Monthly Archives: November 2024

The Torah tells us that Yaakov Avinu prepared tasty food “ויבא לאביו…” (“and brought it to his father,” Bereishis 27:31).  The two words ויבא – אביו have the same letters, only in the opposite order. This hints that if you … Continue reading →

Hachnasat Orchim (welcoming guests) is even greater than arriving early at the Beit Midrash to study Torah and receive the Shechinah. ~ R’ Nachman of Breslov zt”l

Regarding a difficulty in your life, ask yourself if you would be able to bear it more calmly if you knew when it was going to be over. Now tell yourself, “Hashem has already scheduled the end of this challenge. … Continue reading →

To win the battle against the yetzer hara, one needs optimism. If he believes he will fail, that will inevitably be the outcome. Forget past failures. Focus on the present. Forge ahead, battle the yetzer hara with energy and optimism, … Continue reading →

Tefillah doesn’t change Hashem’s mind, rather, “When one prays, he rises to a higher place, and becomes a new person. And although Hashem decreed on the previous person a certain decree, with tefillah to Hashem…he became a new essence. It … Continue reading →

Chazal tell us that answering “amen” is mesugal for arichus yamim (longevity), but there are two “amens” that are particularly conducive for long life. They are the “amen” answered after המחזיר שכינתו לציון and the “amen” after הפורס סוכת שלום … Continue reading →

Someone once asked the Gaon of Tchebin zt’l what qualities he should look for in a shidduch.  The Gaon replied: “Three things:

A wealthy man visited the Chofetz Chaim zt’l and expressed his surprise at how poorly furnished the Chofetz Chaim’s home was. The Chofetz Chaim responded, “And where is your furniture? All I see is your horse and wagon.” The wealthy … Continue reading →

The Rizhiner’s daughter once sighed, and her father admonished her: “When you sigh, Hashem says, ‘You think this is bad? I will show you what’s bad.’  And when a person is happy, Hashem replies,  ‘You think your life is good? … Continue reading →

People asked R’ Shimon Maryles of Yareslov zt’l, who was niftar at age 91: “How did you merit to live so long?” He replied, “It’s because I never asked questions. When a person asks questions about how Hashem leads theworld, … Continue reading →