Despite the need for a person to make efforts to provide for his needs, a person must understand that all his hishtadlus does not help him at all in the achievement of his aims, for it is Hashem Who determines his livelihood.
~ Beis HaLevi on Bitachon (with Artscroll commentary)
Hashem introduced Himself to us by saying “Anochi Hashem Elokecha” – I am your G-d.
He didn’t say, “Elokeichem,” the G-d of all of you, even though that was true. He is the G-d of every person, every being, every object, all of Creation.
But what is important is that He’s your G-d. Your personal connection.
He knows what plagues you, what worries you, what you need most.
Anochi Hashem Elokecha. Take Me into your life. I am yours.
~ R’ Yitzchok Fingerer
When you sit down to study Torah, clear your mind and experience a feeling of total newness towards what you are about to do. This will give you pleasure in the mitzvah of learning Torah.
Just as a young child remembers well because of the freshness of his mind when he studies, so too you will remember what you study when you master the ability to enter a fresh state of mind whenever you begin studying Torah.
~ R’ Moshe Feinstein zt”l
Our lives are either moments of light, or moments building up the next light. Shavuot reminds us that even when receiving the most beautiful gift there was an essential build up to get there.
~ Charlie Harary
One’s success in Torah for the entire year is dependent upon one’s hasmadah (diligence in Torah study) during the sheloshes yemei hagbalah (the 3 days before Shavuot).
~ Rebbe Avraham HaMalach
There are twice the amount of pesukim about preparing for mattan Torah (26) than pesukim which discuss mattan Torah itself (13).
This suggests that preparation is the highest level. As chassidim say, “the preparation for a mitzvah is greater than the mitzvah itself.”
~ R’ Elimelech Biderman
When Hashem has given you a large amount of possessions, do not forget to thank Him for even the minor items that He has given you.
~ R’ Moshe Feinstein zt”l
A lazy person will always discover rationalizations and excuses for his failure to accomplish.
The person with enthusiasm will always find a way to accomplish.
~ R’ Chaim Mordechai Katz zt”l
The gemara (Sotah 49b) states that one of the tragedies that will occur during the pre-Messianic era is that “the face of the generation will be like the face of a dog.”
The Chofetz Chaim explains in the name of R’ Yitzchak of Volozhin that if one throws a stone at a dog, it will pounce on the stone, not understanding that it wasn’t the stone that hit him, but rather the person who threw it.
Similarly, people will blame various causes for their distress, failing to understand that everything comes from Hashem.
When you master the ability to view others as they see themselves, you will gain the love of everyone.
~ R’ Eliyahu Dessler zt”l
