Emuna Daily

The realization that all beginnings are difficult makes the task of beginning easier. ~ R’ Shraga Silverstein zt”l

At a tisch, the Yesod HaAvodah asked one of his Chassidim (who had come from a different town) “How did you come here?” “By donkey.” “What would you do if you you’d fallen off the donkey, on the way?” “I would get back on, and continue traveling to the Rebbe.” “And if you fell down a second time, what would you do?” “I would mount the donkey again.” “And what would you do if you fell a third time?” “Rebbe,” the chassid said, “What should I do? Just sit on the ground and cry? There’s no choice. I would mount the donkey and try to get to the Rebbe again.”

The entire beis medresh was silent as the Rebbe and the chassid had this exchange. Then the Rebbe said to all his chassidim, “No matter how many times you fall, just get up and try again. There is no choice. There is no other way.” ~ R’ Elimelech Biderman Shlita

Why is it that when there is ice on the streets, everyone walks slowly and carefully out of fear of slipping physically, while in their daily lives, people are not afraid of slipping spiritually? ~ R’ Isser Zalman Meltzer zt”l

The Sages (Talmud Yoma 29a) tell us that it is more difficult to understand an idea we already know than one that is new to us.  This is because we feel we already understand it and do not concentrate on it as much as we should.  Therefore, the Sages have advised us to view Torah concepts as if they were new.  We should reflect on those ideas as if this were the first time we heard them.  This way we will utilize our present intellect to understand them and will not rely on the level of understanding we had when we were younger and less mature. ~ R’ Simcha Zissel of Ziv zt”l

One never worries about something good happening. All our worries are about something bad taking place.  Once we realize that whatever the Almighty does is for our ultimate good, we will have nothing to worry about. ~ Pele Yoatz

Continuing on yesterday’s theme of setting goals (see here), the Ralbag states “When you have a goal in mind, keep your focus on reaching it, and do not allow yourself to be sidetracked by anything else.  People who procrastinate do not usually achieve their goals.

In the Torah, we find the model of Eliezer, whom Avraham sent on a mission to find a wife for his son Yitzchak.  Eliezer did not even want to eat until he finished what he had to say in order to complete his mission.  As soon as an agreement was reached, he did not stay any longer than was absolutely necessary.  He rushed back at once to Avraham.”

Write down your goals as well as a plan to achieve them.  Don’t get sidetracked.  Visualize yourself reaching your goals and the wonderful feeling you will then have.  Then of course, ask Hashem for assistance. 

Many years ago, Harvard graduate students were asked some questions regarding their goals as they entered school.

They found the following:

3% of the students had written goals and plans to accomplish them;

13% had goals in their minds but haven’t written them anywhere; and

84% had no goals at all.

After 10 years, the same group of students were interviewed again and the conclusion of the study was astonishing.

The 13% of the class who had goals, but did not write them down, earned twice the amount of the 84% who had no goals.

However, the 3% who had written goals were earning, on average, 10 times as much as the other 97% of the class combined!

Clearly, people who don’t write down their goals tend to fail easier than the ones who have plans.

This applies not only to financial matters, but to everything spiritual and physical.  Let us all write down our goals, devise a plan to accomplish them, and with Hashem’s help, we will do just that.

Man’s power of speech is a spiritual force and it has great effect in the higher spheres.  Consequently, the damage wrought by improper speech in the higher worlds is severe and awesome.  And the greater the damage, the greater is the punishment. ~ The Chofetz Chaim in Shmiras Halashon

“Why do a mitzva if I know I will sin afterward?”

A visitor once asked this blunt question to the Rebbe in a private audience. He understood that performing a good deed is meaningful, but thought that any merits gained would be wiped away upon sinning.

“Imagine a breathtaking scenic landmark,” the Rebbe began. “A tourist captures the view with a photograph, and frames it beautifully. How much would the photograph sell for?” the Rebbe asked.

The man answered hesitantly, “About twenty-five dollars?”

The Rebbe continued his metaphor: “Another tourist who is an accomplished artist sees this magnificent sight and skillfully paints the scene. How much would his original artwork sell for?”

“Oh, it could be several thousand dollars!” exclaimed the man.

“Logically,” the Rebbe explained, “the painting, despite its beauty, only captured several of the many details in the entire scene. The photograph, on the other hand, captured every detail of the landmark.

“Why is the painting worth more than the photograph?” the Rebbe asked.

The man, comprehending the Rebbe’s parable, quickly replied, “It’s the effort that counts!”

“Exactly!” the Rebbe concluded. “Angels are picture-perfect. Though they do not sin their perfection does not require effort. Humans are imperfect. We may make occasional mistakes, but our effort is very precious to G‑d.”

—Heard from Yehoshua Werde and cited in Chicken Soup to Warm the Neshama

By saying a bracha with the proper intention, you cause the Shechinah to come to rest on the food you are about to eat.  But more than that, you become Hashem’s partner in the work of Creation.  Why is this so?

The food you eat was created for the sole purpose of providing you the energy to do mitzvos and praise Hashem, and the food reaches the destiny for which it was created.  You thereby become a partner in Hashem’s Creation.

This explains why the text of the brachos is formulated in the present tense, for we say “Who brings forth bread from the earth…Who creates the fruit of the vine…” rather than, “Who brought forth bread…Who created the fruits…”  By reciting a meaningful bracha with kavanah, the purpose of Hashem’s Creation is made complete. ~ Kedushas Levi