There are some commandments that teach us to break our desires and keep away from gratifying them. But on Shabbos, the mitzvah is to enjoy ourselves with pleasurable things, for the goal of Shabbos is not to break nature, but to sanctify it.
The goal is to elevate our physical lives and add a dimension of sanctity to our being. Since the lesson of Shabbos is that Hashem created all that exists, we therefore are required to sanctify nature and connect it with His service.
~ The Beis HaLevi
“A person shouldn’t feel that it is enough that he davens Shemoneh Esrei three times a day. Rather, several times a day, one should pour out his tefillos and requests when he is alone in the house, from the depths of his heart.
This is because we are accustomed to saying the three tefillos, and we don’t pay attention to what we are saying. However, if a person will pour out his heart like water before Hashem, and say the prayer with a broken heart and a humble spirit, this tefillah will certainly be answered…”
~ The Chofetz Chaim in Likutei Amarim 10
The Baal Bitachon’s attitude is:
“I’m here today, I have what I need today, and I hope there will be a tomorrow, but my focus is on today.”
~ R’ David Sutton
The Chofetz Chaim was once overheard in private, talking to Hashem, saying:
“You’ve done so much for me; You allowed me to write the Mishnah Berurah, the Sefer Chofetz Chaim….But what have I done for You?!”
We have to realize that the opportunity to do a mitzvah is a gift from Hashem!
People asked R’ Shimon Yaroslover zt’l,
“How did you merit to live such a long life?”
He replied, “It’s because I never asked questions. When a person asks questions about how Hashem leads the world, Heaven replies, ‘Come up to Heaven. From up here you will see that everything is for the good.’ I never ask questions, so I wasn’t called to Shomayim to receive answers.”
~ Ohel Shimon p.17
We lead such busy lives, we’re so distracted, but to have successful relationships, you have to learn to be in the moment, to be present.
The spouse you chose, the children you were given, the job you hold – those are yours.
HaKadosh Baruch Hu told Yaakov Avinu, “Hamakom asher atah omed alav – the place upon which you stand, admas kodesh, it’s sacred.”
That’s a mantra for life. Wherever you are, whatever you’re facing, even if it’s a difficult situation, it’s holy because it’s where you are standing. it’s your place right now.
If you look at life that way, if you’re present for each moment, then you have every reason to dance in the rain…because that rain is planting the seeds for something great.
~ R’ Yoel Gold
In the morning, Arise!
An important guest has arrived who was never here before and will never return.
That guest: Today!
~ R’ Yissachar Ber of Radoshitz zt”l
If a person is able, he is mechuyav (obligated) to do as much as he can.
~R’ Shmuel Kamenetsky Shlita
I want to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to join www.partnersinprotection.org from Partners In Torah. Commit to learning just 10 minutes a week for the next 4 weeks with a Torah Partner you will be paired with in the merit of a frontline soldier you will be matched with.
You can join as a student or as a mentor. Due to the war and antisemitism, Jews from all backgrounds are looking to learn more about Judaism and Torah. Now, more than ever, there is a need for Observant Jews to step up and take this incredible opportunity to do kiruv and help our fellow Jews.
I have been doing this for the past 5 years and it is incredible to see the growth of my partner in Torah. This is not just for Rabbis; this is for everyone, both men and women. Please give it a try. You won’t regret it.
Here is the link: www.partnersinprotection.org
The following is a fundamental lesson on the interrelationship between bitachon and hishtadlus:
A person should understand that as he lessens his business dealings and strengthens himself in his bitachon, so will his need for exertion be lessened….
[On the other hand], the more a person increases his hishtadlus and plunges into those efforts and makes them primary in his mind, correspondingly, Hashem provides his livelihood only after he exerts much effort!
~ The Beis HaLevi on Bitachon
“The candle of Hashem is the soul of the Jew…” – “…נֵ֣ר ה’ נִשְׁמַ֣ת אָדָ֑ם” (Mishlei 20:27)
The collective Jewish people are likened to a big jar of oil with G-d being the flame that lights them up.
Some precious drops of oil have been taken from the jar.
We pray to G-d that He brings them home.
~ R’ Yirmi Ginsberg
Emuna Daily 