Always Optimistic

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Emuna Daily

The Ponevezhher Rav, R’ Yosef Kahaneman, escaped from the impending Nazi inferno and later went to Israel, where he immediately began planning to rebuild the Torah glory of his town.  Standing on a hill in Bnei Brak (present-day sight of the Ponevezher Yeshivah), he declared his intention to build a yeshivah.  German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel’s army was knocking on the gates of Palestine at that time, and the prospect of building a new yeshivah seemed impossible, even insane.  Skeptical bystanders said to him, “Rebbe, you are dreaming.” He replied, “You are right, I am dreaming – but I am not asleep.” ~ The Pirkei Avos Treasury

Posted in Stories of Tzaddikim | Leave a comment

Teshuva

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Emuna Daily

Teshuva is not becoming better; it is becoming different. ~ The Alter of Slabodka

Posted in Teshuva | Leave a comment

Simply for being Jewish

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Emuna Daily

During the war, our people were indiscriminately hated, simply for being Jewish.  After the war, we must respond by indiscriminately loving all Jews, simply for being Jewish. ~ The Bluzhover Rebbe, R’ Yisrael Spira, zt”l who lost his wife and children and endured terrible suffering in the concentration camps during the holocaust.

—

The answer to yesterday’s “Identify that Prayer” is Baruch Hu Elokeinu which could be found in the latter portion of Uva Letzion before Aleinu during Shachris as well as some other places.

Posted in Mussar, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Identify That Prayer #12

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Emuna Daily

Blessed is He, our God, Who created us for His glory, separated us from those who stray, gave us the Torah of truth and implanted eternal life within us.  May He open our heart through His Torah and imbue our heart with love and awe of Him and that we may do His will and serve Him wholeheartedly, so that we do not struggle in vain nor produce for futility.

The answer will be in tomorrow’s email.

Posted in Identify that Prayer, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A Good Book

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Emuna Daily

I would rather think of life as a good book.  The further you get into it, the more it begins to come together and make sense.  ~ R’ Harold Kushner

Posted in Emuna | Leave a comment

By Mistake

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Emuna Daily

Certain opportunities and potentials are so lofty, that they cannot be accessed by the conscious self; they can only come about “by mistake.” ~ The Maggid of Mezritch

Posted in Emuna | Leave a comment

House of Slaves

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Emuna Daily

Regarding the Exodus, the Torah states that God redeemed us from the House of Slaves. The Egyptians were initially a House of Slaves – a lowly nation. God transformed them into a superpower only for the sake of the Jewish people. He raised Pharaoh to the greatest height in order to magnify his fall, thereby proving God’s power to the Jews and to the world. G-d did the same with Haman, Sancheriv and others. Regarding the final redemption as well, God will grant great powers to rulers and nations only to magnify their collapse, so that all will recognize God’s mighty acts on our behalf. ~ Eitz HaChaim

Posted in Spirituality | Leave a comment

While You Are Young

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Emuna Daily

“You shall keep My decrees and My laws which, if a person does, he shall live by them.” ~ Vayikra 18:5

Man must keep the decrees and laws given to us by the Creator when he is “live” – young, healthy, and full of life, and not only when he reaches old age. ~ The Kotzker Rebbe

Posted in Mussar | Leave a comment

Short and Deep

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Emuna Daily

Believing is seeing. ~ R’ Shraga Silverstein zt”l

Sign up here for daily sefira reminders via text or email

Posted in Emuna | Leave a comment

Leaving Egypt

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Emuna Daily

The biblical slavery of Egypt represents bondage to your own self. Every day, at every moment, must be an exodus from the self. If you’re not leaving Egypt, you’re already back there. ~ R’ Tzvi Freeman

Sign up here for daily sefira reminders via text or email

Posted in Mussar | Leave a comment