Monthly Archives: July 2014

BS’D

Prayer offers the opportunity to tear down the façade that we are alone or that Hashem is distant from us. Instead, it enables us to really feel that we are placed in the all-encompassing reality of Hashem’s constant presence.

Throughout our day we must be conscious of Hashem’s presence, as it says in the verse from Tehillim (16:8) “Shivisi Hashem l’negdi tamid… (I have set Hashem before me always …)”. Repeating this verse will implant the notion in our minds that we are always in Hashem’s presence.

Another powerful verse from Tehillim that strengthens our awareness of G-d is (73:22) “V’Ani Tamid Imach… (Yet, I was constantly with you…”). This reminds us that no matter what we do or how far we may have drifted, we are intimately and constantly connected to Hashem.

To sharpen our minds focus when we pray, we should first stand before Hashem with humility and the acknowledgement and understanding that we are unable to change any results on our own. We must admit we cannot master anything on our own since we are finite and limited human beings. Praying to Hashem to help us pray with greater kavannah is of utmost importance.

Internalizing the above verses from Tehillim can serve to strengthen our yirat Shamayim (reverence of Hashem). The word yirah is likened to the root word ra’ah, to see. Increasing our awareness of His presence in our lives reminds us that nothing is hidden but rather that everything is seen, recorded and witnessed by Hashem. Our thoughts and actions are not private. This knowledge is simultaneously empowering and awe-inspiring. To know that Hashem is aware of everything we think and feel makes us realize that any barriers we perceive as separating us from Him are an illusion.

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is sponsored and dedicated for the zivuggim hagunim (soulmates) of Aaron Eliyahu ben Miriam Feigele, Shlomo Chaim ben Miriam Feigele and Channa Tova bas Miriam Feigele.  May Hashem shower them with hatzlocha and emuna and may they be zoche’ to build 

If you wish to sponsor a Daily Dose of Emuna email or shiur, please contact us at d.d.of.emuna@gmail.com for minimal suggested contribution that goes directly to supporting Torah and Emuna inspiration. Tizku l’mitzvot.

Living a spiritually conscious life takes constant effort. It represents the path of Jewish inner awareness. Our true purpose in davening is to gather all of our spiritual energy in order to reveal that which is hidden and transcend beyond that which my eyes can see, that is, the G-dliness in the World.

Davening is considered the secret Jewish weapon. What is kavannah (focused intent) in prayer? Kavannah represents avodah she’ba’lev (work of the heart) – praying with the heart, not only with the mind. When we pray from the heart, the words are elevated, our emotions are stirred and we strengthen a connection with Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

However, in the absence of proper intent, our prayers go wandering without a destination. Praying with kavannah transforms us and realigns our soul. Kavannah means our words are real, they have direction and effect. I am not merely reciting syllables. Kavannah comes from the word le’ka’vehn (to direct) – like a sharpshooter who aims, fires and hits his target with concentrated focus.

Kavannah can serve to bring out intense clarity of our higher purpose. We may feel a burst of awareness of our true purpose and yearn to fulfill the task perfectly. Davening with kavannah may enable us to feel conscious that we cannot do anything without Hashem’s guidance. Alternatively, it may enable us to hear our soul.

BS’D

Wouldn’t it be uplifting to daven as though the words were bursting forth from our soul? Yet it is so hard to stay focused. It feels as if we are standing at the gates of prayer but cannot enter. Do we lack understanding of the words or do we simply not understand how tefillah is relevant to our lives?

The holy Sages teach that in order to elevate our prayers we need to yearn to connect to Hashem. He is found wherever we call upon His name. Set aside a space – and He shall dwell within. We have all experienced that feeling. Those moments of intimate talk when we’ve let our soul soar and cleave to Hashem. What an unforgettable feeling; attaching ourselves to the highest and holiest.

The Ba’al Shem Tov HaKadosh elucidates a beautiful teaching on the power of prayer from Parshat Noach. It is written in Bereishis (6:14), “Make yourself an ark….Make an opening for daylight in the ark (…Tzohar ta’aseh l’teivah” {6:16}). The Hebrew word teivah means ark however it can also imply a letter in the alphabet. We learn from these verses that every letter opens up a ray of daylight, in the midst of the darkest moment.  It brings forth clarity and g-dliness.

Every letter we utter, whether they are the prescribed prayers from the siddur or our personal prayers of yearning and teshuva, contain worlds of g-dliness. Our soul awaits these moments to bask in Hashem’s radiant light; like a flower opening itself to the morning sun.

Today’s Daily Dose of Emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Rivka Shaindel bat Sora Roizeh.  She is in critical condition right now as we speak.  Please daven for her complete recovery amongst all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.