There is no reward in this world for mitzvos ~ Kiddushin 39b
Blessings are not payments for our mitzvos but rather, they are benefits that help us to serve G-d at a higher level.
When we enjoy a nice meal or a moment of nachas from our children, or we close a good deal or take a relaxing vacation, G-d is not paying us for our efforts. Rather, He is saying, “Rest up and continue to serve Me.”
~ R’ David Sutton
The cloudy days of life are forecasting a downpour of blessings from Above.
~ The Noda B’Yehudah (1713-1793)
Although on the path toward spiritual perfection, one is not usually urged to immediately adapt to the loftiest levels, the Alter of Novardok in Madreigas Ha’adam advises one to do this with bitachon, since bitachon is an exception to the rule.
Since one’s level of bitachon and reliance on Hashem results in Divine blessings that correspond to the depth of his convictions, the best thing is to start at the top, as this way, he will immediately see the beauty of true bitachon and will have an easier time sustaining this exalted level.
Conversely, when someone starts slowly from the bottom up, he will see only blessings corresponding to his lesser efforts, so his climb will be more difficult.
Therefore, go all in! Rely on Hashem completely and see the results!
“Hillel said, ‘If not now, when?’” (Pirkei Avos 1:14)
The plain meaning is that if you push off doing something positive, you might end up not doing it at all. New obstacles may arise and prevent you from ever doing it.
But we can understand Hillel another way: “Very good, we accept that you truly will do the good deed later on, but what about the present?” You must do all you can both now and later. Even though you might utilize the opportunity to do good later on, you have, nonetheless, wasted the present moment.
~ R’ Chaim Mordechaim Katz zt”l (1894-1965)
Sometimes when we try to cover our eyes, we begin to see things in a way that we never saw them before.
~ R’ Moshe Weinberger
The gemara (Shabbos 86a) says that the Torah was given either on the 6th or 7th day of Sivan.
Furthermore, the Torah was given on Har Sinai, but we don’t know where that is.
“So we don’t know when the Torah was given and we don’t know where the Torah was given. This is to teach us that any time and any place is ideal for Torah.”
~ R’ Yisrael Salanter zt’l (1809-1883)
Emuna is the heart of the spiritual body, pumping life into all other mitzvos.
~ The Maharsha (1555-1631)
Hashem gave each of us a soul, which is a candle that He gives us to illuminate our surroundings with His light.
We must not only illuminate the inside of our homes, but also the outside, and the world at large.
~ The Lubavitcher Rebbe zt”l (1902-1994)
Anyone who has the potential to fall very low, necessarily has the potential to rise very high!
~ R’ Shmuel Weinberg zt”l (1923-1999)
When the B’nei Yisroel were at the seashore, they served Hashem with mesirus nefesh, beyond their nature, making them worthy of kriyas Yam Suf.
When one serves Hashem according to his nature, Hashem leads him according to the rules of nature. But when one goes beyond his nature, Hashem reciprocates and performs miracles for him beyond the limitations of nature.
~ R’ Michel of Zlotchev zt’l (1726-1786)
Emuna Daily 