Everything that is given to you in this world is meant as a test.
Intellect or wealth is a test whose purpose is to determine whether you become arrogant and use these attributes for your own gratification, or whether you utilize them to serve the Almighty.
~ R’ Eliyahu Dessler zt”l
The two words that can really reshape things are “Tzelem Elokim.”
Man is created in the image of Hashem.
That marvelous creation, called human being, is a reflection of the Divine.
Now think about it: If you really believe you’re carrying His image, would you use your mouth to speak in a lowly fashion? Would you dress improperly?
Thinking about those two words, what they tell us about who we are and what we represent, can change the way we see ourselves. Having a sense of self-worth changes how we project ourselves, how we act.
We’ve been invested with so much, we’re carrying such dignity.
We’re too good to act any other way. ~ Rebbetzin Raquel Kirszenbaum
When a person wants to train himself to grow in personality traits, he needs to pay attention to trivial matters.
By growing from each minor life event, you will eventually reach high levels of perfecting your character traits.
~ R’ Simcha Zissel Ziv zt”l
Sometimes life teaches us to say, “I don’t know.” Not every journey is graspable.
Not every detail of your child’s journey will be comprehensible.
“Eini yodei’a mah melamdenu – I don’t know what this teaches us,” Rashi says. The Torah, life itself, show us that sometimes we just don’t understand.
That too is a lesson.
Sometimes, that’s the deepest truest, most Godly lesson of all.
~ R’ YY Jacobson
A person’s obligation in this world is to see the hand of the Almighty in nature. When you see the smallest insect, immediately focus on the Creator who is the cause of all nature. Do the same when you see a mighty lion.
The world is full of opportunities to remind you of the Creator.
~ R’ Yeruchem Levovitz zt”l
When Hashem orders us to do something, he also gives us the strength and ability to accomplish that mission. This doesn’t mean it will be easy. It will sometimes require great effort. Yet our Sages teach us that real efforts are always successful. ~ The Lubavitcher Rebbe zt”l
Keep on deceiving yourself (by saying), “I’m eating l’shem shomayim (for the sake of Heaven). Of course you’re bluffing! The first 10, 15, or 20 times, you don’t mean it. But it’s going to penetrate eventually.
That’s the secret. You have to be a hypocrite in order to become a great man. Act like a somebody; only you know you’re a nobody. Deceive people and after a while it’s going to cause a change in you.
Don’t be too hesitant to act the role of a good person, or a servant of Hashem, because sooner or later it’s going to take.
~ R’ Avigdor Miller zt”l
When one davens, one must believe that (1) Hashem can help. (2) He wants to help. (3) And my tefillos can make a difference. ~ R’ Elimelech Biderman
When you are traveling and unable to pray or learn in the way to which you are accustomed, don’t get yourself all distressed. Hashem desires that you serve Him in all modalities that exist, sometimes in one way, sometimes in another.
That is why you ended up in this situation, so that you can serve Him now in a different way.
~ Baal Shem Tov
The Nesivos Shalom zt’l had the following dream: He saw the month of Elul passing, and then Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur up to Hoshanah Rabba, but he saw himself remaining the same, without any inspiration to improve.
Then he woke up from his dream, and it was still erev Rosh Chodesh Elul. Relieved, he saw that it wasn’t too late. He can still utilize the month of Elul, and turn these days into a success story for teshuvah.
Elul has arrived! Now is the time! Let’s not let it pass us by without making the most of it!
