Emuna Daily

Before difficulties arise, think in advance about what could go wrong, and then try to work out potential solutions.  By devising a variety of solutions, you will be prepared to cope in a productive manner with the various contingencies that arise.  ~ Ralbag

Rabbi Shimon Ben Pazzi said: A person who observes the practice of eating three Shabbos meals is saved from three calamities – the pangs of the advent of Mashiach, the suffering of Gehinnom, and the war of Gog and Magog. ~ Shabbos 118a

A group of Chasidim complained to the Chidushei HaRim zt”l about their yetzer hara that was constantly disturbing them from serving Hashem.  The Chidushei HaRim told them, “What purpose would there be to life, if there weren’t a yetzer hara?”

Rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa would say: “Anyone who calms his fellow’s soul also calms God’s spirit.  But someone who does not calm his fellow’s soul, neither is God’s spirit calmed by him.” ~ Pirkei Avos 3:1308

True emuna permeates the heart and the brain; true bitachon goes one step further and permeates the wallet. ~ R’ Lazer Brody

The famous Torah scholar, Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschutz, was an advisor to the king.

Once, while strolling down the streets of Vienna, the king met his wise advisor and friend. After greeting each other amiably, the king asked his Jewish subject where he was going.

“I don’t know,” Reb Yonatan replied in all honesty.

The king’s eyes flashed with sudden anger. Friend or not, how dare he trifle with his Majesty! The king ordered his guards to have the advisor arrested and imprisoned. However, before the day was over, the king relented. “After all,” the king thought to himself, “this is my wise advisor; he couldn’t have meant to slight me. There must be an explanation for his behavior.”

The ruler visited the eminent scholar in his cell. “Look here,” he scolded, “how dare you trifle with your King so frivolously?”

“I didn’t mean to trifle with you, your Majesty,” explained the scholar ruefully. “You did not ask me where I was planning to go; you asked me where I was going. I really did not know where I was going. It must be clear to you by now. You see, earlier today I had planned to go study and pray at the synagogue, and instead I ended up in jail!”

~ Chicken Soup to Warm the Neshama

The neshama yeseirah (the additional neshama that joins us on Shabbos) that comes down from heaven, is accustomed to hearing the songs of the angels.  It therefore enjoys listening to zemiros, which reminds it of when it was attached to its celestial root, similar to a newborn baby that is soothed when it hears its mother singing a soft melody.  The pure and innocent baby was accustomed to hearing the angels sing, and the mother’s gentle humming reminds the baby of the angels’ choir.  ~ Sefer Avodas Hakodesh

If a person gives to another all the good gifts of the world but does so with a grumpy demeanor, the Torah regards it as if he had given nothing.  But if he receives his neighbor cheerfully and kindly, the Torah regards it as if he had given him all the good gifts of the world. ~ Avot D’Rabbi Natan