Monthly Archives: October 2018

A young man came to R’ Nosson Tzvi Finkel to announce his engagement.  Noticing the young man wore a very solemn facial expression, Rav Nosson Tzvi lectured him on the importance of having a cheerful countenance.  He stressed that while … Continue reading →

The Hebrew noun emuna is translated as “faith” but really means “trust, confidence, reliability, faithfulness.” The Torah does not command belief in God, but rather describes faith in Hashem, which is striving to know and understand God’s ways, of obeying … Continue reading →

For years I thought that my ticket to the World to Come will be the Achiezer [his classic writings on the Torah].  Now that I am getting on in years, however, I believe that what stands in my favor is … Continue reading →

The past has gone; the future is yet to happen; the present disappears with the blink of an eye. So why worry? ~ Ibn Ezra

Death is merely moving from one home to another.  The wise man will spend his main efforts in trying to make his future home the more beautiful one. ~ The Kotzker Rebbe

When I hear myself insulted in public, I imagine a pair of scales.  On one side I imagine my sins; on the other side I imagine the insults.  I then see that my sins are much heavier, and I remain … Continue reading →

Some are so immersed in setting the stage that they never get to perform. ~ R’ Shraga Silverstein zt”l

A person who worked on self-improvement came to the Baal Shem Tov and complained, “I have tried for quite some time to become a better person. But I am still very plain and simple.” “To be aware that you are … Continue reading →

The more you practice bitachon (trust in Hashem), the more you will be surprised. Hashem will show you yesh m’ayin (something from nothing). Sometimes fountains of money will open up. You’ll be amazed where the money comes from. If it will not be … Continue reading →

As the Ba’al Shem Tov said, we must cultivate the ability to discern G-d’s lessons for us in every event that we witness or experience. This enables us to mature spiritually, learning how to respond to life’s challenges and opportunities … Continue reading →