Emuna Daily

Any heartfelt prayer must be answered.  It can’t be otherwise.

~ The Steipler Gaon zt”l

One who knows that everything he has is a gift from Hashem, and that it can be taken away from him, chas vishalom, in a second, the excitement never dissipates!  

Why?

Because every moment that Hashem allows me to retain whatever I have is a reason for celebration! 

~ Michael Safdie citing R’ Chaim Volozhin zt”l

There are 91 kosher and 85 non-kosher structures and situations of a sukkah mentioned in Shas.  

The numerical value of the word “סוכה” when spelled in full, is 91, indicating a proper sukkah.

The numerical value of the word “סכה” when spelled without “ו,” is 85, indicating a sukkah which lacks kashrus.

~ The Vilna Gaon

There is a halachah that “mitzta’er patur min ha-sukkah – One who feels discomfort is patur (exempt) from the sukkah.” 

Aside from the normal interpretation, perhaps Chazal are teaching us something deeper:

A person who finds himself in distress, “patur” – is able to free himself, both mentally and physically. How? “min ha-sukkah – From the sukkah” – by correctly performing the mitzvah of sukkah!

~ The Tzemech Tzedek zt”l

If one gives generously to the needy, Hashem sees that he is a good trustee and will entrust him with even greater riches!

~ R’ Shimon Shkop zt”l

It’s never too late to become the person you could have been.

~ Heard from R’ Joey Haber

If I had my way, I would prefer never to die, for in the World to Come, there are no Yamim Noraim.

What could the soul possibly do without Yom Kippur?!

And what purpose is life without teshuvah?!

~ R’ Shmelka of Nikolsburg zt”l

The Arizal states that Yom Kippur is Yom Kippurim, a day like Purim. 

The Shelah explains that just as the essence of Purim is fraternal love and kinship expressed in and engendered by mishaloch manos (sending presents to one’s friends) and matanos lievyonim (gifts for the needy), so too on Yom Kippur one is without jealousy, enmity or ill will towards one’s fellow man, similar to an angel.  

It is for this reason that Yom Kippur is a day when our sins are forgiven.

~ R’ Chaim Shmulevitz zt”l

The Sages (Rosh Hashanah 17a) have revealed a wonderful tool:

“A person who forgives others who distress him and does not do or say anything negative in retaliation, will have all his sins forgiven.”  

By removing your anger over the behavior of others, anger will be removed from you.

~ R’ Eliyahu Dessler zt”l

Rav Nosson Zvi Finkel, head of the great Mir Yeshiva of thousands of students, was once asked by one of the young men during the High Holiday season:

“When one prays, what should he or she have in mind?”

He responded with just 2 words…

“Someone Else.”

~ R’ Eli Deutsch