Emuna Daily

Why do people not have what they want?

Because they don’t want what they have.

If only they would want what they have, they would have what they want! ~ The Alter of Kelm

Looking for some real beauty tips? For beautiful lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a nice physique, share your food with the hungry. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.  ~ Mrs. Sarah Karmely

Our Sages tell us that the world depends on the merit of those who remain silent amid controversy (Chullin 89a) ~ The Chofetz Chaim

The Gaon, Rav Meir Shapiro, z’tl, the Rav of Lublin once told a childhood story about his mother.  “When I was a boy, my family was forced to move several times from house to house.  We also moved from city to city.  The constant moving did not disturb my mother’s equilibrium; only one thing would bother her – my bittul Torah!”

“On one occasion, as we were again preparing to move, my mother had an idea.  She contacted the melamed of the town to which we were moving, and arranged that he would meet me by the gate of the city.  He would then be able to learn with me immediately when we arrived at the town.”

“When we finally reached our destination, we searched and searched, but the melamed was not there.  My mother sat down next to the wagon and cried for a long time.  I tried to calm her down by saying, ‘Mommy, Mommy, why are you crying, I’ll learn tomorrow!’”

“My mother answered, ‘Meir’el, Meir’el, You don’t yet know how to appreciate the meaning of bittul Torah of one day!”  ~ Chayim Sheyash Bahem as quoted on Revach.net

Rav Meir Shapiro went on to launch the Daf Yomi cycle.

People worry that they might not have with what to live.  They should rather worry they won’t have with what to die.  ~ Chofetz Chaim zt”l in Chayai Hamussar

When looking back at your past suffering, feel joy.  They have already benefited you by atoning for your misdeeds and at present you no longer feel pain from those past misfortunes. ~ Derech Tzadikim

Hashem grades on the basis of effort. ~ R’ Shraga Silverstein zt”l

The more independent you want to be, the more independent Hashem allows you to be.

The more dependent you are on Hashem, the more dependence Hashem allows you to have.

~ R’ Ari Bergmann

Without Hashem’s help, one cannot cross the doorway; with Hashem’s help, one can cross the sea. ~ R’ Mordechai of Lechovitz zt”l

You are forbidden to defame someone who is dead.  If the subject was a Talmid Chochom, the offense is even more severe.  ~ Guard Your Tongue