a billion dollars, instead ask for things which are of a spiritual non-tangible nature, such as the guidance to find the right job, the understanding to help a weak child, the strength to handle a certain situation, the ability to accept a certain person as they are.

You were created the way you are with the weaknesses that you have (physical/emotional/intellectual - everything) so that you will call out to G-d and direct your will to Him and NOT so that you should feel bad about yourself or be sad or angry. As it says in Tehillim (Psalms), "G-d is close to all those who call out to Him in truth"

I saw the Oprah show on this. I couldn't believe it. And the reason I couldn't believe it is that I have asked G-d for things, things I needed, but didn't know how I would get them or pay for them. In most every case, G-d showed me the way. And in so doing, G-d gave me what I needed. Not necessarily what I wanted, but what I needed. This is G-d's gift to us. I have learned that if you ask G-d for something, and if it is good for you, and if you, yourself make an effort to make it happen, you'll find that G-d will clear the way for you to have it.
G-d knows us, what we want, but, as a good and loving parent, He may not let you have it because it really isn't good for you. To me, this makes me love G-d all the more, be cause then I know in my heart that He cares for me and my wellfare. Listen to G-d, not some fly-by-night fad.

Thank you for a very well written article.

This stuff, masked as "spirituality", is just crazy! It enrages me that people who experience illness, misfortune, etc. can be judged as responsible for their woes.

Blech,you're just jealous.

I love your tongue in cheek rubuttal to this new meshuganeh craze!

Thanks! I'm sending it to my Mom.
Katie.

I have to say, I think you missed the point. A greater portion of "The Secret" requires a great deal of work. Your wishes are NOT just granted. You MUST first begin to cleanse your own negative thinking, you have to begin to understand how things happening in your life, even if at one level they look dark and your ability to over-come them impossible they can simultaneously be viewed as great blessings for the way they moved you into action.

Your article makes it sound simplistic. Focus is a critical issue.

I've lived on the edge of the very same philosophy for more than 20 years. A victum of rape and abuse, I began to change my life one day at a time by beginning to believe so many of the very same things the book reveals. I realize now, how I asked for so many of the negative things in my life by simply not being clear about asking that the lessons come through rak b'simcha.

I for one, was happy and excited to see the authors on Oprah discussing an issue so profound to me... expressing it more articulately than I ever could, and even inspirational in its validation and clarity.

I'm sorry for you, you miss the point. Much of what I had originally learned arose from studying the works of Nachman and Luria...

Time will tell whether or not what they are teaching is valid. IF what they are teaching truly is the truth, then the world as we've known it in the past is about to change drastically.

:-)
j

Wow. Awesome article. I've been struggling with the concept of 'creative visualization' (an earlier version of 'The Secret') and found that your article really articulates the problem. No, G-d is not a 'cosmic bellhop' just waiting to fulfill our desires. Some prayers and wishes ARE best left unfulfilled.

I think the author doesn't mention bitachon because, while on the surface there's some similarity, there's a clear line between bitachon and the 'Law of Attraction'.

Bitachon states that I believe G-d runs the show, is in charge, and takes care of me. As such, he gives me everything I need. But note that He gives me what I NEED, (not what I want, and not what I think I need) and, in His infinite wisdom, He knows exactly what I need...better than I know myself.

The Secret (as the rabbi points out, it really is no secret at all) argues that YOU are in charge, that whatever you want, you can get.

Having been 'into' this stuff myself, I can only say that it DOES work. Sometimes. I think G-d created the world in such a way that our thoughts and words (in addition to our actions) have the power to effect reality. Visualization is an important tool, and can help tremendously in both the spiritual (visualize yourself overcoming negative feelings and acting civilly to a difficult person, and doing so in real life becomes easier) and physical world. But let's not forget that ultimately, nothing is really in our hands. There is a Higher Being, and it takes an unforgivable degree of arrogance to think He can be manipulated through our method of thinking.

I agree that "The Secret" that we mortals determine what our earthly challenges will be, and thus determine our earthly future is a false premise. It seems to me that the real secret is that our free will responses to our earthly challenges determines our eternal future. To make that knowledge less secret may be the mission of the Jews.

It seems to me, from what I've heard, that the central falsehood of "The Secret" is that the personal G-d to Whom humnan beings can speak, and whom their Creator loves, is not regarded as a reality. "The Secret" promotes a mechanistic worldview, whereby there is a neutral "force" in the universe which human beings can plug into and "play," as one would learn to play a keyboard.

Thank you for this article. I watched that program on Oprah, and wondered about how someone could truly beleive in this "magic" - not literally magic, but some other dangerous way of thinking. Your article is very clear in explaining this danger. I appreciate your thoughts and work.

"The Secret" - I tried watching the follow up segment in response to "an avalanche of interest from viewers" according toOprah Winfry but I had to turn it off! Over the decades one after another "magic" ways of handling lives and relationships have been brought forward with adherents swearing to its powers!

I am a Jew and so much is available to learning all kinds and levels of "secrets" from our own sources!
The wisdom inherent in our people is enormous. The impetus of Jews to give to the world - as do you - is a phenomenon not fully appreciated. Jewish contributions to raising the energy and standard of the quality of life for all people verges on the miraculous!!

The Jewish mission in the world is to bring light to the world. We are also warned of false prophets.

It is in my opinion unfortunate so many of us have not been brought into our tradition of learning or even aware of the power and applications from our own people's instruments and sources.


35 centuries of wisdom of our own people is a greatly underrated!
Study Torah and our other sources learning for yourself its offerings!
No need to embrace the false prophets that come time and again invariably falling to the wayside!
Much Love and Many Blessings to you my friend and fellow Jew - always!

What a shallow, selfish, greedy society we have become. How can people be so stupid and desperate that they would cling to anything that would make life so simple, supposedly.

I don't know why R Blech makes no
mention of bitachon - which different schools of mussar said you could get whatever you want. And drawing something down mentally is a basic
concept in kabbala etc.

I guess he hints at it without giving it credence because of the objections he found.

I am not sure if he is not using the opportunity to teach these very important concepts from a jewish perspective. Bitachon and actualizing
are extremely valuable and should in fact be used.

Human nature seems to be inclined to superstition. When I was a 9 year old I thought that if I just wanted to I could fly. Luckily I never tried to fly by jumping out of our second floor window, but I did think of doing it.One of the goals of our Jewish tradition is to become a little more theologically sophisticated. I guess it's easier to believe than to think.

I think some of the other comments made by guests on Oprah that day are very kabbalistic in nature. One said that gratitude is the key to bringing good things into your life; when you are grateful for even the bad things, you create room for good things to come. A life of thanking HaShem, even when it's hard....that seems very Jewish to me. A life of believing that we are heading toward a better one than we allow ourselves to see around us...also sounds very Jewish to me. While I agree, HaShem's world is not a wishing factory, I wish we could see the good and the Judaic influences that were most certainly in what Oprah was saying. They spoke of tshuvah, faith and forgiveness. These are concepts our lives as Jews should reflect back out into the universe around us. Compassion and acceptance of others, even when we disagree with them....whatever happened to that?

Firstly i am going to say that i skimmed through this article and was extremely disapointed at the reaction represented by Aish Hatorah. No where does the secret claim that it is a new idea, infact is does state that this actually stems thousands of years ago. This concept if you do any research on this issue comes from Quantum Physics. Secondly the theory of the secret is NOT only about thinking something and recieving but it focuses highly on giving, being grateful everyday for what you have.. in fact the first thing it tells you to do is write a journal of what you are gratefull for. This movie has done nothing but good for society and it is shameful on your parts that the fear of people choosing either Jewdaism over the teachings of the secret (which are much like Kabbalistic teachings) is what is driving a negative response from you. Why is it bad that people want to make money of something that is good and you can market and all it does is allow people to be better? Unfortunately you can't deposit good deads in the bank today and it doesn't pay your rent and it is NOT a bad thing to want to be successful from a good business. Last time I checked Aish HaTorah likes to make money as well based on what they teach and believe in.

Bottom line you would be more successful in bringing the teaching of the Secret which yes are ancient teachings into the daily teaching of Jewdaism (which at the end of the day are one in the same) and would probably see much more positive results from your sessions. The Secret has nothing to do with one religion or the other and all it says is THINK POSITIVELY AND YOU WILL BECOME A POSITIVE ENTITY. I am sure that all those people who practice this and have healed themselves from devistating diseases, gotten over financial stresses and broken relationships will agree (me being one of those people).

Every message that the secret portrays is only positive and it makes me furious that the representatives of Jewdaism have to put a negative spin on it thinking it will somehow make people want to be more Jewish.

I watched the secret for the first time last week.
I found it interesting that someone fianlly made a documentry about some age old concepts that could reach out to many people in a way that was previously unavailable.
That is what had me start to read your article.
I found a great deal of hostility and cynicism in your article about the "secret" and it was difficult for me to read it through to the end.

I agree with you that not everything you wish for is granted or even for your highest good however what "the secret" also professes is that as human beings we are responsible for some of what befalls us inside of our attitudes. If you think negatively you are going to create negative circumstances around you. If you are cynical the world will always show up the way you see it and you will always have evidience to support your cynicism.

There are many truths in judaism that many people, jewish and non jewish do not have access to . To put down something that can cause millions of people to have a different view of the world and their circumstances, in my opinion, is inappropriate.

I don't necessarily disagree with what you have said but your tone of hostility and cynacism is offensive.

Couldn't you say the same thing without the emotion attached to it?

Its as if you fear any concept that does not entail bowing down to religion. You should promote free thought, positive thought, that does not mean that God is our bellhop, but that we ourselves (a part of God) control our destiny. You have turned me off of Aish, you are small minded and it seems to me that you are the one focusing on marketing and brain washing.

The pop religion of recent history is full of this pap that suggests if you just do a gratitude journal and wish for what you want, then glorius wealth and happiness will be yours. Well, it sure seems to be true for the people promoting the idea. It work for them, but it is a pyramid scheme, with only those at the top reaping benefits. I think God may hear earnest prayer and respond with a miracle when it fits God's plan. But, the blaming the "pray-er" for pain, want, heartache and suffering is such a disservice to all who wish more than anything else to feel the comfort of God's presense, not presents. I have needs (not so much wants) that I beseech God to help me meet, but I have been around long enough to know that much of what I need is not going to be granted to me, so I must find a way to accept what is, while stiving to make things better. Thanks again for a spiritual reality check.

I too was very sceptical of THE SECRET, as it looks like an old idea wrapped in a new package for monetary gain. As a Christian, I have observed people of my faith who actually pray for washing machines and other material things. I believe we are here to do God's will, not to have God do our will. as you noted, true reverence does not turn God into a personal bell-hop. Your message is "right on" for those of both Jewish and Christian faiths. Thank you.

In life we have concequenses for good and bad. God or the universe ,what ever works for you, will make sure we will get the concequenses of our actions.Prayer without action is like no prayer at all. that's how we learn.i found many things in "new age" seminars and yes also in "the secret" that are very similar to the practice of prayer in jewidisem. one of them is to open my day and or morning with what is it that i'm thankfull for in my life or greatfull for? well "Mode ani lefanecha" is for me coming from the same place. some people meditate and in jewidisem we pray, i see that as similer, and there are other examples of that.
my point is dear Rabbi and dear readers is do what works for you!
Looking down or putting down someone elses idea or way or living doesn't add to ours. live and let live and belive in your own belives. i think that new age and different books movies or seminars may be a threat to the idea of religion in some way. otherwise, let people follow their way and get the concequenses of their ways and actions. God is in every one of us and he "works" through us and not for us. i personaly connected with God through seminars, books and movies like "The secret" and ware able to understand the simplicity of life and the beauty of God. God created the "Blueprints of this univers" we are here to live by them.
Happy purim to all.

Thanks for the article. I had just wrote a question about the "Secret" to the "ask a Rabbi" section of Aish and was waiting for my answer. When I first heard about the "Secret" on Oprah I was amazed and wide-eyed in anticipation, but more I thought about it the more guilty I felt. Being reminded that God is in control has made me feel a lot better. I never lost that knowledge, I just started thinking about my own thoughts contributing to God's plan. Perhaps, my negative thoughts were getting in his way.

Anyways, thanks for your article! It was much appreciated.

Rabbi Blech apologizes for what may seem a harsh judgment of The Secret. In fact, he describes just the tip of the iceberg of new age spirituality. They do not see God as a cosmic bellhop. Actually, for them, the universe is a godless vending machine, dispensing goodies - they call it "manifesting" - for those who visualize properly. Indeed, I was told by one such "guru" of a "self-realization" movement that the 9/11 attacks occured because all of the victims had a simultaneous thought of death. Two reactions: how sick is that?, and, how do you know?

I get a lot of mail from various new age self-realization groups. I find their insights into psychology to be useful, but without grounding in the belief in a transcendent God, their morality tends towards fascism. It is not a coincidence that their political programs and online discussion boards ultimately tend towards hatred of Israel, the original source of that morality that so irritated Nietzsche and the Nazis. Go get 'em, Rabbi Blech!

I particularly liked the overview of the opposite of positive thinking - that lack of positive thinking = negative thinking and the consequenced that go with that. An easy perspective for an author sitting on a pile o f cash. Life is life. G-d is G-d. G-d helps us when we ask for help and as you said sometimes the answer is "no." Shalom.

These ideas are comfortably accepted by people who for centuries have honed their gullibility through religion.

I agree completely with you.
The other idea (byrne'philosophy)can be benefic if used in normal moments. in disatrous circumstances we refer to another pattern of thinking such as: God makes things of witch we can't understand the perpuse but accept it as it is .God gives us reward for all that we endure patiently . The law of attraction may explain the great difference witch exist between the standard of living of nations and individuals (according to their minds),I noticed this fact in my life.How can you explain this differences.

I believe that God has created a universe that is connected at all levels by him. we as humans have never reached our full potential because we fear this connection. after all how could I be connected with the bad and evil that exists in our world. Well we are. if all humans were connected to God and treated each other in God's image we would not have the problems we have today. what is wrong with people connecting in the world to do good. nowhere in the Secret does it tell us to be selfish or evil. it also says that abundance is different for each of us. Without God we accomplish nothing but without hope and faith we cannot connect to God's abundance. so focus on the positive of what we can achieve with positive thoughts and not on the few who may not be all we want them to be.

I'm thrilled that someone has the sense to realize that "The Secret" is nothing more than a marketing ploy for the author's financial gain. Has anyone ever head of the pyramid scams? I guess "the secret" of those is to take advantage of the naivety of anyone you know for your own personal gain.

Thank you for clearing that up. I thought it was a
'revival" of positive thinking, but it is even stranger than simple positive thinking.

The Concept that the universe provides for us exactly what we need is not so new but, no one is mentioning that Hashem is the divide decider. However, if by praying we atract the world of physical desires and we follow it up with hard work, Of course, he will provide for us. So, let's not take the concept of "The Secret" so literally maybe its just her misguided way of getting us to understand Kaballah or praying better..

If G-d responds to positive thinking and genuine need, why did six million Jews die in the Holocaust while praying to God for deliverance?

I am the only son of two Holocaust survivors. I heard many stories from my mother, on how in Auschwitz Jews were praying for G-d's deliverance even as they were marched into the gas chamber. Every year after reading the Haggadah at Seder, as we read how G-d himself delivered the Jews from Egypt, my mother can not help but comment on how Jews in Auschwitz would have been happy even if G-d sent just a "ministering angel" to help them.

After so many millions of us died horrific deaths with all the positive thinking and prayer, it is sometimes difficult to believe in "The Secret", however it is presented.

I want to thank you for setting the record straight on "The Secret". These days, anyone who dares to disagree with Oprah is considered unenlightned to say the least.
I'm very familiar with the logic that we attract to us what we believe, having dabbled in new age religion.

The one thing that concerns me the most about this logic is that it BLAMES THE VICTIM. Something bad happened to you? You were putting bad energy out into the universe. You caused it. This is not only wrong, but dangerous.The secret takes a simple idea of trying to stay positive and puts it in the category of individual control of the universe. We know the outcome of that illusion.

As A Goy who reads Aish. All I can say is "AMEN" to that Benjamin !

I was searching for something on line and found this "secret" page with the film clips. Directly afterward I logged on to Aish, a favorites page, to do some reading and found this leading article. Hummmmmmmm.

I do appreciate another person's point of view of the topic of "The Secret".
The bottom line is who is responsible for their positive thinking and what steps to take,as you know.

I do not think one extremem about this or the other. I do know this Oprah is a humanitarian and like it or not she has shown the world with her heart, soul and income that she is doing "a good deed" ! She is only try to expose people who are lost. I think as "We the people to form a more perfect union.... Our world is composed of many different beliefs and this is just one of many.

G-d is the bottom and so is prayer and you and I both know that. Thank you for helping me look at another side of "The Secret." Maybe I have missed some of your point of view well here is some of mine. Thanks for reading my comment.

Sincerely, Robin Forman

"think good and it will be good" - "trucht gut vet zayn gut" - chassidic dictum over 150 years old - and i think more recently was explained as being literal and not metaphorical.

Thank God someone finally addressed this garbage. I was one of the FIRST people to recieve a dvd of this and when i watched it i began to wonder what the heck was going on. The person that gave it to me said that these were the "secrets" of all the most POWERFUL and INFLUENTIAL people in HISTORY but after watching it for 15 minutes i began to become suspicious because they kept repeating the same stuff OVER & OVER & OVER again. Really, the SAME line only in an hour sequence....i must admit i was sick after 40 min. of it. The world is obviously lost and this trash fills that void. By the way, if your interested there is a lot of information about the NEW AGE movement started by many, but one woman in particular was ALICE BAILY and the original name of her publishing company was entitled something with the word LUCIFER...check it out yourself on-line, but she was one very lost and confused woman who ended up racing wildly towards her everlasting doom!!! The NEW AGE movement was started in part as a form of idol worship of Satan and of course to get people as lost and confused as possible...and it has done a very good job of that. Anyways thank you very much, i really enjoyed your article and had a good laugh or two. It's about time someone responded.

desire and intention alter the physical world so quantum physicists tell us. and there is a survivor personality so when one focuses on healing versus fighting a war against cancer you redirect the enregy. since we all die so death is not a failure but not taking on the challenge of life can be. study survivors of addictions, cancer, wars from Job to Helen Keller and others. the message is age old and their technics have much in common.

While I agree with Rabbi Blech, it's worth noting that people can acquire guilt from the Divine plan too---some feel that when bad things happen, this is God "punishing" them for something wrong. Though as the Rabbi notes, the real concept is much more complicated than that; Ms. Byrne's simple cause-and-effect approach seems much too simplistic to truly describe all the secrets of the world (granted I've never read the book, so I can't really make a sweeping judgement of it).

A positive attitude is great---it can make you more confident and assertive and really does have health benefits. But if I just sit here, "thinking" about how much I want a million dollars, it's not going to simply appear; I have to take the time to go out and DO SOMETHING to get it. And even then God might not give it to me.

God bless.

There always comes a time when something positive and vastly effective is bashed by someone else. Regardless of the "truth" and whether or not this is a new concept or not, the message is one that people often have trouble discovering. Part of the problem is this kind of message is usually written in different lengths in books or found at day-long seminars which makes it a whole lot slower and longer to absorb. The fact of the matter is a lot of people don't read books, and even more don't read spiritual books. If Eckhart Tolle could sum up the Power of Now in a 1 1/2 hour video I'm sure it would have a greater effect on the masses. It doesn't matter which angle someone takes on this old concept but just that it gets out there and people take something good away from it. That is the case here. I don't think people are going to dismiss The Secret when the parking spot is not there and sure that's a little hokie but look at the big picture. You're just jealous Judaism didn't do it first. They should still do it. Take the best of Kabbalah and Judaism and wrap it up into a short video so the main ideas and principals can more easily spread among the masses. If all avenues of spirituality were to do this maybe just maybe we would start to have a spiritual awakening. I don't think the majority of us are so naive as you portray us to be. We deserve more credit and you're just a sore loser.

The Secret DVD is a very slick package with the visual appeal of the DaVinci Code and Raiders of the Lost Ark. It tries to be devoid of religion, and when it does elude to religion it points to Egypt and Babylon. The Secret's concepts about thoughts becoming reality and having strong concentration when wishing for one's desires are mentioned in Judaism. Yet the producers do not mention anything about the Bible or Torah as being its inspiration.
I bought the Secret on the recommendation of a friend who is Hasidic. She suggested that I give it a try. I saw that basic tenets of the Secret were from Judaism, in general and chasidut, in particular. I am not totally comfortable with the Secret, even though I bougnt the Ester Hick's books. The "Abraham" entity gave me the creeps, so I turned to Rabbi Pliskin's books on Happiness and Kindness. Guess what, I found a kosher version of the Secret, without the creepy feeling of Avoda Zara, in Rabbi Pliskin's works.
Please fellow Jews, if you feel downhearted and trampled, read and learn Torah, but to truly have positive thoughts turn to Hashem.

I think, too, the article is valid, but, I also add an "However" because I think "the Secret" is something almost beyond itself and spurs debate over boundaries--and who put them there in the first place.
Now, granted, you can take a surgeons's tools and misuse them,or even defile them, but that should not discount their use in mending the human body. The Secret contains "universal laws" that can be misappropriated or applied in seemingly senseless ways--but that should not negate the concept altogether. This happens many times in "western" interpretation of religion verses a more "pure" application in third world countries. The American interpretation of spiritual laws tends to relentlessly be stuck in materialism. But, how about applying the "mind ascension" to health, to relationships, to world peace and community? One key concept of this "movement" is gratitude. Honestly, I think this "secret" contains far more good than bad. To me, it ushers the alignment of world peace and loving community--if people take this beyond just themeselves. I think it has wonderful potential--again, in all aspects of life: health, well-being, relationships, world peace--if applied with a heart like G-d's, and thus, this is where your article frosts the cake. We can not forget our Maker and in who's image we are made--the rock from which we were hewn. We belong to G-d and must apply this knowledge in a way that is responsible to that.
Ultimately, it gives us awareness, that G-d is exceedingly good and merciful and His grace is fresh like the morning dew. Many many people have expreienced much suffering, distress, hardship, oppression, etc. and I attest to the idea that as you keep thinking on these things, they do continue. There is a time to embrace them--cry, scream, kick, etc.--but then, there is a time to move forward with hope, life, and a determined resilience that things that were bitter, must soon, turn sweet again. Not to go on and on, but, I think the large response to teh book and dvd is not so much a reflection of the book or concept, but more so, of the need. People are not rightly aligned--to G-d, to people, to their own hearts and desires--and this is an opportunity to do just that. G-d made the universe for each one of us, to enjoy it. ( Habbakuk says that "without a vision, the people cast off restrain, or parish." He also made us from dust, so we must keep in mind, to use our time and resources wisely and respectfully of that, and ultimately of Him.

I think the author of this article misrepresents certain points.Quoting Shaw,"There are two great tragedies in life. One is not having your prayers answered; the other very often is the reverse." ,the author misinterprets "very often" as meaning "Always"And using Shaw to back up his argument he saysthat if we always received what we wantd it would be tragic.I wonder.
how sad ,he goes on if every treenager could fulfil their daydreams of leading the life of Paris Hilton.Unfortunately he didn't ask another question,what makes teenagers envy that perticular lifestyle in the first place.
God he tells us also,wasn't foolish enough to create a world blindly responsive to human cravings,Oh yes? well the history of Earth suggests that those cravings that have led to wars,famines etc.were indeed responded to or we wouldn't have had half as many dictators as we've been saddled with,nor would half as many have died in awful circumstances ,neither would so many be dieing from hunger ,thirst and diseas as do.
I could continue ,but I read enough of rabbi's article to conclude that regarding The Secret,he has lost touch with some deep feelings inside himself,in order to make sense of something that hasn't sense in that way.

Norman Cousins was one of the great modern-day philosophers witha universal dream. One cannot ignore the power of the thought of the divine human spirit.
Thanks.

In the 1960s Cousins had an experience that changed his life and that, at the same time, reinforced some of his deepest convictions concerning the nature of the human being. Stricken with a crippling and life-threatening collagen disease, Cousins followed a regimen of high doses of vitamin C and of positive emotions (including daily doses of belly laughter), all in consultation and partnership with his sometimes skeptical physicians. He chronicled his recovery in the best-selling Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient: Reflections on Healing and Regeneration, published in 1979. In the book, generalizing from his own experience and research, he affirmed that "the life force may be the least understood force on earth" and that "human beings are not locked into fixed limitations. The quest for perfectibility is not a presumption or a blasphemy but the highest manifestation of a great design."

I too was caught up for a but a few moments in the secret's message. There have been undoubtedly times where I davened for something and poof it appeared before me. As with many new age activities that I have been exposed to, I attempt to find the Jewish connection and how the activity is skewed from Judaism. The secret is skewed in that it does not acknowledge that we in fact need to align our desires with what Hashem's goals are for us. Easiest route to finding that is to follow the ideas and laws that Hashem put before us, whether we are Jews or to follow the 7 Noahide Laws. As for things appearing before me upon request, it is an acknowledgment that this is what was to occur and I was able to align my desires with what Hashem wanted for me at that time. But receiving a 'no' is also an answer which the secret's philosophy would not accept. As we increase our spirituality in a Kosher way, we will transcend the secret's philosophy and understand it in a Jewish context in a much higher way. Better to read "Listen to your Messages" too.