Brilliant Ignoramus

“One can possess broad Talmudic knowledge and be a fountain of deep penetrating analysis and yet he does not deserve to be considered a true talmid chacham (Torah scholar). If he has not allowed his Torah knowledge to refine his character and restructure his personality, he is an am haaretz (boorish ignoramus) who happens to know how to learn.” ~ R’ Yisrael Salanter zt”l

Posted in Learning, Mussar, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Like an Operation

The Sage, Nachum Ish Gamzu (the teacher of Rabbi Akiva) is famous in the Talmud as the leading exponent of this insight.  His invariable reaction to whatever befell him, even to seeming disaster, was: gam zu le-tovah – “this too is for the best.”  Even what appears to us to as the worst is not really bad at all; it is in reality good, for its purpose is good.  A person suffering from a mortal disease is glad if he can undergo an operation which may save him, however much it may hurt.  This is how we must understand God’s ways.  But in this case the good is incomparably greater – unimaginably more sublime.  ~ R’ Eliyahu Dessler zt”L

Posted in Emuna | Leave a comment

A Good Daughter

A guteh tochter iz a guteh shnur – A good daughter makes a good daughter-in-law.

Posted in Yiddish | Leave a comment

Amazing Opportunity

Please read to the end!

There is a basic flaw in believing that by giving, one loses. The Chofetz Chaim cites the promise in Tanna D’Vei Eliyahu Zuta (Perek 4): “If you gave charity, you will merit money. If you merited money, then give charity with it.” When one has money to give, one has the opportunity to create a permanent asset. Hashem is giving the person a chance to make an investment that earns principal and dividends in this world and the World to Come. By giving the money, one cannot lose. “You shall surely give him, and let your heart not feel bad when you give him, for in return for this matter, Hashem, your G-d, will bless you in all your deeds and in your every undertaking,” says Devarim (15:10).

I am very excited about the Keren Hashana Fund.   Everyday, there is a mitzva to give tzedaka.  That is why the Lubavitcher Rebbe established Keren Hashana;  a fund that will disburse your tzedaka to worthy causes, daily, giving you and the Jewish people the benefit of this great mitzvah every day of the year!

You and each member of your family could give as little as 5 cents a day for each day of the year.   Just go to https://lubavitch.com/donate.html?o=2026760&src=Lubavitch.com or email  hq@lubavitch.com and give the names of each of your family members so that this one-time donation ensures you and them the daily mitzvah of tzedaka for every day of the year.  It begins next week, so sign up now.

Posted in Chesed | Leave a comment

Bitter People

“Bitter people are never grateful; grateful people are never bitter.” ~ R’ Lazer Brody

Posted in Happiness, Mussar | Leave a comment

How Does One Learn to Love Hashem

“When drinking a cup of water, learn to love Him for it; when you wear an overcoat in winter, love Him for it; when you enter from the cold street into your warm home, love Him for it; when you put your head on the pillow and your ears folds back comfortably, love Him for it; love Him for restful sleep, pain-free days, for your daily bread, and for all that He gives constantly.” ~ R’ Avigdor Miller zt”l

Posted in Spirituality | Leave a comment

When I have time…

“Say not, when I have leisure I will study; for you may never have leisure” ~ Pirkei Avot 2:4

Posted in Learning, Mussar | Leave a comment

The Fault-Finder

“A chissoren, di kalleh is tsu shain.” – “A fault-finder complains even that the bride is too pretty.”

Posted in Mussar, Yiddish | Leave a comment

Darkness

“Don’t take the world and its darkness so seriously –it is not as real as it feigns to be. It is only a creation and it is being re-created out of absolutely nothing at every moment. The only thing real about it is its purpose of being — that you should purify it.” ~ R’ Tzvi Freeman

Posted in Spirituality | Leave a comment

Not a Penny more

“No matter how much effort is exerted, no-one can earn one cent more than G-d has ordained that he – this particular person – shall earn. One must do what is necessary, but one must remember that all his work is but an adjunct. The main thing is G-d’s blessing, and that blessing is earned by being observant of G-d’s commands:  Davening with a Minyan, observing Shabbat B’hidur (beyond the minimum, with “beauty”), meticulous observance of Kashrut, having children instructed by sincerely religious teachers (who are
personally observant).” ~ The Lubavitcher Rebbe zt”l

Posted in Emuna, Parnasah | 1 Comment