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Bracha VHatzlacha Rabbah.

Daily Inspiration Number 136(The Dog's Master)

Holy Jews:  

Today's Daily Inspiration has been sponosored by the Rosenberg family Liulay Nishmat Tzipora Miriam Rasha Bat Chana Raizel Finkel, her Neshama should have an Aliyah and be zechut to the Rosenberg family and all of Klal Yisrael AMEN!!     

HaGaon Rav Chayim Volozhin (Nefesh HaChayim III:12-13) cites the Gemara in Chullin Daf 7b which teaches that if a person internalizes the Pasuk: "Hashem, He is G-d, there is nothing else beside Him(Devarim 4:35) he will be protected from harmful forces. When one accepts Hashem's absolute sovereignty he places himself fully under His protective wing. Although nature contains many destructive elements, the man of faith understands that they are but marionettes in the hands of the Creator.   

The Brisker Rav, Rav Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik was a descendant of Rav Chayim of Volozhin -- the author of the Nefesh HaChayim. He testified how the statement of faith recorded in the Nefesh HaChayim literally served as a guide through his life. When he was a young man, "Reb Velvel" - as the Brisker Rav was fondly known -- was commanded to appear before the Russian draft board to be inducted in the Czar's army. This fate was tantamount to both a spiritual and physical death sentence. As the date of his appearance neared, his father, Rav Chayim Brisker, instructed him to concentrate on the above passage from the Nefesh HaChayim. To Reb Velvel's great relief, his meeting with the draft board came, and he was exempted from the draft.   

Later, when the Germans occupied Poland at the begining of World War Two, Rev Velvel fled from Warsaw to Vilna. The roads were filled with German troops, and Nazis were everywhere. The danger was awesome. Yet, Reb Velvel traveled along undaunted, for he never stopped reviewing the pledge of the Nefesh HaChayim. "If you always think of Hashem. He will always think of you and protect you from all harm."   

Just once, Reb Velvel was distracted and his mind wondered onto another thought. Immediately, as if from nowhere an armed Nazi approached him threateningly. In a flash, Reb Velvel collected his thoughts and focused on the Nefesh HaChayim and the Nazi moved on.(Rabbotainu p 170)   

Rabbi Yosef Leib Bloch of Telshe (Shiurei Daat II:44) explains that natural forces which threaten mankind can be compared to a vicious dog with a long leash tied to its neck. When the animal pounces, the only way an intended victim can save himself is by calling to the dog's master, to restraint the beast. If the victim fails to recognize the presence of the master then he is truly in grave danger. Similarly when man fails to  perceive the "leash" upon the forces of nature, he indeed places himself at their mercy.(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Chaf Tet, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Elchanan HaCohen's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 135(Drinking Poison)

Holy Jews:     

The Gemara tells us that one who gives charity regularly will merit wise sons(Baba Metzia 9a) However, you must know that this only applies if there are no other hindering factors, such as intentional Shabat violation or other crimes carrying the penalty of Kares(excision) Rashi Hakadosh explains in his commentary to the Chumash that Kares means have one's natural lifespan shortened, in addition to dying childless. If one already has such a sentence hanging over his head, charity may not be able to avert it. This can be compared to the following situation.   

A person has just enjoyed a nutritious three-course dinner, including meat, which provides his body with protein to help build his muscles. Then, at the end of his repast, he consumed a cup of poison. Each of the courses will have its intended effect -- the healthy food will give him strength, but the cup of poison will still kill him.   

In other words, even though the act of giving charity will earn him merit, it will not necessarily override the effect of the sin for which he incurred Kares. The only hope for such a person is to repent for his sins. Heaven will then bring upon him the afflictions necessary to complete his atonement, as the Gemara tells us in Yoma Daf 86a: "Regarding one who [has transgressed and thereby] had incurred the punishment of excision, [if he repents for his sin] his repentance and Yom Kippur stave off [the punishment] and suffering completes the atonement." After this process is completed, charity and acts of kindness can have their intended effect of earning him wise and wealthy sons.   

It is quite possible that charity and acts of kindness will work to revoke the sentence of childlessness immediately upon his repentance, that is, even before he has received his afflictions. However, he will still need the afflictions to cleanse him entirely from his sins.(Shem Olam, Perek Chet, R' Yisrael Meir HaCohen)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Elchanan HaCohen's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!.

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 134(Birthpangs of Mashiach)

Holy Jews:     

The following passage is brought down in the Tanna Debei Eliyahu Zuta: "The disciples of Rabbi Eliezer the Great inquired of him, 'What shall a person do to save himself from the birthpangs of Mashiach?' Rabbi Eliezer responded. 'Let him engage in Torah study and acts of lovingkindness."   

The Chafetz Chayim says this sounds puzzling. Did Rabbi Eliezer's disciples really not know that Mitzvot have the power to shield a person from harm? After all, Jews are constantly engaged in the performance of Mitzvot! Furthermore, why did Rabbi Eliezer single out these two?   

The answer is that Hashem's attribute of strict justice is like a fire. Consider the following analogy: When a fire breaks out, the amount of water needed to extinguish it depends upon the intensity of the fire. If the fire is small, even a modest amount of water will suffice to put it out. If the fire is a full blaze, an entire company of firefighters may be required. However, when a fire has spread throughout the whole city, even the entire fire department may not be able to bring it under control.   

So it is with Divine retribution. When the decree is not too harsh, a small amount of merit may suffice to suspend it. But when the decree intensifies, the merit generated through the performance of Mitzvot may not be sufficient.   

The disciples of Rabbi Eliezer, who were also Mishnaic Sages, were astute enough to realize that before Mashiach arrives there will be a great intensification of Divine retribution in the world. The amount of suffering will increase until no ordinary merit will suffice to ameliorate it. Therefore, they asked what a person must do to be spared at that time. Rabbi Eliezer replied that they were basically correct in their understanding that no ordinary merit would suffice. However, one avenue will still remain open -- immersing oneself in Torah study and acts of lovingkindness.  The merit of these two Mitzvot will help even then.   

We can see for ourselves how suffering and affliction have increased so precipitously in so many countries. Every day seems more bleak than the last and the troubles seem to follow one another like water in a stream. All the signs mentioned in the last chapter of Sanhedrin indicating the "birthpangs of Mashiach" have been fulfilled. Therefore let us dedicate ourselves with all our strength to the study of Torah and the performance of acts of lovingkindness so that we too, will be spared. And may we merit the arrival of the true redeemer, speedily in our days AMEN!!!!(Shem Olam, Conclusion, R' Yisrael Meir HaCohen)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Elchanan HaCohen's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 133(Ascending The Ladder)

Holy Jews:     

A passage in the Yerushalmi Gemara states in the name of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai: "If you see that others are neglecting Torah study, rise and dedicate yourself to it, and you will receive the reward of all of them."   

The idea is as follows: The Sages teach that the protocol of the Kingdom of Heaven parallels that of an earthly kingdom. An earthly king has many ministers. Some are of high rank and are to be found in the king's company on a regular basis, while others are of lower rank. Furthermore, many levels separate the lowest from the highest.   

It is human nature that a person aspires to reach the highest rank possible. To this end he performs his duties with alacrity, hoping that the king will notice his dedication and promote him. In time, a truly dedicated servant may indeed rise above those who were formerly his superiors. In the normal course of events a person only reaches the highest levels when he is already advanced in years. Only rarely does one see a high-ranking minister who is young.   

Under certain conditions, however, a man can ascend in a matter of months to a level that would usually take years to attain. This most commonly occurs in times of war, when the person has demonstrated his mettle on the battlefield and put his life on the line for the sake of his sovereign. When a war has been won, the king will frequently hold a banquet to honor all those who risked their lives for him in battle. At that time he will distribute various medals and rewards , including promotions. This is when a person can hope to be elevated to a high station after only a few months of service. Otherwise even with dedication, advancement is a slow process.   

The same applies to serving Hashem. In former times the sanctity of the Torah was widely appreciated. Its students were held in high esteem and defectors were universally scorned. In those days, a scholar had to commit himself to many years of unceasing effort to achieve spiritual greatness. He had to perfect his character until no trace of flaw remained, and only then might he have merited being called a Tzaddik.   

These are times of war, however. Many have left the path altogether, and the Torah is under constant attack. Respect for the Creator and His Torah is at a all-time low. Today all a person has to do to be called righteous is to make a commitment never to abandon the Torah path. In days gone by this would have made him an average Jew, but now it earns him the right to be called one of Hashem's special servants. Moreover, it can be accomplished in a short time.   

The Mishnah in Pirke Avot (5:26) teaches: "According to the travail is the reward." The reward for study is much greater when scholars are scorned and belittled than it is when they are respected admired. At times like these it takes fortitude to defend the honor of Torah, but the reward for doing so is many times greater, in proportion to the effort and travail.(Nidchai Yisrael, Perek Gimmel, R' Yisrael Meir HaCohen)  

Something to think about:

Olam Haba and Olam Haze mirror eachother, when something happens or is done in this world it affects something in the next world. The Seforim Hakedoshim tell us that when a person cleans his house of Chametz for Pesach he is not only cleaning away physical Chametz but is cleaning out the tumah in his Neshama. They also tell us that when a person sweats working for Pesach that sweat is considered tears in Heaven, which is helpful, because the gate of tears is the only that is still open. Keep this in mind when you decide whether you want to clean your own "Chametz" or hire someone to do it for you and miss out on the great reward.  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Elchanan HaCohen's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 132(Gems vs Dust)

Holy Jews:     

David HaMelech said: "Who may ascend the mountain of Hashem...one with clean hands and a pure heart..."(Tehillim 24:3-4) This teaches us that a man must purify his heart until it contains no admixture of frivolity. Every day we recite in our prayers: "Unify our hearts to love and fear Your name so that we will not be ashamed forever." The simple meaning of this prayer is as follows: Firmly planted in the heart of every Jew is his faith in Hashem and Torah. Together they constitute an entire world of sanctity. This is the meaning of the Pasuk: "I, Hashem, dwell in the midst of the children of Israel"(Bamidbar 35:34) In order to allow Him to truly dwell in our hearts, we request of Him that He unify our hearts so that our love and fear of Him will be untainted by any other love or desire.   

If a man's heart, by which I mean the seat of contemplation, contains also a love for the vanities of this world, it will one day be a great source of shame. For on the Day of Judgment, all of his affairs -- both his deeds as well as his thoughts -- will be examined by the Heavenly court. Thus we recite in our Rosh HaShana prayers: "For the remembrance of every creature comes before You, the deeds of each man and his destiny...a man's thoughts and his stratagems." All of them will be laid out before the defendant's eyes, as it is written: "I will rebuke you and lay it out before your eyes"(Tehillim 50:21)   

This point can be illustrated with the following story: A wealthy gem merchant had to leave home on a journey. He asked a trusted friend to look after his business during his absence. In return he gave his friend permission to examine all his inventory. After the merchant had gone, the acquaintance eagerly opened the vault where the jewels were kept in order to admire the contents. He was surprised to find that mixed in with the precious stones were mounds of soil and earth. "What a fool!" he thought to himself, "How can he possibly keep valuable gems and worthless clumps of dust and dirt in the same place?"   

Dust in the fate of all our worldly affections. A man's body will one day turn to dust and so will the things he loved, as the Pasuk tells us: "Everything derives from the dust and everything will return to the dust"(Kohelet 3:20) One day we will wonder at our own stupidity: How could we have kept in the same vault {that is our hearts} two contradictory loves -- one for Hashem and His Torah, and one for the things of this world? The first is indeed like a precious gem, while the second is like a mound of dust.   

We must strive to banish from our hearts all thought of vain worldly pleasures. This is what we pray for when we plead, "Unify our hearts...that we will not be ashamed forever" This is also what is meant when we are commanded in the Shema "And you shall love Hashem your G-d with all your heart!"(Sefer Shemirat HaLashon, Chelek Chaf, Parashat Ki Savo)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Elchanan HaCohen's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 131(Receiving Reward)

Holy Jews:     

Shlomo HaMelech advises: "Know Him with all of your paths and He will straighten your way."(Mishlei 3:6) The meaning of this Pasuk is as follows: Even when a person is engaged in his business, his exclusive goal should be to earn enough to live on in order to be able to continue to serve Hashem by studying His Torah and performing His Mitzvot. If this is truly his sole intention, then Hashem will consider all his "paths" -- that is, even his mundane activities -- to be meritorious and He will reward him for them as well. There is a condition to this, however. The person must demonstrate that this is truly his intention, by running to study whenever he has a moment to spare, as well as on Shabat when is in any event free from his weekday occupation. If, on the other hand, he uses this time for frivolous pursuits, not only will those hours be lost to him, but he will not receive Mitzvah credit for his working hours either.   

Picture the following situation: A man built an enormous apartment complex, in which he invested millions of dollars. When the project was finished he was in possession of twenty rental flats. Shortly thereafter, however, he decided to board up the entire complex. He refused to allow anyone to move in, giving no rational reason for his decision. One day an acquaintance accosted him. "You know you're really crazy," he berated him, "You're causing yourself a loss of thousand of dollars and the apartment building is sitting vacant for no good reason!"   

Similarly, if a person runs to study Torah at a time when he is anyway not preoccupied with earning a living -- such as on Shabat or Yom Tov -- he continues to earn "revenue" as a result of this throughout the entire week, even while he is at work. Because he has demonstrated that his true goal is to serve Hashem, Hashem is able to grant him Mitzvah credit even for the activities he performed before he sat down to study.   

But if he spends his free time on frivolity, this indicates that his business dealings were also not performed for the sake of Heaven, hence all his labor will come to naught in the end, just like the buildings in the Mashal which remained vacant.   

The author of the Toldot Yehoshua makes a similar point. He cites the dictum of Chazal: "If you have neglected Torah study, many sins for wasting time will be held against you; but if you toil in Torah, Hashem has ample reward to give you"(Pirke Avot 4:12) The Toldot Yehoshua explains that if a person fails to study when he is free to do so, not only will he held accountable for the time he wasted, he will also be held accountable for the time he spent working to attain the amenities of life, because he has demonstrated that his intentions were not for the sake of Heaven. But if he toiled in Torah study at every spare moment, he will receive "ample reward" That is, he will receive Mitzvah credit even for his mundane activities since he has made it clear that his only intention was to fulfill the will of Hashem!(Shem Olam, Perek Hey, R' Yisrael Meir HaCohen)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Elchanan HaCohen's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 130(Looking for "Reuven")

Holy Jews:     

Even when a person takes it upon himself to feed someone or to perform some other kindness for him, this too, is from Hashem. It was Hashem who put that thought into his head. Thus Hashem told Eliyahu Hanavi: "Behold I have appointed a widow there to support you"(Melachim I 17:9) Now, one should not think that this widow was a prophetess, who was commanded in this matter explicitly; rather, Hashem put the idea into her head to do Eliyahu HaNavi this kindness.   

Since this is true, if someone refuses to do a favor for another -- for example to buy his wares of to extend him a loan -- there is no reason for the latter to be upset with him. Obviously Hashem did not want him to receive his benefit through this particular agent.   

A famous rabbi once illustrated this idea with the following anecdote: A man was looking for someone name Reuven. He asked everyone he met if he knew where this fellow Reuven could be found. Someone suggested that he look in such and such a place where a large crowd had gathered. Following this advice, he went there to seek out his party, but Reuven was not to be found there either.   

Is it conceivable that he would then proceed to rebuke every person he met for not being Reuven? Surely he would simply move on to another place and continue looking for the Reuven whom he sought.    Similarly, there is no point in being upset with someone who refuses to do you a favor. This is obviously not the "Reuven" through whom Hashem intended to give you the loan or to buy your wares!(Shem Olam, Chelek Alef, Perek Gimmel, R' Yisrael Meir HaCohen)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Elchanan HaCohen's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 129(Keep Fighting!)

Holy Jews:     

Today's Daily Inspiration has been sponsored by Eliyahu Tzvi Ben Rachel. In the zechut of his helping spread Torah he should be zoche to amazing Parnasa and Shefa Bracha vHatzlacha ben Beruchniut ben Gashmiut AMEN!     

The wise Shlomo HaMelech has warned us: "If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, do not relinquish your place, for slackening will cause great offenses"(Kohelet 10:4)   

The Pasuk can better understood with the help of the following Mashal: Two factions were engaged in a bitter war. During one particularly fierce battle, a bullet grazed the trigger finger of one of the sergeants. His immediate reaction was to drop his weapon and tend to his injury. His commanding officer saw that his sergeant had been wounded. "Don't drop your guard for even a moment!" he ordered. "Don't slacken in the fight against the enemy, for they will certainly have no mercy, and the next bullet might very well hit you in your heart or in your head. Summon all your strength," he urged "and use your other hand to shoot with -- for your very life depends on it!" Despite his injury, the sergeant picked up his gun and the fighting continued.   

Often times when the Yetzer Hara(Evil inclination) succeeds in leading a man into sin he becomes filled with despair and begins to slack off altogether in his service of Hashem. The Yetzer Hara then takes advantage of this situation to dominate him more and more, leading him into and greater and greater sins. Therefore Shlomo HaMelech admonishes: "If the spirit of the ruler[that is, the Yetzer Hara] rises against you, do not relinquish your place" You must summon all your strength to make a stand against him.    Chazal tell us that when when the righteous sin they make amends by strengthening themselves in the very area in which they stumbled. For example, a person who transgressed with his feet[by running to do a sin] will make a special effort to perform Mitzvot with his feet, and so on.   

The Pasuk continues: "for slackening will cause great offenses" When a man slackens in his service to Hashem because he has sinned, he will stumble in even greater offenses.(Shem Olam, Perek Tet Zayin, R' Yisrael Meir HaCohen)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Elchanan HaCohen's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 128(The Longest Eclipse)

Holy Jews:     

Every Jew is hopeful that on the day he leaves this world and returns his Neshama(soul) to Hashem he will be received with honor and favor. However, he should also prepare himself for the possibility that Hashem will ask him, "What about My honor??? Where is the honor that you were supposed to have shown Me? Thus it is written: "If I am a father, where is My honor?"(Malachi 1:6) Hashem will demand of him: "When you saw that My honor was increasingly denigrated in the world, why did you show no concern? Is it not written: 'For I will honor those who honor Me'?"(Shmuel I 2:30)   

For this reason every Jew must make a special effort to support Torah institutions and to see to it that their children receive a proper Torah education. This is how a person shows honor to Hashem. As Chazal have proclaimed: "There is no honor other than Torah" The best way to honor Hashem is by demonstrating just how precious His teachings are to us.    Imagine the following situation: An unexpected solar eclipse darkens the world for several hours. It creates a tremendous still and people run around in a panic. Now imagine that this eclipse lasted not for hours but for days. People the world over would be filled with trepidation. "What will we do without the light of the sun?" they will ask one another worriedly.    Now, the fact is that the sun is not even Hashem's greatest creation. He brought it into existence with but a single statement. He went to a great deal more trouble, as it were, to bring His Torah into the world. The Torah itself describes how Hashem came down to Har Sinai and spoke with Moshe Rabeinu for forty days and nights; teaching him the entire Torah on our behalf.   

Furthermore we are told that Heaven and earth were only created for the sake of the Torah, ad it is written: "Were it not for My covenant [being studied] day and night I would not have made the laws of Heaven and earth."(Yirmiyahu 33:25)    In our times the Torah is in a state of disgrace, and the situation is deterioration day by day. The Torah is on the verge of being forgotten altogether, Chas VShalom; yet we go blithely about our business. There are no cries of woe and no stir is made in the world. Can there be any greater slight to its honor than this? Concerning this was it said in Pirke Avot 6:2 "Woe to mankind for the slighting of the Torah!"(Elbonah Shel Torah, R' Yisrael Meir HaCohen)  

Something to think about:

The story is told of a small town in medieval Italy that held a celebration each year in honor of the local saint. It was their custom to end the festivities of the day by making all the Jewish men run through the local streets, wearing only their shorts. Among the Jewish men there was a tailor, whose distinctive feature was his obesity. Every year the tailor's wife would yell at him: Can't you lose some weight? You embarrass me! All the women see you huff and puff trying to keep pace with the other men. You appear comical as you run with that huge stomach of yours, jiggling over your shorts." But, try as hard he could, he could not lose any weight. One year, the people grew bored of seeing the local Jews run -- they wanted a better show, more exciting action. After some deliberation, they decided it would be more fun to see a Jew burn on the stake. And the fat tailor was selected to be their first victim. Upon hearing the decision of the 'court', he said to his weeping wife: Now I can understand why I could not lose any weight, why Hashem made me so fat -- so that I will burn longer on the stake, thus making a great Kiddush Hashem!!!! MI K'AMCHA YISRAEL GOY ECHAD B'ARETZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Ivdu Et Hashem B'Simcha, R Yaakov Celnik, 13.7)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Elchanan HaCohen's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 127(As Much As You Can)

Holy Jews:     

There are those who argue that the number of refugees in our city has too large and that we simply do not have the wherewithal to take care of them all. What is the point in supporting a handful when one knows that it is impossible to save everyone? The truth is that this argument is simply the tactic of the Yetzer Hara(Evil Inclination).   

A group of people were once crossing a bridge over a large river when it suddenly collapsed beneath them, casting the entire party into the raging waters below. "Save us! We're drowning!" they cried out desperately.    Now, at that very moment, two people who were excellent swimmers happened to be passing by. One of them jumped into the water and began dragging the people, one by one, back to the shore, saving them from a watery grave. However his friend's reaction was very different. He argued, "Why are you wearing yourself out? At least twenty people have fallen in. Do you really think that you can save them all?"   

His valiant companion shouted back, "I don't even understand the question. Why should I ignore all the victims just because I know I cannot save everyone? Even if I can save only a few, it will have been worth the effort, for one who saves a single life is credited as if he saved an entire world!"   

So too, even if cannot supply Kosher meals to all the wayfarers, thereby saving them from sin, we must not relax our efforts nor neglect that which is within our power. As the Pasuk states: "Whatever you are capable of doing, do with all your might!"(Kohelet 9:10)(Davar Belto, Perek Chaf, R' Yisrael Meir HaCohen)  

Something to think about:

This story took place many years ago in a small Polish town. A time when pogroms against the Jews were so frequent, that it came as no surprise when this town became the target of a frenzied crowd. To keep the atmosphere charged, a mock "court" was set up to try several Jews for alleged crimes committed against society and the state. Among those charged, was a beautiful young woman with long black hair. Sitting up straight in her chair, she heard the verdict pronounced: Guilty! The 'court' took some time deciding how she would die. Finally, a decision -- her beautiful, long hair would be tied to the tail of a wild stallion. The stallion would then be run through the streets, wildly kicking the girl as she was being dragged along the rock strewn streets. Sitting next to her, was her best friend, a married young woman. Hearing what was to be the main attraction, the highlight of the day's events -- the friend broke into uncontrollable sobbing. Calmly, the girl turned to her friend. She spoke softly: Give me two of your hat pins. Bewildered, the friend could only stutter: Buy why? "Please, give them to me, now!" Mesmerized, the friend took two hat pins and handed them over. Quietly, and quickly she took a hat pin and dug it through her skirt -- deep into her leg. She then did the same thing to her other leg. And now her friend understood. Amazed, that upon hearing of the horrible death that this innocent young girl would soon be facing, she thought only of maintaining her modesty. The pins were to prevent her skirt from rising as she was being dragged by the stallion!!! MI KEAMCHA YISRAEL GOY ECHAD B'ARETZ!!!!!(Ivdu Et Hashem B'Simcha, R' Yaakov Celnik, 13.7)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 126(NOW!!!)

Holy Jews:     

There was once a king who enjoyed hunting. One hot summer day, after a morning spent on the hunt, his servants laid out his lunch. Turning to his aide, the king said, "Go and bring to me one of the locals. I do not want to eat alone." After a short time, the aide returned with a young boy who had been caring for his father's small flock on a nearby hill. The king looked at the frightened lad and smiled. "You need not be afraid. I merely brought you here so that you might share my lunch with me."   

The poor boy could not take his eyes off the magnificent array of food that lay spread out before him. Never before has this boy seen so much fine food and fancy delicacies, served with real golden tableware and crystal goblets on a beautiful linen tablecloth; each item embossed with the king's personal insignia.   

Pulling his gaze off the lunch, which exceeded the poor shepherd boy's wildest dreams, he lowers his eyes for fear of gazing directly at the king. Slowly, and quietly, he says, "Sorry your Majesty, but I cannot share this lunch with you." "Perhaps the food is not good enough for you. It does not meet your expectations!"   

The boy becomes anxious and tries to explain. "Sire, the lunch is more than just fantastic; but I cannot eat lunch with your Majesty. Today is a fast day for the Jewish people." The king is unhappy, and turns away.   

A moment later he quickly turns back, faces the lad eye-to-eye, smiles and says, "I have a solution. At least have a cold drink, it is such a hot day and you have been working all morning." "Sorry Sire, I cannot even taste from your array of cold refreshments -- lest tomorrow I end up in a place much hotter than this."   

Frustrated, and becoming angry, the king mopes for a time, seemingly deep in thought. Suddenly, he rises and approaches the boy. "I have the answer! I know what you can do. Surely your G-d won't mind if you eat lunch with me today, and fast tomorrow." The poor, young shepherd boy focused his gaze directly at the king, stood up straight and said. "Yes my Sire, I will do as you ask -- but, on one condition!" "But what can that be?" asked the king. And the boy replied simply, "Sire, only if your Majesty can guarantee that I will be alive tomorrow." Do not put off until tomorrow, for tomorrow may not be available to you!(Ivdu Et Hashem B'Simcha, 11, R' Yaakov Celnik)  

Something to think about:

We must live our lives based on the Alef Bet. That is if you deal with people and Hashem with Alef(Emunah) faithfully, then Hashem will send His Bet(Bracha); but if you act with Gimmel(Geneivat Da'at) deceit, then Daled(Dalut) failure. In that zechut, may the Alef(Adon Olam) send Bet(Bracha) to all His people. And may we soon see the Gimmel(Goel Tzedek), who will say Daled(Dai) to the Galut and suffering! AMEN!!!(Ivdu Et Hashem B'Simcha, 9)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Elchanan HaCoehn's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 125(The List)

Holy Jews:     

We all know the importance of reciting the Shema. Yet, a person should not fool himself that with the recitation alone he has fulfilled his obligation. He must also undertake to fulfill what is written there. Let me elaborate with a Mashal.   

A certain fellow approached the manager's office of a thriving business and asked the owner to give him a job. He promised to do his work faithfully and diligently. Day after day, he returned to the office to see if there was an opening available and to ask that he be hired. After many requests, the owner finally acquiesced and hired him.   

One day, after the man had been at his new job for a short while, his employer informed him that he would be leaving town for a few days. Before he left, he wrote down everything that would have to be attended to in his absence. He delivered the list of orders to his new employee and instructed him to review it daily.  

Upon his return he immediately summoned the worker and inquired whether he had done all that he had been instructed to do. The worker replied, "Sir, I promise you that I read over your list twice a day!"   

His employer could not believe his ears! "Fool!" he cried out in exasperation. "Do you think that merely reading the paper was the objective? Will that get the job done? I only told you to read over the list in order to remind you of your duties, so that you would actually do them!"   

In the same way, we are commanded to recite the first paragraph of the Shema to accept upon ourselves the sovereignty of Heaven. But when we recite the second paragraph, we accept the obligation to fulfill all the commandments(Brachot 13a) Thus we read towards the end of the second paragraph: "Place these words of Mine upon your heart and upon your soul"(Devarim 11:18)   

After the conclusion of the Shema in our morning prayers we immediately add: "And His words are alive and in force...upon our father and ourselves...as an inviolable statute." This is to affirm that we recognize our obligation, and the obligation of all our progeny, to fulfill the word of Hashem.   

We say in our prayers: "Return us, our Father, to Your Torah, and bring us close, our King, to Your service." How can a person then proceed to neglect the Torah and Mitzvot in the pursuit of worldly desires?(Nidchei Yisrael Perek Vav, R' Yisrael Meir HaCohen)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )



Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 124(Dirty Dishes)

Holy Jews:     

You say that you worry about what lies in store for you because you have defiled your mouth with frivolous and forbidden speech. You also wonder how you can have the audacity to stand before the King of the universe in prayer when you have so flagrantly violated His will. Do now despair! I will advise you how you can save yourself: Before each and every prayer take a few moments to meditate on Teshuvah(Repentance). Reflect on how you have made use of your day so far. Feel remorse over your errors and resolve firmly not to speak the same manner again.   

The Holy Zohar in Parashat Metzora tells us: "If a person has been guilty of slander his prayers will not ascend before Hakadosh Baruchu, for an impure spirit has been aroused against him. But once he has repented and taken upon himself to improve, the Pasuk says of him 'On the day of his purification he shall be brought to the priest'(Vaykira 14:2)" After you have repented for your sins and have committed yourself to correct your ways, you may proceed to open your lips in prayer before the King.   

Consider the following story: A wealthy man arrived in a certain city and took up lodgings in a large and elegant hotel. After he had spent several days there, the proprietor asked him for his appraisal of the cuisine. The guest replied that the food and beverages were indeed first rate. However, after every meal he found that a very unpleasant aftertaste remained in his mouth. The proprietor was very disturbed to hear this and immediately began investigating the matter. He discovered to his dismay, that the dishes were not being washed properly. That, it seems was the source of the foul aftertaste.   

Similarly, if a person's mouth is not "clean" that which he utters becomes tainted. One's prayers must be free of any defilement, for they are to ascend before the King of kings. If he spends his day speaking slander, etc, his lips become sullied, as the Navi Yeshayahu says of himself "For I am a man of impure lips"(Yeshayahu 6:5) Yet, afterwards the person uses those same defiled lips to utter his Tefillot. Since his words are tainted, his prayers are unacceptable. He must first purify his mouth, so that it will be fit for prayer. The way to accomplish this is to meditate on Teshuvah before he begins to pray. Let him resolve never to speak improperly. Only then will his Tefillot be heard.(Zachor L'Miriam Perek Chaf Gimmel, R' Yisrael Meir HaCohen)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 123(Your Job)

Holy Jews:     

"Rabbi Yehuda HaNassi and Rabbi Akiva gave recognition to the rich"(Eruvin 86a)   

The Gemara in Eruvin Daf 85b relates how a young man named Bunyas ben Bunyas once came to the Yeshiva of Rabbi Yehuda HaNassi. He was clothed modestly, and received no special attention. As time passed, Rabbi Yehuda HaNassi was informed that the young man's father possessed fabulous wealth, owning title to whole cities. Rabbi Yehuda responded, "In that case, please communicate to Bunyas the elder that he has failed to dress his son properly. A rich man's clothing should be an accurate reflection of his wealth."   

The fantastically wealthy man -- no less than anyone else -- must not deny his uniqueness. Although modesty is laudable, one may not utilize humility as a vehicle for neglecting his primary mission in life. Just as a scholar, in his humility, may not avoid his duty to teach and define questions of Torah law, so too humility is inappropriate for the rich man if he is thus led to deny his role as a financial backbone of Jewish society.(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Chav Alef, Artscroll)  

Something to think about:

The greater a person is, the humbler he gets. This can be explained by a parable, a child stands on earth and looks up to the sun, and puts his hand up and blocks the sun. In this child's mind, his hand is bigger than the sun. The closer a person would get to the sun, the more he would realize how tiny he is in comparison. The same applies to our relationship with Hashem, the closer we get to Hashem the smaller we realize we are. This is why Moshe Rabeinu who was the closest to Hashem was the greatest Anav.(As related to me by R' Wallerstein)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 122(Honoring Others=Honoring G-d)

Holy Jews:     

Today's Daily Inspiration is Liulay Nishmat a great Tzaddik who was just niftar Aaron Simcha Ben Esther, this is a Neshama that suffered all its life, for Aaron Simcha his Neshama is going straight up to Shamayim to sit next to Hashem, but there is a lesson for us in his passing, Hashem took him out of this world to wake us up, sometimes tragedy is what we need unfortunately, lets not let him have died for nothing and every single one of us must take upon ourselves something in our lives that we will change for the better in the zechut of Aaron Simcha's Neshama. In that Zechut we should not know of any more tragedies and be zoche to see the building of the Beit Hamikdash in our times! AMEN     

Rav Nasson Tzvi Finkel, known as "the Alter of Slabodka" (1849-1928) constantly emphasized that all men are precious, for they are made in the image of Hashem. When one showers others with kindness and respect, he thus also honors Hashem Himself. The first resolution recorded in "the Alter's" spiritual diary was "to try to be extremely careful of my fellow man's honor; with patience, with a soft answer, never once getting excited...to find ways daily -- at the very least weekly -- of benefiting my friends."(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Yud Bet, Artscroll) This is the essence of Mishloach Manot Ish L'Reehu. Reehu=Hashem, but what do you do if the person has everything, what can you give him. The greatest pleasure for a father who has everything is if you give to his children. So being that we cant give to Hashem we give gifts to his children and in this way are really giving to Hashem Himself.  

Something to think about:

When Artscroll finished their first Shas, the had a celebration. At this celebration a Captain from the American Army during World War Two named Captain Lerner spoke. Captain Lerner told of his experience visiting Treblinka after the war. He said they gathered the Jews in Treblinka who survived the Holocaust and he got up on a chair and screamed out "I am Captain Lerner I am from America, I am Jewish, and if you need anything let me know, America has everything" A young man approached Captain Lerner and asked "Can you get me a Gemara Baba Kamma" so the captain surprised replied "I said we can get you anything you 'need' like water, food, clothing etc" so the young man looked up at Captain Lerner and said "You asked what we 'need' I 'need' a Gemara Baba Kamma, when the war started I was in Yeshiva and was pulled out by the Nazis(yimach shemam vzichram) and at that time in Yeshiva we were learning Gemara Baba Kamma, and for the past 5 years in the camp I haven't been able to learn, I NEED a Gemara Baba Kamma" so Captain Lerner amazed got on his jeep in search of a shul and found a broken down shul and went inside and got a old worn Gemara Baba Kamma for the boy. THIS IS A NESHAMA THAT IS CONNECTED. After going through tortures and pain that none of us can even dream of, this young boy instead of saying "Can I have a steak, or a drink or some bread, I haven't eaten or drinken in FIVE YEARS" His Neshama screams out "HASHEM I LOVE YOU AND FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS I HAVE BEEN IN PAIN BECAUSE I COULDN'T LEARN I NEEEEEEEED A GEMARA BABA KAMMA" Baruch Hashem we aren't in Treblinka and are able to learn Torah, lets show Hashem how much we love Him and when asked what do you need? Don't answer a nice car a nice house but answer I "need" A GEMARA BABA KAMMA!  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther's Neshama to have an Aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 121(Trust Over Faith)

Holy Jews:  

Today's Daily Inspiration has been sponsored anonymously Liulay Nishmat all the Holy boys who were taken from us at the Mircaz HaRav attack, and as a zechut LRefua Shelaima all that were injured in the attack. AMEN.     

Faith and trust are two separate concepts. The latter is dependent on the former, while the former is independent of the latter. Faith precedes trust, and can exist in a believer's heart even when he lacks trust, for faith can exist without trust. Therefore, faith does not indicate the presence of trust. Trust, however, denotes the existence of faith, for it is impossible for trust to precede it or to endure independently.   

Anyone who trusts may be called a believer, but not everyone who believes can be referred to as "one who trusts" These two concepts may be compared to a fruit tree. Faith is the tree and trust is the fruit. The fruit is a sign of the existence of the tree or plant upon which it grew, yet the tree or plant is not a sign that the fruit came from there, since many trees and shrubs are fruitless. Fruit, however, by definition, comes from a tree or shrub.   

Every believer may not trust in Hashem(though it is certainly possible) yet everyone who trusts most certainly believes in Hashem. Therefore, Scripture cautions us that the need for trust in Hashem is much greater than the need for faith.(HaRamban, HaEmunah VHaBitachon Pey Alef, Sefer Mitzvot HaBitachon, R' Houminer, Feldheim)  

Something to think about:

The Dubno Maggid tells of a poor man who went to a rich man's house to collect. The poor man came to the door and knocked and heard the rich man ask from inside "who is it?" so he replied "it is Chaim Rosenberg" The rich man replied "I am sorry but I do not give money to people I do not know" So Chaim left and returned 15 minutes later, and knocked on the door again. The rich man asked "who is it?" so Chaim replied "its Chaim Rosenberg" so the rich man a bit annoyed replied "I told you that I do not give money to people I do not know" so Chaim answered brilliantly "what do you mean you do not know me we met 15 minutes ago" Hearing this response the rich man was impressed and gave Chaim a donation. The Holy day of Purim is coming up this Friday! Do not make that the first time you come to Hashem because then they will say Chaim who?? We do not know you! But if you start now and daven for the next couple of days, when Purim comes and you start to ask for parnasa and children and zivugim etc the Malachim will say "Oh we know Chaim he has been here a couple of times already!!!" We should all be zoche to get all of Tefillot answered AMEN!!!!!!  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 120(Magnanimity)

Holy Jews:     

Know that a gift in its proper place, such as Tzedaka to the G-d fearing poor, such a gift is a stored up treasure which does not get lost with the passage of time, but which endures forever. This was the intent of Shlomo HaMelech, Alav HaShalom, in the Pasuk in Kohelet 11:1: "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it." Plainly understood, the Pasuk enjoins magnanimity, for he who sows lovingkindness will reap its harvest. He who possesses this trait grows wealthy, as it is written (Mishlei 11:24) "There are those who scatter and yet accumulate more," and (Mishlei 28:27) "He who gives to the poor shall not lack." And David said about magnanimous men (Tehiillim 112:9): "He has given munificently to the poor, his charity endures forever." This noble trait is considered a loan to Hakadosh Baruchu, as it is written in Mishlei 19:17: "He who is gracious to the poor lends to Hashem" And the sage said: "Do lovingkindness with who is worthy of it and with him who is not worthy of it. With him who is worthy of it, the lovingkindness will be appropriate, and with him who is not worthy of it, you will be worthy of doing it, for the Borei Olam commanded the doing of good and lovingkindness." And the wise have said: "He who gives a great gift to him who asks it is half magnanimous. The truly magnanimous man is he who gives always, little or much, before he is asked."(Orchot Tzaddikim, Shaar Hanedivut)  

Something to think about:

One must remember: If one angered the king and incurred the death penalty, and king had compassion upon him and chastised him somewhat and restored him to his post, how happy he should be to suffer a few afflictions rather than death. So should the afflicted man think that he transgressed the Borei Olam's command and incurred the death penalty but He has attenuated his sentence, reducing it to afflictions or a fine instead of the warranted execution. Has He not done good for him and shown him lovingkindness thereby? Therefore, one should accept all from his G-d with joy and love, and this will serve as a great sign that he embraces Hakadosh Baruchu's decree.(Orchot Tzaddikim, Shaar Hazechira, Ot Esrim VSheva)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 119(No Intermediaries)

Holy Jews:     

"We will rejoice with Your victory, and to the name of G-d we will be bound. Hashem will fulfill all your requests.(Tehillim 20:6)   

Any victory, natural or miraculous, that Israel has over its enemies comes through Hashem. Natural victories come through the Name Elokim, which is equal in gematria to HaTeva "nature" Miraculous victories come through the Yud Key Vav Key which operates above nature. After a natural victory, taking spoils is permitted, but not after a miraculous victory, for it is forbidden to derive benefit from the miraculous. Our Pasuk thus says, "We will rejoice with [the spoils of] Your [natural] victory, and with the Name of our G-d" -- Elokim -- "we will be bound."   

The binding of the Name of G-d with the name of Israel shows that the people of Israel need no intermediary; they receive abundance directly from His hand. Thus our Pasuk concludes: "Hashem will fulfill all your requests" directly, without intermediaries.(Hayyim VeHaShalom, Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad)  

Something to think about:

At every moment and instant that a person is away from Torah study, and especially when he sits idle alone in his room or lies on his bed and is unable to sleep, let him focus his thoughts on the Mitzvah to act "so that I will be sanctified among the children of Israel"(Vayikra 22:32) Thus he should imagine and conceive in his mind as if a great and awesome fire is blazing before him to the very heart of Heaven; and he, for the sake of sanctifying the Name of Hakadosh Baruchu, breaks his very nature and throws himself into the flames, so that His name will be sanctified. Hakadosh Baruchu always links up a good intention to a good deed. Consequently, he won't be sitting or lying idly, but will be fulfilling a Mitzvah of the Torah.(Tzetil Katan, Reb Elimelech of Lizensk)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 118(Battle With The Yetzer)

Holy Jews:  

Today's Daily Inspiration has been sponsored by Eliyahu Tzvi Ben Rachel, and in this great zechut of helping spread Hashem's world he should be zoche to amazing Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah both in Ruchniut and Gashmiut Bechinam AMEN!     

The Gemara in Brachot Daf Hey Amud Alef teaches: A person should seize every opportunity to do battle with his Yetzer Hara. If he triumphs, all is well; yet if he at first fails, he should engage in vigorous Torah study. If this subdues his desire for evil; all is well; yet if it does not, let him then recite the Kriyat Shema -- the credo of the Jewish faith. If he then succeeds, all is well; but if he does not, as a last resort, let him picture the day of death. This vision will undoubtedly destroy evil's allure.   

The Gemara in Brachot Daf Yud Chet Amud Bet tells of a certain chassid who, on Rosh HaShana's eve, gave a precious coin to a beggar. The year before had been one of sever famine and poverty, and the chassid's wife felt her husband should have kept the coin for their own needs. They quarreled over the incident, and the chassid became angry. That night, he inexplicably left his home to spend the night of Rosh HaShana sleeping in the local graveyard.   

HaGaon Rabbi Yisrael Salanter (Ohr Yisrael, Perek 26) explains that the chassid recognized that his anger represented a shortcoming in his character: the genuinely humble person accepts life's unpleasantries with serenity. Thus, the chassid felt unprepared to be examined by Hakadosh Baruchu on the morrow, the Day of Judgment, while still harboring such a serious flaw in his nature -- hence, he slept in the cemetery to overwhelm his pride quickly. Nothing so wholly convinces a man of his own frailty as contemplating his inevitable mortality.(Ingeret HaRamban, Perek Chet, R' Feuer, Artscroll)  

Something to think about:

When a person speaks things that are forbidden such as Lashon Hara, Rechilut, curses etc, Hashem is forced to press the mute button. Later when that same person tries to daven to Hashem and beg for help, its not that Hashem doesn't want to answer his Tefilla, Hashem doesn't hear it because the mute is on. Lets help our Tefillot and good speech be heard by Hashem by being careful with our speech and making sure that Hashem isn't forced to press the mute button.  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 117(Thank You For Not Talking)

Holy Jews:     

The Chai Adam (Klal 17 Seif 6) writes that the Mitzvah to revere a shul is of Biblical origin, and states that one who talks in Shul can be said to deny Hashem. The Magen Avraham(Sham, Seif Katan 3) notes that the Holy Arizal only said words of Tefilla in shul, avoiding even discussions of Mussar and Teshuva, lest he be led to improper topics.   

The Mishnah Berurah(Sham, Siman 124 Seif Katan 28) writes that we should educate our children to show respect in shul. He adds that it is better not to bring children who play in shul, until they can behave, for playful children disturb parents and other worshippers and they will acquire bad habits that will last a lifetime.   

WHILE IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED, IF ONE MUST TALK, ONE SHOULD LEAVE THE SHUL IN ORDER TO DO SO!!!   

Rav Shmuel Aaron Yudelevitz always avoided speaking in Shul, though he taught in a Beit Midrash, which was also used for davening. Once Rav Avraham Yoffen visited the Yeshiva. After Rav Shmuel Aaron finished his own Shiur, Rav Avraham gave a Shiur and a mussar talk. When he finished, he turned to Rav Shmuel Aaron and began talking Rav Shmuel Aaron listened intently nodding his head. Rav Avraham continued talking as Rav Shmuel Aaron walked him to the door of the Beit Midrash. As they stepped past the door, he responded to Rav Avraham's comments. He had remained silent while inside the Beit Midrash.   

The Tzaddik of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Moshe Mandel, wrote, "I fail to understand how talking in Shul became so widespread. Most people think there is nothing wrong with talking in Shul. And since they're in the middle of a conversation, they miss out on saying Amen. And I heard the Rav of Bistritz, Rav Shlomo Zalman Ulman, say, "Someone who does not answer Amen will not rise the Resurrection of the Dead!"(Ha'Rav Mandel)    We must recognize the results of not taking prayer seriously. The only way to repair the damage is to repent. We must confess, accepting responsibility for improving the quality of our tefillot.(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 195-197, Israel Bookshop)  

Something to think about:

"He Who blessed our forefathers--Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, Moshe and Aaron, David and Shlomo--may He bless everyone who guards his mouth and tongue and refrains from talking during the prayer service. May Hakadosh Baruchu, protect him from every trouble and distress, from every plague and illness; may all the Brachot written in the Torah of Moshe and in the Nivim and Ketuvim be applied to him; may he merit to see his children alive and established; may he raise them to Torah; Chupah and Maasim Tovim; may he serve Hashem our G-d in truth and integrity."AMEN(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 192, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! Chodesh Tov!!!!!


(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 116(Parnasa)

Holy Jews:     

The Gemara in Brachot Daf 6a says: Rabin bar Rav Adda said in the name of Rabbi Yitzchak, "One who prays regularly in a Shul and one day fails to come to davening, Hashem inquires after him to know why he didn't come. This is based on the Pasuk (Yeshayahu 50:10) "Who is there among you that fears Hashem" -- one who prays regularly in shul; '...that walks in darkness, and has no light' -- one who stopped coming to shul today."    The Holy Maharsha explains the above Gemara by saying that it is conceivable for a person to mistakenly think that leaving on his business trip is a mitzvah, since he will make money to support his family. Therefore, the Pasuk declares "trust in Hashem" that He will provide for you with an income and don't use it as an excuse to stop davening in Shul!!(Maharsha)   

"A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who runs after wealth shall not go unpunished"(Mishlei 28:20) The Holy Gaon M'Vilna explains that "a faithful man" is one who believes and has complete trust in Hashem. He will abound with Brachot. But the one who "runs after wealth" constantly in pursuit of money, shall not go unpunished.(Beur HaGra)   

HaGaon Rav Chayim Vital(top student of the Holy Arizal) quotes the Midrash which interprets the Pasuk in Mishlei 28:20, "An honest man shall abound with blessings," to portray one who handles his dealings honestly. His business shall prosper, and Hashem will ensure him a livelihood. Furthermore, such a man is called a tzaddik, as the Pasuk says, "The Tzaddik shall live by his faith"(Chavakkuk 2:4) The Gemara in Makkot Daf 24a says that there are 613 Mitzvot. Chavakkuk came and consolidated them into one Mitzvah, as it says "The Tzaddik shall live with his faith."(Shaarei Kedusha)   

One should trust in Hashem, even if, Chas Vshalom, he finds himself in dire straits without any livelihood. He should not worry and say "What will become of me? How will I make ends meet?" Instead he should trust in Hashem and declare orally with a joyful heart filled with hope, "Do people have to give me work, or come to my aid? Doesn't Hashem feed and sustain everything from the largest beasts to the tiniest creatures? Hasn't He taken care of me from the day I was born until today? 'You are the One who drew me out of the womb, and made me secure when I was on my mother's breasts'(Tehillim 22:10) Even in my old age You shall not forsake me. Anything that comes my way via other people is merely Heavenly sent, and should my livelihood not come through this or that person or agent, then it shall come about through other means since everything comes from Hashem"(Eved HaMelech)(Sefer Mitzvot HaBitachon, R' Houminer, Feldheim)  

Something to think about:

Each of the 12 months of the year have a corresponding Mazal, and unfortunately some people have decrees on themselves from Rosh HaShana to have bad Mazal. There is one month that no mazal has any control over and that is the 13th month(Adar Bet). During this month a person can change his life dramatically for the good, in all aspects: Torah, Avodah, Parnasa, Children etc. Adar Bet is only controlled by Hashem, so use this time wisely and ask your loving father to help you! We should all be zoche to be showered with Brachot in the Zechut of Adar Bet and Purim, both in Ruchniut and Gashmiut AMEN Bechinam!  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! Chodesh Tov!!!!!


(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 115(The Ma'an)

Holy Jews:     

It says in Mishlei 22:19 "So that your trust may be in Hashem, I have made known to you this day, even to you" This Pasuk teaches us to trust that Hashem will provide a livelihood and all our needs for us. We should also maximize our study of Torah and the fulfillment of the Mitzvot, and not claim that making a living is an excuse for not studying Torah.(Eved HaMelech)   

"Moshe said, 'This is the thing which Hashem commands: Fill an omer of Ma'an to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out from the land of Mitzrayim'"(Shemot, 16:22) This teaches us to see and reflect upon how Hashem fed and nourished our forefathers in an arid wilderness with Ma'an where they lacked for nothing. Also, we learn from here to study Torah and fulfill the Mitzvot with all our strength, believing that Hashem will provide us with an income of the best sort, without our claiming that earning a living leaves no time for Torah study.(Eved HaMelech)   

The Navi Yirmayahu called out, "O generation see the word of Hashem. Have I been a wilderness to Israel! A land of darkness?"(Yirmiyahu 2:31) When Yirmiyahu reproached the people with the question, Why aren't you learning more Torah?, They answered him with a question, How will we make a living if leave aside our work and study Torah? Yirmiyahu took out the flask of Ma'an and said, "See the word of G-d" The Pasuk didn't say, "Hear the word of G-d" -- it said "See...that from this Ma'an your forefathers were sustained. There are many ways at Hashem's disposal to nourish those who fear Him."(Rashi)   

The Shulchan Aruch suggests that one recite the paragraph describing the Ma'an every day. This will bring one to truly believe that his food comes to him as a result of Hashem's personal supervision. The Mishnah Berurra adds that the following Pesukim on the Ma'an attest to the fact that excessive emphasis on making a livelihood bears no fruit. "The children of Israel did so, and they gathered (the Ma'an) some more, and some less. And when they measured it with the omer, he that gathered much had nothing left over, and he that gathered little lacked nothing, everyone gathered according to his eating."(Shemot 16:17-18) The Talmud Yerushalmi states that everyone who recites this paragraph on the Ma'an is guarenteed that he will never lack food.(Mishnah Berura, I: 5:13)   

There are two thoughts one should have when reciting the paragraph of the Ma'an. The first is that one is now fulfilling the Mitzvah to learn Torah. Each word that one says is a Mitzvah by itself. The second is the acknowledgment that one is reading this paragraph in order to strengthen his faith and trust that Hashem is his provider. The reading should not be conceived as some secret formula for guaranteeing a good livelihood. One should not serve Hashem on the condition that he receive a reward.(Eved HaMelech)(Sefer Mitzvot HaBitachon, R' Houminer, Feldheim)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! Chodesh Tov!!!!!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 114(Trust)

Holy Jews:     

The commandment to trust in Hashem requires one to know in his heart that everything is in Hashem's hands. Hashem has the power to alter the laws of nature and to change one's fortune, and His ability to rescue is unlimited. Even under the most threatening cicumstances, Hashem's help is close by for He, by definition, can do anything, and nothing is impossible for Him.   

One's trust in Hashem during times of tragedy and darkness should stem from the knowledge that Hashem can rescue him for any difficulty, and that His salvation can come as swiftly as the blink of an eye. Therefore, one must remain hopeful even when death is imminent, as the Pasukim say, "Though he may slay me, I will still trust Him"(Iyov 13:15) and "Trust in Him at all times"(Tehillim 62:9) "At all times" implies that one's trust should be strong even when danger is imminent, and he cannot foresee how to free himself from it.   

In Yeshayahu 26:4 it says, "Trust in Hashem forever, for Hashem is the strength of the worlds" Trust in Hashem, who has created this world and the next world, for surely everything is within His power.(Rabeinu Yona)(Sefer Mitzvot HaBitachon, R' Houminer, Feldheim)  

Something to think about:   

Shemirat HaEnayim has the power to keep a person from most sins. It is obvious that we should not look at things that are forbidden, but even things are technically permitted can lead us to sin. Imagine a person walking in the street, he is making sure not to look at the banners and advertisements because he knows that those are forbidden but he checks out every new car and the beautiful houses etc. This all seems like it is okay, but looking at other people's beautiful things can bring a person to be jealous and even maybe to steal. The Sefarim Hakedoshim tells us that a person should not look further than four amot in front of him. Rav Shani famed Kabbalist from Eretz Yisrael says that Shmirat HaEnayim is what is going to bring Mashiach. Protecting our eyes can save us from much trouble and it has the power to bring the Geula, so its definitely something to consider next time you are walking the streets.  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 113(A World of Enjoyment)

Holy Jews:  

Today's Daily Inspiration is Liulay Nishmat all that were lost on Thursday night, and Refua Shelaima for all that were injured. AMEN     

Hashem made a world filled with beauty, giving us senses to perceive these wonders and the ability to appreciate them. Brachot help us take the time to observe Hashem's gifts. They ensure that we are aware of the marvels of this world and rejoice in it properly. A thoughtful Bracha heightens our enjoyment throughout the day.   

Brachot are a joyful acknowledgment of Hashem's kindness. Hashem does not need our Brachot, but we do. They help us take pleasure in what we have and remind us of our good fortune. We feel exuberant and enjoy life more by being conscious and appreciative of all we are blessed with. Brachot ensure that we do not forget that it is our Creator who provides our needs.   

A grandchild once watched Rabbi Avigdor Miller ztl eat an apple. He began by examining the apple closely. "Rebono Shel Olam" he exclaimed, "look at this magnificent apple You created! The wisdom in its waterproof enclosure, the beauty of the deep, tantalizing red color, and the temptingly delicious aroma with which it is perfumed. How can I even begin to thank You for the tree it grew on? And to think that You made it all for me!" Only then did he enunciate the Bracha clearly, as if the Rebono Shel Olam Himself were sitting before him.(Jewish Observer, Rabbi Shmuel Brog)(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 214-215, Israel Bookshop)  

Something to think about: Rabbi Chayim Voloshiner tells us in his sefer Nefesh HaChayim that, man is like a rope that goes from the top of the Kise Hakavod through all the worlds down to this world. When man does something, it effects all the worlds all the way up to the top, and then has a ripple effect back to this world. We might think that our actions have no effect, but Rav Dovid Miller gives us a great parable to understand how great of an effect we have: There was once a young man who walked by a string and next to this string was a sign that said "Do not cut this string" thinking nothing would happen, the young man cut the string. Unbeknownst to him that string was attached to a huge chandelier and when he cut the string down came the chandelier crashing on the floor of the opera house. The same happens when we do things on this world. Many people were saved from the hands of the Nazis in the Holocaust, because they were very careful not to talk in shul. We have the power to make sure that another tragedy does not happen, by using the time in shul to daven instead of talking. It is a small price to pay, to save so many precious lives!  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! Chodesh Tov!!!!!.

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 112(Tunnel Prayer)

Holy Jews:     

What happens to our Tefillot when we have created monumental barriers with our sins? We must burrow beneath the barriers. Even if these barriers are forged from the sturdiest material, it is always possible to dig a passageway beneath them.   

The best example of this is with Menashe, king of Yisrael. Menashe placed a four-faced idol in the Beit Hamikdash, ensuring that whichever direction people entered, they would see and worship it.(Devarim Rabbah 2:20) He promulgated idol worship throughout the length and breath of Eretz Yisrael. Captured by the Assyrians, Menashe was subject to savage and barbaric torture. One by one he called out to his idols, begging for mercy -- but his pleas went unheeded. Finally he remembered the G-d of his fathers.(Yerushalmi Sanhedrin 10:2, Melachim II, 20, Divrei HaYamim II 33)

The Gemara informs us that he made his heart subservient to Hashem.(Sanhedrin 10:2) Hashem then created a tunnel to allow Menashe's supplication to reach His Throne and save him. It was only due to his excessive deference that Hashem responded to his prayers.(Nesivot Shalom, Parashat Toldot)   

The definition of a "tunnel prayer" is to beg and plead with Hashem until He has compassion on us. When we are girded with faith, these prayers take on additional muscle, enabling them to rise heavenward. The ladder "inclined toward the ground" in Yaakov's dream (Bereshit 28:12) symbolizes the natural order of Hashem's interaction with us, which is launched on Rosh HaShana. Yet the Pasuk informs us that Hashem's presence hovered over the ladder. This symbolizes Hashem's availability, beyond the scope of the ordinary preordained--allowing life-transforming prayer to shatter all barriers.(Torat Avot, Vayetzeh)   

When a person screams and cries to the point of exhaustion, this heartfelt prayer is never rejected. A fervent cry reverses even a deep-rooted decree.(Zohar Hakadosh, Parashat Shemot) Keep praying from day to night until Hashem provides relief.(Orot Eilim)   

A man was married for many years without children. One evening he visited a great rabbi who seemed to suggest that he come to terms with his childlessness. He felt as if his heart had broken in two. He immediately went to Chevron where he prayed with all his might, crying and screaming without stop, pleading and begging. People at the scene joined in his tears. Within ten months he had a son. (Hischazkut Be'Tefilla L'Hashem)   

Chazal counsel us to brace ourselves when we pray--suggesting that there are obstacles that we must overcome.(Gemara Berachot 32) Their language implies confidence that all impediments, even those ordained by the laws of nature, can be overcome with prayer.(Nesivot Olam, Nesiv Derech Eretz, Perek Alef)   

Hashem gave our Imahot years of childlessness so their prayers would construct a conduit for the future. Through prayer, their nature was changed, and they became capable of having children. Later generations would benefit from their prayers(Imrei Pinchas, Lech Lecha) The Toldot Yaakov Yosef points out that once nature had been changed to accommodate a miracle, it then became an established phenomenon(Tzav, 289) Our forefathers enabled their children's prayers to modify nature.    Hashem continues to harness nature on our behalf. It is an eternal commitment. When natural channels are blocked, each of us has the ability to take advantage of supernatural channels forged by our forefathers.(Hischazkut Be'Tefilla L'Hashem 41) When we see the effectiveness of our Tefillot in seemingly insurmountable situations, we experience firsthand the power of Tefilla to circumvent nature.(Alei Shur II)   

The Tefillot of our Avot and Imahot also ensured that their descendants would endure as a sheep among seventy wolves without being devoured. Our ability to persevere against all odds is another aspect of their prayerful legacy.(Kovetz Sichot of R' Natan Wachtfogel)(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 35-38, Israel Bookshop)    

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! Chodesh Tov!!!!!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 111(Stop Running!!!)

Holy Jews:     

Israel is called a vine, as it is written, "You plucked a vine out of Mitzrayim, You drove out the nations and planted it."(Tehillim 80:9)(Chullin 92a) Why is Israel likened to a vine?   

The vine is the weakest of trees; but its fruit is precious. Besides being delicious to eat, the grapes yield wine, which gladdens man's heart and has its own unique Bracha (Borei Pri HaGefen) Similarly, Israel in Galut is the weakest of the nations. But its fruit --Torah study, Mitzvot and good deeds --is precious.   

Moreover, the vine cannot be grafted with other trees(Zohar Hakadosh Parashat Vayechi 239a) Similarly, Israel is essentially Kadosh and can never be wholly united with evil. Even if currently it appears to be united with evil, eventually it will be separated from evil. For Hashem "devises means so that he who is far be not banished from Him"(Shmuel II, 14:14) A person may be reincarnated many times over until he is purified or Hashem may afflict him with Gehenoim. A clever person will hasten to repent so that his purification will be easier.   

Two slaves, one clever and the other foolish, ran away from their master's house and were pursued by the master's men. Both slaves saw the men coming. The clever slave stopped running after ten minutes and allowed himself to be caught. All the way back to the master's house the men beat him. The foolish slave ran for two hours until his strength was gone. Then the men caught him. All the way back to the master's house they beat him. Both slaves returned to the master's house -- but the one who stopped rebelling sooner suffered less.(Od Yosef Hai, Derushim Vayeshev, Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 110(Power of Tefilla!!!) 

Holy Jews:     

Prayer saves people's lives. When the Jewish people sinned with the golden calf, Hashem wanted to destroy them, but Moshe's Tefillot saved them.(Shemot 32:11) Yaakov battled Shechem side by side with his sons, but his weapons were words of Tefilla.(Bereshit 48:22)   

Tefilla enables barren women to give birth, as we see from Rivka(Bereshit 25:21) and Chana(Shmuel I, Perek Alef). The Torah tells us that Yitzchak and Rivka prayed because Rivka was barren.(Bereshit 25:23) Why doesn't the Pasuk describe the situation the other way around -- Rivka was barren, and therefore she prayed? HaGaon Rabeinu Bechya explains that Hashem wanted to hear their Tefillot, so He did not grant Rivka children.   

Tefilla halts famine, resulting from the sin of counting the Jewish people, as we learn from David HaMelech.(Shmuel II, 24:25) Chizkiyah utilized the power of Tefilla once to overpower Sancheriv and his mighty army(Divrei Hayamim, 2:32) and again to cure himself when he was sick.(Melachim 2:20)   

A gentile boat out at sea had one Jewish child aboard. A great storm arose, and everyone took their Avodah Zara(idols) in their hands and cried out to them-to no avail. Realizing the futility of their attempts, the idolaters said the Jew, "Get up and call to your G-d for we have heard that He answers you when you cry out to Him, and that He is strong." The child began to pray with all his heart. Hashem accepted his Tefillot, and the sea quieted.(Yerushalmi Berachot, Perek Tet, Halacha Alef)   

A man with a sick daughter came to HaGaon Rav Shlomo Zalmen Aurebach Zecher Tzadik Vkadosh Lbracha to ask him to daven for his daughter, for the doctors despaired of her life. R' Shlomo Zalmen encouraged him, blessed her and wished them both well. After they left, he took a Tehillim and poured out his heart on behalf of the sick child. The next morning, the man returned with good news. The girl had improved dramatically, and the doctors were optimistic. He was convinced that it was a miracle!   

Rav Shlomo Zalmen quoted the Gemara which says that one should ask a wise person to daven on behalf of someone who is ill.(Baba Batra 116) Rav Shlomo Zalmen asked, "Why is he not told to go to a Tzaddik, a righteous person?" Rabbi Eliyahu Kletzk of Lublin explains that if he went to a Tzaddik to receive a bracha and the patient recovered, the Tzaddik would be convinced that he was a miracle worker. But when a wise person's Tefillot are fulfilled, he attributes it to the power of Teffila!(HaMaor HaGadol)(Towards Meaningful Prayer, 190-191, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 109(One Match!)

Holy Jews:     

The great teachers of the Mussar movement used a Mashal to illustrate the psychology of the overbearing individual. Imagine the following scenario: One day the two richest men in the world happened to meet. They conversed, and eventually came to discuss the immensity of their respective assets. Each was eager to establish himself as the wealthier, and they began to list to one another their entire holdings. As the hours went by, they found to their amazement that their fortunes were exactly equal. Neck to neck, the contest continued, until there was nothing left to count. Exasperated, one of them withdrew a small case from his pocket: "Seventeen matches!" he called out. The other reached into his pocket and laid out tiny sticks upon the table. Slowly he counted "...sixteen, seventeen...eighteen. Eighteen matches. Ah! I am the richest man, the richest in the world. And you -- you are nothing but a wretched pauper!"   

Every person is created in Hashem's image. Every person, in his very existence, possesses unimaginable wealth. The physical and intellectual gifts of a mere child are uncountable. What then, are one man's advantages over another? A hint of talent, a shade of beauty sink into meaninglessness when seen in prospective of the common pricelessness of the human being. He who looks down upon others betrays his inability to grasp man's true greatness.(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Chav, 82-83, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 108(Accepting All Jews)

Holy Jews:  

Today's Daily Inspiration has been sponsored by the Rosenberg family Liuley Nishmat Tzipora Miriam Rasha Bat Chana Raizel Finkel. Her Neshama should have an aliyah, and be a zechut for the Rosenberg family and all of Klal Yisrael AMEN!     

Rav Eliyahu Moshe Shisgal, Rav Moshe Feinstein's son in-law, followed his father in-law's example of treating all of Hashem's creations with respect. Rav Shisgal befriended a mentally ill person who imagined himself to be both a medical genius and a high-ranking army official. The odd Jew enjoyed being addressed as "The Professor" Once Rav Shisgal invited The Professor to his home.   

The Professor had brought along a transistor radio, which he proudly showed off. He turned the radio to its highest volume and proceeded to switch from station to station -- over and over again. The Professor, who was evidently enjoying himself immensely, assumed that others enjoyed this as well. Rav Shisgal did not have the heart to dampen the man's spirits by asking him to shut off the radio.   

Suddenly, Rav Shisgal had an idea. He put his ear to the radio and said "Professor, are these military secrets that I hear?" "Yes" the Professor shouted excitedly. "This is a military radio and it carries military secrets!!!" "Well" said Rav Shisgal "as you know I am not a member of the military. I probably should not be hearing these things." "You are right" the Professor replied, and promptly turned off the radio.(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Chav Bet, 89, Artscroll)   

People like "The Professor" were regulars in the Rosenberg house. All people were always welcome with no exceptions. Tzipora Miriam Rasha, understood that every person is created in the image of Hashem and that it does not matter how nuts and crazy they are they are still G-dly. The Zohar Hakadosh says that the way you make someone feel in this world is how you will feel L'Olam(forever) in the World to Come. Tzipora Miriam Rasha, accepted people who were downtrodden, lonely, sad, depressed and who have been rejected by everyone else and gave them back their dignity and made them feel like they were important. We must all learn from her actions, and realize that every person no matter how different or crazy or smelly they are they are still Hashem's child, and by rejecting them we are rejecting Hashem, Chas Vshalom!  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 107(Why Bnei Yisrael?)

Holy Jews:     

"These are the statutes, the laws, and the teachings that Hashem set between Himself and the Children of Israel at Har Sinai by the Hand of Moshe.(Vayikra 26:46)   

Of all the nations in the world why did Hashem select Bnei Yisrael to receive the Torah? There are two explanations that can be offered. The first is based on the fact that the Holy Torah is Hashem's royal scepter. This being the case, it may be used only by people of stature. Bnei Yisrael at that time had the greatest stature. The mighty empire of Egypt was unable to stop them from leaving; the sea was split for them to pass through; a cloud went before them by day and a pillar of fire by night; their food was bread from Heaven; they were laden with gold and silver from the spoils of Egypt and the spoils of the sea; and the nations of the world trembled in fear of them.   

The second explanation for Hashem's choosing Bnei Yisrael is that they were humbler than any nation and Hashem loves the humble. This is the explanation given by Chazal.    

There is a critical difference concerning Bnei Yisrael's relationship to the Torah, depending on which explanation is correct. If the first explanation is correct, then those who think that Hashem gave Bnei Yisrael the Torah because of their greatness are justified in thinking that now that Bnei Yisrael are degraded by Galut, they no longer have any right to the Torah. But if the second reason is true, and Hashem indeed chose Bnei Yisrael for their humility, then they have even more right to the Torah during the degrading Galut.    

The second reason is the true one. It was announced by Hashem in our Pasuk. "These are the statutes, the laws, and the teachings that Hashem set between Himself and Bnei Yisrael at Har Sinai by the hand of Moshe." The Pasuk mentions Har Sinai and Moshe Rabeinu because both prove that Hashem loves the humble. Hashem left all the high and mighty mountains and chose the lowly Sinai for the giving of the Torah. Furthermore, He gave it through Moshe, who "was exceedingly humble, more so than any man on the face of the earth."(Numbers 12:3) Thus our Pasuk indicates clearly that Hashem chose Bnei Yisrael for their humility, not for their grandeur.(Aderet Eliyahu, Behukotai, Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad)   

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 106(Ahavat Yisrael)

Holy Jews:     

If you are not at peace with the world, your tefilla will not be heard.(Sefer HaMiddot) The Ari Hakadosh strongly recommended consciously feeling love of our fellow Jews prior to beginning our daily prayers.(Pri Etz Chayim, Shaar Olam Ha'Asiya, Perek Alef, Shaar Gimmel, Shaar Ha'Kavanot of R' Chayim Vital, Perek Bet)   

We must fill our hearts with compassion, forgiving anyone who has hurt us before we start to pray. We should make an effort to judge people favorably, and remove hate, jealousy and the desire for honor from our hearts. How can we appear before G-d with a garment soiled with the taint of evil intentions?(Yaarot Devash, Derush Hey)   

Every Neshama contains within itself all other souls. Hatred of a fellow Jew causes a division within the soul, leaving a stain. Only the Tefillot of a wholesome soul that is at peace with all other souls are welcome.(Siddur of the Alter Rebbe, Daf Chav Bet)   

As a result of heartfelt Ahavat Yisrael, Hashem fulfills the requests made in the Tefillot. Before Tefilla, the Baal HaTanya recommended that we recite, "I accept upon myself the responsibility to fulfill the positive commandment , "Love your fellow as yourself" The feelings of love of our fellow Jew will thereby emerge from the realm of thought into the world of action.(Sanhedrin 65a; Baba Metzia 90; Siddur of the Alter Rebbe)   

In his introductory prayer, Reb Elimelech of Lizensk included a request that Hashem should help us overcome envy of others and rid ourselves of hatred, so we see only the virtues of others.   

Before the section dealing with the Akedat Yitzchak, one should say, "I undertake to love each Jew as I love my own soul. I will not speak Lashon Hara, hurt my friend, or hate my neighbor, in my heart. I will rebuke my friend but I will not take revenge.(Olat Tamid Perek Yud Daled)    Before leaving to daven, Rabbi Moshe Kliers of Teveriya would serve his wife a cup of coffee to fulfill the requirement of demonstrating love for one's fellow Jew.   

Rabbi Moshe Shimon Weintraub, Mashgiach of Heichal HaTorah, studied in Chevron Yeshiva. It was his custom to call the hospital regularly to ask if there was a need to pray on anyone's behalf.(Shem Olam)(Towards Meaningful Prayer, 56-58, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 105(Be Quiet You Are In Shul)

Holy Jews:     

One who speaks during davening is guilty of masig gevul, stealing the sanctity of the Shul.(Hilchot Teshuva 26) One should avoid all unnecessary talking in shul. A person who comes to shul and talks to others is considered a sinner who causes others to sin; this behavior forfeits his portion in the World to Come.(Dover Shalom p 70)   

A pious man once met Eliyahu HaNavi. He was loading three hundred camels with punishments. "Who are these for?" he asked. Eliyahu replied, "For one who talks between Baruch She'amar and the end of the Amidah" (Orchot Yisrael citing the Pesiktah)   

Speaking in Shul is contemptuous and arrogant behavior. "Woe to the one who chats idly in the Shul. He proclaims his distance from Hashem. Regrettably, he lacks faith. Alas he has no part in the G-d of Israel. In chatting idly, he shows that as far as he is concerned, Hashem does not exist. He is not afraid of Him. He disgraces the higher purpose of the Shul."(Zohar Hakadosh Parashat Terumah 13, 1b)   

It is inappropriate to discuss even important Mitzvah matters in shul, to avoid disturbing other people's meditations.(Ohr Hazafun) The Gaon Chida says the same of sharing Torah thoughts, and also adds that it sets the wrong precedent for those who are not learned.(Pesach Einayim)   

Someone who is talking during davening is called a wicked neighbor.(Rokeach 26) He publicly demonstrates that he does not believe in Divine Providence or in reward and punishment.(Shevet Mussar) Even if he only winks his eyes or gestures with his hand, the Torah refers to him as "a man who does not call out to Hashem."(Yirmiyahu 43:22, Yoma 19)   

Rav Avraham Sabo, one of the banished Spanish Jews of 1492, suggested that talking during davening and during the reading of the Torah caused the tragedy that befell Spanish Jewry.(Tzor Ha'Maor) Maran the author of the Shulchan Aruch refers to the sin of those who speak of profane matters during the repetition of the Amidah as "too great to bear" He does not refer to the desecration of Shabat or eating on Yom Kippur in such stringent language!    

The Shimloi Rav wrote that he had tried to prevent the Nazi bloodbath by begging his congregants not to speak in Shul, especially during davening.(Lechem Shlomo) The Beit Yisrael(and in another version the Baba Sali) noted that Sephardic communities were mostly sheltered from the wrath of the Holocaust. He attributed their survival to their care in praying respectfully and not speaking during davening.(Matnat Chayim p 193)   

"For Heaven's sake, let us be quiet in the Beit Hakenesset. Our reverent silence during Tefilla will speak very loudly to Him Who holds our fate in His hands. Communicating with Hashem is our only recourse in this era of trial and tribulation. There is too much ugly noise in our world today. Let us find peace and tranquility while we stand before Hashem in prayer!"(Selected writings, Rav Shimon Schwab)   

When we are in shul we must exclude the outside world. Only then can we ensure that Hashem will take us under His wing and respond to our cries. We will thus be spared untold pain and merit the coming of Mashiach and the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash AMEN.(Adapted from Matnat Chayim)(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 189-197, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 104(Blazing Fire)

Holy Jews:  

Today Daily Inspiration is Liuley Nishmat the Great Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizensk Zecher Tzadik Kadosh Lbracha. His Neshama should have an aliyah and be a zechut to all of Klal Yisrael AMEN!     

Sometimes it is necessary to wake up our physical bodies with sound and movements when we begin to pray, to allow the power of the Neshama to shine through. The Zohar Hakadosh teaches, "If the fire does not burn intensely, tap the wood, and it blazes forth. To the same effect, if the light of the Neshama does not burn brightly, tap the body, so the light of the Neshama will blaze forth."(Zohar Hakadosh 3:168a)   

When Rabbi Mordechai of Lechovitz prayed he roared like a lion until the hearts of all who heard him would shatter and melt like water.(Mazkeret Shem Ha'Gedolim)   

The Holy Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizensk recommended, "Pray with all your strength. Use your voice to arouse your feelings, and connect your thoughts to your words. Face the wall, look into the Siddur morning and evening, and do not look to the side from the commencement of the service until the end. When the reader repeats the Amidah, follow along inside the Siddur and answer AMEN to each Bracha with all your strength."(Tzetel Katan,11)   

When a person succeeds in lighting up his Neshama, the body becomes less and less significant  -- until he prays with the Neshama alone. One who does this successfully can worship in thought, without any motion.(Likutei Yekarim 33)(Towards Meaningful Prayer, 83-84,Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 103(The Foundation of Truth)

Holy Jews:     

On what foundation is the truth to be built [specifically, as regards the resolution of a Talmudic passage]? It is not established solely on the Pshat(straightforward meaning of a phrase's wording), for this constitutes merely one type of proof. Indeed, in most cases it is refuted by difficult questions that spring from initial wording premises. [These assumptions] stand quite strongly bound together (and they cannot be easily disassembled. If the premise is so firmly based that it is irrefutable, then no proof can be brought against it -- as the Holy Ramban writes in the introduction to his work Sefer Milchamot Hashem), and stand poised to dispute the Pshat and repudiate it. We see this clearly in the words of the Gemara in the okimtot(presumptions) it offers to explain a particular passage, (An Okimtah is a way of explaining a case that does not deal with the words of the text, but rather reveals presumptions and stipulations that render it understandable. The text is understood in its basic meaning; however, the explanation qualifies it by clarifying an unstated assumption) as well as in the brilliant observations of the Ba'alei Tosefot.(They employ incisive questions to prove that the text must be understood in a particular way, one that differs from the Pshat)   

Likewise, the truth is not supported by concise and innovative explanations that do not stray too far from the Pshat. Such ideas are built on premises that do not necessarily hold up to analysis, to the point that they do not contain even a scent of the truth. One the other hand, a more elaborate hypothesis might be based on a series of solid steps that logically link together, so that it homes in on the truth. Nevertheless, it requires extensive examination and inspection, since it is constructed from so many steps. In such a case, if even one step is disproved, then the whole structure might be placed in danger of collapsing.   

Similarly, man's desire to search for the parameters of truth is not sufficient to build it; the reasoning of man's intellect does not necessarily gain access to its chambers. We see this clearly from a Pasuk in Mishlei (2:4-5) "If you seek it [as if it were] silver, if you search for it [as if it were] hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of Hashem." (The Yalkut Shemoni explains that this Pasuk is referring to the Torah, as is the beginning of the passage.(Mislei 2:1) "My son, if you take my words...") Consider the pursuit of wealth; the mere desire for it is not sufficient to guarantee a person's success; rather he must engage in the preparations that are relevant to his pursuit. The same is true regarding the quest for Torah -- and even more so. Concerning financial success, Divine assistance is the essential factor. On the other hand, in Torah study it is a person's preparation (whether on one's own or with help from others) that constitutes the prime factor for success -- only by laying the proper groundwork will the Divine splendor shine upon him.   

We read that the Torah is "not in Heaven" (Devarim 30:12); rather, Hashem entrusted it to man's hands. Nevertheless, this does not mean that it is man's captive, to do with it what he wishes. Instead he must approach it with intellectual honesty, employing the proper tools, that will help him achieve his goal -- knowing the truth.(Ohr Yisrael, HaGaon Rav Yisrael Salanter, Ohr Yisrael Ot Chav Chet, 296-297, Targum)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 102(Superficial Anger)

Holy Jews:     

He gives his cheek to he who strikes him, he will be sated with shame. For the Lord will not reject forever. For though He causes grief, He has compassion according to the greatness of His mercy. For He does not afflict from His heart when He grieves the children of men(Eicha 3:30-33)    Hashem does not punish a nation until its measure of sin is fulled.(Gemara Sotah Daf 9a) During the Galut, Hashem gives Israel's "cheek" to the enemy to strike as it please. This ensures that the enemy "will be sated with shame" -- its measure of sin will be filled quickly -- and its punishment will come right after.   

Although Hashem delivers Israel into the hands of its enemy, "the Lord will not reject" Israel. The Name Adon- "Lord" refers to the Divine Presence. It is always with Israel, as Chazal teach: "Wherever they where exiled, the Divine Presence was with them."(Gemara Megilla 29a)   

Even when He must cause grief, "He has compassion according to the greatness of His mercy" Even in the time of His wrath, He remembers mercy. As it is written, "No more will I have compassion on the house of Israel," Why? The pasuk immediately continues, "for I will surely forgive them"(Hoshea 1:6, Gemara Pesachim Daf 87b)   

Thus, for instance, on the very day that the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, the Mashiach was born. A man was plowing, when his cow lowed. An Arab who passing by said to him, "Release your and release your plow." "Why?" asked the man. "The Temple of the Jews has been destroyed," said the Arab. "How do you know?" asked the man. "I know from the lowing of your cow," said the Arab. While they were speaking, it lowed again. The Arab told him, "Tie your cow and tie your plow. For the redeemer of the Jews has been born." "And what is his name?" asked the man. "His name is Menachem{meaning Comforter}"(Eicha Rabbah 1:51)   

The Jew who was plowing was devastated by the horrendous tidings of the Beit Hamikdash's destruction; yet immediately thereafter his heart was gladdened with the news of the Mashiach's birth. Such is Hashem's way: on the very day of wrath, He brings mercy. Thus He shows Israel that "He does not afflict from His heart when He grieves the children of men" -- His anger is not like the anger of an enemy, which comes from the heart. It is superficial, like the anger of a father punishing his wayward son. The father may appear to be cruel, but his heart is full of mercy for his son. He hits because it is necessary to connect to the son's behavior but he is truly pained by his son's punishment. Hashem, too, inflicts suffering on Israel in order to turn them to the right path. When they suffer, He feels the pain, as it were. Thus it is written, "In all their affliction, He was afflicted"(Isaiah 63:9)(Nehamat Tzion, Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 101(The Study of Mussar)

Holy Jews:     

We know that through Divine inspiration, Chazal conveived a vision that divulges the secret of the soul and uncovers the mystery of its judgment together with the body. They explain with the following mashal(parable): There was once a cripple and a blind man. They could only travel by cooperating together, with the cripple sitting on the blind man's shoulders and "steering" him in the right direction. Once, these two men decided to rob and orchard, with the cripple directing the blind man through the trees, and he himself able to reach the fruit only while on his companion's back. When the owner saw them afterwards sitting by the orchard, he accused them. They, however both proclaimed their innocence -- for how could either one of them have propagated such a crime? The owner, however, understood that they had worked together as a team, and punished them accordingly. Likewise, after the vessel of the body shatters and returns to the dust, it may be clear that it and the soul are distinct entities -- and how could either one commit a sin on its own! Despite this, when the person was alive, his body and soul were bound to one another -- and together, they transgressed. Thus, even in death they will not be dealt with as separate parts, each incapable of sinning on its own. Rather, just as they pursued worldly desires and delighted in physical pleasures together, so, too, will they be called to judgment together. As one, they will receive payment for their joint transgressions.   

Chazal tell us that one hour of punishment in the World to Come is more bitter than all the sufferings of this world combined. Likewise, one hour of bliss in the Next World surpasses all the delights and pleasures of whatever this world has to offer. Man's only desire is to pursue self-gratification. Is it then possible that he will not be concerned over his fate in the afterlife -- the time when his Neshama will be separated from his Guf and he will no longer be capable of performing any action of deed?    Therefore, it is self-evident that when a man diligently studies Mussar and Yirat Shamayim(Heavenly fear) -- which remind him of "the account of the world" -- he will have no peace until he prepares a refuge for his Neshama and Guf. Moreover, it is known that this very study is an effective cure for the Neshama's disease. Now, is it conceivable that a physically ill person would not energetically follow a proven and free course treatment for his disease? Likewise, it is beyond belief that one afflicted with illness of the Neshama would abandon himself to the pit and not endeavor to seek a remedy for his disease -- through studying work of Mussar and Yirat Shamayim, which are the key to redemption and healing.(Ohr Yisrael, HaGaon Rav Yisrael Salanter, Sharai Orah, Perek Daled, p96-97 Targum)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 100(In The Presence Of The King)

Holy Jews:     

Recognition of Hashem's presence inspires man to lead a life style balanced with restraint. Rav Moshe Isserles writes the following in his introduction to the Shulchan Aruch:   

Sheviti Hashem Lenegdi Tamid, I have set Hashem before me at all times (Tehillim 16:8) This principle is the fundamental theme underlying Torah observance and all the lofty accomplishments of the righteous.   

We do not sit, move or conduct ourselves when we are at home the same way as we would in the presence of a king. Although we speak as we please when we are with our relatives, we don't act as freely when we are in royal audience. All the more so then, should we be careful we take to heart that we are in the presence of the mightiest of all kings, Hakadosh Baruchu...He carefully observes our every action, as it is written: Can any man hide himself in secret places so that I shall not see him? says Hashem.(Yirmiya 23:24)   

The ability to feel ashamed of one's actions also indicates the degree to which one feels responsible for them. The Gemara writes: Whomsoever is bashful will not easily come to sin, but whoever has no shame proves that his forebears did not stand at Har Sinai.(Gemara Yevamot Daf 79a)   

The Gemara regards the natural restraint and modesty of the Jew as one of his most outstanding characteristics. Three fine qualities distinguish this nation of Israel: The Jews are compassionate, bashful, and performers of kindnes.(Gemara Yevamot Daf 79a)   

Whoever displays these three traits is surely a descendant of Avraham Avinu.(Kallah Rabboti 9) When he fails to live up to the characteristics which define his spiritual identity, the Jew loses his national home.    Yerushalayim was destroyed only because its inhabitants had no shame or bashfulness before one another.(Gemara Shabat Daf 119b)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 99(Just Daven)

Holy Jews:     

"He remembered His kindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our G-d"(Tehillim 98:3) When did all the ends of the earth see the salvation of our G-d? In the days of Mordechai and Esther.(Gemara Megilla 11a)   

In the days of Mordechai and Esther, the people of Israel were threatened with total annihilation but were ultimately saved. One reason for their salvation was that "He remembered His kindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel!" -- He faithfully kept the promise that He had made to the Avot(Patriachs), although it could have been argued that it was made on condition that Israel be righteous.   

Another reason for their salvation was that Hashem told Israel that He wanted from them nothing but Tefillot and requests, as it is written, "Take with you words and return to Hashem"(Hoshea 14:3; Shemot Rabbah 38:4) This point is alluded to in "the ends of the earth." In the alef beit, at the "ends of the earth" -- immediately following the letters of Aretz "earth" -- are the letters of Bakesh, "Request"(Benayahu, Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 98(The Geula Shelaima!!!)

Holy Jews:     

"Hakol Kol Yaakov, The voice is Yakov's voice"(Bereshit 27:22)   

HaGaon Ben Ish Hai explains that the word Hakol "the voice" can be split into "Hey Kol" "Five voices" an allusion to five things dependent on voice that bring Geula.   

There are five aspects of good speech (Olelot Efraim). Chazal said the world stands on Torah, Tefilla, and Gemilut Chasadim.(Pirkei Avot 1:2) and on truth, justice and peace.(Pirkei Avot 1:18) There is some overlap here, for truth refers to Tefilla, as in the Pasuk, "Hashem is close to...all who call to Him in truth"(Tehillim 145:18) Thus the world stands on five things. We are commanded to us our voice in five ways.   

1) To speak in Torah, as it is written, "That Hashem's Torah may be in your mouth"(Shemot 13:9) 2) To Daven. 3) To perform acts of kindness, which is essentially with the voice, for "he who gives a penny to a poor person is blessed with six blessings; but he who comforts him is blessed with eleven.(Baba Batra 9b) 4) To execute justice, which requires the judge to pronouce one party guilty and the other innocent. 5) To make peace between friends and between husband and wife.   

The world, then stands upon these five uses of the voice. Our pasuk thus means: Yaakov's voice must be complete in all five uses on which the world stands.   

Surely if Yaakov's voice is complete, the redemption will come, for each one of the "five voices" brings Geula. Of the Torah, it is written, "With this (bezot) shall Aaron enter the Kodesh Kedoshim"(Vayikra 16:3)  -- through the Torah, which is called (zot) "this" (Vayikra Rabbah) the Jewish people commune with Hashem. Tefilla with Kavana rectifies the worlds and redeems the sparks of Kedusha. When full rectification is accomplished and all the sparks are redeemed the Mashiach will come. Gemilut Chasadim hastens the Geula as "Hashem says: Maintain justice and do charity so that My salvation may soon come"(Isaiah 56:1, Baba Batra 10a) Judging cases truly brings Geula as it is written, "Hashem stands in a godly assembly; He judges together with the judges"(Tehillim 82:1, Sanhedrin 7a) Shalom brings Geula, as the Navi says "How welcome on the mountains are the footsteps of [Elijah] who announces Shalom...who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your G-d reigns!"(Isaiah 52:7, Vayikra Rabbah 9:9)   

If each one these individually hastens the Geula, then surely if all of Israel fulfill all "five voices" the Mashiach will immediately come!(Aderet Eliyahu, Metzora, Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 97(Raise Your Heads)

Holy Jews:  

Today's Daily Inspiration is Liulay Nishmat HaGaon Rav Moshe Feinstein Zecher Tzadik Vkadosh Lbracha whose Yartzeit is today. His Neshama should have an aliyah and be a zechut for all of Klal Yisrael. AMEN!     

"Ki Sisa Et Rosh --When you take a census"[lit. when you raise the head](30:12)   

Rav Moshe Feinstein ztl asks: Why did the Torah choose to describe the taking of a census with the strange expression, when you raise the head? Even more puzzling is the teaching of Chazal in Baba Batra Daf 10b: Moshe said before Hashem, "With what will the pride of Israel be uplifted?" To this Hashem answered, "With Ki Sisa - with raising up," meaning that the pride (literally, horn) of the Jews can best be elevated by giving Tzedaka. Why did Hashem express HIs answer with this part of the Pasuk when seemingly He was referring to the ending, every man shall give an atonement for his Neshama, a much clearer reference to Tzedaka?   

To resolve these problems, we can say that this Pasuk intends to teach us a lesson in the giving of Tzedaka, that the Torah expects us to give in a manner and quantity that will enable us to "raise our head" to take pride in our giving. In practical terms, this means that we should make a bona fide effort to give as much Tzedaka as our means allow, not just the minimum that will fulfill our obligation. Only if we give in this fashion will the glory of Israel be uplifted, whereas anything less than the full amount we are honestly capable of, while it is still a Mitzvah, will not serve to "raise our heads" to elevate the pride of the Jewish people. Many non-Jews also give charity; in order to be a source of pride, our giving must somehow be distinguished from theirs. The only way to do that is to give the fullest of our ability, and to give not condescendingly but in a way that respects the honor of the recipient.   

We can suggest another reason for the Torah's use of an expression of "raising up" for the census taking. Certain people try to excuse themselves for neglecting their studies or being lax in doing Mitzvot with the claim that since they are on such a low level -- unable to learn properly, inadequate in the Mitzvot they do -- it would be presumptuous of them to even attempt these things. Objectively, of course, this humility is nothing other than a ploy of the Yetzer Hara, a (unfortunately) usually successful attempt to keep people ignorant and devoid of Mitzvot.   

To counter this strategy, the Torah comes and tells us, "Lift up your head and be counted along with everyone else! You count as one person, one Jew, no less than the biggest Tzaddik and the biggest Talmid Chacham. Therefore, just like anyone else, you are expected to do as much as you are capable of -- no less and no more. Don't be so humble as to think your abilities are less than they are." From this we can understand that all we need to grow in Torah and Mitzvot is willingness to work and a burning desire to improve ourselves. With these alone, we can become as great, in accordance with our nature and abilities, as the greatest scholars and Tzaddikim.   

Thus when Hashem wished to count the Jews, He did it in a way that would make each person feel uplifted by the counting and would make him see himself as equal in number even to MOSHE RABEINU! Each of us must therefore undertake to work in Torah and Mitzvot to reach the level of the Tzaddikim, for everything depends on us alone.(Darash Moshe Al HaTorah, Ki Sisa Derush Alef)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 96(Bracha Through Shalom)

Holy Jews:     

Rav Shimon ben Halafta said: Hakadosh Baruchu found no better vessel to hold Bracha for Israel than peace, as it is written, "Hashem gives strength to His people; Hashem blesses His people with peace"(Tehillim 29:11)(Uktzin 3:12)   

The "Bracha" of which Rav Shimon ben Halafta speaks is rain. Thus it is written, "Bring all the tithe into the storehouse...and test Me now with this...if I will not open for you windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing until your lips weary of saying 'Enough!!'"(Malachi 3:10) The Midrash explains that this blessing is rain.(Vayikra Rabbah 35:12)   

The vessel that holds rain is a cloud. Not always does the cloud empty its rain onto the earth. Sometimes there are "clouds and wind but no rain."(Mishlei 25:14) Why?   

The Gemara debates the question of whether the clouds are from Heaven and it is as if a man sends his friend a barrel and pitchers of water; or the clouds are from earth, and Hashem says to the earth, "Bring your clouds and take rain," as a man might tell his friend, "Bring your barrel and come take." (Yerushalmi Sukah 1:5)   

Since "He gave the earth to the sons of man"(Tehillim 115:16) if clouds are from earth, they belong to men. If so, once the clouds become filled with rain, it is only right that they empty it out onto the earth, since merchandise that has been measured out into the buyer's vessels belongs to the buyer.(Gemara Baba Batra 85b)   

But there is one condition. The world exists because of peace.(Pirkei Avot 1:18) If there is peace among the people of Israel, they cause the world to exist; hence "He gave the earth to the sons of man." The clouds are then the vessels of man, and the rain that they hold belongs to mankind. But if there is strife among the people of Israel, then "the earth and its fullness belong to Hashem."(Tehillim 24:1)   

Rav Shimon tells us: "Hakadosh Baruchu, found no better vessel to hold Bracha for Israel than peace." Hashem found no better way of making the clouds -- the vessel that holds the Bracha of rain -- belong to Israel, than peace. For peace causes the world to exist. Through peace, the world belongs to Israel, and the clouds are considered Israel's vessels.(Benayahu, Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad, Derushim Lesiyum HaTalmud)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 95(Rich Daddies)

Holy Jews:     

Today's Daily Inspiration is Leulay NIshmat HaGaon Chida whose Yartzeit is today, his Neshama should have an aliyah and be a xechut for all of Klal Yisrael AMEN!!     

Hakadosh Baruchu said to Hoshea, "Your sons have sinned." He should have replied, "They are Your sons, the sons of Your beloved ones: Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. Have mercy on them!"(Mesechet Pesachim Daf 87a)   

A middleman brought two storekeepers to a wholesaler to buy merchandise. One of the two had no capital in hand, but nonetheless bought three thousand dinars' worth of merchandise on credit for six months. The other asked for only a few hundred dinars' worth of merchandise -- the amount he was able to pay for in cash.    "You should buy three thousand dinars' worth on credit like the other fellow," said the middleman. "That way you will make a bigger profit. How much profit can you make on a hundred dinars?"   

"I might just as easily lose as gain," replied the storekeeper. "And if I take a loss on three thousand dinars' worth of merchandise, I will wind up in debtor's prison. The other man has a rich father. If he takes a loss and goes to jail, his father will pay and have him released."   

Hoshea should have argued, "They are...the sons of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov," who are billionaires in Mitzvot and merit. Even if Israel sinned and lost all their wealth -- the whole Torah -- let their rich fathers come and save them with their merits. Therefore "have mercy on them!" (Benayahu, Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 94(By Example)

Holy Jews:     

"Gather the people to Me, and I will will make them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they live upon the earth and that they may teach their children.(Devarim 4:10) What connection is there between learning yourself and teaching your children?   

Rav Tarfon said, "I would be surprised if in this generation there is anyone who is able to give rebuke. For if one person says to another, 'Remove the toothpick from between your teeth,' the other will retort, 'Remove the plank from between your eyes!'"(Arachin 16b)   

Maharatz HaLevi explains: Fathers cannot rebuke their young sons for lack of perseverance in Torah study if the fathers themselves work and do not even keep fixed study times. For the son can retort, "My sin is as small as a toothpick, but yours is big as a plank. I am young, Heaven does not yet punish me my sins. But you are an adult, fully accountable for your deeds! Besides Chazal said that one who studied Torah and then left it is the guiltiest of all.(Pesachim 49b) I have not yet begun to study Torah, but you studied Torah and then stopped!"   

The only way to succeed in steering your sons toward Torah study and fear of Heaven is to keep your own fixed study times daily and nightly. Then you will be able to tell your sons, "You see that although I must work hard to support the family, I nevertheless study Torah. Surely you, who do not have this burden, can do it."   

Our Pasuk thus says: "that they may learn to fear Me" -- let them learn Torah out of fear of Heaven rather than for money, honor, or to win arguments -- "all the days that they live upon the earth" -- while they are earning a living, even if by working on earth. The result will be "that they may teach their children," for the children will learn from the father's example to intensify their own Torah study.(Od Yosef Hai, Derushim Vaetchanan, Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 93(The Simple Students)

Holy Jews:     

What is meant by the Pasuk, "She opened her mouth with wisdom [bechachma literally in wisdom], and the Torah of loving-kindness was on her tongue?" (Mishlei 31:26) Is there a Torah of loving-kindness and a Torah not of loving-kindness?... Torah of loving-kindness is Torah that is studied in order to teach it.(Gemara Sukah 49b)   

The ultimate "Torah of loving-kindness" is teaching simple students who have difficulty learning. The Pasuk says, "She opened her mouth in wisdom." The fill in letters that are in Chachma "wisdom" may be rearranged to form "simple ones". Simple students are the ones who really need a teacher; clever students can teach themselves with the aid of books if necessary. Moreover, teaching simple students is much more work.   

Rav Preyda had a disciple to whom he had to teach each topic four hundred times. One day Rav Preyda was asked to attend to a certain Mitzvah. That day, even after the usual four hundred times, the disciple did not grasp the material. "What went wrong today?" asked Rav Preyda. "From the time you were asked to attend to the Mitzvah," said the disciple "I was no longer able to concentrate. I kept thinking: 'Now my teacher will leave, now my teacher will leave.'" "Pay attention, and I will teach you again," said Rav Preyda. He repeated the lesson another four hundred times! A Heavenly voice rang out and asked, "Which do you prefer: that four hundred years be added to your life or that you and the people of your generation merit the world to come? He replied, "That I and the people of my generation merit the world to come." Said Hakadosh Baruchu Melech Malchai HaMelachim The Borei Olam, "GIVE HIM BOTH!"(Gemara Eruvin 54b)   

Hashem says, "If you bring forth the precious out of the unrespected" -- if you succeed in getting the Torah to be understood by those who have difficulty learning -- "you shall be as My mouth"(Yirmiayhu 15:19)(Shenei Eliyahu 1:8,Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 92(Halacha Knowledge)

Holy Jews:     

Everyday Hakadosh Baruchu weeps over...one who is able to engage in Torah study but does not and one who is unable to engage in Torah study but does.(Gemara Chagiga 5b)   

What is meant by Hashem weeping? When a person sheds tears, he "sweetens" the attribute of strict justice and turns it into mercy. This sweetening may thus be called "weeping." But one who is able to engage in Torah study but does not and one who is unable to engage in Torah study but does arouse accusations. These accusations are so strong that Hashem must sweeten the attribute of strict justice each day in order for the world to endure.   

Why do these particular types of people arouse such strong accusations? The Arizal Hakadosh taught that Kedusha is surrounded by Kelipot "husks" of Tuma(impurity). Similarly a kelipah -- in the form of a question or difficulty -- surrounds every Halacha to prevent us from understanding it. Through analysis, which involves answering questions and resolving difficulties, the Kelipah is broken and the Halacha revealed.(Sha'ar Ruach HaKodesh 11:2)   

The Kelipot are strengthed when someone is able to analyze does not -- or when someone who lacks analytical powers analyzes without a teacher's guidance, for many questions will be raised in his mind and left unresolved. In both cases, the attribute of din must be sweetened in order to subdue the Kelipot and silence the accusers.(Ben Yehoyada)   

Make the Torah's words sharp in your mouth, so that if a person asks you a question, you will answer him immediately without hesitating...as it is written, "Bind them to your fingers"(Mishlei 7:3) How does the Pasuk "Bind them to your fingers" prove the Gemara's point?   

Hands and fingers represent deeds. "Bind them to your fingers" thus means: Know the Torah's words well enough to put them into practice. Delve into the Oral Law until you acquire clear, correct understanding. The words of the Torah will then be "sharp in you mouth," and you will be able to practice what you learned or issue a Halachic ruling.(Ben Yehoyada)    The fingers of your hand are of different sizes, and when your hand is open, they are spread apart. But you can bend them and hold them together so that the tips are side by side in a line.    

Similarly, the laws of the Torah are diverse: there are laws of blessings, Shabat, Kashrut, Marriage, Divorce, Money etc. Use your wisdom and analytical powers to link various concepts and Halachot together just as you hold your fingers together.(Benayahu)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 91(Priceless)

Holy Jews:     

"Beloved are the people of Israel, for a cherished vessel was given to them; it is indicative of a greater love that they were informed that they were given a cherished vessel, as it is written, 'For I have given you a good teaching; forsake not My Torah'"(Mishlei 4:2)(Pirkei Avot 3:14)   

The Holy Chacham Yosef Chaim of Baghdad says that our Mishnah stresses that the Torah was "given" to Klal Yisrael. "Given" means free of charge.    Moshe Rabeinu told Bnei Yisrael: "Behold I have taught you statues and ordinances as Hashem my G-d commanded me"(Devarim 4:5) -- just as I taught you Torah free of charge, so should you teach Torah free of charge.(Gemara Nidarim 37a) Thus Isaiah called "HO! All who are thirsty, come to water! Even if you have no money, come buy and eat. Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost!"(Isaiah 55:1) Water, wine, and milk are all metaphors for Torah.   

In the eyes of the world, expensive is precious, what is given away is worthless. The opposite is true of Torah. It cannot be sold for money, because all the money in the world is worthless by comparison. "Praiseworthy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who ekes out understanding [without paying. But this is not because it lacks value.] It is more precious than pearls, and [the reason it cannot be bought for money is that] all your possessions cannot be compared to it"(Mishlei 3:13-15; Alshech, Rav Peninim)   

Similarly, our Mishna says: "Forsake not My Torah" thinking that it lacks value because it does not carry a price tag.   

A king honored one of his subjects by giving him a precious gift: the king's own sword, on which the king's name was emblazoned with precious stones. The subject could not wear the sword, for it was part of the king's uniform, so he kept it in a case.   

Another man purchased a very expensive sword, which he, too, placed in a case. Both men traveled to another city, where the tax inspectors checked their packages.   

Upon seeing the king's sword, the inspectors closed the case and waved the subject through without charging him tax. But they examined the purchased sword carefully and imposed a stiff tax on it. "That's not fair," complained the owner. "His sword is worth ten times as much as mine, and he received it as a gift, yet you let him go without paying a cent. I paid for my sword, which is worth much less, yet you tax me so heavily!"   

The tax inspectors replied, "We can only tax what we can assess. What you bought has a price, and therefore can be taxed. The other sword bears the king's name and was worn by the king. To put a price on the king's honor is to degrade him. We cannot assess the value of the king's sword."   

"Beloved are the people of Israel, for a cherished utensil was given to them" free of charge, and therefore they hand it down to the next generation free of charge. Lest you object that things given for free have less value, know that "they were given a cherished utensil with which the world was created." Since the world and everything in it was created through the power of Torah, nothing in the world can possibly pay for Torah.(Hasdei Avot, Chacham Yosef Chayim)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 90(Both Sides)

Holy Jews:     

"The rich shall not increase, and the poor shall not decrease."(Shemot 30:15)   

If a person is rich in Torah and Mitzvot, he should not think too highly of himself lest arrogance remove his merits. But neither should a person who is poor in Torah and Mitzvot decrease his self-image on that account. Putting oneself down is as much a tactic of the Yetzer Hara as putting oneself up.   

When the Yetzer Hara sees that an ordinary person wishes to approach the side of Kedusha, it says to him, "Who are you to do this? You will never succeed. You will end up a failure in this world and the next! Enjoy yourself now. When you get to the world to come, you'll settle the bill. What difference does it make whether you have to pay for a hundred sins or a thousand?"   

We must believe that although we are only frail humans, each of us has the ability to become a great tzaddik.   

In the alef bet, the letters Lev "heart" are preceded by the letters of Af "only" an expression of diminution, and followed by the letters of Gam "also" an expression of increase. This teaches us to guard our hearts from pride on the one hand and from self-denigration on the other, in order to arrive at the golden mean.(Ben Ish Hai, Derushim Ki Tisa)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 89(Its ALL for the King's glory)

Holy Jews:     

"She who dwells in the gardens -- companions listen; let Me hear your voice."(Shir HaShirim 8:13)   

The "gardens" are schools, Yeshivot, and Batei Midrashot, where Torah study takes place on various levels, from alef bet to deep analysis of Gemara. All the teachers are called "companions," equals. This is how they are viewed by Hashem, Who loves Torah study on any level, and how they should view one another.   

A king was traveling through the land with his entourage. He entered a town and told the mayor, "My men are weary from the trip. Assign the townspeople all duties required for my lodging."   

The mayor immediately assigned the townspeople all the king's scrubbing, washing, cleaning, polishing, dusting, and ironing. To some he gave the king's gold and silver, to others the royal garments and so on. The people in charge of the gold and silver felt superior to those in charge of the pots and pans; the people in charge of the king's bed felt superior to those in charge of the table and chairs.   

Seeing this, the mayor said to them, "Does the gold and silver belong to you? Does the king's bed belong to you? Everything belongs to the king, and the work that each one of you does is for his glory. The king benefits from scrubbed pots just as he benefits from polished silver. You are all equal in serving the king!"(Mashal Umelitzah)   

There is no reason for a Rosh Yeshiva to feel superior to a teacher of Alef Bet. Both are doing Hashem's work and teaching His Torah. Just as Hashem listens to and enjoys the study of Gemara, so does He listen and enjoy the study of Alef Bet. All Torah teachers should regard one another as equals, as He tells us in our Pasuk: In the "gardens" where Torah is studied on various levels, be companions and listen to one another, for I command you all equally to let Me hear your voice teaching My Torah!(Even Shelaima)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 88(Friendship)

Holy Jews:     

Today's Daily Inspiration has been sponsored by Eliyahu Tzvi ben Rachel, in the zechut of this great Mitzvah he should be zoche to have Hatzlacha both in Ruchniut and Gashmiut, and amazing Parnasa! AMEN bechinam!      

A man and a bear made a mutual pact of friendship. They left the city and went to live in the forest, which they both loved. They made their home in a cave and served one another devotedly. The man planted a fruit tree to provide them with food while the bear went out hunting daily to bring home meat. It was an excellent partnership. One day, after a satisfying meal eaten in an atmosphere of camaraderie, the man lay down to rest. He soon sank into a deep slumber.   

The bear noticed a fly buzzing about his friend's head. It landed upon the man's forehead. He waved a paw and the fly fled, but, as is the way of bothersome flies, it returned after a moment to take up its position again upon the man's forehead. The bear shooed it away a second time, but when it returned to rest between the man's eyes, the bear became so enraged that he cried out, "Do you still dare to disturb my cherished friend? Wait, and I'll show you the might of my hand!" The bear ran off to find a large stone. He aimed it at the fly and threw it. The stone killed the fly -- but it also brought eternal sleep to the bear's close comrade.   

Why did Paraoh establish the righteous Yosef over the royal household and over the entire land of Egypt? Is it not common knowledge that people of different religions hate one another? Besides, Yosef was very young and inexperienced. Paraoh saw, however, from Yosef's interpretation of the dream, that Yosef was truly fit to rule and that he was superior in wisdom to all the magicians and counselors of Egypt.    Dreams follow their interpretation, that is, the events they foreshadow depend on the meaning given to them. When a man is told of a bad dream by another, if he cannot give a favorable interpretation, he should keep his silence.   

When Paraoh asked his counselors to interpret the dreams of the seven cows and seven ears of wheat, some told him that he would sire seven daughters and bury seven daughters. Others told him that he would conquer seven lands and relinquish seven other lands. They interpreted the dreams thus, even though they loved their king. Paraoh concluded that his advisors were fools and their loyalty was only superficial, like that of the bear to the man.   

But, when the king related his dreams to Yosef, Yosef was able to find a favorable solution to them with his interpretation of the years of plenty and the years of want. Egypt was later enriched when, having set aside stores of grain, it was able to sell produce to the entire world. All this was a result of Yosef's clever insight. Despite Yosef's different faith and in spite of his youth, Paraoh found him fit to rule over the kingdom of Egypt, as the Torah tells us, "You shall be empowered over my house, and upon your word shall all my nation depend."(Bereshit 41:40)   

This is what the wisest of all men said, "A wise adversary, be he young in years, is preferable to a great friend, who is a fool and ignorant."(Meshalim Shel Ha Ben Ish Hai, 133-135, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 87(The Money Ladder)

Holy Jews:     

The ladder leaning against the side of the house was well made. All of its rungs were evenly matched; they were of the same length and thickness and constructed of the same wood. And yet, the upper rung lorded it over the ones below it, especially over the bottommost rung. It opened its mouth boastfully and said, "Our master has placed me at the top to rule over you all. He must have found me superior to you to have granted me this honor." A passerby happened to hear the vain words of the top rung and, without a word, approached the ladder and turned it upside down. Now the top rung was on the bottom and the bottom at the top. But the newly-made top rung dared not brag of its position of glory. It too, might suffer the same fate as its predecessor.   

Sulam, ladder, has the same numerical value as mammon, money. This indicates an association. But what connection exists between these two words?   

A ladder has its feet on the ground, just as money is anchored to the ground, it being a material thing. Money, it would seem, is acquired through the give-and-take of business on earth. But, this is an illusion. "Its summit reaches the Heavens" - a person's profits are dependent solely upon the decree of Heaven. If Hakadosh Baruchu so wishes, a person will succeed; if He wills otherwise, a person will lose money by the selfsame activities.    If one is tempted to glory in his financial success, let him remember that he is like the upper rung of the ladder. With a simple motion, he may lose his lofty position and find himself at the bottom.(Mashalim Shel Ha Ben Ish Hai, 131-132, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 86(The Double-Edged Sword)

Holy Jews:     

The verses between Baruch Sheamar and Yishtabach are called Pesukei Dizimra, verses of zimra. The Kabbalists define zimra as a pruning knife. These prayers are empowered to act as a knife, cutting away at the mental and spiritual hindrances to prayer, and decapitating all prosecuting angels.   

A man brandishing a sword holds the blunt side in his hand and uses the sharp edge against his enemies. More care is required when a sword has sharp edges on both sides. Although it enables a soldier to kill more of the enemy, he is more likely to kill himself.   

Prayer has been likened to a double-edged sword, for if the supplicant is not focused, his stray thoughts can rebound and inflict heavy damage, Chas Vshalom.(Lev Eliyahu) Instead of decapitating the powers of impurity, we enable them to gain the upper hand. Instead of enhancing Hashem's glory, we detract from it. The harmful forces resulting from the desecration of Hashem's name prevent our prayer from rising to Heaven.    A person who makes no effort to daven with Kavanah is considered wicked and worthless.(Akeda, Shaar 28, p18) The Gemara recommends that a person who does not say Shema with Kavanah should be beaten, to teach him the importance of focusing on each word.(Brachot 33, Shaloh HaKadosh p903) Why the Shema prayer specifically? Because the words of Shema describe Hashem's wrath when man does not serve Him with his whole heart. How is it that this off-repeated warning of chastisement does not move us to higher levels of concentration?(Raishit Chachma, Tozaot Chaim, Letter 176)   

Consider the person who thinks of his business while he is davening. As he stands in prayer before Hashem, his mind is on his and gold and silver. It is a clear indication that he does not really believe that the Shechina is opposite him. To him almost applies the warning of "do not make images of gold and silver of Hashem."(Orchot Yosher)   

In his old age Rav Yechezkel of Shinova moved to Eretz Yisrael. He was given a money order to cover his expenses. He was disturbed to find that the bank note was interfering with his prayers. It lessened his trust in Hashem; it was almost as if the bank note was calling to him, "Trust in me!" He proceeded to burn the money order, feeling that he was fulfilling the command to destroy idols. After it was destroyed, he returned to his prayers with total concentration.(Rabeinu HaKadosh MiShinova)(Towards Meaningful Prayer, 145-146, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 85(The Flowerpot)

Holy Jews:     

"Consider that he may be more righteous than yourself..."(Ingeret HaRamban)   

By honoring all men, despite their outward status, one fulfills the Mitzvah of Betzedek Tishpot Amitecha "You shall judge your fellow man with fairness"(Vayikra 19:15)   

HaGaon Harav Aryeh Levine Zecher Tzadik Vkadosh Lbracha of Yerushalayim excelled in his ability to see no evil in his fellow Jew. He once related that the following incident helped him to adopt this quality.   

Once Rev Aryeh attended the funeral of a certain Reb Eliezer, a man who had been an honest and compassionate distributor of charity funds. A man named Reb Shmuel, the deceased Reb Eliezer's best friend for over thirty years, also participated in the funeral procession. As Reb Aryeh watched in astonishment, Reb Shmuel abruptly left the funeral cortege to enter a flower shop. Moments later, the man emerged, and continued walking along with the funeral procession, but carrying a clay pot.   

Reb Aryeh was deeply disturbed by this apparently callous behavior. Later that day, he reproached Reb Shmuel for abandoning his best friend's funeral.   

Reb Shmuel explained: "For years I have been visiting a Jew stricken with leprosy. Yesterday he died. The doctors at the sanitarium -- who are non Jews -- fear for contagion, so they ordered that all the leper's clothing and possessions be burned -- including the man's pair of Tefillin. After I pleaded with one of the doctors, he agreed to spare the Tefillin if I could arrange to have them safely buried before noon today. In order to satisfy both medical and Halachic requirements, I needed an earthenware container. It was because of this that I was compelled to leave the funeral to buy the flowerpot."   

"Since this incident," said Reb Aryeh Levine, "I firmly resolved to judge every person favorably."(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Chav Bet, 89-90, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 84(The Holy Name)

Holy Jews:     

In Shaarei Teshuva, Rabeinu Yona lists a number of sins which people do not take seriously, including mentioning the Name of G-d in vain. This sin involves transgression of the negative commandment, "You shall not take the Name of Hashem, your G-d in vain,"(Shemot 20:1) and the positive commandment, "Fear Hashem your G-d."(Devarim 10:20) Contrary to common belief, this transgression is not limited to instances where the Name of Hashem is expressed needliessly.(Shaarei Teshuva 1:8) It also refers to saying Hashem's name without concentration.(Kol Bo 11; Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah 2:2; Mishnat R' Aharon, Part II p80)   

Rabbi Yitzchak Chayat, author of Zera Yitzchak, tells of a friend who passed away. There was a great commotion in the court on high when he arrived. "Make way for a saint who comes to us!" the angels proclaimed. He was received with great honor.   

They set a Torah scroll in his arm and asked him, "Have you fulfilled what is written here?" "Yes," he answered. They asked "Who bears witness?"    Immediately angels came, those who had been created from the Mitzvot he had fulfilled. They were beyond number, confirming his good deeds. One said, "I was created from this Mizvah." And so it was with all of them.   

Then they asked him, "Did you take care to utter Hashem's name with devotion?" He was silent. They asked him again, but he remained silent.   

They called for evidence. Bands of destructive angels clad in black came to testify. One said, "I was created on such and such a day when he pronounced the Name in prayer without due intent and concentration. Another said "Thus and thus was with me." And so did all the others.   

Then the members of the court on high rent their garments and said to him, "How did you not fear to pronounce His Great Name, you abject creature, without full intention? You have trangressed the commandment 'You shall not take the Name of the Lord you G-d in vain!"(Shemot 20:7) The punishment was severe, but he accepted its cleansing atonement.   

In Shacharit we say Hashem's name close to six hundred times. Every time we pronounce Hashem's name, it should be with awe and fear.(Rabeinu Yona, Ingeret HaTeshuvah) The Shaloh HaKadosh advises that we daven slowly and commit ourselves to pronouncing Hashem's name the correct way.(Inyonei Tefilla, Tochachat Mussar) Using a siddur makes it easier to concentrate on the Name.(Siddur Ari, R' Yehoshua Zev Segal on Shaarei Teshuvah) Remember: anyone who says Hashem's name without proper Kavanah would be better off if he had not been created.(Zohar Hakadosh Parashat Yitro)   

We are not required to familiarize ourselves with the Kabbalistic interpretations of Hashem's name. We must focus on the basic concepts of Hashem's mastery over all. The Mekubalim advised contemplating the name of G-d, Havaya, while praying. This inspires man's heart with fear of Hashem and purifies his Neshama.(Shevet Mussar, Perek Lamed Alef)    When speaking to Hashem, we should avoid any resemblance to those of whom it is said, "With his mouth and lips he honors Me, but his heart is distant from Me."(Yeshaya, 29:13)(Orchot Chayim 38) Our limbs should tremble as we focus on Hashem, Who always was, is and will be.(Rokeach, Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah)   

The Divrei Yechezkel's teeth would chatter every time he said the word "awesome" during tefilla. R' Tuvia of Krolli commented taht R' Yechezkel was a "Magen Avraham Jew." The Magen Avraham writes that when we say Hashem's name, our whole body should tremble, just as R' Yechezkel visibly trembled each time he said Hashem's name.(Rabeinu HaKadosh MiShinova)   

When someone said the name of Hashem in the presence of Rav Chayim Brisker, he would visibly tremble.(Uvdot VeHanhagot LeBeit Brisk) His student, R' Baruch Ber Leibowitz, would sometimes faint when he said the name of Hashem.(Mashal HaAvot)(Towards Meaningful Prayer, 173-176, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! .

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 83(Defender or Prosecutor?)

Holy Jews:     

The bandit stationed himself at the cross roads waiting for victims. One day, a royal tax collector passed by. The bandit was overjoyed at this fat bird that had come his way and attacked. He robbed the tax collector of all his money and then fled.   

The king sent his soldiers in pursuit. Within a few hours, the man was caught and put safely behind bars. When the victim learned that his attacker had been captured, he went to the prison warden and asked to be allowed to speak to the prisoner. Permission was granted.   

"Give me back everything that you stole from me," whispered the tax collector in his ear, "and I will speak in your favor before the king." "I have nothing left of all that took from you," wailed the thief, "except for a small object upon which I am sitting." "Then give it to me and I will speak in you favor." "Thank you, thank you!" exclaimed the prisoner, handing him the small object.   

He took it and said "Tomorrow is your trial. You will be taken before the king. When they ask you if you have anyone who can speak in your defense, mention my name. They will call me to court and I will speak on your behalf."   

Thus it was. On the morrow, the bandit was brought before the king to be tried. "Who is defending you?" asked the king. The accused gave the tax collector's name. The king sent for him.   

"What can you say in favor of this man?" asked the king. "I was sent to collect the taxes of the citizens of this land. On my way, this man attacked me and robbed me of all my money. But he did return this one item which I hold up before the court. He, himself, will admit that this is true." Those present, when they heard this, exclaimed, "Woe to a man whose defender becomes his prosecutor."   

A mitzvah may be based on an act of sin. A person may sometimes do a good deed, but achieve it through improper means. For example, a man may buy a perfect lulav and etrog with the purest intention of fulfilling the Mitzvah in the best manner, but the money used to acquire them is stolen money!   

The angel created by this Mitzvah will come before the Heavenly court and announce, "I came into being from the Mitzvah of lulav which so-and-so performed, but I am created from stolen money!" Thus it is that the counsel for the defense becomes a prosecutor, just as the tax collector, in defending his 'client', actually doomed him by proving his guilt, even though he mentioned one point in his favor.(Mashalim Shel Ha Ben Ish Hai, 111-113, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 82(The Foolish Wife)

Holy Jews:     

Yitzchak the merchant left his house and went to the Beit Hamidrash, where he remained for several hours. While he was gone, a wealthy trader from abroad came to his house, interested in placing a large order. Where can I find your husband? he asked Yitzchak's wife. "He is in the Beit Hamidrash," she replied. The busy trader had no time to wait, and did not feel like going to seek out Yitzchak. He decided to take his business elsewhere.   

Upon his return, Yitzchak learned of the customer he had missed and was sorely disappointed at having lost the trade. "Next time, " he said to his wife, "when someone comes looking for me in the evening, after working hours, you are to send a child to fetch me from the Beit HaMidrash. I will come at once." "Very well, my husband," Agreed the woman.   

A few days later, a creditor came to Yitzchak's to collect a debt. Yitzchak was away. "Wait a moment," said his wife, "while I send someone to bring him. He will be here shortly."   

The man didn't mind waiting. Before long, Yitzchak appeared, puffing and panting, having run all the way from the Beit HaMidrash. Who should be waiting for him other than the man to whom he owed a large sum, which he was unable to repay at this time. The visitor berated Yitzchak for not having the money and, in his anger, raised his voice in abusive language.   

When he finally left, Yitzchak turned to his wife and said bitterly, "Why don't you have the sense to do the right thing at the right time? You didn't send for me when I had a good customer, but now you had me called, when this fellow came to demand his money. And me, without a penny in my pocket!"   

The Torah's commandments are of two kinds: actions(aseh) and prohibitions(Lo Ta'asehs)   

A person needs a different trait for each type of Mitzvah. He must be eager and energetic to preform the positive action, lest he lose his chance. But in order to keep his distance from something forbidden to do, he must be slow and lazy. For this restrains him from sinning.   

Woe to the man who misuses these traits; who is eager and ready when it comes to pursuing sin, yet lazy when it comes to performing a Mitzvah. Such a man is like the foolish wife who causes losses instead of reaping profits.(Mashalim Shel Ha Ben Ish Hai, 83-85,Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 81(A Gift From The King)

Holy Jews:     

A king once rewarded a loyal subject with a sum of money which could support him and his family for an entire year. The king presented the gift to him lovingly and said, "Here is a reward for your exemplary behavior. Do with it as you please."   

The man returned home full of joy. After showing the gift to his family, he hid it in a drawer. Day after day he would go to the market with only enough money to buy what he needed that day. But before doing so, he would pass by the palace courtyard, stand there a few moments, and then continue on to the market.   

A friend noticed his curious behavior and asked him once, "Why do you go out of your way to stop by the palace gates? You are not accomplishing anything thereby!"   

The recipient of the prize said, "What you say makes sense, but you must understand how I feel when I take money which is not mine and buy provisions for my family. I feel indebted to the king and in order to remember this, I come here, as you saw. Thus I will never forget that I am actually eating from the king's table, so to speak, and am clothing my family from his bounty."   

When a man is in need of anything, he goes to the store, picks out whatever he wishes to buy, slips his hand into his pocket and takes out his wallet. He counts out the money and pays the storekeeper what he owes.   

He is in danger of making a grave mistake. Even though the money happens to be in his pocket, it is not truly his. The Creator, therefore, commanded us to go to the royal gates, the Shul, to pray for our needs. We acknowledge that He is truly providing us with our food and clothing and we express the proper gratitude. This way, we cannot forget that everything actually belongs to Him and that all we have, is ours, only through His generosity. This is why the Halacha requires every person to pray first -- and eat afterwards.(Mashalim Shel Ha Ben Ish Hai, 47-49, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 80(Does It Fit?)

Holy Jews:     

Two brothers, Yoel and Yeshayah, lived in a city, far away from their father. Once, their father sent a splendid garment. Its pockets were stuffed with precious gems and jewels. The father did not specify whom the gift was for. The brothers began quarrelling. "It is mine," said Yoel. "No its mine!" claimed Yeshayah. Since they could arrive at no agreement, they decided to bring the matter before a judge.   

Yoel argued, "The garment, and its contents are clearly mine. I can prove it from the string of letters I received from my father and by the testimony of witnesses from abroad who said that my father expressed his intention to send such a garment to me."   

"And what do you have to say for yourself?" asked the judge, turning to the second brother. "Can you deny your brother's claim? Have you any witnesses denying that your father intended this garment for you?"    "That is unnecessary, honored judge. I have no need of proofs of that sort. I have clear-cut evidence that will show you beyond doubt that the garment is mine," he said confidently. "What is your proof?"   

"I am short, while my brother is almost twice my height. All we have to do is try the garment and see whom it fits. If it is my size, it belongs to me. If it is too big it is his."   

Yeshayah was told to try on the garment first. Everyone could clearly see that it fit him perfectly. "Wear it well," said the judge. "And may you find pleasure in the gems filling the pockets for they are yours too."   

When Hashem gave the Torah to Bnei Yisrael, the Malachim(angerls) complained, "Who is man that you consider him?" they said to Hashem indignantly. "Is he not a material creature? Does he not have an evil nature? How can you give the Torah, which is holy and heavenly to such a mundane being? Surely we celestial creatures deserve it more. Confer Your glory upon the Heavens!"   

Moshe Rabeinu answered, "The Torah commands, "Thou shalt honor your mother and father." Do you have parents? It further states...Who took you out of the land of Egypt.' Were you delivered from Egypt?" He continued to ask them questions showing them that the Torah was clearly meant for man. Similarly, the mystic aspects of the Torah, the Kabbalah, which are 'sewn' and concealed within it, its jewels, are an inseparable part of the Torah and they, too, are meant for man alone.(Mashalim Shel Ha Ben Ish Hai, 167-171, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! .

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com )

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 79(How Many Birds Were There)

Holy Jews:     

"Ten birds roosted upon our roof", the father said to his clever son. "Along came four hunters and each shot one. How many birds were left on the roof?" Four replied the boy.   

"Why do you say that?" asked the father. "Don't you know your arithmetic? If four were killed, six were left!"   

The boy calmly explained, "When the hunters fired their rifles," he said, "they must have made a loud noise, frightening away the other birds. Thus, only the four dead who will no longer be frightened by any noise in the world remained. We can sell the birds and use the money!"   

 "How right you are, my son," beamed the father. "You are a clever lad."   

A person, with his limited vision, tends to think that the money he gives away to Tzedaka(charity) is gone, lost forever -- "dead", while the money he still owns is all his. It is "live" money, to do what he pleases. The father hinted to his son that the six birds on the roof were alive and his to enjoy, while the clever boy pointed out that the live birds could fly away and were not necessarily theirs to keep. The only ones they could be sure of were the four dead birds, which would never fly away!   

This is exactly how it is with money. The money a person thinks he possesses can easily leave him and go to another person while the money a person gives to charity is his eternally; for the reward of that good deed is set aside for him in the World to Come.   

"If you lend money to My people, to the poor man in your midst..."(Shemot 22:24)  -- If you lend money and give charity to the poor, that money will remain 'in your midst', that is in your possession forever! Such money cannot fly away to any other person for it is yours eternally and will accompany you to the World to Come.(Mashalim Shel Ha Ben Ish Hai, 13-14, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 78(Parents: A tool against the Yetzer Hara)

Holy Jews:     

Parents should foster in their children a spirit of reverence and awe for Hashem. The Ohr HaChayim Hakadosh (Comm. on Devarim 31:13) writes:   

A child must be trained to fear Hashem at the earliest possible age. Even if he is too young to begin formal Torah learning, he should be trained in the fear of Heaven, because then he will remain G-d fearing for the rest of his life.   

Elsewhere the Ohr HaChayim Hakadosh (Comm. to Vayikra 19:3) writes:   

Holy men have told me that when a person is overwhelmed by impure thoughts and his Yetzer Hara threatens to entice him to do an avaira, there is one powerful preventive device. One should project a mental image of one's parents; when one sees them before him, the forces of Kedusha are reinforced within him and he will find within himself the strength to overcome temptation. Thus, Potiphar's wife nearly succeeded in seducing Yoseph HaTzaddik until the image of his father Yaakov Avinu appeared before Yoseph, and helped him overcome his passion.   

This explains the order of the Pesukim of the Torah. First the Torah commands: Kedoshim Teheyu Be Holy! and immediately afterward it commands: Every man of you shall fear his mother and father, as if to say, "If you wish to safeguard yourself from temptation, fear your parents and picture them standing before you"(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Hagdama, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! .

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 77(Friends)

Holy Jews:     

How do you go about acquiring a friend? The word Chaver, friend, has the same root as the word chibur, connection. The Gemara tells us that "birds of a feather flock together"(Chullin 65a) When we want to know whether a newly discovered type of bird may be kosher or not, we have a clue by which birds it keeps company with. Similarly, people who feel comfortable in each other's presence tend to become friends.   

If people sense you have the same values and the same interests as they do, they will like you more. This applies primarily to essential beliefs, but also to externals to a certain degree. People feel more comfortable if you have the same customs as they do.   

If we want to be accepted by certain people, we need to show that we are similar to them -- whether it is by ascribing to certain beliefs or by dressing in a certain style. This makes people more comfortable and causes them to open up and relax. Of course, such behavior should only be adopted if it is in line with Torah values. When we see how similar we are to each and every loyal Jew, we will feel more comfortable around them and befriend them.   

"A person should not be awake among those who are sleeping, nor should he be asleep among those who are awake. He should not cry among those who are laughing, nor laugh among those who are crying. He should not stand among those who are sitting, nor sit among those who are standing...This rule is, a person should not be different from other people."(Derech Eretz Zuta, Perek Hey)   

Be the same as others. Mingle with them so that they will feel comfortable around you. To become friends with someone, you need to adopt his way of doing things to a certain degree.   

Friends are tuned into each other's wave-length. If you want someone to be your friend, recognize his values and belief system and respect them. We learn in Mishei "Walking with the Sages will make you wise"(Mishlei 13:20) Similarly, walking with someone (in a figurative sense) will develop a friendship. Walking together develops a rapport, a meeting of the minds.(Sefer Kne Lecha Chaver, Perek Alef, Targum Press)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 


(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 76(Walking A Mile In Your Friend's Shoes)

Holy Jews:     

Do not judge your friend until you have reached his place(Pirke Avot 2:5)   

It is easier to notice other people's faults than our own. We tend to have a blind spot to our own mistakes, yet we know that we are not born fully developed. It takes a lot of experience and practice to become an expert at anything. We should be equally understanding of other people's flaws.   

Sometimes we want to motivate people to improve themselves. Our automatic reflex may be to admonish or scold sharply, but we must realize that this not a very successful method of bringing about change. Put yourself in the other person's shoes and imagine how you would want to be told about a flaw that you have.   

Our Father in Heaven, the Creator of the universe, teaches us that in situations where we must criticize someone, it is essential to begin with praise. When Hashem criticized Shaul, He praised him first.(Shmuel II, 21:1, Yevamot 78b)   

It is always easier to listen to unpleasant words after hearing about our good points. This follows the concept that the best method of communication is through love. Focus on loving the person and you will be able to view and discuss his faults in a positive vein.   

If you compliment someone, you will get his attention. It is important, however, to mean what you say. If the listener suspects that the praise is insincere and merely a lead-in to criticism, your words will fall on deaf ears.   

Put yourself in the other person's position and think how the criticism will sound to him. Stress your words of praise and then switch subtly to the need for minor improvement to be worthy of more praise. In this way, the criticism is low-key and indirect, and your friendship is intact.(Sefer Kne Lecha Chaver, Perek Tet Zayin, Targum Press)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 75(Trust in Hashem)

Holy Jews:     

Concerning one's physical health, one should accustom himself to trust in Hashem. One should endeavor to keep himself healthy, and use natural methods to reduce sickness as the Torah prescribes, saying, "He should surely heal himself"(Shemot 21:19) One should not believe that the cause of his well-being or illness is independent from Hashem. Instead, a person should understand that everything is in Hashem's hands, and he should believe that the cure which Hashem will send him can be natural, above and/or beyond natural law, as the pasuk says, "He sends His word and heals them"(Tehillim 107:20)(Chovot HaLevavot)   

The proper attitude of trust is when man's faith is embedded and crystal clear in his heart that all natural forces and human efforts are simply vehicles of Divine supervision. This is done on a very individual basis, dependent upon age and circumstances.   

According to His will, there transpires what we call the law of cause and effect (i.e. an aspirin lowers fever). So, too, these "cures" can deviate from their natural pathways and reappear as He sees fit.   

All the laws of cause and effect are subordinate to Hashem's desire and will, and according to His command and His will, they may even react in a way which is the opposite of their nature.(Rabeinu Avraham ben HaRambam)   

Someone who trusts solely in doctors and their medications when he is sick, is on the level of an atheist, be it overt or covert. For instance, when you see someone professing belief in Hashem with his lips, saying, "Hashem is the One Who gives a livelihood and impoverishes, brings into life and causes death, smites and heals," yet secretly he trusts in his accumulated wealth and the success of his entrepreneurship, and when he is sick he secretly trusts in the medications the doctor prescribes -- this type of person is a wicked person, as the pasuk says, "The wicked man...thinks: There is no G-d"(Tehillim)   

Such people are dependent on transient means and false hopes, the very epitome of what the niviyim and tzaddikim abhor. This is what David HaMelech said of them: "I despise those who long for transient and passing things, but as for me, unto G-d do I trust."(Tehillim 31:7) They are close to being atheists, the only difference being that their lack of belief is shrouded, invisible to the public eye.   

This is the point on which Iyov exonerated himself (31:24) saying, "If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, You are my trust." The Navi likewise said, "Cursed is the person who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from Hashem."(Yirmeyahu 17:5)(Rabeinu Avraham ben HaRambam)(Sefer Mitzvot HaBitachon, R' Houminer, Perek Hey, Feldheim)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 74(Be Yourself)

Holy Jews:     

Every person is obligated to say, "Because of me, Hashem created the world."(Mesechet Sanhedrin Daf Lamed Zayin Amud Alef)   

What a stunning declaration! Do we truly understand this message, accept who we are, and recognize that we have the power to reach our goals?    Are you happy in life? Do you feel comfortable with who you are or do you find yourself trying to conform to others and forcing yourself into a pattern that is not for you? Study your own personality and develop your individuality.   

Pirke Avot (Perek Alef Mishnah Yud Daled) tells us "If I am not for myself who will be for me?"   

It is said that the biggest mistake people make when applying for a job is not being themselves. Be yourself. There is no one exactly like you. Each of your experiences in life are uniquely yours. Hashem placed you in a certain family and a particular environment to enable you to become the best you.   

This concept can be applied as well to other people. Your spouse, children, friends, and co-workers are also unique people with unique personalities. Encourage every person to develop his maximum potential and not to imitate others.    

The Great Shlomo HaMelech teaches "Chanoch Lanar Al Pi Darko" "Educate the child according to his way" (Mishlei 22:6) With our children we have to be particularly careful to encourage individuality. Each child is his own person and must be taught this.   

Be yourself -- and don't impose your will on others. Allow them to be themselves, too.(Sefer Kne Lecha Chaver, Perek Yud Chet, 77-78, Targum Press)    

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 73(Forgive and Forget)

Holy Jews:     

When one person wants to do something different to another person's opinion, he should not force him to accept. But each one should give his reason, and then they can see which is more acceptable. Sometimes both opinions can be usefully applied.   

There are sharp-minded people who, when somebody says or does something to them, think deeply into his intentions, and "discover" his evil thoughts which he has hidden under the surface of plain words, in order to annoy them. If he follows the Torah way of "Judge to the merit" he will not cause himself unnecessary aggravation.   

Most people have difficult stages in life through which they must pass, together with others. No two minds think alike and there are inevitably differences in opinion. It is therefore vital for every person for the benefit of his everyday social life, before marriage, even more so after marriage, and although they have acted in the opposite manner a long time, to learn these two important characteristics (middot) - to forgive, and to wish to live in peace and harmony.   

At times he should pretend not to hear words or see things, which could cause argument. At other times he should think to himself,  "So what if he said, he has not harmed me at all, if I do not constantly think about his words and take no notice of them, they will not upset me." However when two have an argument, and one in his anger in order to belittle the other, says the first thing which comes to his tongue, whether true or partly true, and it hurts the other very much. The insulted one in all his free time thinks over these words again and again, as though they were premeditated and imagines that the other person was just waiting for an opportunity to insult him and put him to shame. How much unnecessary pain this "super-clever" person causes himself by not going in the Torah way of forgiving and then forgetting!   

One, who is really clever, hastens to forgive, for the true measure of a person's wisdom, is in how much he avoids quarrels, and if caught up in one, how much he minimizes it, is quick to forgive and end it, and acquire friendly feelings towards the other one.   

One, who considers himself superior to another because of his extra knowledge, loses out for he lowers his honor, both in the eyes of the other person and the general public because of his pride. Furthermore, numbers of times the other has more common sense and straightforward reasoning than himself, as can be observed by the fact that about half the times they argue the other one is right, and many times he is only right because of his superior general knowledge.   

These situations apply especially between husband and wife, where their continuous daily connection reduces the respect and appreciation each one deserves, for their part in guiding the family affairs. Their shortcomings are easily noticed and one is quick to criticize. When another person does only a little good they are very grateful, but when a husband and wife do much more for each other and with much more effort, it is taken for granted and not even appreciated with a simple thank you.   

Clever people understand that peace and unity can usually only be achieved through a compromise, when there is give and take, on both sides. Regrettably a large number of divorces are due, to each side wanting to take but not give, for each one sees his own good points clearly and minimizes his weak ones, while enlarging on the other's weak points, but ignoring the good ones.   

But he who learns the Torah art of forgiving and desiring to live in peace, goes about in his daily life without the oppressive weights of quarrel, depression and anger, and lives a happier life.(Joy and Trust, Rabbi A. Chersky, 27-30, London 5767)   The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 72(All For The Good)

Holy Jews:     

Every person is created with his own specialized set of characteristics and placed in the family and environment which is best suited for his particular spiritual development. An important purpose in his life is to acknowledge Hashem's kindly guidance in all his affairs, even in his problems and difficulties, all of which He brings and intends, for his ultimate benefit. So he should thank Hashem for them, even before he sees their outcome. Then however low he has fallen he will not despair, although he had estranged himself from Him. His return now could bring him well within reach of his personalized life target, which nobody else in the world can achieve besides him and for which He eagerly awaits.   

The main points of Teshuva are: - regret for the past, and a firm undertaking not to repeat it in the future. The pains the penitent one (Baal Teshuva) suffers, by restraining himself from repeating his former sins, are very precious in Hashem's eyes, and He counts every moment of them, in order to reward him fittingly. As Chazal say, if a person could have committed a sin but withheld himself, it is considered as though he performed a Mitzvah. Likewise, He has pleasure from a person when he does Mitzvot, and He receives much joy and gladness from everything he does, large or small, especially if he does it with the intention of giving Him this joy and gladness. Chazal say, "If you did bundles of sins now do the opposite and do bundles of Mitzvot." Namely, he should make more effort to give Hashem pleasure, even looking for opportunities to do Mitzvot, to make up for the pain he caused Him.   

HaRambam writes,  "He should turn himself and his thoughts to words of Torah, and broaden his mind with wisdom, for evil thoughts only grow strong in a heart which is empty of wisdom." Thinking of words of wisdom, gives the heart continuous pleasure.   

The Sepharim HaKedoshim write that it is impossible to think two thoughts at the same moment. So the advice on how to remove evil or sinful thoughts is, to think a different thought, i.e. to remove his mind from what he is thinking, and occupy his mind with something else, especially with words of Torah. In fact, one can divert his mind with even a slight thought transfer, such as looking at his hand then turning it round to look at it on the other side.   

He should offer many prayers for help not to pain Hashem, and that he should be diligent and successful in his Torah study, as we say in our Tefillot, " and lighten our eyes in Your Torah" "may He open our heart in His Torah" It is known that numbers of great Rabbis found it very hard to learn at first, but through davening accompanied by tears to Hashem, they attained a strong desire to learn and with continuous study they became Gedolai Yisrael. Both males and females can learn Torah and listen to shiurim. They can tell others interesting points that they learned thereby spreading Torah in a pleasant, easy manner.(Joy and Trust, Rabbi, A. Chersky, London 5767)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 71(The Jewish Woman)

Holy Jews:     

Torah concepts are not those of the outside world. If we allow ourselves to be influenced by non-Jewish literature and worse, we absorb foreign beliefs and thought patterns which pollute us. We may be so brainwashed that we never dream of stepping back to evaluate these dubious truisms and their grip on our minds, our souls and our very lives. We have opened the door to Bilam and his cohorts, and they wouldn't dream of leaving.   

We need to rethink our attitude towards evil and its purveyors, no matter how attractively garbed they may be. After the incident of Bilam's intrigues, Hashem commanded the Jewish people (Bamidbar 25:17-18) "Hate the Midyanites and strike them, for they hated you with their schemes." The Jews would later be commanded to do battle with the Midyanites as an act of vengeance (Bamidbar 31:2) was that not enough to settle the score? Why were they commanded here to "hate the Midyanites"?   

The Ohr HaChayim Hakadosh explains these unusual instructions in his commentary on Bamidbar. There were Jews who had fallen into the trap laid by Bilam, and they were punished for their sins. There were others, however, who had not gone that far, they had not been bold enough to commit an actual sin. But they had looked on with great interest while their brethren did sin, perhaps suppressing a wistful sigh as they watched. Of course they wouldn't do it themselves, but it sure did look like fun...   

This attitude is poison. Envy and admiration for sinners and sin -- both those who promote it and those who succumb -- and the secret longing for forbidden thrills are toxic. They are a powerful poison which eats its way into our bones and our very being, if we allow it in. It keeps us from repenting our shortcomings, and if we do not repent, we cannot be forgiven.   

Our only solution is to purge our systems of the poison. The way to do so is by letting go of our infatuation with sinners and instigators and learning to hate them.   

The non-Jewish girls dispatched by Bilam had won the Jewish men over through pretended good will and affection. "Why do you hate us?" they asked, "You're just like family. Why can't we be friends?" The ruse may have been transparent, but it was appealing, and it worked. Our temptations are no different, even if they are differently clothed. We watch the decadence of the non-Jewish world, and we feel a twinge. Might it be that our own lives are drab by comparison? We see the glitter on the surface and don't bother to investigate the rot beneath it.   

Admiration for non-Jewish lifestyles plants a poisonous seed, nourished with frequent doses of audio-visual entertainment and literature. In the worst cases, the seed blossoms into a craving for assimilation, and a family is destroyed.   

How can we protect ourselves from these evil influences? The answer lies with our Jewish women. The essence of a Jewish home is the woman at its center. It is up to every woman to make her home a fitting place for the Shechinah.(Rachel's Tent, Chacham Yaakov Hillel, 26-28, Ahavat Shalom Publications)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 70(The Angry Man)

Holy Jews:     

The masters of Mussar teach that the angry person suffers from a sense of inferiority. HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Wolbe zl makes the following observation (Alei Shor Volume 1, p 42):    One who craves attention from others has not yet found himself; he is unaware of his true worth. Lacking self-esteem, he depends on the opinion of others. He hungers for their praise, for without their appreciation he feels worthless. When people fail to applaud him he becomes helpless, and therefore, hostile and angry.    Thus, the angry man cannot be a humble man. His anger demonstrates his resentment that the events of life have failed to conform with his expectations. His pride is wounded, and he seeks to compensate his esteem by putting his personal wants and opinions before others. His anger thus leads him to an ultimate display of arrogance.    In distancing himself from this anger and resentment, the serene man subdues arrogance, and in time, is led towards true humility. In this he seeks to strive for perfect equilibrium: Ultimately it makes no difference to the humble man whether he is praised or insulted by others. His self-esteem comes solely from within himself.(Sefer Chovot HaLevavot 5:5)(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Hey, 39-40, Artscroll)    

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 
 
(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 69(People)

Holy Jews:     

HaGaon HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, know as the "Alter of Slabodka" (1849-1928) constantly emphasized that all men are precious, for they are made in the image of G-d. When one showers others with kindness and respect, he thus also honors G-d Himself. The first resolution recorded in the Alter's spiritual diary was "to try to be extremely careful of my fellow man's honor, with patience, with a soft answer, never to get excited...to find ways daily -- at the very least weekly -- of benefiting my friends."    After concluding an address to a gathering of on the East Side, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Feinstein ZTL quickly made his way toward the exit. As he neared the door, the chairman of the gathering introduced the next speaker -- a respected rav of the East Side congregation. Rav Moshe stopped at the door, turned back, and retook his seat for the duration of the rav's address. He feared that some might misinterpret his exit as a lack of regard for the rav, certainly not his intention.    Someone who assisted Rav Moshe for a number of years once asked him, "Why does the Rosh Yeshiva permit phone calls to disturb his learning during the day -- would it not be more practical to accept calls at specific hours only?"    Rav Moshe replied, "There is a trace of arrogance in telling someone that I cannot be disturbed and he must call me back at my convenience. That is not for me."    After concluding a meeting, Rav Moshe and Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky stood in discussion with one another for a moment before entering a waiting car. As they took their seats, R' Yaakov chose to sit next to the driver while Rav Moshe seated himself in the back. After Rav Moshe alighted from the car, Rav Yaakov explained to the driver the reason for the delay: "We were discussing who would be getting off first. That person, we decided, should sit in the back. Were he to sit in the front, you would be left alone there when he left the car, with your remaining passenger in the back. It would have looked as if you were nothing more than a chauffeur."(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Yud Bet, 59-61, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! .

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 68(Captains and Passengers)

Holy Jews:     

The Holy Chafetz Chayim attested that he learned to appreciate the value of Torah from HaGaon HaRav Yisrael Salanter. He once spent a night in a Vilna hotel sleeping in a room adjoining one occupied by Rav Yisrael. Late at night, he put his ear to the wall, and was awed by the sound of Rav Yisrael learning and repeating the Mishnah in Avot (1:13): "He who fails to study Torah forfeits his right to life." The frightful but hushed tones he heard that night left an indelible impression upon him.    The Chafetz Chayim writes: "If we were told that archaeologists had just discovered a book written by the Angel Gabriel, how would we yearn to read it. Yet here we have before us a book written by Hashem HImself and we overlook it!    The Chafetz Chayim would also say: "Words of Torah are like precious gems; idle words are like dirt: One who interrupts his Torah study to engage in idle chatter is like the king who mixes dirt into the diamonds of the treasury."    HaGaon Harav Elchanan Wasserman was once asked: "Why must the Jews study Torah ceaselessly and practice Mitzvot constantly, while gentiles need keep only seven Noachide laws?" He answered with the following illustration:    The world can be compared to a luxury ocean liner. The moment the passengers come on board the crew hovers over them and offers them comforts and amenities. As the steward accompanies the guests to their staterooms, he makes one minor request: "Please take just a few moments to read this card which outlines the ship's general rules and emergency procedures. Then relax and have a carefree voyage." At the same time, the captain boards the ship, lugging a heavy briefcase bulging with maps, charts, and navigational equipment. Unceremoniously, the captain stations himself at the helm of the ship. He holds firm to the steering system with a grip that never loosens. Ever alert, the captain's eyes study the maps, and gaze out to sea to spot danger. Through stressful days and sleepless nights the captain's vigil continues. Finally, he brings the ship safely into port.    Thus, during the voyage the passengers are pampered while the captain is pressured. But when they arrive at their destination the passengers merely depart, whereas the captain receives praise, reward and recognition.    Similarly, explained HaGaon Rav Elchanan, the earth is a ship journeying through the sea of history. The nations of the world are passengers -- while the people of Israel are captains. Thus, the Jews must diligently study the sea chart, their Torah, and use the navigational instruments, their Mitzvot. Only then can they steer the world on a course towards its final Messianic destination. Only then, when they journey ends, will Israel, the captain of the ship, receive her appropriate recognition and reward.(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Chav Daled, 95-97, Artscroll)  

 REMINDER! Today is Tuesday of the week of Parashat Beshalach, it is a custom to read Parashat Ha'maan(Shenayim Mikre Vechad Targum)(Twice reading and once with commentary) (Parashat Hamaan can be found in Parashat Beshalach Chapter 16 verses 4-36) This is a great segula for much amazing Parnasa. This Segula is brought down from Reb Menachem Mendel of Rominov, a disciple of Reb Elimelech of Lizensk. We should all be blessed with a year filled with amazing success and Parnasa AMEN. 

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!
 
(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 67(Rediscovery)

Holy Jews:    

  The Holy Rabbeinu Yona of Gerondi wrote a classic text on the subject of repentance entitled: Shaarei Teshuva, "The Gates of Repentance" He begins his work quoting a parable of the man who neglects to seize the opportunity of Teshuva:    In the Midrash (Kohellet Rabbah 7:15) Chazal, compared his situation to that of a band of thieves. Having been captured and imprisoned by the king, together they dug a tunnel through which to escape the dungeon. All escaped but one gang member, who was afraid of the unknown path which lay before him. When the jail warden discovered the breach and saw the man who stayed behind, he began to strike him with his rod, exclaiming "Miserable soul! Don't you see the breach opened wide in front of you -- why did you not seize the opportunity to save yourself as well? (Shaarei Teshuva I:2)    The Great Holy Amazing Rav Saadyah Gaon taught his disciples to examine their ways every day even if they felt certain that they had not sinned. Rav Saadyah himself adopted this practice after the following incident:    Once Rav Saadyah lodged with an innkeeper who was ignorant of his illustrious guest's true identity. He put the Rav in a simple room and served him as he would his regular guests. When word escaped that the leader of the generation was passing through the town, all the townsfolk flocked to the inn to glimpse Rav Saadyah. The innkeeper finally realized who is illustrious guest was, and approached the Rav, with tears streaming down his cheeks. "Rebbi, Please forgive me!"    "Forgive you? What have you done wrong? You treated me very well". came the response.    "Rebbi! I didn't know who you were! Believe me, had I known that the great Rav Saadyah Gaon was staying under my roof I would have treated you like royalty!"    Upon hearing these sincere words, Rav Saadyah himself burst into tears. He explained, "From your words I perceived for myself the extent of our obligation towards our King, Hashem. Previously, I felt I served Hashem well, but now I realize that I am lacking. For just as your service of me changes as you more clearly perceive my identity, so it is with my service of Hashem. With each passing day I discover new levels of Hashem's kindness towards me. I realize that whatever respect and service I offered Hashem yesterday was woefully insufficient, for had I known then what I know about Hashem now, I would have served him with even greater devotion and intensity. Life is indeed a constant cycle of rediscovery in which man sheds the relative ignorance of the past!"(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Chav Vav, 102-103, Artscroll)  

 REMINDER! Tommorow is Tuesday of the week of Parashat Beshalach, it is a custom to read Parashat Ha'maan(Shenayim Mikre Vechad Targum)(Twice reading and once with commentary) (Parashat Hamaan can be found in Parashat Beshalach Chapter 16 verses 4-36) This is a great segula for much amazing Parnasa. This Segula is brought down from Reb Menachem Mendel of Rominov, a disciple of Reb Elimelech of Lizensk. We should all be blessed with a year filled with amazing success and Parnasa AMEN. 

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 66(Genuine Anava)

Holy Jews:     

 Genuine Humility is synonymous with fear of G-d -- such fear is essentially nothing other than a sense of surrender to the Almighty. The arrogant man harbors illusions of self-sufficiency and independent power. The truly humble person, however, recognizes that G-d is his only real source of strength. He surrenders his independent self to G-d, and seeks to merge his will with that of his Creator's.    Chovot HaLevavot(Shaar Ahavat Hashem 2, Perek Vav) relates that a pious man was once found sleeping in the wilderness. He was asked: "What caused you to remain calm, and to endure the dread of lions and other wild beasts?" The pious man replied: "I stand wholly before the Almighty G-d in whose presence I am fearful to fear anything other than He Himself."    The Yerushalmi(Jerusalem Talmud) Shabbat(1:3) demonstrates the interrelationship between humility and fear of G-d. Rav Yitzchak Ben Elazar taught:    The quality which wisdom considers to be its crowning glory {i.e. its most significant achievement} humility considers to be no more than the heel of his shoe [i.e. an incidental accomplishment]. Of wisdom it says "Reishit Chachma Yirat Hashem-The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Hashem"(Tehillim 111:10) [ i.e. one cannot begin to comprehend Divine wisdom without actively striving for fear of Heaven] But in reference to humility it says Ekev Anava Yirat Hashem-On the heels of Humility comes the fear of G-d(Mishlei 22:4) [i.e . through humility, one is naturally filled with reverence and awe of the Almighty].    In light of this, Cheshbono Shel Olam (p 22) observes that the scholar who amasses knowledge but has no fear of his Creator is similar to an emperor who struts about with a magnificent crown on his head while he yet remains barefoot.    HaGaon HaRav Yechezkel Levenstein in Koveitz Sichot pp 48-51 warns that Anava should never be confused with timidity. The timid person, who indiscriminately seeks to please, acts out of weakness rather than from strength. Like the angry man, one who is servile is more than likely insecure: his actions stem less from an awareness of Hashem than from a deep mistrust of himself.    The genuinely humble spirit, however, is an exalted one. His feeling of security allows him to understand that alone and without G-d, his existence is insignificant. As he draws close to his Creator, his heart overflows with quiet bliss.(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Zayin, 44-46, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem Loves you! 

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 65(Out of this World)

Holy Jews:  

 Today's Daily Inspiration has been dedicated anonymously for the Hatzlacha of all of Klal Yisrael who are having trouble making a Parnasa, Hashem should bless you all with Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah, and shower you with much Parnasa. Amen!  

 The Holy Awesome Maharal M'Prague in Nesivot Olam, Bitachon, Perek Alef demonstrates how a person can live in Olam Haba while dwelling in this world. The key, he writes is intense faith:    The Navi(prophet) cried out to Israel: Place your trust in Hashem forever and ever, for Hashem is the sheltering Rock of both worlds!(Isaiah 26:4) The Gemara in Menachot Dat Chav Tet Amud Bet derives from this pasuk(verse): The person who places his complete trust in Hashem Yitbarach will merit G-d as his Protection both in this world and the in the World to Come.    This means that even if one was originally destined to suffer in this world, the decree only remains as long as the person perceives himself to be under the control of physical forces. The G-d-fearing person, however, sees that the forces of nature are lifeless tools in the hands of the Creator who controls everything. This Bitachon literally lifts the man of faith "out of this world"; he enters an entirely new sphere of existence, not unlike the World to Come. This G-d-fearing person appears to be no different than the masses of humanity, yet in reality he is entirely separated from them: He is surrounded by an other-wordly glow which shields him from the vicissitudes of mundane life.    This is what David HaMelech meant when he sang: You are shelter for me. From distress You preserve me. With glad song of rescue You envelope me, Selah!...Many are the agonies of the wicked -- but he who trust in Hashem, kindness surrounds him.(Tehillim 32:7,10)(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Yud Gimmel, 64, Artscroll)  

 The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! Shabat Shalom!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 64(The Price)

Holy Jews:    

  Anger is not only an individual character trait -- it is a barometer of personality as well. A wise man advised: "Before you take someone as your friend, observe him when he is angered. His conduct under pressure will tell you volumes about his true nature."(Eruvin 65b, Orchot Tzaddikim Perek Yud Bet)    When a person consistently loses his temper, he loses his rational sense as well. The very basis of his relationship with Hashem can become endangered, for there is nothing to restrain him. Thus, the Gemara Shabbat Daf 103b states: "The man who loses himself to anger is considered to have worshiped idols."    When a person becomes unrestricted, he approaches idolatry.    Unable to think clearly, the man who is lost in fury loses prospective. The crooked path appears straight; the forbidden seems permissible. Insults, quarreling, and slander are no longer distant from him. Although an otherwise sensitive man, the angered person may in his fury come to even humiliate others publicly. When no longer guided by reason, even the most unspeakable acts can come within reach.(Chafetz Chayim, Chovat Hashmirah, p Chav Daled)    Elijah the Navi said: "If you never come to anger, you will never come to sin"(Mesechet Brachot Daf Chav Tet Amud Alef)    The Gemara in Pesachim Daf 66b stresses the consequences of falling prey to wrath: "Whoever loses his temper -- if he is a scholar, he will lose his wisdom, if a prophet, he will lose his holy spirit." Indeed the Gemara warns than a man's unbridled fury can potentially destroy his life.(Pesachim Daf 113b)    Sefer Chassidim (655) illustrates how one man who controlled his anger saved himself from destroying his family!    Once there was a son who extraordinarily respectful to his father. On his deathbed the father said "My son, you honored me in my lifetime and now you must honor me after my death I command you -- if you should ever be overcome by anger, hold your anger overnight." After his father's death, the son was forced to embark on a prolonged journey which took him to distant lands for tens of years. Unbeknownst to him, the wife he left behind was expecting his child. After his years of absence, the husband returned home unannounced, hoping to joyously surprise his wife. But as he approached his bed-chamber he saw his wife embracing a handsome young man, a stranger. The husband became fiercely jealous and reached for his dagger -- when he suddenly remembered the pledge he made to his father. He must hold his rage overnight. The next day he was shocked to discover that the young man in his wife's embrace was none other than his own son, the child that his wife had borne during his long absence. The man was thus saved from tragically slaughtering his own family!!!!!!(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Perek Gimmel, 33-34, Artscroll)  

 The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 
Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 63(Chill Out)

Holy Jews:  

The Torah in this email should be leulai nishmat Harav Refael Shmuel Berenbaum Zecher Tzadik Vkadosh Lbracha his Neshama should reach the highest levels in Olam Haba, and he should be a zechut for all of us! AMEN

      A soft answer turns away wrath, but a distressing word stirs up anger.(Proverbs 15:1)    The Malbim comments that the term Chema(wrath), connotes intense inner fury -- a deep anger which is concealed from others, Af(Anger) however, implies a more superficial rage which is quickly expressed and dissipated. While one provocative remark can kindle anger, even the most intense fury can be soothed by a gentle word.    Even when one cannot help another tangibly, gentle words can still ease pain. The Holy Chafetz Chayim advises: If you are approached for a charitable donation or a loan and are unable to help, take care not to show displeasure to the person who has come to you. Rather, by responding to him in a soft and gentle tone, your words may be able to soothe, even if your deeds cannot.(Ahavat Chessed, Part III, Perek Chav Gimmel)    Do not be hastily upset, for anger lingers in the bosom of fools(Kohelet 7:9)    One cannot conquer anger without wisdom. Wise men throughout the ages have offered practical techniques to maintain self-control. Reishit Chachma, Shaar Ha'Anavah Perek Gimmel advises Set aside a sum of money that you will give away if you allow yourself to be angered. Be sure that the amount you designate is sufficient to force you to think twice before you lose your temper.    If someone has enraged you, try to avoid looking him in the eye while your anger is intense.(Reishit Chachma Shaar Ha'Anavah Perek Hey) In this way, you will more easily control your rage.    It is a man's good sense to be slow to anger, and his glory to pass over a transgression(Proverbs 19:11)    Rav Menachem Meiri relates the following story:    There was once a righteous king who had but on major fault; he was angered very easily To overcome this tendency he wrote three lines on a sheet of paper and appointed one of his servants to show it to him whenever he started to grow angry. The first line read: "Always remember that you are merely a creature, and you yourself are not the Creator." The second line read:"Always remember that you are flesh and blood and will eventually perish." The final line read: "Always remember that there will be mercy for you in the future only if you have mercy on others"(Sefer HaMiddot, p 239)(Ingeret HaRamban, R Feuer, Perek Bet, p 30-31, Artscroll)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 62(Honesty)

Holy Jews:     

 The Shaloh Hakadosh advises parents that if they wish to leave an indelible imprint on their children, they should place utmost importance on the quality of honesty. The child who is trained to adopt his parent's code of honor can be trusted to act properly under all circumstances, long after his parents are gone.    The Shaloh Hakadosh relates that when he lived in Yerushalayim he knew a very pious Sephardic Jew who wouldn't deviate from the truth for anything in the world. This Sephardic Chassid explained to the Shaloh that his scupulous honesty was his father's legacy. When he was a small child his father would shower him with gifts if he would confess his mischievous deeds and admit to the truth. On the the other hand his father would punish him severely for telling a lie. The little boy never forgot the lessons.(Ingeret HaRamban, R' Feuer, Hagdama, 24-25. Artscroll)    On Rosh Chodesh we all pray to Hashem begging Him for blessing, abundance and success in all our endeavors. One of the ways to ensure that we are blessed with all of these, is to be meticulously honest in all our dealings. Keep in mind one of the questions that we are asked when we come up to Heaven after 120 years is: "Were you honest in business?". By being honest, we are blessed twice, on this world with Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha, and on the next world with Olam Haba. Can there be a greater reward?  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam


Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! Chodesh Tov! 

 
(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 61(Tears)

Holy Jews:     

 It says in Tehillim 39:13 "Hear my prayer G-d, hearken to my call be not deaf to my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a resident, like all my ancestors." R' Eliezer said, "From the day the Beit Hamigdash was destroyed the gates of Tefilla were locked, as it says in Eicha, 'Though I would cry out and call for help, He shuts out my prayer'"    Even though the gates of prayer were locked the gates of tears were not, as it says, "Hear my prayer, G-d, hearken to my call, be not deaf to my tears"(Brachot 32) Rashi and Tosefot agree that it doesn't say "see my tear" We can derive from this that our tears are heeded by G-d and we only need to pray they are accepted as our prayers.    In the Selichot prayers we say,"I have placed my reliance on the Thirteen Attributes and on the gate of tears, for they are never closed. May it be Your will, You Who hears the sound of weeping, that You place our tears in Your flask permanently, and that You rescue us from all cruel decrees, for on You alone are our eyes fixed.(Sefer Mitzvot HaBitachon, R' Shemuel Houminer, Perek Yud Alef, Sif Alef)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam 

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 60(Minyan)

Holy Jews:  

   A wise person arranges his day around the three daily prayers. He will go to sleep on time without whiling away the late hours of the night with meaningless activities, for that will impair the next day's performance.(Kisei David, Derush 18)    One who never fails to daven with a minyan demonstrates the importance of Tefilla. A child who sees his father value his prayers learns to take his own prayers seriously. An adult who scrupulously attends minyan is usually the child of a father who was himself meticulous in this Mitzvah.    Every Jew readily able to visit the House of Hashem must adopt the grateful attitude of David HaMelech. David HaMelech valued the privilege of prayer. "And I, as a result of Your compassion, come to Your house." In his great compassion, Hashem enabled David HaMelech to come. The favor is to the benefit of the worshippers, not to the benefit of Hashem. In the hospitals and old age homes, hundreds of patients are confined to their beds, unable to walk or even move. How much they would pay for the opportunity to daven in a real shul - even for one prayer!    According to the Zohar Hakadosh, davening alone is dangerous(Part 1, p 234) To mitigate the danger when forced to pray alone, one must pray with a broken and contrite heart, always remembering to first praise Hashem.(Devash Levi of the Gaon Chida, Tefilla) He must make an effort to pray with intense concentration, laden with awe and self sacrifice, to propel his prayer heavenward with great force. Because davening in this manner is difficult, it is worth making an effort to join a minyan.(Ruach Chaim on Avot 2:13; Sulam on the Zohar Hakadosh Vayechi 234)    "And Yaakov was very fearful"(Bereshit 32:8) When our forefather Yaakov was seperated from his children, he became terribly afraid. With his children, he had nothing to fear, for their combined prayers formed a multi-strand exaltation of Hashem. But when he prayed alone, his prayers were not as well received.    Yaakov Avinu, the most exalted of the patriarchs, was nervous about his solitary prayer being accepted. How should a Jew of our generation feel, daveing alone while the shul lies around the corner?(Rosh HaGiva)(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 150-151, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha VHatzalacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you! 

 (To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 59(Our Companion)

Holy Jews:    

  A person's prayers are a barometer of his spiritual level. The author of the Charaidim devrives this principle from the verse "Metzaref Lekesef Vekur Lezahav Veish Lefi Mehalelo--the refining pot is for silver and the furnace is for gold, and a man according to his praise."(Mishlei 27:21) Just as silver is improved by forging and gold is enhanced in the kiln, so prayer purifies a person's spirit.(Alei Shor)    Many tend to view prayer as the constant companion of the downtrodden and dishearted. They only invest efforts in their prayers during the periods of debility and depression. But this ignores the true function of prayer. Ideally, prayer should be our constant companion, irrespective of whether we are happy or sad; in high periods as well as low periods. Tefilla should become the mainstay of our existence, for it is the instrument which insures the fulfillment of our ambitions. We can make use of no better tool to reach our goals.    HaGaon HaTzadik HaRav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld was actively involved in overseeing the baking of Matzot for Pesach, to ensure that they were strictly kosher and as tasty as possible. One day of the workers pointed out that another worker was not rolling the dough properly, and thus his Matzot were inordinately thick. He felt that a reprimand was in order.    Rav Yosef Chaim replied that it would be wrong of him to cause anguish to a poor man because he personally wanted exemplary Matzot. "I cannot be a party to that," he exclaimed. "I will daven with all my heart that Hashem should ensure that my Matzot are impeccable. I am confident that Hashem will listen to my prayers."(Towards Meaningful Prayers II, 8-9, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

 Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 58(Birchat Hamazon)

Holy Jews:    

  After we have eaten, we are commanded to bless Hashem our G-d for the good land He has give us.(Devarim 8:10)    Why do we thank Hashem for the land every time we eat? Would we thank a friend for the beautiful furniture in his dining room after he had invited us for a meal?    Consider the following scenario. A man is lost in the desert, far from civilization. He is overcome by hunger and thirst, with no place to shelter from the fierce sun. Suddenly a helicopter appears. It quickly settles on the ground, and the pilot brings out a table, a chair and all types of food and drink. "Look at everything we brought, especially for you," he says. "Enjoy and eat!"    Would expressing thanks for the food be adequate? Think of all the details of this elaborate arrangement--it would be appropriate to thank the pilot for every single one!    Hashem is constantly renewing our existence. Each meal is celebrated by a renewed creation in a renewed environment. It is therefore appropriate to thank Hashem for every single detail--the land and the food.(Hegyonei Mussar III, p 212)    When we say Birchat Hamazon, we not only thank the farmer who plants the wheat, and the one who bakes the bread--we thank all those who are involved in preparing our food: from the wife of the farmer who cooks meals for her husband, enabling him to work; to the grocer, the trucker, the suppliers, and the factory workers. Without all these individuals being sustained by Hashem, the bread would not reach our table.    In essence, Birchat Hamazon is our thanks to the G-d who sustains us.    Before reciting Bichat Hamazon, pause for a moment and think of all the different foods you have eaten during the course of the meal. Someone who eats in a restaurant examines the bill carefully to determine that the charges are correct. It is likewise appropriate for us to itemize the different foods for which we must thank Hashem.(Notrei Amen)    Why are we given food? So we have the opportunity to thank Hashem! In a similar vein, it is because we require Tefilla that Hashem causes rain to be dependent on our prayers.(Tefilla Ve'Lev, Rav Elimelech Bar Shaul)(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 228-229, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam   Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

 (To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 57(Kedusha Through Tefilla)

Holy Jews:    

  Tefilla(Prayer) has been compared to a ladder. (Zohar Hakadosh 1:226b) In Yaakov Avinu's dream he saw a ladder standing on earth, its top so high that it reached the heavens. Angels were ascending and descending the ladder. The Holy Zohar explains that the Malachim's ascent alludes to prayer, and the Malachim's descent refers to Torah study.(Beraishit 28:12) Rung by rung, prayer propels man out of the dreariness and darkness of this world, elevating him toward the light of the Infinite.(Torah Ohr, Vayakhel, p 88a) It is the best way to gain entrance to the House of Hashem.(Lekutai Dibburim)    Although we would have expected the angels to descend the ladder before ascending, in fact, prayer comes first. With our prayers we lift our base, animal soul from the point of little or no consciousness of Hashem to a greater awareness and closeness to Hashem. When the divine soul communicates with Hashem, even the animal soul becomes filled with Kedusha(holiness). Prayer is a means of elevating our materialism to Hashem, and bringing spirituality down to earth.    The body prays to augment our existence, while the Neshama prays to transcend existence. Through prayer the body learns the significance of spirituality, and the soul learns that physical existence is also a means of cleaving to Hashem.(Likutei Amarim Tanya 27)    The people of a certain small town were shocked when their guest the Holy Baal Shem Tov, insisted on praying in the hall adjacent to the shul, and not inside the regular Beit Midrash. He chose to daven there because of a moving incident which has occurred one winter a few years before.    Although the day had been terribly cold--even by Ukrainian standards--the local water carrier had insisted on bringing water to his customers. The freezing weather made the work much slower than usual. After a few hours he was horrified to discover that it was already eleven o'clock in the morning.    "I haven't davening Shacharit yet!!!!" he cried. He raced to the shul, where he began putting on his tefillin in the hall. The temperature was so low, though, that the bayit shel yad stuck to his hand. Unwilling to waste even a moment before davening, the water carrier yanked the bayit loose, injuring himself in the process.    The Holy Baal Shem Tov told the townspeople that the water carrier's devotion had caused a great stir in heaven. It had actually fashioned a new gateway for prayer! The Baal Shem Tov wanted to take advantage of that new approach to heaven, so he decided to pray in the hall, rather than in the shul itself.(Rav Shalom Moskowitz of Shatz, Ohr Ganuz vol 2 p 89)(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 6-8, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam 

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 56(Praise Hashem for ALL)

Holy Jews:    

  Why are Tehillim (Psalms) so powerful? What lies behind their greatness?    The songs of David Hamelech were composed in stressful situations. Yet with every misfortune David Hamelech sang praises to Hashem--words of thanksgiving, words of repentance. He infused his experiences into the holy words of Tehillim and presented them to his people.    Nevuchadnetzar king of Bavel, becoming aware of Hashem's wonders, wanted to sing His praises--songs finer than those of David Hamelech. But an angel struck his mouth, and his songs weren't sung.(Mesechet Sanhedrin, Daf 92) The Rebbe of Kotzk explained that evil Nevuchadnetzar wished to sing while rich and comfortable, king of the known world. David Hamelech sang praises at every misfortune, even in pain. An angel hit Nevuchadnetzar, as if to say, "Now that you are in discomfort--will you still sing praises to Hashem?"(Sefer Lehavot Kodesh quoted in Meorot Daf Yomi Publication, vol 185)    David Hamelech knew that the source of all events, good or bad, is Hashem. In darkest times he would lift his eyes to Heaven and pray to Hashem to save him. Amid his travails David recognized that deliverance was near: "I thank You, for You have afflicted me, and You have been my deliverance."(Metzudah Tehillim, Sfat Emet)    After salvation had arrived David Hamelech sang songs of praise and thanks. "I lift my eyes to the mountains, from where will my salvation come? My salvation comes from Hashem. Who created the heavens and the Earth.(Tehillim 121)    In all history there was none so afflicted like David Hamelech. Despised by his father, who thought him haughty; rejected by his brothers; pursued by his father-in-law, Shaul Hamelech, as well as his own sons--Avshalom sought to kill him, and Adoniyahu tried to ascend his father's throne. David Hamelech constantly ran from one enemy to another, knowing no rest. All seventy years of David's life were filled with troubles and hardships.(Midrash Shocher Tov, Ishei HaTanach)    David Hamelech epitomizes humility, total subordination to the will of Hashem, overcoming all adversaries with wisdom, calm and restraint. When David fled for his life from his son Avshalom, Shimi Ben Gera cursed David, pelting him with stones. David's general Yoav ben Zeruah wanted to kill Shimi for his effrontery. David refused: "Let him be. Let him curse, for Hashem has told him to." (Shmuel II, 16:11) In the face of impudence David is silent. He attributes Shimi's insolence to Hashem's will, and accepting it lovingly.     Through unwavering faith in Hashem, David triumphed over all adversity. The book of Tehillim teaches us to be like David Hamelech, trusting in Hashem completely. "I had faith {even} when I said, "I suffer greatly'"(Tehillim 116)    Yosef Chivan, Rebbe of the Chassid Yaavetz said "If not for sefer Tehillim, we would be unable to praise Hashem properly" The title of a sefer of praises should have been Tehillot. David Hamelech called the collection Tehillim, explains HaGaon Rav Samson Refael Hirsch, to indicate that they are incomplete. It is up to us to take these verses and verbalize them thus converting them to vehicles of praise for Hashem.(Introduction to Rav Hirsch on Tehillim, p 12)(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 249-251, Israel Bookshop) 

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 55(100 Brachot)

Holy Jews:     

 David Hamelech instituted the requirement to say one hundred blessings daily, to stop a plague that was decimating the people. This plague continues to threaten in every generation. It can only be forestalled through carefully maintaining the practice of reciting one hundred brachot every day.(Tur, Orach Chaim, 46)    The hundred brachot protect against the hundred curses in Parashat Ki Tavo. This includes the 98 curses that are explicitly written, as well as the generic, "every illness and every blow"(Rokeach, Brachot 320) Knowing the protective power of blessings should inspire us to recite the blessings with care and devotion.    There is a significant connection between the one hundred sockets that were used in the mishkan and the one hundred blessings that a Jew is required to recite every day. Just as the sockets formed the foundation upon which the Mishkan rested, so the daily one hundred blessings form the foundation upon which the life of a Jew rests.    The word "adan-socket" is similar to the word "adon-master" By reciting one hundred blessings each day, a Jew declares that Hashem is the Master of the enitre universe.(Chidushai Harim, as cited in Maayanah Shel Torah)(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 246-247,Israel Bookshop)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 54(Blessing)

Holy Jews:  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut LRefua Shelaima for one of our Gedolai Hador, Rav Shmuel Birnbaum(Refael Shmuel Ben Gittel) Hashem should bless him to have a quick speedy recovery, so he can continue to be a zechut for all of us AMEN!  

The blessings we say were established by Ezra and his court.(HaRambam, Hilchot Brachot 1, 5) with the Anshei Knesset Hagedola formulating the precise wording.    The first word Baruch should be translated as "source of blessing"    "The blessing with which one blesses the Master of the world, brings blessing to the heavens and earth. He who blesses the Master of the universe is blessed. He who does not bless the master of the universe is not blessed.(Zohar Hakadosh, Vayechi)    According to the Chassidic teaching, the word Baruch literally means, "drawing down." Everything in life-- health, prosperity, joy, wisdom, peace of mind-- needs to be drawn down from its potential, spiritual state into the actuality of our physical existence. Spiritually, it all exists; we are all healthy, wealthy and wise. The problems we experience in life are basically a matter of something wrong in the wiring. We are not connecting, our spiritual and physical selves are having trouble communicating. A blessing makes the connection a reality.    The next word in the blessing is Atah, You. We have the tremendous privilege of calling Hashem "You", as we would when speaking to a person right in front of us. This is a great expression of Hashem's love and mercy toward all creatures.(Avodat Yisrael, Lech Lecha)(Towards Meaningful Prayer, 223-224, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 53(Dont Hold Back)

Holy Jews:    

  Most of us tend to make do with partial reprieves in response to our Tefillot(Prayers). It is unfortunate that people are satisfied with limited results, without pushing for a comprehensive salvation.(Tzidkat Ha'Tzaddik 213)    When we pray, we do the equivalent of grabbing hold, as it were to Hashem. This is why Hashem said to Moshe Rabainu, "Leave me be"(Parashat Shemot 32) This applies to Moshe Rabainu, to the Jewish people as a whole, and to each individual.(Kemotzeh Shalal Rav, Devarim, p 306-397) We must pray with persistence, allowing no possibility of non-compliance. (Temurah 16) We must pray for the maximum-- though always with the postscript, "Only if it is in our best interest."    Chana's prayer is an example of this type of prayer. She requested that Hashem give her the seed of men. Rav Yochanan explains that she was asking for a child equal to two men, to Moshe and Aaron.    Chana was not satisfied with a son who would be a scholar, who would fear G-d, who was righteous and pious. She was not content with a son like Moshe Rabainu who was the instrument for the giving of the Torah. Nor was she content with a son like Aaron who wore the breastplate, entered the Holy of Holies, and in whose merit the Jews were protected by the clouds of glory. She wanted a son who would equal both Moshe and Aaron. She therefore merited giving birth to Shmuel, who was the equivalent of them both.(Hischazkut Be'Tefillah La'Hashem)    Rebbe Nachman was once asked for guidance in choosing the best method to achieve closeness to Hashem. "Study Torah" the Rebbe advised. "I am incapable" the questioner replied. "Then daven" Rebbe Nachman advised. "Through prayer one can accomplish everything. All that is becomes accessible, including Torah, service of Hashem and holiness. Nothing in the universe is withheld.(Hishtapchut Ha'Nefesh 12)(Towards Meaningful Prayer 38-39, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)  

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 52(The First Ten)

Holy Jews:  

The Torah in this email should be Leulai Nishmat the Holy Bnei Yissasschar, whose Yartzait is today!    

  A person should always rise early to go to shul, so that he should merit to be counted among the first ten.(Mesechet Brachot, Daf 47b) Rav Yosef Chayim of Baghdad highlights the significance of being among the first ten to make up a minyan.    Every Mitzvah performed in this world is made known above by an angel who declares, "Let us praise him." Then the souls of Tzaddikim bless the good doer.    As a Minyan forms, the malachim announce the first arrival, and he is blessed. When the second one comes, the malachim announce the second one and the first one. When number three arrives, the angels call out the names of numbers three, two and one. And so the angels continue through all ten men. The angels announce the subsequent participants, followed by the names of the core quorum. The first ten men are blessed repeatedly.(Zohar Hakadosh, Parashat Terumah, p 131)    There was a young man who owned a furniture store in a small community. One morning he noticed smoke rising up between the slats of his parquet floor. He quickly ran to the basement to see what was wrong, and soon had his worst fear realized. A fierce fire was raging in the basement. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to extinguish the fire with a portable extinguisher. By the time he ran upstairs, the fire had already spread to the first floor. The furniture was all aflame. He ran to the phone to call the fire department and then returned to his store, to watch helplessly as it burned to the ground.    The fire department finally arrived, but, alas all they could do was water down the adjacent store to make sure the fire did not spread. His business was gutted. It would be months before he could even dream of opening up again.    A few days after the fire, this young man came to shul and remarked to his friend, "You know, a few days prior to the fire, a fellow came over to me and commented about my late arrival to minyan. 'You come to shul everyday.' he said, 'but why do you always come so late?. You are never there at the beginning of davening."    I replied to him, "What difference does it make when I come? The main thing is that in the end I am there!" Now I realize that the fire department also came in the end-when my store had already been turned into rubble. It was too late. Hashem showed me that coming in the end is not good enough. It is no different than the fire department. It was too late."(Told by Rav P. Krohn)    The first ten to arrive receive a reward equivalent to all those who came afterwards. The Shechina, graces a place where people pray only after there is a minyan in attendance. Therefore, it is only the first ten, who receive credit for "bringing" the Shechina. The initial reward for those first ten who get the credit for availing the others of the opportunity to have the Shechina present, is equal to what everyone else receives for praying in the presence of the Shechina.(Towards Meaningful Prayer 142-144, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)  

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 51(Tehillim)

Holy Jews:     

The Midrash cites various parallels between the five books of Moshe and the five books of Tehillim. The Torah ends with Ashrecha Yisrael and Tehillim begins with Ashrei Ha'Ish. King David picks up where Moshe Rabbainu left off.(Yalkut Tehillim)    An early commentary on Tehillim elaborates on similarities. There is no chronological order in either Torah or Tehillim, there is often no clear connection between one section and another, perhaps to enable the free flow of ideas and the concealment of the Kabbalistic concepts encoded in its holy words.(Mahari Ibn Yachya on Tehillim) In sweeping statements, Shmuel says that the world was created for Moshe Rabbainu, Rav says that the world was created for David Hamelech, and Rav Yochanan says for Mashiach.(Mesechet Sanhedrin Daf 98b) Moshe Rabbainu established our nation, David Hamelech was responsible for our ultimate spiritual development until the evolvement of the end of days.(Rabbi Samson Refael Hirsch, Introduction to Tehillim)    The Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch said that each time a person finishes Tehillim in this world, he is endowed with the ability to understand a new interpretation of Tehillim in Gan Eden.(Mipi Hashmuah)    One of the Chabad Rebbes told of a dream: "As I slept an unfamiliar Rebbe appeared and requested I come with him. We walked at a rapid pace, almost a run, until we arrived at a high mountain. The Rebbe ascended the mountain, but I did not have the strength to follow. The Rebbe advised me to say aloud the Torah which I knew by heart, and this enabled me to follow my guide.    "On the mountain peak was a fortress. Nearby I saw many souls clothed in Shabat finery. The Rebbe explained that these were souls of Jews who said Tehillim on Hoshana Rabbah. They seemed to dance as one dances on Simchat Torah. Suddenly there was a darkness and the sky filled with with stars, I was informed that those are glittering letters of Tehillim."(Sefer Hasichot 1936, p 145)    Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz considered an intimate knowledge of Tehillim so valuable that he personally tested smicha candidates on difficult passages in Tehillim.(Reb Shraga Feivel, p 135)    One day Rav Bezalel found Rav Yechezkel Avramsky sitting in front of a open Gemara, crying as he said Tehillim. Rav Bezalel asked why he was crying. He explained, "I am crying because I want to understand the words of the Holy Rambam. Many times in the past when this happened I took my Tehillim in hand, and then succeeded in understanding the Rambam's concepts."(Sheal Avicha Ve'Yagedcha)    Rabbi Yechezkel Avramsky said Tehillim every day, rising early on Shabat so he could say extra verses. After his release from a Siberian prison he added chapter forty to his routine of daily Tehillim.(Peninei Rabainu Yechezkel)(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 271-273, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 50(Shul Respect)

Holy Jews:     

 Walking into shul should be an experience that prepares a person for communing with his Maker. The laws of respect for a shul promote an atmosphere that engenders a worshipful, meditative mood. An awareness of the shul's distinction and an attitude of awe and respect generate an environment of spirituality.    It is customary for the worshiper entering the shul to recite the pasuk(verse) "How goodly are your tents O' Yaakov, your dwelling places, O' Yisrael."(Parashat Bamidbar 24:5) and then sit for a few moments to meditate. Before leaving the shul, he should again sit and meditate for a short while.    The Gemara in Megilla Daf 28a-28b lists numerous activities that may not be done in a shul, including behaving in a lightheaded manner and spending purposeless time there. HaRambam in Hilchot Tefilla Perek Yud Alef Halacha Vav and the Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim Siman 151 Sif Alef include behaving with inappropriate jocularity and foolishness in this prohibition, as well as engaging in idle coversation. The Sefer Charaidim (9:19) notes that this prohibition is in force even when it is no davening time. He concludes by suggesting that one should learn in this regard from the behavior of the non-Jews, who stay completely silent in their houses of worship.    If non-Jews treat their houses of prayer with respect, certainly we, who stand before the King of Kings, should do no less(Sefer MItzvot Ha'Katan, Mitzvah Yud Alef) Yet we bow our heads in shame when our prayer services are compared to those of the gentiles! All the news, the trivial happenings of the world, is shared in shul. There is so much laughter and frivolity; one would think the purpose of the gathering was social!!!!!!(Sulam Beit Kel)    The honor of the shul requires that it be kept clean. Some of our most respected Rabbis would tidy the shul themselves to emphasize its great holiness!    Rashi Hakadosh's Rebbe, Rav Yaakov Ben Yakar would clean his shul with his beard.(Sefer HaChassidim) In Kelm, boys vied for the privilege of clean the Beit Hamidrash.    To insure that the exalted status of the shul is maintained, the following rules must be observed: Eating, drinking and sleeping in the shul are forbidden. Sauntering aimlessly or using the shul as a shortcut are forbidden. If one enters for some other purpose, such as calling a friend who is inside, one should first sit down briefly and recite some passages from the Torah.(Mishnah Torah Hilchot Tefilah II, Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 150-154)    One may not use the shul to take shelter from the heat or rain.(Megilah Daf 27) It is forbidden to enter a shul with one's head uncovered. In certain Oriental Jewish communities it is customary for the congregants to remove their shoes before entering the shul.    The bearing of weapons is forbidden, for a shul should bring peace, happiness and contentment. Weapons cause death.(Minhagim, Rabbi Chill)    The shul should be erected on the highest ground in town, so a Jew can literally look up to his house of worship.(Mesechet Shabat Daf Yud Alef)    HaGaon Harav Yehuda Tzadkah was careful not to eat anything in shul unless he required the nourishment to continue learning. He once brought a cup of tea while learning. He had only drunk half the cup when he closed his sefer and prepared to leave. "Why don't you finish your tea?" someone asked.    R' Yehuda replied "I have finished studying for the moment. Before I was drinking so I could continue with my studies, but now that I am leaving why should I drink?"    "Why don't you drink and then learn some more?" The Rosh Yeshiva was asked.    He ended the conversation by commenting that it was not appropriate to learn in order to drink. However, it is fitting to drink in order to learn.(Vezot Le'Yehudah) (Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 186-188, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN 


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)  

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 49(On Time To Shul)

Holy Jews:     

Everyone should try to arrive in shul on time, so that they are able to settle down before beginning to daven. We can think of what are prayers should accomplish, reflecting on our needs and how Hashem can meet them. Those who come late are unable to daven properly for they are rushed from the beginning.    In a private discussion about the importance of davening on time, the Nitra Rav mentioned a bachur(student) who said he had come to davening early -- during Pesukai Dizimra. The Rav exclaimed, "Is that early? I'm not on such a high level spiritually, but I once came to davening in the middle of Birchat HaShachar and I felt so bad I couldn't calm down the whole day!"(Divrei Yona, Vol 1, p 83)    Hashem lends a hand (as it were) to those who make an effort to arrive on time. When Hashem sees they are truly sincere in their desire to be prompt all obstacles disappear.    The Rav explained that the Yetzer Hara is allowed to employ various means to disrupt a person's service of Hashem. When the Yetzer Hara deals with someone determined to prevail at all costs, his mandate requires that he withdraw from the skirmish.(Tuvcha Yabiu I, p52)    A polish Jew living in a village wanted to arrive on time for davening, but his good intentions were never realized, as he had intestinal problems. One day he tried even harder to be in shul for the start of davening. He rose early, but while he did arrive earlier than usual, he missed the beginning of davening. Disheartened, he resolved to do better. Next morning he arrived in shul promptly for the first time. From then on, his problems disappeared.    A person should never leave a shul as if trying to escape. He should be as a person taking leave of a king, preferring to spend more time in his presence.(Menorat Hameor, Ohr III, 3) The early pious ones would spend an hour meditating after prayer, for they were not eager to end their tete-a-tete with Hashem.(Tur, Perek 93, as cited by Tefillat Chanah)    Reb Ber Nichamkin was a prosperous merchant from Homil. Though hard working, the Lubavitcher chassid somehow found ten minutes every morning to sit outside the shul after morning prayer. There he sat in silent contemplation.    On a visit to Lubavitch, Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber Schneersohn noticed him sitting alone every morning and asked what he was doing.    The Chassid replied, "This is all due to your grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek. I once had a private audience with him, and he discussed self-refinement and the constant service of Hashem. 'People think this is reserved for scholars' the Rebbe told me. 'Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone must make demands on himself. Even businessmen need to ask themselves what they are up to. They must reflect on what they have done until today and what they intend to do in the future. A practical time for this is after prayer.' concluded the Tzemach Tzedek.    "I immediately applied what the Rebbe had advised," explained Reb Ber."Every day after prayers I sit alone for ten minutes and examine my spiritual achievements. I decide what needs to be done and how to attain greater spiritual heights."(Sichot 5697)    A person leaving before Kaddish indentifies himself as a scoffer. He devalues Amen and Yehay Shemay Rabbah. If he hurries to work he is guaranteed not to succeed.(Yalozu Chassidim)    A deceased pious man appeared to to his friend in a dream and informed him that he was not permitted to enter the circle of Tzaddikim because he left shul before Alenu.(Sefer Chassidim 155) A similar story is told of a righteous woman who was banished from the presence of the righteous ones because she had left before Kedusha.(Sefer Chassidim 779)(Towards Thoughtful PrayerII, 183-185, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 48(Brachot)

Holy Jews:     

 Brachot were implemented to give us the opportunity to observe and grasp the wonders of creation. The Holy Kuzari writes about the benefit of Brachot, "They are instrumental in helping us take notice of life's many pleasures, to be aware of them in our heart and soul. A person should take to heart the meaning of each and every Bracha and understand its intention and significance. One who does not do so does not enjoy life like a human being, but rather like an animal or a baby."(Maamar 3:15)    Hashem has surrounded us with countless benefits. Brachot help train us to be aware of the precious gifts He has given us. When saying any blessing on food or on a Mitzvah, we should be overcome with gratitude to Hashem for having given us that food or commanding us to do that Mitzvah. We should not anger Hashem by saying the words with any thought at all.(Sefer Chassidim cited by the Mishnah Berura)    When Rav Yosef Kadish Kreshevsky would shout "AMEN" one could actually see the word fill up his very being, as he jumped for joy and his face lit up with bliss. When others said Brachot, his eyes would light up like and elderly man who has been informed of the birth of his first child.(Yosef Kadisha)    A man was about to slaughter a chicken on the street in the Bais Yisrael neighborhood. Before he could begin, a voice called out "Say your Bracha loudly so I can answer AMEN. It has been a long time since I heard the Bracha on Shechita."    When the slaughterer saw that the voice belonged to Harav HaGaon Yehuda Tzedaka, he immediately honored him with the second Bracha said on covering the blood. R' Yehuda insisted that the Bracha belonged to the slaughterer. But when the slaughterer insisted that it was his privilege to offer R' Yehuda the blessing, he did not continue to refuse.    After the chicken was slaughtered and the knife and innards checked, R' Yehuda took some earth and covered the blood. With great enthusiasm he uttered the blessing said on the covering of the blood with earth. The man had never seen anyone say a blessing with such enthusiasm. R' Yehuda was so grateful for the privilege that he showered blessings on the Shochet before continuing on his way.    A young man came to see R' Yehuda to get his signature on a recommendation for a position teaching Torah. Instead of orally testing the man as was usually done, he offered him a cup of tea. He then listened carefully to his Bracha. When he saw that his blessing was said without the proper intent, he refused to sign the recommendation.    When R' Yehuda's two eldest sons reached Bar Mitzvah age, he was overjoyed that he could now bench mezuman with his children.(VeZot LeYehuda)    When HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach was asked what extra observance one should assume during a time of crisis, he recommended being more careful about saying Brachot with Kavanah. To one person who asked for advice on strengthening his spirituality, he said that he himself was trying to increase his Kavanah in prayer and saying blessings. He never tired of urging those around him to work on their Kavanah.(Halichot Shlomo)(Towards Meaningful Prayer, Israel Bookshop) 

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 47(Daily Reminder)

Holy Jews:     

Blessings accompany us through the day and carry the benefits of prayer into our daily activities. Focusing our enjoyment of nature, guiding our pleasures and our performance of Mitzvot, constantly reminding us of Hashem's presence and our mutual relationship; our Brachot declare that Hashem is everywhere, and His influence pervades our world.    The Brachot we say throughout the day were instituted to remind us of our indebtedness to Him. When we say a blessing properly we acknowledge that we have not forgotten Hashem.(Olat Tamid) It is best to say Brachot aloud since this inspires us to focus and concentrate with more attention.(Shulchan Aruch 61:4) Blessings uttered in this manner will reinforce and deepen our intimacy with Hashem.    Hagaon Harav Shimshon Dovid Pincus Zecher Tzadik Vkadosh Lbracha took a full hour to count the Omer every day of the Sephira and twenty minutes to recite the Bracha over the Chanuka candles. He recited the Bracha of Asher Yatzar with special fervor, and in many of his lectures he urged listeners to realize the importance of this tefilla.    "We spend a third of our lives sleeping" he would say: "if a person has the correct intention when reciting the Kriyat Shema prayer before sleep, his sleep becomes an important part of his service to Hashem.(Towards Meaningful Prayer II, 213-214, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Shabat Shalom!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 46(Song)

Holy Jews:     

 The angels, heavenly beings and all creatures of this world serve Hashem with song.(Peleh Yoetz) Our essence too, was composed in song, and that is why the Neshama(soul) by its very nature, responds with joyous hymns to Hashem.    "Why do children enjoy hearing music?" asks the author of Livnat Ha'Sapir. The child's Neshama remembers hearing the songs of the angels and other Heavenly beings. The music takes him back to the bliss experienced before birth.(Parashat Noach)    HaRambam regards music as a special language, speaking directly to the heart, touching wellsprings of emotion.(Moreh Nevuchim 3:45) Combining melody with Tefilla can stir the heart, arouse the emotions, and intensify the mood one seeks to attain. It is a source of inspiration, enthusiasm and joy. On the verse, "Where singing is heard, there is also prayer." (Yeshayahu 26:2) Rashi Hakadosh says song and praise to Hashem should be offered with pleasant tunes.    The Mittler Rebbe writes that when a sad person hears a cheerful melody, he immediately becomes happy, though intellectually he does not understand why. When a happy person hears a sad song, he immediately becomes sad. This demonstrates that music affects the depth of the soul, bypassing the intellect.(Sefer Ha'Teshuva)    Song has always been an important factor in Jewish worship. Song lightened the first steps of the newly freed Jewish nation, watching the destruction of the Egyptian army at Yom Zuf(Shemot 15:1-20) They sang their thanks to Hashem for providing water in the dessert. Finally, Moshe Rabainu gave his last will and testament in verse.(Devarim Haazinu)    Song accompanied the victorious armies of Yiftach and Kings Saul and David returning to battle.(Shoftim 11:34 Shmuel I 18:6-7) Music also accompanied the process of the Aron.(Divrai Hayamim I 13:8; 15:16) (Towards Meaningful Prayer, Israel Bookshop)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 45(Daven for Everthing)

Holy Jews:     

 The Gemara in Mesechet Berachot Daf 8 cites the verse in Tehillim(32:6) "For this all pious ones should pray at every given time." According to Rav Chanina, we are being advised to pray for a spouse. Rav Nasson says it is a reference to Torah, and Rav Pinchas the son of Yair marks that it is a reference to death. Rav Yochanan sees the request as a reference to burial and Mar Zutra as a reference to a privy. No request is viewed as insignificant!    A person who lacks wisdom should take advantage of the blessing "Chonen Daat" and earnestly request knowledge, understanding and intelligence.(Rashi on Avodah Zara, 8,1)    A person who feels he has bad mazal should beseech Hashem for compassion as with Otniel son of Kenaz, his poor mazal will be transformed to good. The shofet Otniel son of Kenaz was born with a poor mazal. He prayed for help with his service of Hashem, Torah wisdom, and the opportunity to share his wisdom with disciples. A double blessing was needed; the first to counteract the negative configuration of constellations which caused the bad mazal, and the second to him his desire.(Malbim, Divrai HayamimI, 4:10)    Someone asked Rav Chaim Volozhiner for a remedy for anger,  irrelevant speech and lashon hara. He replied "Pray, before these stumbling blocks trip you up. Early in the morning, start your day with a prayer. Beseech Hashem as follows: 'I am about to enter the valley of death, a very dangerous place. Please protect me from all types of sins, specifically the sin of..." "This prayer should be repeated with great emotion at the end of the Amidah."(Hanhagot Ha'Gaon Rebbe Chaim of Volozhin)    The Gaon M'Vilna would daven for everything, amassing prayers to forestall suffering. He viewed prayers after midnight as most beneficial, and would also repeat his prayers prior to sunrise.(Toldot Rav Yosef Zundel of Salant)    The Holy Chafetz Chayim advises that a father and mother should continuously pray that their sons succeed in their learning and become righteous men of good character.(Mishnah Berurah 7:110)    A person must pray for every need. If someone's garment is torn and he has no money to replace it, he should pray for a new one. One should pray for all his requirements, large and small. It is true that "Hashem gives food to every living creature"(Tehillim 147:9) but--unlike animals, which are simply given their needs--a human being must receive all life's necessities through prayer.    The Rebbe Reb Mendel would visit his Rebbe Reb Elimelech for months at a time. He would eat at his rebbe's table, and all his needs were cared for. At one point he decided that it was no longer necessary for him to pray for food, since he was getting he needed from his Rebbe. That night, when the shamash gave everyone a bowl and spoon, he somehow overlooked Reb Mendel and neglected to give him a spoon. Everyone began eating--except Reb Mendel. The Rebbe Reb Elimelech asked him why he was not eating. "I don't have a spoon" he replied. The Rebbe Reb Elimelech responded "Now you see how one must ask Hashem even for a spoon"(Zeved Tov)(Towards Meaningful PrayerII, 98-100, Israel Bookshop) 


The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Meaningful fast!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 44(Davening For the Sick)

Holy Jews:  

Today's Daily Inspiration has been sponsored in honor of Yoel Dov Ben Avraham Tzvi's birthday by his father. Yoel Dov should be zoche to celebrate many more birthdays, and live a full healthy happy Torah life until 120, his parents should have a lot of nachat from him. Hashem should bless him and his whole family with a year filled with shefa bracha and hatzlacha in both ruchniut and gashmiut bechinam AMEN!

      A person should pray on behalf of the sick in his city and for all the sick among the Jewish people. The Jewish people are considered to be one soul and one body, if one person is ill, then a part of all of us is ill.    Different prayers may be said for people of different character. Pray that the virtuous person recover so he can do Teshuva. Pray that Hashem replenish the strength of Torah scholars so they may continue to labor in their studies.(Yaarot Devash Part One, Derush 1)    The Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim exists to encourage us to pray for the Choleh's speedy recovery.(Rosh on Nedarim, 40,1) A person who does not visit a sick person is considered to have shed his blood. If he does not view his friend's misery with his own eye's, he will not pray properly on his behalf, and his friend may die. Rabbi Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach would pray for the ill at their bedside, allowing the sight of the patient's suffering to arouse more heartfelt prayers. Similarly the Midrash informs us that a praying battalion would accompany the soldiers in the battlefield.(Bamidbar Rabbah22:3) Prayers said at the front would be more heartfelt then those said in the safety of home.(Rav Ephraim Zaitchek)    Many souls stand ready to indict those who did not pray for the sick man's recovery, whoever does pray fulfills the positive commandment of being compassionate.(Ahavat Chessed, Perek Chet) We do not always instinctively react with pain when we hear that someone is ill. The Chazon Ish recommends that we daven for others even if we don't really feel their pain, for eventually we will come to sincere prayers on behalf of others.(Correspondence, Part 2, Letter 123) And if the ill person is a scholar, we are are even obligated to exhaust ourselves davening on their behalf.    Rabbi Akiva Eiger Zecher Tzadik Vkadosh Lbracha was once asked to daven on behalf of a sick person. The family of the ill person received a letter from Rabbi Akiva asking if he had been given the right name. He had prayed and received no response. He concluded that there must have been an error. Not for one moment did he consider that his prayers might not have been answered.(Igrot Sofrim 47 with commentary of R' Shlomo Wolbe)    Rav Yisrael Zev Gustman was davening for someone undergoing a difficult operation. He suddenly rushed to the Aron Kodesh put his head inside and continued his recital of Tehilim. Afterward, his students learned that the patient's blood pressure had dropped dangerously low at the exact moment that Rav Gustman had rushed to the Aron. In time the recovered completely.    Rav Yechezkel Mertz attended the funeral of a man who had died in his prime. Before leaving, he went over to the freshly dug grave and was overheard begging for forgiveness for not having davened enough on behalf of the deceased.(Towards Meaningful Prayer 209-211, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

 (To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 43(Prayer to Serve Hashem)

Holy Jews:  

 The Torah in today's Daily Inspiration should be a zechut for all students who have exams now or coming up, with Hashem's help they should all be zoche to do extremely well. They should be zoche to use their success, to find a way to serve Hashem better. (Ex: Graduate College, make a lot of money and support Talmidai Chachamim and Yeshivot)      

Prayer is called "service of the heart" because of the desire of our heart defines the prayer that comes from our lips. What is true prayer? When we truly desire to serve Hashem, and our entreaties are solely to facilitate this goal.(Emet L'Yaakov, Taanit, Page 2)    A foreman wishing for more comfortable working conditions knows that approaching his superior directly will prove unsuccessful. Instead, he points out to the manager that in the summer, productivity declines. He suggests that air conditioning be installed so output will improve.    We are adjured to keep our eyes lowered and our heart upraised.(Mesechet Yevamot Daf 105) The Gaon Chida explains that when a person makes material requests, his focus should be above and beyond the physical sphere. In other words, we request health, sustenance and life only as a means of serving Hashem.(Pnei David)    "I believe in you!" we should be saying during davening. "I am here to do your will! I am here to offer all that I am and that I can accomplish. But I lack the resources to fulfill the mitzvot I must keep. If I were to receive help, I would be able to fulfill more of Your will and serve You better. With this help, I will study Your Torah and help Your people. Please give me money so I can support the causes that You want accomplished, and I will have no need to flatter others!"(Yaarot Devash, Derush Hey)    If one davens sincerely for something that brings honor to Hashem, such as the ability to study Torah, then Hashem will listen -- even if he has no merit.(Sefer Chassidim 151) Our prayers should not be sullied by ulterior motives; the sole intent should be that Hashem strengthen us so we may better serve him."(Matnat Chayim, Rav Matisyahu Solomon)    In his commentary on the blessing Chonen HaDaat, the Rebbe Reb Yonatan movingly says: A person should shed streams of tears, requesting that Hashem grant him understanding as an unearned gift. When a scholar requests understanding with a heart open to the truth of Torah, and not, Chas Vshalom, to be used to advance his own agenda at the expense of others, Hashem will grant his request.    Can one ask for wisdom and then use it in ways that are not pleasing to Hashem, by flaunting his wisdom and enjoying the humiliation of others? This is like buying a hammer and millstone with money borrowed from a friend, then making a tremendous racket so the same friend cannot sleep at night! (Towards Thoughtful Prayer 194-195, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 42(Thoughtful Prayer)

Holy Jews:     

The words of prayer are like the skin of the fruit, while the thoughts that accompany prayer are the fruit itself. When a person prays with his tongue alone, with his mind drifting off to other matters, the prayer is like a skin without the fruit, a body without the soul. Regarding such a person, the Torah states: "Because this nation approached Me, honoring Me with their mouths and lips, but their heart was far from Me, and their fear of Me was by force of habit." (Yeshayahu 29, 13) The severity of their punishment is great.(Cholvot Halevavot, Shaar Cheshbone HaNefesh 3,9: Likutei Torah, Bamidbar)    "My soul yearns, indeed it pines, for the courtyards of Hashem. My heart and my flesh will sing joyously to the Living G-d. Even the bird found a home and the free one, a nest for herself, when she laid her young by Your altars" (Tehillim 84: 3-5) If heart and flesh are not united in song, we are no better than the bird that finds a home in the Temple. It too chirps and sings in holy places. On Kavanah makes our hymn unequalled.(Toldot Adam)    When a person enters shul, Hashem and the Malachim(angels) shower him with blessing. If his prayer turns out to be mindless prattle, the angels call out,"Is this the man whose prayers we waited for? Is this the man we blessed?"(Ohr Yahel part III Parashat Vayikra, p 144-145)    Davening with Kavanah preserves a person's wisdom.(Sefer Chassidim Perek 46) Those who simply babble the words of prayer end up prattling away their wisdom. Based on the principle of Midah Keneged Mida (Measure for Measure). one who daven mindlessly forgoes the wisdom of his mind.(Tochachat Chayim, Parashat Ekev, Yesh Nochalim, Perek Alef)    We forfeit this world and the world to come when we pray with our soul in sleep mode. When matters of the spirit must be attended to, body and soul must be summoned to perform zealously. Praying with true Kavanah is worth the effort, for if we pray with proper intention even once, this prayer will elevate all the accumulated prayers which have been said without Kavanah.(Lashon Chasidim Tefilla, 31, in the name of R' Yaakov Yosef of Polenoye; Chayei Olam Perek 64-66)    "Those who say the morning prayers and the evening Shema with Kavanah are guaranteed a successful day."(Yaarot Devash Derush 4) When a person prays the entire Amidah prayer with heartfelt devotion, eighteen hundred angels receive his prayer. He is saved from Gehenoim and will enter Gan Eden.(Siddur Harokeach, 367)(Towards Meaningful Prayer123-125, Israel Bookshop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 41(One's Face)

Holy Jews:     

   Regarding one's nose, a breath of wrath should never be found in it. Rather, it should constantly contain [the breath of] life, good will and patience, even toward those who are unworthy. One should always want to fulfill the desire of others, to satisfy every request, and to revive the broken-spirited. He should always breath forth from his nose, forgiveness of iniquity and pardon of transgression. He should not be angry with those who offend him, rather, he should constantly be willing to be appeased, and he should be desirous of kindness, pleasing everyone.    One;s face should always shine, and he should receive all people with a cheerful countenance. For regarding the Supernal Keter, it says: "In the light of the King's countenance is life..."(Mishlei 16:15) And just as no flush [of anger] or [strict] judgment enters there at all; so too, the light of his countenance should be unchanging, and all who look into his face should find nothing but joy and cheerfulness. No factor should distract from this at all. (Sefer Tomer Devorah, Rav Moshe Cordevearo, Perek Sheni, Shishi and Shivi, 35,Tomer Publications)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)  

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 40(Silent Prayer)

Holy Jews:     

Prayer is an exercise in intimacy, a private conversation between man and his Father, man and his Maker, loudness and shouting are uncalled for. One who concentrates all his thoughts and senses on this private conversation with the Almighty attains true intimacy with the Divine, as if he were alone with Hashem his Father. "Like a sparrow that is alone on the house top"(Tehillim 102:6) This cogent prayer flows in a secret communion between one who is alone with himself and Hashem.    A Rabbi who was visiting the Bais HeLevi shouted his prayers at the top of his lungs When the visitor was walking his host home, the Bais HaLevi yelled into his ear "There is something important I want to tell you."    The man replied "Rebbe, I am right here beside you. There is no need to shout."    The Bais HaLevi replied, "The pasuk tells us that Hashem, too is close to those that call Him. Why do you scream so loudly when you pray?"(Yalkut Avodah Be'Tefilla)(Towards Meaningful Prayer 110, Israel Bookshop)  

The Jerusalem Talmud tells us that Tefilla, is K'Pe L'Ozen, (like a mouth to an ear). There is no need to say our prayers loudly, Hashem is right there listening. The same way when you tell someone a secret, they lean in close to hear, Hashem is leaning in and listening carefully.

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Hashem loves you!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 39(Persistent Tefilla)

Holy Jews:     

 "A person who prays a lot will have his Tefillot answered"(Mesechet Brachot 32) The fact that we pray again and again is and indication that we truly rely on Hashem to save us. Even if a person is unworthy of having his prayers answered, if he prays and begs Hashem to help, Hashem will have compassion in the merit of his confidence in Him.(Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 1)    If a person prays and is not answered, he should not lose faith and he should not be discouraged. He should pray again, as it says "Yearn for Hashem, strengthen your heart and yearn for Hashem."(Tehillim 27:140)    If we knew a government official could save the life of a loved one, we would repeatedly attempt to persuade him to help us. We would not rest until we had reached our goal. Our prayers must be approached in the same manner, with the knowledge that we have no other recourse.(Yesodai HaDaat Perek 48)    When a person is experiencing a crisis, he will run far and near in search of assistance. The Chazon Ish Zecher Tzadik Vkadosh Lbracha recommends focusing on repentance, prayer and charity. Hashem will certainly fulfill his request.(Emunah U'Bitachon Perek Bet Letter Alef)    One of the languages of prayer is Vayifgah(Berashit 28:11, Rashi) One possible etymology of this word is "Pega" which means pest.(Rashi, Chullin) Rav Dovid of Lelov explains the word Vayifgah as "and he pestered" An effective means of prayer is to repeat our request again and again.(Mishlai Chassidim on Torah)(Towards Meaningful Prayer 10, Israel Bookshop)  

Something to think about: The Kav HaYashar writes that there are thirteen words in each of the brachot that we say when we light the Menorah on Chanuka, 13+13=26. Twenty six is the Gematria of Hashem's name. When we say the Brachot on the Menorah we are bringing down the Shechina.  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Sheva Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Chanuka Sameach!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 38(Chanuka Version)

Holy Jews:     

This(refer back to the past Daily Inspirations Chanuka versions) is the secret of the Hasmoneans' victory. Any reasonable person could see that there was no  chance at all for a handful of priests to prevail against mighty armies. There was "no way out." But having no other choice, the Hasmoneans entered the fray. And because they did, they gained Heavenly aid beyond the bounds of nature.    The miracle of the oil lasting for eight days teaches us that if we do what we must do, against all odds, succor will come from a higher world -- the world symbolized by "eight." This is true both of physical and spiritual challenges.    Jews are renowned for their obstinacy; we are a "stiffnecked" people. We are also "the boldest of the nations" (Mesechet Betza 25b). Boldness in the cause of holiness is the secret to success in the service of Hashem.(Michtav M'Eliyahu IV, 155, Feldheim)  

Something to think about: According to the Chassidic tradition Chanuka is the end of the Judgment period; Rosh Hashana> Yom Kippur> Hoshana Rabbah> Chanuka. We should all consider ourselves Chasidim at this time, and spend this time in prayer, teshuva and doing good deeds.

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN


Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile! Chanuka Sameach!

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 37(Rosh Chodesh and Chanuka)

Holy Jews:     

There seems to be no prospects of conquering the Yetzer Hara -- but that's just the point! The human being is perverse. The very realization that "there's no way out" elicits all of his reserves of strength. This is the power that -- with Heavenly aid -- crushes all obstacles. We must have faith that if Hashem gives us a task of such immense difficulty, then the key to success must lie in the difficulty itself. The feeling of "there's no way out" is fundamental to succeeding in the service of Hashem.    Our father Avram, before he had been called by Hashem, he battled against a ten-generation accumulation of idolatry and evildoing, and had enjoyed some success in showing people about faith in one G-d. Now he was faced with the stark alternative; recant or be burned to death! His reason must have told "there's no way out." If he would be killed now, all his work would be wasted. Yet he accepted the challenge and marched forward to...a miracle.(Yalkut Shimoni on Beraishit 11:28)    [Imagine Israel at the Red Sea with the Egyptian army advancing on a broad front, the sea at their backs, nowhere to turn -- there was literally "no way out." But the message came; "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the Israelites...to advance" -- into the sea!(Shemot 14:15) "No way out" is a challenge to attempt the impossible. And when the challenge is accepted...the sea splits!!!!!!!!]    Israel is warned that one day a "prophet" may arise who will try to seduce them from their allegiance to Hashem and His Torah. The "prophet" might support his words with veritable miracles.(Devarim 13:2-3) Surely this will be a "no way out" situation. He will obviously be a man of power. How will we deny the validity of his words? But the Torah tells us to take no notice to his miracles. On the contrary, we are instructed to put him to death for trying to seduce us to idolatry. Our love of Hashem must be stronger than any apparent "proofs of authority" that he may provide. The "no way out" situation must be broken open by the strength of our love for Hashem. As we know from everyday experience, love is immune to all logical persuasion. And what about man's miracle? The power was given him by Hashem to test our love(Devarim 13:4)(Michtav M'Eliyahu IV, 153-154, Feldheim)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Chodesh Tov! Chanuka Sameach!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 36(Chanuka Version)

Holy Jews:     

"For two and half years Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel were embroiled in dispute. One school held it would be better for man never to been be created, while the other took the contrary view. Eventually they took a vote and decided that it would indeed have been better for man not to have been created, but now that he was created he should subject his actions to the closest scrutiny."(Mesechet Eruvin 13b)    There can be no question, says Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, that Hashem created man for man's own good. The only question is whether man can appreciate this and understand it by his own reason, or whether he has to accept it on faith.    The question at issue is a practical one. All agree that man is faced with a daunting task involving a very strong risk of failure. The question is how to deal with the situation in which we find ourselves.    Beit Hillel, who based themselves on lovingkindness, first viewed it with optimism. If we work hard, Hashem in His kindness will bless our efforts with success. Our human reason too can concur that it was well worth having been created. Beit Shammai; who aligned themselves with strict justice, convinced their opponents that their view was overly optimistic. After all, they urged, the purpose of our being created was so that we could earn our future glory by our own efforts under the scrutiny of justice. If we can get through only by relying on Hashem's lovingkindness this must be considered failure and not success. Beit Shammai agreed however that the odds are stacked against us. What then is the solution? "Now that we have been created, we must scrutinize every action." Though we can find no rational prospects of success, we must fight through to the bitter end. Since there is no alternative, one must jump into the thick of the fray. Precisely because the danger of failure is so overwhelming, we must summon up every ounce of strength, adopt heroic measures and battle through to victory.(Michtav M'Eliyahu IV, 152-153, Feldheim)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam!  

Have a great day! Smile! Chanuka Sameach  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 35(Chanuka Version)

Holy Brothers and Sisters!:     

 Rabbi Yisrael Salanter Zecher Tzadik Vkadosh Lbracha emphasized the power of the subconscious over our lives. We may decide to act in a rational manner, but subconscious forces not under our direct control may override our decision. To illustrate the power of the subconscious, Rabbi Yisrael asks us to imagine a Rav who has an excellent pupil who is very close to him and whom he loves dearly. The Rav also has a son whose progress has been very disappointing and whose behavior leaves much to be desired. From a rational point of view, the pupil is much closer to him than the son. Yet, if a fire breaks out in the Yeshiva in the middle of the ngiht, awakening the Rav from a deep sleep, to who will he run first? To his son! His bond with his son springs from the subconscious, while his attachment to his pupil is based upon reason and intellect. And the subconscious will win out over the intellect any day!    To live a full Torah life, internally as well as externally, Torah values must penetrate the subconscious. But there seems to be no direct way of influencing the subconscious. Here again, the only way to make progress is to work to the best of one's ability on the surface layers. Heavenly aid will then be forthcoming to enable him to influence the subconscious forces in the desired direction.    Why did Hashem set man a goal which he cannot possibly attain by his own unaided efforts? To ensure that he will summon up all his powers and fight an unremitting battle, in the knowledge that if he lets up for one moment he will be overwhelmed by the forces of the subconscious. (Michtav Me'Eliyahu)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam!  

Have a great day! Smile! Chanuka Sameach!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiraton Number 34(Chanuka Version)

Lichteke Chanuka, Chanuka Sameach, Happy Hanuka Holy Brothers and Sisters:  

Today's Daily Inspiration has been dedicated in the merit of all students, and Hashem should bless them all with Hatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam on their exams, papers, speeches, finals, projects and any other test that Hashem throws their way AMEN!     

The flask of oil lasted for eight days. Eight is a significant number. If six stands for the physical creation and seven for the spiritual in the midst of the physical(Shabat), then eight stands for that which is completely outside our world. It stands for the world to come.    The spiritual world of Olam Haba(world to come) is not directly accessible to us in this world. The Maharal tells us that Olam Haba could not be described in the Torah because the Torah is prophecy and prophecy can intimate only those things which are directly accessible to human experience. The prophet "sees" "hears" and "feels" his prophecies, and Olam Haba, by definition, is wholly beyond human sensory perception. Olam Haba can, however, be appreciated by the intellect. That is why the Rabbis, who approached Torah through intellect and not through prophecy, were able to describe to us (at least by allegory) some aspects of Olam Haba. (In this sense: "Chacham adif m'Navi -- the Sage is great than a prophet" (Baba Batra 12a)(Maharal, Gevurot Hashem, perek 57)    In a similar manner, the deepest levels of our spiritual lives cannot be approached directly. One has to work to the limit of his abilities on the lower, more outwardly oriented level. Then, in the fullness of time, maybe we shall be granted access to the deepest sources of our being, where love and joy reside.(Michtav M'Eliyahu IV, Hanuka, 151, Feldheim)  

Something to think about: A rich person with not much effort or loss can give a poor person food, new clothing or new shoes. To the rich person this can mean very little, but to the poor person the food can mean the difference between life and death, and the new clothing and new shoes have the power to make the poor person feel dignified again! With little effort or loss we all have the power to save a life and make someone feel human!  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Happy Hanuka!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)  

Daniel Hadar   

Daily Inspiration Number 33(Chanuka Version)

Chanuka Sameach, Lichteke Chanuka, Happy Chanuka Holy Brothers and Sisters!!!!:     

The first day of creation Hashem created a light, and thirty six hours later he created the sun and moon. What was this light that he created on the first day? The Sifrei Kabbala(Books on Kabbalah) say that this was the Ohr Haganus, this was a light in which nothing died. Hashem decided to hide this light, because if no one got sick or died that means no one would have kapara for their avonot, so Hashem hid this light. Each of the thirty six Chanuka lights corresponds to one hour of the thirty six hours that the Ohr Haganus shone.    The defeat of the Greeks(the war) was something that Hashem did for us and this we only mention in our prayers but is mentioned no where else. The candles was something we did for Hashem, and Hashem wants to publicize this. All of the Kohanim were Tamei(impure) so they were allowed to use the Tamei oil, but they chose not to, and they started to clean out the Beit Hamikdash of all the filth that the Greeks had put in there. There was an argument among the Kohanim, one side wanted to use the little can of oil that they found even though the next seven days would be dark and depressing(it took eight days to make oil). This side said we dont care if we are depressed for the next seven days we cant take it anymore we need Hashem's house to be Tahor and even if all we get is one day of ohr thats enough, we need to be plugged back in. The other side said what is the point we are all Tamei, and then if we use this can the next days will be depressing.     We all have to know that it does not matter how bad we get, each and everyone of us has one can of oil still left inside of us. We must search inside us to find that pach shemen and if we find it and use it, Hashem will shower us with brachot and miracles.    The Pach Shemen that the Kohanim found, was the oil from Yaakov Avinu, and this same pach is going to be the one that they use to annoint Mashiach.    We all must find one thing that we are doing wrong that we can fix or something good that we dont do, that we should start doing and improve these things, if we show Hashem we found our pach shemen by fixing one small thing inside of us, Hashem will give us the Ohr Haganus and make sure that we succeed. Fire unlike everything else keeps trying to get up higher and higher, we must watch this and emulate it and always shoot for the highest of heights.    During the time that the Chanuka lights are buring, the Ohr Haganus is out, and this is the perfect time to daven, and your tefillot will be answered. (R' Wallerstein)    In the zechut of these Tefillot we should all get whatever it is we need to help us reach our goals, and we should all be zoche to see the coming of Mashiach Bmhaira Vyamainu, and bask in the Zif Hashechina under the Ohr Haganus AMEN!!!  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile! Chanuka Sameach!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar 

Daily Inspiration Number 32

Holy Jews:     

Hashem invites man to pray to Him: "Call unto me and I will answer you." (Yirmiyah 33:9) Rabbi Zeira adds: When a man has a visitor, the first time he seats him on the couch; the second time on a chair; and the third time on a bench. By the fourth time he grumbles, "How much longer is he going to disturb me?" But Hashem eternally awaits our prayers. As soon as we address Him, He is eager to respond to us.(Midrash Shochar Tov)    Hashem takes joy in our continual prayers. Whereas man would resent repeated requests, Hashem wants to hear from us.(Yismach Lev from Meor Einayim)    Each time we approach Hashem, our connection with Him is strengthened. When we approach a friend for a favor, we hope that he will grant our wish -- and that we will not have to approach him again. With prayer, however, each appeal to Hashem is significant and noteworthy.    Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Barditchev once observed Jews praying hurriedly. After they had finished praying, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak called over two of the younger ones: I have a question he said: "Ma Ma Ma Na Na Na."    What's that you're saying? the merchants asked.    Rabbi Levi Yitzchak continued mumbling "Ba Ba Ba Ta Ta Ta" They looked at him uncomprehending.    "What's the problem?" replied Rabbi Levi Yitzchak don't you understand what I am saying? Wasn't that exactly the way you prayed?    "When an infant in its crib murmurs ba and ma not even the greatest wise men in the world know what the infant is talking about." said one of the merchants. :"Yet the child's parents immediately know what the child wants -- whether he is hungry or thirsty or wet. We Jews are the children of Hashem and Hashem understands what we are asking for and understands our prayers.    "You answered well" Rabbi Levi Yitzchak exclaimed. "Our Father in Heaven will surely receive the prayers of His children." And he began dancing with joy.(Toldot Kedushat Levi)(Towards Meaningful Prayer 1-2, Israel Book Shop)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 31

Holy Jews:  

Rav Yosef Leib Bloch, the Telzer Rav, related the following parable: A group of people were emigrating from Russia to America. Before they could obtain entrance visas to America, however, they would be required to stay in France for a few weeks. Most of the emigrants began studying English to prepare for the move. One person, however, decided that he wanted to enjoy his time in France, and instead learned French. When they reached France, the proud man was the only one who can communicate with others, as he alone understood French. But when they finally reached America a few weeks later, the poor fellow realized his mistake. Whereas everyone else was able to get settled and find work, he lacked the necessary language skills. The lesson is clear. A person must remain focused on "learning the language of Olam Haba" and not be distracted by the glitter of the temporal world.(49 Steps To Greatness, Ephraim Nisenbaum, 102, Targum Press)  

Something to think about One who genuinely trusts in Hashem will study Torah and perform Mitzvot(The Commandments) wholeheartedly without the slightest mental distraction.(Shloh Hakadosh, Sefer Mitzvot HaBitachon, R' Shmuel Houminer, 45, Feldheim)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 30

Holy Jews:  

Today's Daily Inspiration has been dedicated by the Rosenberg family, Leulai Nishmat Yisrael Ben Shlomo Meir, his Neshama should have an Aliyah and reach the highest of heights, and should be a constant zechut for the entire Rosenberg family. AMEN.   "And you shall eat and be satisfied and bless the Lord your G-d"(Devarim 8:10) Not only should one bless Hashem when one has eaten and is satisfied, but one should eat and be satisfied because one has blessed Hashem. That is, "U'verachta(and you shall bless)" should be felt before beginning to eat. What validity is there for this prior blessing? The food really belongs to Hashem; hence what right has man to eat it? In essence, when a person offers a prayer prior to eating, he is thanking Hashem for transferring the food from His possession into man's legitimate possession. The blessing is an expression of gratitude for this transference of title. (Ba'al HaTurim, The Mitzvot, Avraham Chill, 386, Urim Publications)  

Something to think about: Rashi elucidates Tehillim 37:3, "Trust in G-d and do good" in this way: Don't say; "If I act with absolute honesty, never stealing, and[I diminish my income further by] giving charity to the needy, how will I support myself?" Rather, "do good" and you will live a long time. "You will be nurtured by your faith," nourished and supported as a reward for the faith you had in Hashem, by relying on Him and doing good.(Sefer Mitzvot HaBitachon, R' Shmuel Houminer, 79, Feldheim)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)
 

Daniel Hadar

 

Daily Inspiration Number 29

Holy Jews:  

Having a good heart refers to the quality of always wanting to help others [according to one's ability] and not feeling any malice or illwill towards them.(HaRambam) Although this quality may seem unrelated to scholarship, Rav Meir Chadash, Mashgiach of Chevron Yeshiva, explains that we should not think of helping others as an impediment to to personal growth in Torah. Quite the contrary, from the Mishnah we learn that the existence of the world stands upon three pillars, Torah study, Avodah: the service of Hashem(prayer), and kindness.(Pirke Avot 1:2) It is impossible to grow in Torah without both service and kindness.(Mishel HaAvot, 49 Steps To Greatness, Ephraim Nisenbaum, 91, Targum Press)   In discussing the balance one should strike between performing acts of kindness and devoting oneself to Torah study, the Brisker Rav quoted his father Reb Chaim: One who closes his gemara to do Chessed, is considered in Heaven as if his Gemara is still open. On the other hand, one who opens his Gemara to avoid doing Chessed, is considered as if his Gemara remains closed.(Torat Chaim, Kuntres Limud Torah, p 85, 49 Steps To Greatness, Ephraim Nisenbaum, 92, Targum Press)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 28

Holy Jews:     

We find throughout the Torah that when Hashem spoke to Moshe, Avraham or any of the other prophets, He always called them first by name. We can do the same. When a person hears you address him by name, he is pleased and flattered. It is a subtle way of recognizing someone and showing interest in him -- you cared enough to remember his name.   

The fact that a person's name is important to him is sufficient reason to perform the kindness of using it. People are proud of their names. If you find it difficult to remember names, you can think of a hint for yourself, for example, a connection to Tanach, that will make it easier to remember. Perhaps a person's name is Avraham -- find a certain trait that he has in common with Avraham Avinu.   

It does take some focus, time, and energy to register a name and use it properly, but like all good things, the efforts are well worthwhile. Not only will you make people feel special, but you will also trigger memories of their parents and dear ones calling them by name.   

The Rosh Yeshiva of one of the largest institutions in the world today is said to know the names of his thousands of disciples. They love him for it, and it surely makes a great difference in his interactions with them.    Rashi (on Vayikra 1:1) writes that calling someone by his name is, in itself, a term of endearment. The word for name in hebrew is Shem which is similiar to Sham(There). A name defines the essence of a person -- who is there. The more we focus on others, the greater kindness it is to them.(Sefer K'ne Lecha Chaver, Perek Tet, p 51-52, Targum Press)  

Something to think about: There are two types of people, both preforming the same action of locking their door at night, but they are each doing it for a diiferent reason. One is confident that the lock is strong and will protect him, while the other locks his door with a stong trust in Hashem, Who will protect him. The first person may be held liable for depending on a physical lock. The other person will be rewarded for his trust and prayers.(Sefer Eved HaMelech, Sefer Mitzvot HaBitachon Perek Bet, 5, Feldheim Publishers)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 27

Holy Jews:  

Be first to greet every person.(Pirke Avot 4:20)     

The Mishna's word for greet is b'shlom, from the word Shalom, meaning peace, harmony, and perfection. To set the right tone for every encounter, we need to avoid statements that may lead to suspicion, fear, or mistrust and instead put the other person at ease with peaceful words.   

For the sake of my borthers and friends, I shall speak in peace...(Tehillim 122:8)    In every situation, we need to find soothing and appropriate words, but the timing must be right. The Halacha teaches that when going to comfort a mourner, one should not begin to speak until the mourner initiates the conversation. This is a form of comfort without the use of words. When the mourning is too intense, we are taught not to even attempt to offer any words of comfort.(Pirke Avot 4:23) Similiarly, we are taught, "Do not offer words of appeasement while someone is exploding in anger."(Pirke Avot 4:23)   

When we speak, we always need to avoid the negative and stick to the positive. We need to avoid Lashon Hara, complaining and rudeness. In Tehillim it says, "Who desires life and loves good days? Guard your tongue from bad and your lips from speaking evil."(Tehillim 34:13)   

We are not perfect. At times we slip up and say the wrong things. But for our opening words, for that first impression, we should endeavor to always greet others in a pleasant, peaceful manner. One insensitive remark at the begining can ruin a potentially important long term friendship.(Sefer K'ne Lecha Chaver, Perek Chav, p 82-23, Targum Press)  

Something to think about: R' Yehuda explained the verse, "Trust in G-d and do good, that you may dwell in the land and nuture faith" (Tehillim 37:3), as follows: A person should always be careful with his Master, and attach his Neshama(soul) to the highest level of faith so that he will be wholly with his Master. Once a person has perfected himself in this, nothing in the world can harm him.(Zohar III:110, Sefer Mitzvot HaBitachon Perek Alef, 24)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)


Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 26

Holy Jews:     

Which Pasuk(verse) is the "most startling of all the statements in the Torah"? Rabbi Avigdor Miller (A Kingdom of Cohanim, p. 116) says it is Vayikra 10:20, when Moshe Rabbainu admitted his error in criticizing his brother; Aharon.   

This incident was planned by Hashem to teach us that Moshe was not ashamed to admit his error. It reinforces the fact that everything else Moshe said was without any error. Moshe Rabbainu, the most extraordinary person in all of history, was still human, and even the greatest are capable of error when they are not speaking in prophecy.    Moshe admitted his error quickly, openly, and wholeheartly. "It was good in his eyes," the Torah declares(Vayikra)   

When you accept blame upon yourself, others are more likely to have compassion for you. It takes courage, character, and training to admit your error quickly and empatically, but it is well worth it.    "Anyone who passes over his personal feelings to forgive others is forgiven for all his sins"(Mesechet Rosh HaShana Daf 17a). What a tremendous vote of approval Hashem bestows on those who humbly submit to others and strive to always get along with them!   

Another area in which we are taught to overcome our emotions for the sake of Heaven is the Torah's emphasis on helping so-called "enemies"; "If you find your enemy's ox that has strayed, return it to him. If you see your enemy's donkey buckling under his burden, do not restrain yourself from unloading it."(Shemot, 23:4-5)    "if your friend needs help to unload [his animal] and your enemy needs help to load, help your enemy first in order to overcome your Yetzer Hara(evil inclination)(Mesechet Baba Metzia Daf 32b)   

When we have trouble getting along with certain people, we must realize that Hashem is testing us. We need to overcome our negative feelings and be especially friendly to the unfriendly. "According to the difficulty, so is the reward"(Pirke Avot, 5:23)(Sefer Kne Lecha Chaver) 

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)  

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 25

Holy Jews:  

Be First to greet every person.(Pirke Avot 4:20)     

When Yaakov Avinu came to Charan, he saw a group of shepherds relaxing near the well. Before criticizing them for wasting time from work, he asked, "My brothers, where are you from?"(Bereshit 29:4) This begining conveys feelings of friendship and interest. Yaakov was acknowledging the shepherds as people of significance.   

We must learn from Yaakov to begin a conversation with expressions of positivity, gentleness and friendship.    "The words of the wise, when spoken gently are accepted"(Kohelet 9:17). We would have thought that the key is speaking with wisdom, but no, Kohelet exphasizes, it is speaking with gentleness that causes people to change their minds and accept your message.   

Yaakov Avinu asked the shepherds three questions before he got to his criticism. 1) Where are you from? 2) Do you know Lavan? 3) Is he at peace? The shepherds answered each question in turn -- "We are from Charan...we know him...he is at peace.   

Why all the shmoozing? Why does the Torah find it necessary to record this seemingly inconsequential information?   

We learn that when we begin to discuss some issue with others, we should begin at points of agreement rather than at the point of disagreement. It is important to start buidling a relationship with casual small talk. Put the other person at ease before you go on to less pleasant or more serious topics.   

This technique is useful for all your deelings, with your spouse, children, customers, friends, relatives, neighbors, or even strangers. Always open your conversation with friendliness, instead of with a direct confrontation. Look at things from the other person's viewpoint and think how you can work with them.

(Sefer K'ne Lecha Chaver, Perek 15, p 69-71, Targum Press)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN
 

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!   

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 24

Holy Jews:  

There is a marked coreelation between the greatness of the sin the Yetzer Hara is promoting, and the greatness of the reward for resisting.(Rav Tzaddok HaCohen of Lublin,Middos251)  

Where is the Yetzer Hara to be found? Wherever we think he is not.(Rav Naftali of Ropshitz,Middos250)  

The only way to triumph over the Yetzer Hara is to be repulsed by him. One must hate him with a passion, for trying to deprive you of both this world and the world to come. Try to visualize yourself as righteous; picture the importance of your Neshama(Soul). See your Neshama in Gan Eden(Heaven) with Hashem and his holy entourage. Keeping this image before your eyes will enable you to resist the appeals of the Yetzer Hara, so your Neshama does not become besmirched. This image should arouse an intense desire to attain this goal.(Rav Klonimus Kalman Schapiro, Warsaw Ghetto Writings, Middos255)  

Learn from the Holy Awesome Amazing Tzadik the Chafetz Chayim; speak to your Yetzer Hara when he tries to sway you from the true path. The situation in the Chafetz Chayim's house was desperate. The family had been buying bread on credit; but the baker had declared he could no longer extend credit. On Friday the Chafetz Chayim came home to find his wife crying. She told him that the baker was insisting they pay their debt, and they did not have a penny in the house. The Chafetz Chayim banged his fist on the table and cried out loud. "Yetzer Hara you will not defeat me, you will not cut me off from the study of Torah!!!!!!"(Middos257)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Daniel Hadar  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daily Inspiration Number 23

Holy Jews:  

Hashem has compassion for the unworthy, because they are decended from our Partriachs. For the Holy One, Blessed be He, made an oath to the Patriachs that he would lead and guide even their unworthy descendants, until they are perfected --- as an unearned gift.(Mesechet Brachot Dat 7a, Shemot Rabbah 45, Sefer Tomer Devorah, Middos113)  

How is it possible to benefit from our father's good deeds? After all, we had no part in their efforts. It makes more sense that fathers should benefit from their sons' good deeds, for they invested much blood, sweat and tears in their children's development. Zechut Avot is not a storehouse we dip into as needed. It is a vehicle, forged to make certain no one will say, "Look at the punishment being given to the depraved descendants of those great men." As long as a Jew retains a connection to Hashem, punishment is contained, so his ancestors are spared anguish. Once a Jew has severed his ties to his people, his deeds no longer embaress the Patriarchs.(Thirteen Middot, pp 206-207)(Middos113)  

Midrash Tanchuma explains that the storehouse of grace for the unworthy is even larger than the storehouse for the worthy.(Ki Sisa 27) Why do the unworthy have access to additional grace? Is that fair? In fact, they receive a lesser amount of reward, but since their numbers are larger, their storehouse is, of necessity, far greater.(Etz Yosef on Midrash Tanchuma)(Middos114)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Daniel Hadar  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daily Inspiration Number 22

Holy Jews:  

When two people marry, their union fashions a bond in the spiritual realm where the feminine and masculine dimensions are united. This unification promotes the flow of positive influence to our material world. The Alter Rebbe writes, "The joy of the bride and groom results from two separate entities locating each other. The joy would not be as significant if they had not been intimate before their separation. It can be compared to a man who has not seen his dear friend for a long time. When he meets him, he is flooded with joy and love. The joy is so overpowering because they have been separated for such a long time and because there had been such an intimate connection between them. There is a direct correlation between the distress at their separation and the joy at their reunion. "This applies to a Chattan and Kallah. Their souls had once been united. They were then separated so each could enter bodies in this world. When they are reunited under the chupa, the joy is intense, for they were once one and endured a protracted, distinct separation."(Maamar Eshalech, Liozna)(Middos243)  

If a couple is worthy, they merit a unity as intense as the original.(Zohar1, 91)(Middos244)  

Chazal(Our Sages) went to great lengths to create a joyful atmosphere at weddings. This included singing, dancing, and cavoring in front of the bride and groom.(Mesechet Brachot Daf 30-31) It is especially important to endear the couple and their families to each other.(Mesechet Brachot Daf 6, Rashi) The importance of this mitzvah increases significantly if the couple is disadvantaged. If they are orphans, impoverished, or their parents are unable to help, it is a great mitzvah to help the couple rejoice.(Ahavat Chessed III, 6)(Middos238)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Daniel Hadar  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daily Inspiration Number 21

Holy Jews:  

When you give something to someone, you are actually investing part of yourself in that person. Once the connection is made, you develop a positive feeling toward the recipient of your chessed.(Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, Michtav M'Eliyahu)(Middos205)  

As long as Avraham Avinu lived, he was Hashem's chessed representative in this world. (Sefer HaBahir, cited in Ishei HaTanach) His hospitality included giving food and drink, accompanying people, and giving them a place to sleep. In Avraham's home, everyone was given everything they requested.(Avraham planted Eishel. The letters can be reversed to spell She'al which means "ask")(Midrash Tanchuma)(Middos223)  

Feedling the poor is like bringing an offering on the Altar. If his guest is a poor Talmid Chacham, it is as if he brought the daily Tamid offering.(Chagiga 27, Brachot 10, Middos223)  

When the Beit Hamikdash existed, the altar attoned for man's sins. Now his table serves that purpose.(Chagiga 27) His table atones, as he offers hospitality to strangers.(Rashi, Ibid. Mishnah Berurah 167,30, Middos222)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

Daniel Hadar  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daily Inspiration Number 20

Holy Jews:  

Visting a sick person removes a sixtieth of the illness. Both the visitor and patient are saved from Gehenoim.(Nedarim 40) Just as we put out the fires of sickness and fever by visiting a sick friend, so Hashem puts out the fires of Gehenoim for us.(Maharsha)(Middos209)  

The best place to daven(pray) for the ill is at the bedside, as the Shechina is there. It is advisable to have great people daven on behalf of the sick person.(Rama, Shulchan Aruch)(Middos209)  

Bikkur Cholim is a mitzvah fulfilled with one's body, soul, and money. How is it fulfilled with one's body? One involves himself with the needs of the sick person. How should he fulfill the Mitzvah with his soul? He should pour out his soul in supplication and prayers to Hashem, entreating Him to grant his sick friend a speedy recovery. How should he fulfill it with money? He should see that the sick person has money at his disposal, since the material requirements of the sick person are many.(Shaloh Hakadosh, Vol 2, Pesachim)(Middos210)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

Daniel Hadar  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daily Inspiration Number 19

Holy Jews:

   The Talmud states that one learns more from a friend than from a teacher.(Taanit Daf 7a) This is because we do not stand in awe of a friend as we may with a Rebbe, we are not as intimidated. We are more likely to challenge a friend's opinion in the pursuit of the truth.(Lechem Shamayim) Doing so sharpens the acumen of both students, and ultimately, deepens their understanding.
   Rav Avraham Danzcig, author of the Chayei Adam, recalled how, at the age of fourteen, before leaving his home to learn in Yeshiva, his father made him take an oath that he would only befriend students who were serious in their service of Hashem. The seriousness of that oath remained seared in his mind, and served as an impetus to achieve such great success.(49 Steps to Greatness, Ephraim Nissenbaum p. 59,60, Targum Press)

Something to think about:
The life of a person who does not stray after his eyes is prolonged.(Ibn Ezra, Tehilim) The whole world is maintained in his merit.(Reishit Chachma88:13)(Middos151)  

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN  

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam  

Have a great day! Smile!  

Daniel Hadar  

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daily Inspiration Number 18

Holy Jews:

Because each act of giving uplifts and purifies the giver, it is
important to give often. Always remember, the more you give, the more
you get in return.(HaRambam)(Middos218)

The Midrash Tanchuma states, "Malve Hashem Chonen Dal, U'Gemulo
Yeshalem Lo -- He who is gracious to the poor lends to Hashem, and he
will repay him his good deed.(Mishlei 19:17)(Middos217)

The Holy Maggid of Dubno noticed a child dressed in tatters, who was
leading his blind father. The child explained that they were on their
way to the soup kitchen to eat, and that they slept in a cold, wet
room. The Maggid's heart went out to this thin child and his blind
father, and he invited them to his house.
When father and son were seated comfortably, the Maggid asked if they
wished to move in. "We could look after you, and your son Shlomie
could go to cheder." The father agreed. The child thrived in cheder,
and lived with his adoptive family even after his father died. He
became the famous scholar Rav Shlomo Kluger.(Maayan HaShavua II,
p.10)(Middos218)

During the 1948 siege of Yerushalayim Air Hakodesh, the Gerrer Rebbe,
the Bais Yisrael, learned that many families were straving. He sent
chasidim with food to the shelters. When he was criticized for
endangering the lives of the messengers, he explained that whoever
fears Hashem need not fear bombs. Indeed none of his angels of mercy
were ever harmed.(Peer Yisrael ch. 9)(Middos219)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile!

Daniel Hadar

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daily Inspiration Number 17

Holy Jews:

One should should have compassion for all of Bnei Yisrael as if they
were our own children. One should not tire or become discouraged, for
this is the way of Hashem, a Father whois merciful to all his
children.(Sefer Tomer Devorah, Perek Shelishi)(Middos182)

The Slonimer Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Noach Berzhovsky, describes the
loving personality. "His only goal in life is to be a caring and
compassionate person. He builds his world on love, striving to love
everyone in his heart, and always seeking to help everyone in thought,
word and deed. He arouses love in his mind, caressing everyone he
meets with his gaze; each word he speaks is like a healing balm and a
poultice on the heart of whoever hears it. All his thoughts are about
how he can help another person. He is always soft and gentle, and even
when he should be hard, he forbears. He sees only the positive in
others. He is always hopeful that everything will turn out for the
good, because he knows that Hashem loves him and it is impossible that
He would hurt him. He loves Hashem and loves Hashem's creatures.
When his friend is strangled by suffering and his spirit is choking,
he fulfills the pasuk(verse) "I am with him in his trouble."
encouraging him and breathing hope into him. In times of hapiness, he
truly shares his friend's joy.
By his very presence, he sheds his happy spirit on everyone near him,
and he imparts an atmosphere of love and friendship to his
surroundings and a joyful feeling to all who encounter him. It seems
as if he was created only to help others.(Nesivot Shalom p.
98)(Middos191)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! Smile!

Daniel Hadar

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daily Inspiration Number 16

Holy Jews:

One's face should always shine, and he should receive all people with
a cheerful countenance.(Sefer Tomer Devorah, Rabbi Moshe Cordeovaero
ZT"L, Tomer Publications)

A shining face means a smiling face.(Mesechet Brachot Daf 7a, Rashi)(Middos156)

Even if you are not in the mood, force yourself to smile, the results
are contagious. Your smile declares "I'm happy to see you." With
positive eye contact, we convey feelings of respect and affection. We
honor a person by smiling at him.(Maharal) An external smile brings an
internal smile in its wake.(Middos157)

Rav Aryeh Levine Zecher Tzadik Vkadosh Lbracha once refused someone's
offer of gloves. "How will I be able to warmly greet someone if my
hands are covered?" He made it a point of greeting everyone he passed
on his way to pray Vatikin, especially street cleaners. Rav Aryeh
wished to show his appreciation for the street cleaners, who get up
early to clean the streets while everyone is fast asleep.(Middos158)

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! SMILE!!!!

Daniel Hadar

(To sponsor a Daily Inspiration, contact Daniel Hadar at Yeshbachur@gmail.com)

Daily Inspiration Number 15

Holy Jews:

Rav Yisrael Salanter was quick to point out that our face is in the
public domain. Therefore, everyone should make a concerted effort to
ensure that his face is always pleasant. People brighten when you
smile at them. Make sure you do not ruin a person's day by scowling at
him.(Middos160)

Every person hungers for a smile. A smile costs nothing but gives
much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who
give. It takes a moment, but the memory can last forever. None is so
rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor
that he cannot be made rich by it. A smile creates hapiness at home,
fosters good will in business, and is the sign of friendship. It
brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the
sad, and it is nature's best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be
bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is of no value to anyone
until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile.
Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile as much as one who has
no more to give.(Rebbetzin S. Feldbrand, Middos160-161)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 14

Holy Jews:

Most people accept the norms and values of the society in which
they find themselves. Most people want the same things that others
want. Most people are products of their society and their enviornment.
Most people follow; they do not think things out for themselves.
But that is not the Jewish way, Judaism is a life path that
requires thinking. Judaism requires the courage to think powerfully
about values and it requires the courage to reject values despite
their acceptance by society at large. We accept values because they
are right, not because the world around us does. And we reject values
when they are wrong, even if the world believes in them.
Avraham was ready to stand against an entire world. His values were
thought out and consciously chosen, and they were not those of his
society or his generation. Ever since then, that has been our way.(The
Thinking Jewish Teenager's Guide To Life, Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz,
Introduction, p 11-12, Targum Press)

A person is a microcosm - literally, a small world. If he sees himself
on par with the world, then he is truly small. If he is small in his
own eyes, then he is truly the world.(Rav Noach of
Lechovitz)(Middos126)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 13

Holy Jews:

A person should flee to the furthest extreme from the evil middah of
anger. He should never allow himself to become angry, even over things
that justifiably cause anger.(HaRambam, Hilchot Deot 3)(Middos141)

How does the locomotive have enough power to pull all those railroad
cars? By keeping its steam inside.(Sefat Emet)(Middos141)

Individual Avairot harm specific limbs, but the sin of anger damages
the Neshama. An impure replica temporarily replaces a person's pure
Neshama each time he loses his temper. All of the person's Mitzvot are
lost in transfer. This process recurs each time a person is enraged.
The only way to halt this regression is to control one's anger.(Chida
citing the Zohar Tezave in Moreh Be'Etzbah 1, Kaf HaChayim
170)(Middos141)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day! SMILE

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 12

Holy Jews:

The Rebbe, Reb Shmelke, was once asked how it was possible to love
wicked people. He replied, "You have to love the Neshama within
because it is a part of Hashem from Above. One should take pity on a
person's divine essence, his G-dly Neshama which is being choked by
his evil exterior"(Mevaser Tzedek, Shemen HaTov)(Middos116)

When Someone abuses you and causes you suffering, you must make every
effort to love him even more. There are three reasons for this.
1) First, because you will be strongly tempted to hate him, and loving
your neighbor is a cardinal principle of the Torah.
2) Second, because of your love for him, he will repent. You must love
wicked people, even while hating their evil deeds. When you love
someone, he will also love you, and if you hate his evil deeds, he
will also begin to hate them and will do Teshuva.
3) Third, you must love him because the Jewish people are a chariot
for Kedusha when they are unified and love each other. When there is a
schism, Kedusha and good do not stream to this world -- they are
diverted to negativity, an appalling state which distresses the
Shechina. A person who sees his fellow withdrawing from him must
therefore love him more, and draw even nearer to him to close the
breach.(Imrei Pinchas HaShalem)(Middos116)

Rav Nossan Finkel compared a wicked person to a sleeping King. Even
when asleep, a king's honor is precious because he is still the king
and all must treat him as such. (HaSabah M'Slobodka)(Middos117)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day, Chodesh Tov, You should be zoche to a month filled
with Hatzlacha both in Ruchniut and Gashmiut bechinam AMEN

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 11

Holy Jews:

Just as you evaluate others, so will you be evaluated by Hashem. When
the Heavenly court seeks to judge man, he is often shown someone else
commiting a sin similiar to his own. The court waits to see how he
will appraise the scene being witnessed. If we condemn the
perpetrator, then we too are condemned. If we judge favorably, then we
are judged in the same manner.(Kedushas Levi)(Middos92)

When a person forms a favorable opinion of others, his evaluation
rises to the Heavenly court and his testimony may be responsible for
saving a Jew's life. What a privilege!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Tiferet
Shlomo)(Middos92)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 10

Holy Jews:

The Chachamim of Eretz Yisrael sent the following message to the
Chachamim in Bavel:"Who will attain the World to Come? He who is
modest and humble, comes and goes unobstrusively and studies Torah
constantly without ascribing credit to himself."
The Maharsha explains that various forms of humility are cited because
humility is the most important midda, while Gayva(Haughtiness) is teh
worst of all traits and is repugnant to Hashem. The three aspects of
humility mentioned are humility in thought, humility in one's physical
bearing and mannerisms, and humility in one's wealth and
possessions.(Maharsha on Sanhedrin 88b)(Middos124)

Humility should express itself in thought, speech and deed. The
diminution of one's ego shoudl be obvious in the way one walks and
dresses, in relationships with others, in one's Torah learning and
prayers. A humble person is more likely to be compassionate and
considerate of other people. He is more capable of building healthy
relationships.(Shelah Hakadosh)(Middos125)

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for Aaron Simcha ben Esther
to have a speedy painless recovery. AMEN

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiraton Number 9

Holy Jews:

The Torah in this email should be a zechut for the refua shelaima of
Aaron Simcha ben Esther, a sixteen year old boy who has cancer.

Just as a person is punished for something negative, so he is punished
for ignoring the opportunity to say something positive.(Zohar,
Vayikra)(Middos77)

Hashem says to the Jewish people, "My children, my loved ones, do I
lack a single thing that I should have to ask it from you? Only that
you love each other and honor each other and respect each other." That
is what Hashem asks from us. How can we refuse?(Tanna Debai
Eliyahu)(Middos78)

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 8

Holy Jews:

The Mitzvah of Rebuke is an extension of the Mitzvah to love one's
fellow. It is a result of a genuine concern for his spiritual
wellbeing. Just as one is obliged to help a fellow Jew monetarily, it
is certainly no less an obligation to help him obtain spiritual
perfection.(Chovot HaLevavot, Shaar Ahavat Hashem 6)(Middos71)

A person is like a diamond with some dust on it. To clean the dust,
one should not use a hard brush where the bristles create tiny
scratches {criticism}. Rather, one should wipe the dust off the stone
with a very soft brush {encouragement}. Then the diamond will shine
brighter from day to day.(Rav Chaim Friedlander)(Middos72)

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 7

Holy Jews:

Loving our neighbor as ourselves means not loving him simply because
it is a Mitzvah, but loving him just as we love ourselves. No one
would say, "I've fulfilled the Mitzvah of loving myself." In the same
way, you should love the other person naturally, from joy and
pleasure, without limit, and without ulterior motives and
justifications.(Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv, Tenuat HaMussar)(Middot60)

One of the deepest pleasures is experienced when we behave selflessly
and our actions benefit others. Acts of extended caring elevate us
spiritually. The hearts of great people beat in unison with those of
their fellow Jews, to the extent that they can genuinely feel their
pain. The Chazon Ish recommended that if you wish to develop your
sensitivity for others, the best way to do so is to daven on their
behalf.(Middot60)

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 6

Holy Jews:

Consider Hashem's compassion. Hashem does not tell us that we made the
mess and must therefore clean it up. He lowers Himself, as it were,
into the depths, receiving our Teshuva and raising us from the muck.
He does not send messenger malachim to do the job, Hashem does it
Himself. A person pausing to ponder this concept should feel enormous
gratitude to Hashem(Michtav M'Eliyahu II, Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler,
p 80)(Middot44)

Forgiveness is not clothed in reassuring words such as "It's Nothing"
or "Don't Worry" or "What's done is done" but rather in the form of
scrubbing away our sin. When Hashem eliminates our sins, it is as if
they had never been done. (Malbim, see Yeshaya 4:4, and Yechezkel
36:25)(Middot44)

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 5

Holy Jews:

In spirit we are all one Neshama, with one source, having one Father!
By virtue of our Neshama's root, we are all brothers. The body which
separates us, making us different from one another, is of secondary
importance and should not prevent closeness(Tanya) The differences
between Sephardim, Ashkenazim, Litvaks, Hasidim, Hungarians, Poles,
Iraqis, Iranians and more are reflections of the surrounding
non-Jewish cultures that have affected us, leaving superficial
variations. If we scratch the surface, we will find we are
indistinguishable inside. We complement one another, each contributing
what the other lacks. None of us is complete without the rest of our
people.(Middot53)

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 4

Holy Jews:

The Spiritually complete individual must be always mindful of his/her
middot. He/She shall weigh his/her deeds and examine his/her character
traits daily. As soon as he/she sees himself/hersefl turning toward
one extreme or another, he/she shall hasten to remedy the situation.
He/she shall not permit the bad middah to be reinforced by repeating a
wrong deed(HaRambam, Shemonah Perakim, 4)(Middot14)

A person must improve his character traits first, for only then will
his Torah wisdom be retained.(Rabainu Yona, Avot 3. 9; 3,
17)(Middot14)

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 3

Holy Jews:

Bad Middot can lead to a host of Avairot. Displaying a bad character
trait is therefore worse than tragressing a commandment. A good
character, in contrast, is the primary requisite for fulfilling
Mitzvot. If a person possesses excellent middot, he will easily
fulfill the mitzvot(Rav Chayim Vital, Shaarei Kedusha, Shaar
Sheni)(Middot14)

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 2

Holy Jews:

A man's toil to refine his character and serve the Borai Olam must be
done with inner integrity, without pretensions. One who has delusions
of grandeur is fooling no one but himself. And what is great about
fooling a fool?(Rabbi Dov Ber of Lubavitch)(Middot2)

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar

Daily Inspiration Number 1

Holy Jews:

The Abarbanel says that the word Tzelem derives from Tzel, shadow.
This indicates that we must cleave to Hashem and follow his way, much
as a shadow faithfully follows the movement of its source.(Middot1)

Shefa Bracha Vhatzlacha Rabbah Bechinam

Have a great day!

Daniel Hadar