“Those who act with faith are His desire” ~ Mishlei 12:22
Rabbeinu Yonah notes that the verse doesn’t mention those who “speak” with faith, but rather those who “act” with faith.
It is not enough for one to simply say he has emuna and bitachon. Rather, he must act in a way that reflects his belief and reliance on Hashem.
The Gemara (Moed Kattan 18.) says, there lies a power in words, that whatever one says can occur.
This isn’t only when one says something negative. The power of speech is very significant, and saying positive things can also cause good things to happen.
People tend to complain and say that things aren’t going well. They would be wiser to get into the practice of saying that everything is good. Their words can cause change for the better.
~ R’ Elimelech Biderman
One who believes everything that happens is for the best, will never be sad.
A person doesn’t harm his finger unless it was so decreed.
However, it wasn’t decreed that he should be sad. That he takes on his own…
Life’s challenges are a test to see if he will accept them joyfully.
~ The Ben Ish Chai
All acts of charity and kindness that the nation of Israel performs in this world, create great peace and powerful defending angels between the nation of Israel and their Father in Heaven.
~ Bava Basra 10a
The Gemara (Makos 17b, Rashi) states that a mother should daven that her children should be like Reb Shimon bar Yochai.
The Minchas Elazar (Shaar Yissaschar) says that the Gemara refers to one who is davening on Lag b’Omer.
On this day, anything is possible. On this day, one can ask for the most incredible things – even that one’s child be like Reb Shimon bar Yochai.
~ R’ Elimelech Biderman
The concept of bitachon (that Hashem will provide for all the needs of one who truly trusts and relies on Him) is not dependent on merit, for even if he is a person who does not act properly, since he strengthened his bitachon in Hashem, the power of bitachon protects him, and Hashem will act kindly towards him.
~ Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, Sefer Shem Olam 2:8
Circumstances don’t determine whether a person will be happy, but rather how one reacts to the circumstances.
~ R’ Elimelech Biderman
When action is needed, the impossible is within our reach.
~ R’ Chaim Shmulevitz zt”l
Q. If I were to give you $1,000,000, how would you feel?
A. I would feel extremely grateful.
Q. Would anyone be able to put you in a bad mood for a little while?
A. Absolutely not.
Q. What if I were to give you $10,000,000, but you wouldn’t wake up tomorrow, would you take it?
A. Absolutely not.
Q. Ok, so what you are saying is, waking up tomorrow, just waking up, is worth more than $10,000,000?
A. Yes it is.
Q. So then why don’t you feel that way every time you wake up?!
We are all teachers by example.
~ R’ Moshe Feinstein zt”l
