Holding a Pen

Posted on June 24, 2017 by Emuna Daily

There was once a famous strong man named Breitbart who became so weak due to illness that he was unable to hold a pen in his hand. At the time, an article was published which stated “the same hands that were once able to break metal bars now tremble from a light pen.”  R’ Yeruchem Levovitz commented, “people tend to think holding a pen is so simple and natural that no strength is needed for the task. Only extra special strength, they think, is a Divine gift. In fact, the strength to hold a pen is also a Divine gift, and without that gift a person would be unable to hold anything.”

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Loss of Days

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Emuna Daily

Man worries about the loss of his money but does not concern himself with the loss of his days; his material possessions do not help him while his days will not return to him ~ Mesilas Yesharim

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Human Nature

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Emuna Daily

It is human nature for a person to judge one’s fellow by his own traits. ~ The Kotzker Rebbe

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Just Imagine – Very Deep

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Emuna Daily

Spend a few minutes imagining what it would be like if you had absolutely nothing: no family, no friends, no possessions, no money at all, no knowledge, no eyes, ears, hands, feet – absolutely nothing.  Continue this until you actually feel it.  Then picture yourself obtaining what you presently have, one item at a time. ~ R’ Zelig Pliskin based on Pirke Emunah

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Talking about Your Successes

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Emuna Daily

Be careful not to tell others about your successes when this would imply that the person you are talking to is inferior to you.  This could easily create negative feelings in the other person, and arguments and quarrels might ensue.  This is what happened to Yosef when he told his brothers about his dreams. ~ The Ralbag

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What is the Purpose of Your Life?

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Emuna Daily

Overcoming negative character traits is the essence and purpose of life.  Therefore you need to continuously strengthen yourself.  If you do not work on overcoming your faults, what is the purpose of your life?  ~ The Vilna Gaon

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Mid-Sentence

Posted on June 18, 2017 by Emuna Daily

If one began to speak and realizes that by concluding his point, he will speak loshon hara, he must stop in mid-sentence and change the subject. ~ Chofetz Chaim

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The Shining Sun

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Emuna Daily

Rabbi Moshe Rosenstein related that Rabbi Yisroel Salanter often expressed his feelings of great joy on the benefit he has from the shining sun which helps mankind in so many ways. Rabbi Rosenstein would ask why don’t other people also feel the same joy as Rabbi Salanter? The main reason is that people feel happier when they have something others are missing. When everyone else in the world has the same thing, they do not feel they have anything special. Rabbi Salanter felt great love for other people. Therefore, the fact that others also benefited increased his pleasure. Just as a person feels more pleasure when his children also have pleasure, so too, one who sincerely loves other people feels increased pleasure when others also benefit. ~ R’ Zelig Pliskin

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A Cure

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Emuna Daily

A person who has mastered being in a joyous state will be able to cure himself of disease.  Even though he might become ill, his joy will heal him.  But sadness is such a heavy burden, who can carry it?  ~ The Vilna Gaon zt”l

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Poison

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Emuna Daily

Anger is a deadly poison not only for the soul, but even for the body.  We should flee from anger as we would from the worst torture. ~ R’ Yeruchem Levovitz zt”l

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