Author Archives: Emuna Daily

“Because he likes herring, he is suspicious of anyone who is not a herring eater.”  ~ The Kotzker Rebbe

It is proper to worry about forgetting your Torah knowledge for this will encourage you to review what you have studied.  Worrying about material matters is a mistake.  ~ R’ Zelig Pliskin based on Brochos 60a

Many years after the Chofetz Chaim’s mother’s death, an old Tehilim was found in her house and brought to him.  The Chofetz Chaim covered it with kisses and, with moist eyes, he said “How many tears my mother shed over … Continue reading →

In Koheles, Shlomo Hamelech so eloquently portrays the value of time: Lakol zman va’eis tachas Hashamayim – “Everything has its season, a time for everything under the heavens (3:1).  But there is a mussar lesson to be learned as well: … Continue reading →

When one sits in a succah, and he learns and davens there, he is living in the upper worlds literally… ~ The Yesod Yosef

On Succos, the highest light, which is the light of emuna, shines.  When a person has emuna – he has everything.  When a person knows that everything is Hashem’s will and for the best – and he does not just … Continue reading →

Chazal say, “Everything is in Heaven’s hands, except for yiras Shamayaim.” The Rebbe of Kotzk zt’l explains that when one prays for material matters, Heaven decides whether it is good for him to receive this or not. But when one prays for Torah, mitzvos, … Continue reading →

First we pray and then we do our hishtaldus.  But remember, “it isn’t hishtaldus that helps.  It is an obligation…a tax all mankind must pay…  After one does this obligation, Hashem’s blessings can come.  ~ Mesilas Yesharim

Last two suggestions before Yom Kippur: Let’s work on the very first piece of advice that the Ramban gave his son in his Igeret HaRamban: “Get into the habit of always speaking calmly to everyone. This will prevent you from … Continue reading →

Let’s work on two items today:  Saying brachos with more kavanah and not forgetting to say a bracha achrona. How often do we say a bracha on food without thinking?  The Arizal taught, “The primary matter which leads to ruach hakadosh is … Continue reading →