Emuna Daily

The Zohar teaches that on Succos, the ushpizen come to our succah to celebrate with us.  When they come, they look to see if there are any guests, and if so, they remain and bless all the participants.  But if there aren’t any, they leave.

On Yom Kippur, the Cohen Gadol would say אחת, ושלש אחת , ושתים אחת, ואחת אחת, אחת … וארבע

The Imrei Emes explains that the most precious moment for Hashem is when one makes a strong resolve to improve his ways. Afterwards, he may have ups and downs, but it is this first firm resolve which is so precious to Hashem. That is the reason the Cohen Gadol continually repeats achas (one) representing that first moment that he accepted upon himself to improve his ways.

On Yom Kippur, the cohen gadol pronounces Hashem’s name of י-ה-ו-ה  (pronouncing the name as it is written) ten times. That is: 26 x 10 = 260.  עין , eye, is gematriya 130. There are two eyes, which add up to 260. This indicates that when one guards his eyes, he is compared to the cohen gadol, who does the service on Yom Kippur.  ~ R’ Elimelech Biderman Shlita

If life were one long day, we would be crushed beneath the weight of all the sins we had committed “today.” It is only because we can attribute our sins to “yesterday” that we can go forward with today.  ~ R’ Shraga Silverstein zt”l

A long life is not good enough. But a good life is long enough.

~ A quote that Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis found from her late husband following his death as told by R’ Paysach Krohn

The fact that according to most opinions, Teshuva is included as one of the 613 mitzvos should make it clear to each one of us that no one is perfect.  Hashem expects man to sin.  We should therefore take comfort in this, do teshuva, which is what Hashem wants, and be confident that we will be forgiven.

Mincha of Erev Rosh Hashana is said in the very last minutes of the year.  Yet in the Shemoneh Esrei of this final Mincha we pray “Bless on our behalf – O Hashem, our God – this year…,” though all that is left of the year are just a few short minutes!

This teaches us that every minute counts, as our Sages put it, “Yeshuas Hashem keheref ayin, Hashem’s help comes in the blink of an eye.”  Even in the last minute of the year, His salvation can come in an instant. ~ R’ Shalom of Belz – The Sar Shalom

Shana Tova to everyone!

What is the difference between children and adults?

Adults keep grudges.  Children do not.  Why is that?

Because children choose being happy over being right.  Adults choose being right over being happy.

~ Tzemech Tzedeck

Even Yom Kippur can only atone for sins between man and God.  Now is the time to reach out and beg others for forgiveness and make peace.

When you pray, trust that Hashem will listen to your prayers and do what’s best for you; not what you think is best.  ~ paraphrased from R’ Avigdor Miller zt”l