Emuna Daily

Preparing for prayer is as valuable as prayer itself. The sages of old used to concentrate their thoughts on God first – to fill their hearts with love – then go in to pray. ~ The Kotzker Rebbe zt”l

Stress makes you believe that everything has to happen right now.  Emuna reassures you that everything will happen in Hashem’s timing.  

If a person enjoys thanking Hashem, he will get plenty more reasons to thank Him. ~ R’ Shalom Arush

Someone once wrote a letter to the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt’l, complaining that his house was too small, and that he didn’t have enough room for his many children. The problem was that he couldn’t afford to buy a larger home.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe wrote back, “I received your letter, and I’m delighted to hear the good news that you found your bashert, the wife that is fitting for you, and that you got married… I’m overjoyed to hear that you have a bechor, a first-born son. And then Hashem gave you a daughter, another son, and another daughter. And they are all healthy, following the ways of the Torah! You should know that many people don’t share all the good that you are enjoying. I also understand from your letter that you are living in your own home, while so many other couples are still living in rented apartments, as you know.”

On the side of the letter, the Rebbe added, “And in regard to your problem that your home is too small and you can’t afford to buy a larger one, if you will praise Hashem for all the kindness He gives you, and if you dance from joy for all of the above, Hashem will give you a larger house…”

When we recognize the good, it creates a vessel, enabling us to receive even more kindness from Hashem. ~ R’ Elimelech Biderman

Hashem’s primary will is that a person should desire to do His will. The main service is in the heart. ~ Noam Elimelech

Ten measures of beauty descended to the world, nine were taken by Jerusalem. ~ Kidushin 49b

The Maggid of Mezeritch used to tell his students that it is more important to be careful to bentch with kavanah than to daven with kavanah. 

Prayer was instituted by the Anshei Kenesses Hagedolah (Men of the Great Assembly), whereas Bikas Hamazon is a positive mitzvah of the Torah. ~ Toldos Aharon

Perhaps this shabbos, let’s try to focus a little harder on benching with proper kavanah. Have a wonderful uplifting shabbos!

What Should You Think About When You Bow in Prayer?

When we  bow down to Hashem during the Shmonei Esreh, we must not underestimate the value of this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for the countless kindnesses that we receive from Hashem… Each time, think of one specific kindness (of thousands) and bow in deepest humility of humble gratefulness. ~ R’ Avigdor Miller zt”l

The importance of a prayer does not depend on the amount of words uttered to invoke Hashem, but rather on the quality of the cry of the heart thrown towards Hashem. ~ R’ Yechazkel Levenstein

Times of stress are also times that are signals for growth.  If we use adversity properly, we can grow through adversity. ~ R’ Dr. Avraham J. Twerski zt”l