Emuna Daily

The Beis Ahron zt”l encourages people to say Tehillim throughout Chanukah, but particularly on the 8^th day, Zos Chanukah, as on this day, Hashem is bestowing His kindness, and it is a day that is mesugal for miracles and yeshuos.  ~ R’ Elimelech Biderman

The flames of the menorah, a perfect row of lights are magnificent.  But then there is the shamash, just a little higher, in a row by itself. 

If a person devotes his life to self-enhancement, self-perfection, to growth, that’s wonderful, that’s admirable – but it’s not what will ultimately allow him to reach his greatest heights.

When a person becomes a shamash, dedicates his life to helping others give light, to become a conduit for light and love and hope, then he empowers and inspires others, then he’s living higher. 

To dream alone is awesome, but to help others realize their dreams is greater – because you don’t only bring out the best in them.  You bring out the best in yourself.

~ R’ YY Jacobson

The gemara (Succah 5) states that the Shechinah never descends below ten tefachim. 

However, Hashem makes sure that no Jew will be detached from Him.

So, during the miracle of Chanukah, Hashem kiveyachol comes down below ten tefachim.

He comes close to man to bring him back up to Him.

~ The Meor Einayim

Chanukah comes from the word, chinuch, which means training, to train oneself, or to train children, to act properly. 

The holiday is called Chanukah because during these eight days, we teach ourselves to serve Hashem properly.

~ R’ Elimelech Biderman

Every candle that is lit for a mitzvah is extremely holy. 

If we had ruach hakodesh, we would perceive the future when we light those candles, just like a navi giving over what he heard from Hashem’s mouth. 

~ Kav HaYashar (96)

The Arizal was able to gaze at the candles and perceive the future. When we look at the candles, we might not understand them, but they are speaking.

There are two ways to awaken someone: either with a loud sound or by turning on the lights.

On Rosh Hashanah, we are awakened by the loud call of the shofar. 

On Chanukah, we are awakened by the bright lights of emuna that shine from the Chanukah menorah. 

We are awakened by the lights of emuna.

~ R’ Shlomo Eiger of Lublin hy”d zt”l

Yosef HaTzaddik stood tall and triumphed in the face of his nisayon, test. You know why? Because he had a father.  He had a father who told him of his destiny, told him he was great and destined for greatness.  At the moment of truth, Yosef saw his father’s image and he was inspired to rise above his nisayon.

Who will do that for our children? Who will be that father who encourages, who believes, who is able to fill a child with strength and persevere?

We’ve got to focus on that lofty job, and do it right: being parents to our children, becoming the father and mother who can inspire their children forever.

~ R’ Duvi Bensoussan

Develop the habit of seeing other people as they see themselves. 

All anger, all hatred, all quarrels arise because a person views the situation from his own perspective, and fails to see himself from the viewpoint of the other person.

~ R’ Eliyahu Dessler zt”l

A Jew must be as careful of his actions in life just as a person playing chess thinks carefully before his next move.

Weigh what you’re planning to do to see if you might end up regretting your move.

~ R’ Simcha Bunim of P’shischah zt”l

The Ben Ish Chai suggests that when you have a new idea regarding how to earn money and you foresee yourself becoming wealthy, the Torah warns, make a fence around your mind.  Do what you need to do to attain the wealth, but don’t fantasize about it because the imagination itself may cause you to lose your potential wealth. 

This is because it was destined on Rosh Hashana for you to earn a lot of money, but you are enjoying it with your imagination! That pleasure might take the place of the actual wealth that could have been yours.