Powerful Lesson on Loshon Hara

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Emuna Daily

Our Sages taught that Lashon Hara (gossip) harms 1.) The gossiper, 2.) The listener and 3.) The one about whom the gossip is spoken (see Arachin 15b).

Now it is easy to understand why the gossiper and listener suffer, since they participated in the sin.  But why should the subject of the gossip suffer?  After all, he was not even present at the time!

The answer lies in the fact  that speech is a revelation of something that was previously hidden (in thought).  Therefore, by speaking badly about another person it actually causes that person’s bad traits to be more pronounced in the world, which could lead him to be the subject of a heavenly decree of punishment.  Thus, it is bad speech that can harm another (and not thoughts, that remain hidden), which teaches us how careful a person should be with the words he utters about another.  ~ The Lubvaticher Rebbe based on Likutei Sichos, vol 15, p 31ff

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It was Good

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Emuna Daily

Here is a short vort on the parsha to repeat at the shabbos table:

“Why doesn’t the Torah state ‘Ki Tov – It was good’ – after the creation of man, as it does after all the other things created during the six days?  Because every other creature was created complete, with its nature and instincts ready to be applied to the world.  Man, however, is given free will and the responsibility for his own development and improvement.  Thus, it doesn’t state, ‘and it was good,’ because we must wait and see how man behaves before passing judgment.” ~ The Kli Yakar (Torah Tavlin)

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G-d is Only Good

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“Everything that occurs comes from G-d, and G-d is only good. But if you and your world are not prepared to receive such good, it may manifest itself as apparent bad. Struggle hard to see the good, think positively — and then the good will become revealed.” ~ R’ Tzvi Freeman

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…and man became a speaking spirit

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Emuna Daily

The Torah states (in this week’s parsha) “And Hashem formed man from the dust of the ground, and He blew into his nostrils the soul of life, and man became a living being” (Bereishis 2:7).  Targum Onkles translates the verse’s last phrase as “and man became a speaking spirit.”  It is the power of speech which defines man’s essence and distinguishes him from other creatures.

Thus does Scripture state “One who guards his mouth and tongue, guards his soul from tribulations” (Mishlei 21:23).  Shmiras haloshon is singled out because speech is man’s essential quality.  Impairment of this power deprives the soul of its essential quality in  the next world and is the source of its ultimate tribulation.  ~ The Chofetz Chaim

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Times

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“There is an answer for every time and for every situation.  At one time, the answer may be to turn to Torah study, at another to say a prayer or to do a good deed.  At one time it may be necessary to cry and beg and weep before G-d.  At another time to be joyous and glad.  There are times for speaking, other times for silence.  There is also a time when what we need is to turn aside from our service.  For at times, ‘To neglect Torah is to keep it.’ (Talmud Menachot 99a).  There are times when a person has to eat or sleep in order to preserve his body.  At other times he has to converse with other people in order to sharpen his wits, and so on.

Everyone must endure innumerable different ‘times’.” ~ R’ Nachman of Breslov zt”l

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Remote Control

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Emuna Daily

To change the past, there is no need to travel in a time machine. You can change the past by remote control.

Here’s how it works: From beyond the continuum of time, G‑d looks at your stance in this moment now. From that point, He creates all things—of now, of the future and of the past.

With each new moment of now, all of past, as well, is regenerated as though it never was. Change the present now, and you will have changed the past along with it. ~ R’ Tzvi Freeman

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The Greatest Knowledge

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“The greatest knowledge of Hashem is a lack of knowledge.  When it comes to knowing Gd, the greatest student is the one who recognizes that he knows nothing!” ~R’ Simcha Zissel Ziv zt”l a/k/a the Alter of Kelm, from Torah Tavlin

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Control

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“The purpose of our being in this world is to overcome our forbidden impulses, and we are frequently in a state of conflict.  By controlling our desires for evil, we elevate ourselves.  לפום צערא אגרא – The more difficult the task, the greater the merit.” ~ The Chafetz Chaim (Torah Tavlin)

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Post Yom Kippur Advice

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“There are times when a person feels the stirring to return to G-d.  He wants to begin to serve G-d….  At such a moment he has to face the full force of the evil inclination.  It takes great strength and persistence to withstand this new evil inclination which seems to be born afresh at every turn… ‘for the greater the man, the greater his evil inclination.’ (Succah 52a)  It is a great thing to seek to draw closer to G-d.  That is why it takes renewed efforts at every moment to fight this new evil inclination which keeps being born afresh with every passing moment.” ~ R’ Nachman of Breslov

In other words, don’t be surprised if the evil inclination is at it’s strongest right after Yom Kippur.  This is a good sign.  It means you have reached a new spiritual level.  Stay strong!

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Concentration

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“When you are davening in deep concentration and thought, know that prayer is accepted with the amount of concentration it is said with.” ~ R’ David Ben Yosef Avudraham zt”l  (Torah Tavlin)

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