Shadow

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Emuna Daily

God is your shadow (Psalms 121:5)

As man acts, God Reacts ~ The Ba’al Shem Tov

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The Arizal’s Guarantee

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Emuna Daily

Regarding the first night of Shavuos, the Arizal writes “Know that one who does not sleep at all this night, but instead spends all his time learning Torah, is guaranteed that he will live out the year and no harm will befall him.”

This year, with Shabbos preceding Shavuos, it is a wonderful opportunity to take a nap and be better equipped to learn the entire night.   This statement and guarantee by the Arizal should not be taken lightly.  But in order to get this guarantee, a person has to spend “all his time learning Torah,” – which probably means without taking a break and talking to friends.   We are all capable of this.  If you try to do this, Hashem will assist you and make it happen.  Haztlocha!

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Would the Torah have suited any other nation?

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Emuna Daily

The people of Israel possess so fiery a nature that they would have become builders of world empires, and their exceptional talents would have been expended on worldly achievements.  The Torah was made for them, and they were made for the Torah.  ~ R’ Avigdor Miller zt”l

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So deep!

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Emuna Daily

R’ Chaim Volozhin once said, “The yetzer hora steals in and says, ‘Speak about me in the study of Mussar all you wish, as long as you don’t learn Torah the while.’”  R’ Itzele [Peterburger] added, “That was in those days.  In our time the yetzer hora says, ‘Learn Torah all you wish, as long as you don’t speak about me.’” ~ Sparks of Mussar

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The Left Ear

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Emuna Daily

Kabbalists teach that each month of the year corresponds to a major body part.  This month, Sivan, corresponds to the left ear.  Because all year long, Hashem’s words go in the right ear and out the other.  However, when the Torah is given, we must hear it and retain it with both ears – even the left one! ~ R’ Avraham of Slonim from Torah Tavlin

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Preaching

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Emuna Daily

Children walk in the path of their parents’ actions, and not necessarily in the path of their parents’ preaching. ~ R’ Lazer Brody

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MIsdeeds: Past and Present

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Emuna Daily

You are forbidden to belittle someone by telling others about his family’s misbehavior or his own past misbehavior, especially when he presently behaves properly.  ~ Guard Your Tongue

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Holy Brother – A favor for the sake of a favor

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Emuna Daily

I was walking down Broadway on Friday night when an African-American panhandler approached me for money.  In the tradition of my Rebbe, I apologized to him and explained that I observe the Sabbath, and therefore didn’t have any cash on me.  “That’s okay!” he said genially, “I respect your religion!”  Seeming hungry for human contact, he continued talking to me. “So are you going to Temple tonight?” he asked.  I assured him that I was, and that in fact, I was on my way right now to my synagogue located at 79th Street.  His eyes lit up.  “Oh, I know your rabbi,” he said enthusiastically.  “Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach – The Rabbi of Love!”

“Do you know,” he turned to me, eyes filled with wonder, “that every single time he meets me, he brings me over to his apartment and gives me food, money, and clothing?  I never met a man like him.”

“I’ve wanted to repay him in different ways thousands of times, but he won’t let me.  Rabbi, I’ve said to him over and over again, at least let me work for free as a maintenance man in your synagogue; let me give something back to you.  But he always refuses.  ‘Holy brother,’ he always tells me, I want to do you a favor for the sake of a favor!”‘

“So I’m very happy to hear Shlomo Carlebach is your rabbi.  Can there be a greater man around?  When you get to Temple tonight, please be sure to send my regards, and tell him that James wishes him Good Shabbos!” ~ Holy Brother

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Worrying for Others

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Emuna Daily

A pious Jew is not one who worries about his fellow man’s soul and his own stomach; a pious Jew worries about his own soul and his fellow man’s stomach. ~ R’ Yisroel Salanter zt”l

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The Value of Silence

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Emuna Daily

Our rabbis in Pirkei Avot have extolled the virtues of silence. Firstly, silence can never be misquoted. And since only about 5% of what we say every day has any relevance, it is advisable to consider for one moment, at least, if what is exploding in you to come out is really justified? ~ R’ Nachman Kahana

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