The Most Fortunate Trait in Life

The ability to be satisfied with what we have…is one of the most fortunate traits in life.  It says in Proverbs: “Better is dry bread with contentment, than a house full of sacrifices and strife” (Proverbs 17:1), and in Pirkei Avos: “What is the proper way that a man should follow? Rabbi Elazar said, ‘A good eye.’”  The Bartenura comments: “This refers to someone who is happy with his portion, does not desire needless possessions, and is not jealous when his friend has more than he.”  This truth applies in every area of life; a person should learn to be content with a little, and not have to seek satisfaction from all things, at all times.  These words are especially relevant today.  ~ R’ Yaakov Meir Shechter

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Make the World a Better Place

If we spent less time trying to make this world a better place to live in, and more time trying to make ourselves better persons to live with, the world would be a better place to live in. ~ R’ Shraga Silverstein zt”l

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Needs the Prayers of Others

The Zohar states that “the prayer of one who speaks loshon hara will not come before the Holy One, Blessed be He, for a ruach tamei (impure spirit) hovers over it.”  The Chofetz Chaim explains that the metzora (one who is afflicted with tzarras for having spoken loshon hara) must seek the prayers of others, because his own prayers would be rejected in Heaven.

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I Just Won’t Look

A young student asked permission to go to a wedding.  R’ Eliyahyu Lopian zt”l asked him if there might be women there dressed immodestly.  The student replied that he had prepaped a strategy: he wouldn’t look.  Rabbi Lopian turned to the student and said “I’m already over eighty years old, and blind in one eye, yet despite this, I look!” ~ Every Day, Holy Day

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What makes the Yeitzer Hara Happy

The Yeitzer Hara itself is happy when people do not fall prey to its enticements. ~ The Kotkzer Rebbe zt”l

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Reflections

The faults we see in others are the reflected ones from ourselves. ~ R’ Lazer Brody

The answer to yesterday’s “Identify that Prayer” is Hodu at the beginning of Pesukei D’Zimrah

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Identify that Prayer #9

Give thanks to Hashem, declare His Name, make His acts known among the peoples.  Sing to Him, make music to Him, speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy Name, be glad of heart, you who seek Hashem. Search out Hashem and His might, seek His presence always.

Reply or Comment with the identify of this prayer.  Answer will be in tomorrow’s post.

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Step up

In times such as ours, when capable people are scarce, anyone who shows willingness to tackle a vital problem has divine assistance heaped upon him. ~ R’ Eliyahu Dessler zt’l

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Personal Dignity

Modesty is not about being covered up, but about awareness of a private life and of personal dignity.  Today this concept of private dignity does not exist. As a result, everything is flaunted, everything is public. ~ R’ Yaakov Weinberg zt”l

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Training Children

As with any mitzvah, a child should be trained to avoid speaking loshon hora as soon as he reaches the age of understanding in this regard.  It is common for children to denigrate the food they are served, causing hurt to the cook.  Children should be trained to avoid making such comments.  ~ Sefer Chofetz Chaim

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