Emuna Daily

You are not stuck with this impulse or that.  You were given free will.  Use it. ~ The Kotzker Rebbe

Each day a person is given a new capacity for knowledge.  This is a new creation which has been turned over to a person to be used for good. If he fails to do so, this knowledge goes up before Hashem and complains that it was mishandled on earth. ~ R’ Henoch of Aleksander zt”l

Each morning, in birchas haTorah we say, “Hashem gave us His Torah.”  “In my opinion, birchas haTorah is a wonderful segulah for remembering Torah.

This might be the reason Reb Yehudah HaNasi called the first masechta of Shas – “Brachos.” Rebbe [Yehudah HaNasi] organized the Mishnayos so people shouldn’t forget them, but he was afraid that people might forget Torah, nonetheless. He named the first masechta “Brachos” to remind people to say birchas haTorah… and then the Torah will be given to them like a gift and it won’t be forgotten. Otherwise, it would be more fitting to call this first masechta “Kriyas Shema,” because Shema…is the first discussion of the masechta…”

We therefore see that success in Torah is solely after one says birchas haTorah. ~ The Tzlach (Brachos 64)

Our Sages said that observance of the commandments and teachings are not enough to counterbalance what comes out of a person’s mouth.  “What should be a person’s pursuit in this world? He should be silent.” (Chullin 89a). One must seal his lips as tight as two millstones. ~ The Vilna Gaon

Reb Chaim Palagi zt’l (Kaf HaChaim 27:35) writes, “I affirm that every household that has a machlokes (argument) on Friday afternoon or on Friday night, it is certain, proven, and true that something bad will happen to them during the week. Check it and you will see that it is so,” because they lack the blessings that come from Shabbos.

The Ben Ish Chai adds that if someone in your home does something wrong on Friday regarding Shabbos preparations and the like, don’t be angry with them, because it isn’t their fault. The Satan caused them to make that error, to provoke a machlokes on Friday.

Don’t fall for it!

A trustworthy Yid from Bnei Brak related that his childhood friend passed away at the young age of 19.  He then saw him in his dream, and his friend told him that at his death, Rashi came to greet him and he was immediately brought to Rashi’s yeshiva in heaven.  He said that he merited this because he would review chumash with Rashi each week.  ~ R’ Elimelech Biderman Shlita

You can sell tiny slivers of wood and become extremely wealthy, because it isn’t the profession that gives wealth, but Hashem’s blessings.

The only condition is that you must enjoy this type of work.  If you are happy with your business, Hashem can help you become wealthy from it. ~ R’ Elimelech of Lizensk zt”l

A person whose major goal in life is spiritual growth, feels love for anyone who suggests ways he can improve. ~ Dubner Magid

Emuna does not mean that you have to look at your life and view it as perfect.  When you are really feeling pain, that too can and must be part of your emuna. It is all from Hashem. ~ R’ YY Jacobson

Everything that goes on in one’s home is chessed.  People think they are only raising children and doing nothing more.  But to nurture children in Torah and Yiras Shamayim – this is chessed and Torah! ~ R’ Shalom Schwadron zt”l