Where is God?

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“Where is God to be found? In the place where He is given entry” ~ Kotzker Rebbe

Posted in Spirituality | Leave a comment

Two Messengers

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“Just as in Egypt, where Hashem appointed two messengers to lead the Jews out of slavery, Moshe and Aharon, so too, will we have two emissaries by the final redemption, Mashiach Ben Yosef and Mashiach Ben Dovid.  Why?  One to take the Jews out of galus and one to take the galus out of the Jews!” ~ R’ Shmuel Mohilever zt”l (Torah Tavlin)

Posted in Parsha | Tagged | 1 Comment

First, look in the mirror

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Emuna Daily

Our Sages tell us (Kiddushin 70a) that one who degrades another person often does so regarding the very fault which he himself possesses. Sometimes, we notice faults in others because we have them within ourselves. The Torah, in the laws of loshon hora, recognizes this principle and tells us that before we speak against others, we must first correct ourselves. ~ From the teachings of the Chofetz Chaim

Posted in Mussar, Shmiras Haloshon | Leave a comment

Knocked Down

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“The Great Rabbis tell us that ‘Sheva Yipol Tzaddik Vakam‘ – A Righteous Man is Knocked Down Seven Times, and stands up again. Some people explain this to mean that it’s ‘through’ that cleansing process that he becomes great. It’s through standing up again, trying again, trusting again, loving again, connecting again when it would seem to make sense to give up, when we’re tired and have given up trying, that we become great. So, whatever your challenge is today, don’t give up. Try again. Trust again. Love again. Hope again. And if you feel weak, ask G-d to help you do for yourself, what you cannot do.”  ~ Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman

Posted in Emuna, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Let Emuna Precede Intellect

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“…anyone or anything that influences our lives – for better or for worse – is merely Hashem’s messenger and an agent of Divine will.”

“For example, someone that forgets to let emuna precede intellect might blame his or her feet pains on the ‘natural phenomenon’ of a bad pair of shoes.  Others might attribute their lack of career success to a tyrannical boss, or torment themselves for losing money in a bad investment.  Even though the shoes were really poorly made, or the boss is truly a tyrant, or the investment was surely a silly mistake, Hashem is right there on the scene, hiding behind all the events that He causes to create a certain situation.  Life’s situations are none other than personal messages for our ultimate benefit.”  ~  The Garden of Emuna

Posted in Emuna | 1 Comment

Ambition

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“Man’s ambition to add to his wealth and honor is the chief source of his misery.” ~ Maimonides

Posted in Mussar | 1 Comment

His Best Hat

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“What a person holds in his possession, he holds for a time. What he gives away, he holds forever.”

[I saw the above quote from the Chofetz Chaim and the following story in an email I received on SEFER AHAVAS CHESED — Part II Chapter XVII footnotes.  It’s worth reading.]

In America, after World War II, a refugee came to see the Kapishnitzer Rebbe. The man was despondent over his tremendous losses. He had been a well-to-do man in Europe, and now he had nothing with which to start a family and establish a life. He was ashamed of his ragged appearance, especially the hand-me-down hat that sat upon his head like a symbol of all his travail. The Rebbe’s heart went out to the man, whose own reflection in the mirror caused him such pain. The Rebbe went to his closet and selected his finest wedding hat, and turned it over to the man. Later, his family questioned him: Why didn’t he give away his weekday hat or his regular Shabbos hat?

“Which hat do you think I will be wearing in the World to Come?” he responded. “Of course it will be the hat I gave away. Am I not entitled to sit in my finest hat in the World to Come? I gave away the hat I want to have forever.”

Posted in Chesed | Leave a comment

Livelihood

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“In truth, there are two possible channels by which to receive your livelihood, according to the perspective you take in life: You could decide to become just another element of nature, chasing after your bread in the chaos, running the race of survival of the fittest. And the fact is, you may even do well taking this route –in the short run. In the long run, however, your soul is being denied its nourishment, and your body, too, will never feel satisfied.

Or you could see your life as an intimate relationship with the Source of Life Above –as though all your livelihood was no more than manna from heaven, handed to you personally and lovingly straight from the hand of your G-d and partner in all you do. Then your main job is to keep the basket where your manna will fall sparkling clean, insuring that no one is being hurt or misled by your business. To spend the profits you are granted on spreading kindness in the world. Maybe you’ll get rich this way. Maybe you won’t. But you will always be satisfied.” ~ Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman

Posted in Emuna | Leave a comment

Puzzle Pieces

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“Hashem alone assembles the multitude of ‘puzzle pieces’ – the people, events, and influencing factors in our lives – to create a certain situation in our lives or in the world around us.” ~ The Garden of Emuna

Posted in Emuna | Leave a comment

Negative Habits

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Emuna Daily

“The entire purpose of our existence is to overcome our negative habits.” – Vilna Goan, Commentary to Mishlei 4:13

Posted in Mussar | Leave a comment