Emuna Daily

The disguise in most blessings in disguise is not over the blessing, but over our eyes.

~ R’ Shraga Silverstein

He who trusts in Hashem will be surrounded by kindness (Tehilim 32:10)

On this passuk, the Vilna Gaon explains that even a rasha who has bitachon (relies and trusts in Hashem) will be surrounded by kindness [and all his needs will be answered]. The fact that his heart is reliant on Hashem, that will be the reason he will certainly get what he is relying for.

This is the foundation of all foundations of the Torah. The fact that you are relying (have bitachon), you can change what Hashem’s will was for you.

This Yom Kippur, daven as if your life depends on it, because it does.  

Daven as if everything that will happen to you this year, both the good and the bad, depends on it, because, once again, it actually does.  

Emuna is not knowing what the future holds, but knowing WHO holds the future.

Reb Moshe Chaim of Slonim zt’l would say to those who were excessively afraid of the Yomim Norai’m:

“It isn’t a band of thieves who are seated in the Court, up in Heaven. It is our Father in Heaven, and we can trust that He will save His children.”  

Sadness is a great obstacle to serving the Almighty. A person who has transgressed should not become excessively sad since this will prevent him from further spiritual growth. 

One should feel deep regret for the wrong he has done and then continue to feel joy in his relationship with the Almighty since he has sincere regret and is resolved not to repeat his transgression. 

~ Baal Shem Tov

The Sfas Emes advised people who were excessively disturbed about their failures to daven or learn properly, to not focus on the past, but to keep trying in the present. 

~ Siach Sarfai Kodesh

A person should do teshuvah for the first sin he committed as a child. 

For the Sages tell us that “one sin leads to another sin” (Avos 4:2).  

The sin one does today was sparked by an earlier sin, which in turn was caused by a previous sin, so all sins a person commits originated with a childhood transgression.  

~ R’ Elimelech of Lizhensk 

The only possessions we can truly call our own are what we give away to charity.  

Only they escort us to the next world.  

~ R’ Shlomo Ganzfried zt”l

Giving tzedakah on erev Rosh Hashana is considered a great mitzvah.  In fact, as a result of Jews giving tzedakah, the Heavenly Gates of Mercy are opened wide.  For in the same measure that we take pity on the poor, Hashem takes pity on us. ~ Ohr Hachayim

On that note, I just wanted to remind you to set yourself up with one or both of these wonderful organizations before Rosh Hashanah to ensure that a day does not go by the entire year without giving tzedaka.

Daily Giving –   https://dailygiving.org/

Sign up to donate $1 per day to charity, which they will distribute to over 50 wonderful charities that serve the greater Jewish community, most of which you are probably familiar with.  I encourage you all to check out their website.  Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity!

Keren Hashana – https://www.lubavitch.com/donate/keren-hashana/

Many years ago, the Lubavitcher Rebbe established “Keren Hashana,” a fund that will also disburse your tzedaka  to worthy causes, daily, giving you the benefit of this mitzvah every day of the year!

You can give as little as 5 cents per day ($19.15 for the year) for you, and if you want, each of your family members, which will ensure that you and your family don’t go a day without giving tzedaka.

Don’t wait!  These organizations are a lifesaver and now is the time to take care of this.  

Lastly, don’t forget that “causing others to give tzedaka is greater than giving tzedakah yourself” (Bava Basra 9).   Therefore, pass this on!  By forwarding this to friends and family, who knows how many people will sign up for this great mitzvah and how much of an effect it will have on your neshama going into Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

When you say Tehillim, it is as if and as great as Dovid Hamelech himself, saying them.

Dovid Hamelech wrote the Tehillim with Divine Inspiration – the Holy Breath.  This Holy Breath is still in the words of the Tehillim.

When you recite Tehillim, your own breath arouses the Holy Breath in these words.  Therefore, when you say the Tehillim, it is as if Dovid Hamelech himself is chanting them.  

~ R’ Nachman of Breslov zt”l

Something to Consider: People have reported reciting the entire Tehillim each day of Rosh Hashanah and experiencing incredible salvation in the year ahead.