One of the songs that discuss Reb Shimon Bar Yocahi’s praises is “Bar Yochai” – “the son of Yochai.” Why don’t we call Reb Shimon by his name? Why does this song call him by his father’s name?
Perhaps it’s to remind us that Reb Shimon was a human being, born from human parents. He wasn’t a malach. And just as he reached very high levels, we can reach high levels too if we follow in his footsteps. ~ R’ Elimelech Biderman Shlita
According to one Midrash, the mon started to come down on Lag b’Omer. Therefore, Lag b’Omer is an ideal day to daven for parnassah. It is also known that it is certainly mesugal for refuah. ~ R’ Elimelech Biderman Shlita
Daven well!
A Jew cannot imagine just how joyous he will be in Heaven if only one forbidden thought will be detracted from his record. ~ The Vilna Gaon zt”l
Who is the wise man?
One who thinks about the consequences of whatever he does? ~ Tamid 32a
Whoever gives even a small coin to a poor person receives six blessings, but whoever accompanies his coins with kind words of reassurance receives eleven blessings. ~ R’ Yitzchak in Bava Basra 9b
When we’re conversing with someone, do we spend the whole time searching for launching points for what we want to say? Or, do we actually listen to appreciate what they are trying to relate?
The root of the Hebrew word for humility (anava) is la’anot, which means “to answer.” When the humble person speaks, he participates as one component of the whole. He truly responds. ~ R’ Micha Berger
A student once told me he did not involve himself with the community because he didn’t want to take time away from Torah study. He was wrong. Our teachings tell us to offer help and benefit to the community. ~ The Kotzker Rebbe zt”l
When someone’s total focus is on fulfilling the will of the Creator, he will be free from all other worries and anxieties. He constantly fulfills the will of the Creator with sublime ecstasy and joy. A wise person will make this his life-goal. ~ R’ Simcha Zissel Ziv zt”l
The next time you go to shul to pray, tell yourself that you’re planning to use your mind as much as your mouth in the synagogue – for proper service of Hashem has more to do with the mind and the heart than with the mouth. ~ R’ Moshe Meir Weiss Shlita
