Emuna Daily

Holiness inheres in all worldly matters, for they are all capable of being used for augmenting holiness. They are keylim (instruments) of holiness. In the Holy Temple all the vessels, and indeed everything and anything that could serve the holy ends of the Temple service, partook of holiness. Similarly, in the everyday world, everything, however “worldly,” has something of that same quality of holiness, since it is capable of being used for a holy purpose.

This is the deeper meaning of the saying that the table of a talmid chachom is like an alter and his eating resembles a korban.  Eating, for such a person, is indeed a sublime, sanctified act, since it enables him to reinforce his powers for the fulfillment of the Torah. Happy is the one who is enabled to fulfill mitzvos such as these in holiness and purity! ~ R’ Eliyahu Dessler zt”l

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

One should have bitachon for all his needs, because bitachon is beneficial for Torah and for material matters…Bitachon is peace of mind….He relies on the One he trusts that He will do what’s good and proper for him…. ~ Chovos Halevavos

The urge to speak about others is very strong; the words are out of your mouth before you can stop them, it seems.

So I want to make a suggestion. You have something to say, and you really want to say it, you’re bursting. I get that. You’re really very upset.

Take a few seconds, that’s all. Write down what it is you want to share – who was nasty to you, who treated you unfairly, who looks silly – and put it on a paper. Then, take a second piece of paper and write two more words.

Olam Haba.

The World to Come.

Read the first paper, then the second paper – and then make a choice.

You might just reason that Olam Haba, eternity, is a big thing; it’s really not worth saying it after all. Or you might just say, “No, I need to say this.”

But at least make the choice. Think it through.

Don’t just give up eternity because you didn’t take a moment to think first.

Pause. Think. Then make a choice.

~ Rav Gav Friedman

For six days a week, do whatever you need to do to make your existence easier.

If it’s cold, heat it up. If it’s hot, cool it down. If it’s raw, cook it, and if it’s broken, fix it.

One day a week, let things be.

Just let them be.

You can’t spend all day, all week, all year, your whole life, worrying how to make things better.

One day a week, just live.

On Shabbos, I’m content with my existence, so happy just to be.

It’s the day when we’re most alive. ~ R’ Manis Friedman

Many people worry about the future and how they will make a living.  They would like to know in advance exactly how all their needs will be met.  However, the Torah attitude is that we should be thankful each day for what we have on that day. ~ Ohr Yechezkail

If HaKadosh Baurch Hu came to me in a dream and said, “Zecharia Wallerstein, I can give you a chance to live your life again without the challenges, without the rough third grade, without the difficult tenth grade, do you want it?”

I would say, “Absolutely not.”

The only reason I’m able to talk to you today is because of those years, those challenges. That pain gave me this ability.

When that’s your answer, then the trauma and pain become positive, a force for kindness, compassion and help. ~ R’ Zecharia Wallerstein

A truly happy person does not allow his happiness to be dependent on any external factor over which he may not have any control. ~ Chochmah Umussar

Most people do not appreciate that we should feel fortunate and happy just because we are alive. (Ahavas Maishorim).

Imagine yourself in a situation in which you were about to die. Actually feel it.  Then picture yourself being given another chance.  The more vividly you can imagine this, the greater you will be able to feel the joy of life itself. ~ R’ Zelig Pliskin

Look around. You can see we’re facing more challenges than ever before, because before Mashiach comes, everyone needs to call forth a little more depth, a little more meaning in their avodah. It isn’t enough to assume that things can just coast along, that a person will never have doubts, that marriage will be perfect; everything takes work! But how does one develop the passion necessary to work hard?

It comes from the realization that Hashem is always with us, and the desire to learn to live with Him, to realize Whom you are working for and Who is cheering you on.

It can change your life. And the way to build up that awareness is to talk to Him, constantly, to go through the day thanking and asking and telling and thanking again. The more you work on feeling the connection, the more you will feel Him. Crying where you are in pain, laughing when you’re happy, these are all tefillos once you are aware of that reality. ~ R’ Shalom Arush Shlita