Turn it Around

Posted on March 12, 2017 by Emuna Daily

No matter how gloomy things seem, everything can turn around.  Talking to God can turn things around. ~  R’ Elchonon Tauber

 

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“Who Sanctifies us with His Mitzvos”

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Emuna Daily

The Alshich, cited by the Eitz Yosef, explains “There is a qualitative difference between the mitzvos of the Holy One and the laws of states and governments.  The latter serves only to create and maintain social order.  The mitzvos, however, bring kedusha and spiritual elevation to the soul and flesh. ~ Seifer Talelei Oros

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When your Mind is Free

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Emuna Daily

Whenever your mind is free, make a conscious effort to focus on the good that the Almighty has bestowed upon you. ~ Chovos Halevovos 10:7

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Zing

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Emuna Daily

Don’t be humble.  You’re not that great.  ~ Golda Meir

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Which Station?

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Emuna Daily

A man was created not for his station in this world, but for his station in the World to Come. It is only that his station in this world is a means towards his station in the World to Come, which is the ultimate goal. ~ Mesilas Yesharim

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Your Errand

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Emuna Daily

The Almighty has sent you into this world on an appointed errand. It is His will that you accomplish your errand in a state of joy. Sadness implies an unwillingness on your part to carry out the Almighty’s will. ~ The Baal Shem Tov

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Lashon Hora about Relatives

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Emuna Daily

The prohibition against speaking and hearing loshon hora also applies to relatives.  Therefore a father is permitted to inquire about his son’s studies only if he will try to help his son.  If the questioning is merely out of curiosity, it is forbidden.  The same applies to all relatives.

Seeking information about someone is permissible only when it is for a constructive purpose.  The questioner must remember to explain that he is asking for a beneficial purpose.  ~ Guard Your Tongue

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These are the things…

Posted on March 4, 2017 by Emuna Daily

One of the leading rabbis of the generation was seriously ill.  He came to the Steipler Gaon for a blessing.  The Steipler advised him to establish a fund for dowries for brides, telling him that the merit of this mitzvah would stand him in good stead.

He explained that in the braisa that we recite each morning, “These are thing things,” the mitzvah of visiting the sick is not adjacent to the mitzvah of escorting the dead.  In between, the Tanna places the mitzvah of providing for a bride.  According to commentators, said the Steipler, providing for brides, places a separation so that someone who is sick  will not succumb to his illness and be escorted by his grave.

The leading rabbi took the advice, established a very large dowry fund, recovered from his illness and afterwards lived for many years.  ~ Orchos Rabbeinu

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There is no spoon

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Emuna Daily

One erev shabbos, lacking oil for light, R’ Chanina ben Dosa took vinegar and said, “The One who commanded oil to burn, He can command vinegar to burn as well.”  The vinegar burned and provided light until the end of shabbos (Taanis 25a).  Due to R’ Chanina ben Dosa’s perfect emuna, a miracle occurred.

I once heard that this gemara may be the source of the famous scene from the Matrix where the boy bent the spoon with his mind, explaining, “Do not try and bend the spoon, that’s impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth…there is no spoon.”

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Preparation for a Mitzvah

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Emuna Daily

In Mesillas Yesharim, the Ramchal stresses the importance of proper preparation before performing mitzvos:

“One does not enter into the performance of a mitzvah suddenly without composure and without having thought about it beforehand. Rather, one collects oneself and prepares his heart in calm, so that he thinks in a deliberate and organized fashion about the mitzvah at hand. Thereby, before he starts, he has full knowledge of what he is about to do and for whom he will be doing it. This mental and emotional preparation makes it easy for him to rid himself of any ulterior motives for performing the mitzvah, and the proper and desired motive will become fixed in his heart.”

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