Emuna Daily

Zos Chanukah is the deepest light of all.

It’s the light that sees the tears we don’t cry, the prayers we can’t say, and the broken pieces of our hearts that long for healing.

~ R’ Shlomo Carlebach zt’l

The menorah’s light rises heavenward, but its warmth spreads outward, reminding us that our bond with Hashem must inspire love and kindness to those around us.

~ The Maggid of Mezritch

When a person kindles the flame of the menorah, they also ignite a holy spark within their soul.

~ The Baal Shem Tov

Shabbos and Chanukah together represent two types of light:

Shabbos is the internal light that illuminates the soul, while Chanukah is the external light that shines into the world.

Together, they teach us to bring the holiness of the soul into the public domain.

~ The Lubavitcher Rebbe

Chanukah is not just about remembering a miracle; it is about understanding that we, too, are capable of bringing light into a dark world.

~ R’ Adin Steinsaltz zt”l

The miracle of Chanukah was not just the oil burning for eight days—it was the courage to light it in the first place, in a time of darkness.

~ R’ Moshe Feinstein zt”l

When we run out of avenues of hishtadlus, we shouldn’t despair because at that point, we are in the ideal position to rely completely on Hashem.

~ R’ David Sutton

There is no standard ratio of bitachon to hishtadlus.  The calculation depends on the person. 

The more bitachon he has, the less hishtadlus he must do.

~ The Beis HaLevi

The Bnei Yissaschar (Kislev 4:134) teaches that one can pray through praising Hashem. For instance, in the second brachah of Shemoneh Esrei, when we say, “the Healer of the sick,” we can think, “You heal the ill, so please heal…” This hidden prayer within praise ascends to Heaven without obstruction.

While standard requests may be blocked by malachim who argue our unworthiness, no one can stop a Jew from praising Hashem. The praises rise, Hashem reads between the lines, and fulfills the request concealed within the praise.

If a person is not in control of his yetzer hara, then his yetzer hara will be in control of him. 

~ Esther Stern