The Chafetz Chaim’s Court Appearance

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Emuna Daily

“The Chafetz Chaim once had to testify in a Polish court as a character witness on behalf of a student who was falsely accused of a crime.  After the Chafetz Chaim testified that his student’s integrity was beyond reproach, the student’s lawyer told the judge, “I would like to give the court a glimpse of the greatness of this Rabbi.  A thief once stole something from him, and he pursued him shouting, ‘It’s yours! I forgive you!’ in order that the thief should not be guilty of sinning because of him.”  

The judge was skeptical, and asked the lawyer, “Do you really believe that story?”

“Of course, I did not personally witness it,” replied the lawyer. “But honorable judge, people do not relate such stories about you and me.” ~ R’ Zelig Pliskin

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Darwin

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Emuna Daily

I am absolutely certain that if Darwin would have ever looked upon the holy, shining face of my Rebbi, the Chafetz Chaim, he could have never uttered such a ridiculous statement that man comes from apes. ~ R’ Elchanan Wasserman zt”l as quoted in Torah Tavlin

Posted in Spirituality | 1 Comment

An Easy Livelihood

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Emuna Daily

If a person gives priority to the service of God and resolves to fear Him; trusts in Him in all his interests, religious and secular; turns away from the despicable things and aspires to good qualities; does not rebel when in comfort nor incline toward leisure; is not swayed by his baser instincts nor seduced by the enchanting things of the world – then he will be relieved of the burden of seeking and searching for a livelihood, since the two reasons [for obligating him to do so] that have been mentioned, trial and rebellion in the midst of prosperity, will have become inapplicable to him.  His livelihood will come to him without trouble or weariness, to the extent of his needs and requirements, as it is written, “God will not let the righteous go hungry.” (Mishlei 10:3) ~ Chovos Halevovos

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Repair

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Emuna Daily

“If you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that G-d has left for you to complete. But if you only see what is wrong and how ugly it is, then it is yourself that needs repair.” – Tzvi Freeman

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Take Some Torah with You to the Street

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Emuna Daily

 “When someone walks the street and thinks words of Mishna or Tanya, or sits in his store with a Chumash or Tehillim – that is more valued today than it was when the streets were bright with the light of Torah. We must not go about in the street with a vacant heart. We must have some Torah memorized, to take with us into the street.” – Lubavitcher Rebbe

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Pride

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Emuna Daily

All sins require some type of physical action – a movement of the hand or foot, an opening of the lips.  All except for pride.  A person can lie in bed, not moving at all, and say to himself, “I am great!” ~R’ Pinchos of Koretz zt”l as quoted in Torah Tavlin

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A Donkey and a Fool

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Emuna Daily

An aizel derkent men bei di langeh oi’eren, a nar bei der langer tsung.

You can recognize a donkey by his long ears, a fool by his long tongue.  

Posted in Shmiras Haloshon, Yiddish | Leave a comment

The Steipler’s Tzitzis

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Emuna Daily

During the final days of the Steipler’s life, an amazing incident occurred.  The Steipler asked for his tzitzis.  As someone put the garment on him, the Steipler, what was lying in bed and could not see the ends of the garment, suddenly cried out, “What are you giving me – these tzitzis are pasul (not kosher)!”  The person removed the garment from the Steipler and inspected it.  Sure enough, the tzitzis on one corner had become torn and were pasul.  

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Enjoy Life

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Emuna Daily

“One who possesses an understanding of the goodness of the world always rejoices.  When one sees no happiness in his lot, he will indeed see no reason to be grateful to his Creator.  It is only when one is about to leave this world, that he looks back with regret – too late – at all that he possessed but failed to enjoy.” ~ R’ Avigdor Miller zt”l as quoted in Torah Tavlin.

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Stay Firm

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Emuna Daily

Every moment of the day the evil inclination attempts to overpower us.  It fans the desires, even if we refuse to pay attention to it and look determinedly in the other direction.  Still it comes back and bites us again, a third time, a fourth and more.  We must stay firm and obstinate.  We must be absolutely determined that under no circumstances will we turn our attention to toward the evil inclination.  In the end it will be lifted from us and it will totally disappear.  The same is true of the irrelevant thoughts which persist in coming to confuse us when we are trying to pray.  The same thought comes into mind over and over again.  What we need is firmness.  Pay no attention to the thought whatsoever. ~ R’ Nachman of Breslov zt”l

Posted in Mussar, Prayer, Spirituality | Leave a comment