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The first step in working towards ‘feeling’ our emuna is recognizing that it requires work.  We need to continuously fight to hold emuna in our hearts. The Torah instructs that emuna is already present in our hearts as written in Sefer Shemot, “v’Aseetem  Li Mikdash v’Shachanti be’tocham (And they shall make for me a sanctuary and I will dwell amongst them).” However we need to focus on living a life of holiness in order to sense Hashem’s presence.

From here we understand that Hashem can be felt within when we increase our kedusha.  This stage in emuna development requires deep introspection and accountability; here we must be truthful with ourselves. Do we genuinely pursue spirituality in life or do we make significant concessions? Ask yourself, “How important is Torah living to me?” and “Am I willing to surrender to my Rav (after properly ensuring that he is righteous and G-d fearing) and Torah scholar’s guidance?”

When we empty our hearts from egocentric desires, arrogance and untrue feelings that Hashem doesn’t care for us, we will begin to sense His ongoing existence; we begin to touch our G-dly spark a.k.a. our neshama. Here lies the key to heartfelt emuna; penetrate the body’s exterior and delve into the soul.

One simple and practical way is to talk to your soul; feed her the nourishment she craves by talking to her in a language she can understand. The following is an example of the way to talk to your soul, “Hashem, Ribbono Shel Olam, You are My Aba.   I love You and I know You love me.  But I am lost; I can’t live without You anymore. Please help me… “

Another simple piece of advice to touch our soul is to adapt or expand an attitude of gratitude.  See Hashem in everything from the trees to your working car; from your children to your ability to walk. Life is a gift, one we didn’t earn by performing any special deed. We are in debt to our Creator from the first breath we inhale.

Let’s expand our horizons and the way we see life; it’s time to develop emuna vision. Remember that Hashem is looking out for our ultimate good.  Just as money put into savings requires us to limit current spending habits for future benefit, so too does Hashem control and guide our current life’s path for our eternal benefit. Appreciate the personal attentive care Hashem invests in each of us.

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Do you know where life is taking you? Do you like the things that life is showing you? The answer to question one is probably no. The answer to question two is all dependent on whether you are aware of your purpose in life.

The answer to question two is no if you want your life to be as you want it to be. The answer to question two is no if you aren’t in touch with your inner point of greatness and infinite potential. The answer to question two is no if you are confused over why you are here and don’t know what your life is all about. Question one can remain no yet still have no effect on whether you live a happy fulfilled life; as long as you know that there is ‘Someone’ who does know where you are heading.

We each travel on individual spiritual paths tailor planned for us to reach our eternal destination, B’H after 120. Hashem has a very meticulous plan outlining every route, alleyway, and footpath we are meant to stride on. When we decide to focus our mind, heart and eyes on Hashem’s road realizing that there is no better track for us to walk on, we will be able to say yes to question two.

We don’t need to know what is ahead, only that we have the ‘best tour guide’ in the world who is taking us to the places we need to ‘visit.’ Let us stay focused on Who is leading us and continuously talk with Him along the way. This will keep us feeling calm, safe and assured that He is shepherding us to our journey’s end.

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‘Residing in Meah Shearim, R. Ofer teaches a well known segulah (spiritual practice that increases one’s merit) to remove sadness. He recommends reading chapter 147:3 of Tehillim seven times consecutively without interruption upon feeling melancholy. This pasuk says, “Ha-rofeh li’shvurei lev, u’michabesh l’atzvosam— He Who is the Healer to the brokenhearted will also bind up their wounds.”

In order to fully understand the meaning of this pasuk, we also need to analyze the previous and latter pesukim. The previous pasuk reads, “Nidchei Yisrael yichanes,” which, when taking the first letter of each of these three words, spells the word yayin (wine). Some interpret this as suggesting that when we are downhearted, we should sip wine to lift our spirits. Elsewhere in Tehillim it is written, “Yayin yismach levav enosh— Wine makes glad the heart of the man” The Radak’s commentary on this pasuk is that when wine is drunk—in moderation!—it leads man to be happy.

The latter pasuk (147:4) reads, “Moneh mispar la’kochavim, l’chulam sheimos yikrah— He who fixes the number of the stars calls all of them, too, by name.” This pasuk teaches us that each and every one of us is important in Hashem’s eyes because Hashem knows each of His dispersed sons by name. The Ibn Ezra writes that no one is lost in His count. Just as He is aware of every star and their particular task, He is aware of our pain, our tikkun (soul’s path of rectification) and our hardships, and He is there for us through it all. Remembering this wisdom will prevent us from ever feeling alienated or alone.

The Baal Shem Tov suggests that we turn to tefillah which eventually leads to an elevation of our spirits. Tefillah should be done from a place called lev nishbar (a broken heart) rather than a state of hopelessness or of complaint. It is ideal to pray to the Borei Olam through a voice of hope rather than of anguish— with a broken heart in need of mending and dependant only on the Borei Olam to send him his yeshuah. Consequently, through tefillah our broken heart will be mended and we will be uplifted to a state of joy.’

– “Turn Around” by Orit Esther Riter, Day 136, pg. 310

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What is Emuna? To paraphrase Sefer Hachinuch, Mitzva 25- It is the belief that the world has only One G-d and it is through His power and desire that everything ever was, is and will come to exist. Emuna is the foundation of Judaism. Emuna is believing in this fundamental truth as outlined in the Torah and that anything else is simply impossible. This teaching relates to Hashem’s greatness and goodness and our lack of strength and understanding to grasp all matters. From where do we attain our Emuna? R’ Hirsch ztk’l teaches that emuna is the trust that develops from our experience with Hashem’s power and reliability. It is expressed through our willingness to allow our lives to be directed and developed in accordance to His will.

The RamBam ztk’l outlines the thirteen principles of emuna as follows:

1) We must believe that any part of existence is impossible without the existence of our Creator. Yet, the Creator requires nothing for His existence.
2) There is only One G-d. Nothing in the universe can be compared to His Oneness.
3) G-d has no body or physical aspect
4) G-d has always been in existence and always will be. He is eternal.
5) There is no power besides G-d whom it is fitting to serve.
6) G-d bestows prophecy to those who follow all of the Torah commandments and merit to perfect their personal attributes.
7) The prophecy of Moshe was greater than any other prophecy before or since.
8) Belief that the entire Torah is true and completely accurate as dictated to Moshe by G-d.
9) Since the entire Torah comes from G-d, one may not add to it or take away from it.
10) G-d is aware of all of our actions.
11) There is reward and punishment for our actions.
12) Mashiach ben Dovid can come at any time and he will be a greater king than any other human king.
13) At the proper time, there will be a revival of the dead for those righteous individuals who deserve it.

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Those who have internalized bitachon to the extent that they apply it to everyday life situations experience far less anxiety than otherwise. Bitachon is the strongest indicator that he has cast his burdens onto HaKadosh Baruch Hu. If we can simply say “I accept the circumstances of my life for what they are,” we remind ourselves that whatever Hashem desires is just good and we accept it with love.

Ultimately, bitachon is the only true answer to all of life’s queries. No falsehoods, just unassuming emes (truth). Our Creator wants us to serve Him in purity and simplicity. Accepting the conditions of life with humility implants the knowledge that we do not know what is best for us, only the Ribbono Shel Olam does. Humility works hand in hand with contentment.

The Vilna Gaon teaches us that innermost serenity is achieved when we are satisfied with the physical possessions that we have, without any desire for more. The opposite of contentment is desire, a major transgression. Bitachon should not stop us from following natural paths to achieve what we need in order to survive. That is our hishtadlus. However, yearning for more than this minimum requirement is acting with desire— a trait to be wary of.

For instance, let’s consider a person searching for his bashert (soulmate). Many people invest extensive time and energy into finding their marriage partner. This search is often fraught with tension and glitches. Things may not seem to work out the way one predicts. When one finally thinks they have found the right one… it falls through.

Yet, brewing under the surface, from a place where you least expect it, a new prospect is proposed. Baruch Hashem he or she is The One! Only in hindsight  can many people appreciate Hashem’s handiwork in arranging that the previous possibility fell through. Though it was all for the best at the time it fell through, without bitachon we may only see the brilliance of Hashem’s plan with hindsight.

– “Turn Around” by Orit Esther Riter, Day 126, pg.290

Dovid HaMelech cries, “Penei eilai v’choneni, ki yecheed v’ani ani— Turn to me and show me favor, for I am alone and afflicted [lit., poor].”

Often, when we do a self-accounting of our deeds we reach a candid place where we come to realize how alone and helpless we truly are. Our zechuyos (meritorious deeds) are in short supply, and our future rests only on rachamei Shamayim (Hashem’s compassion). Consequently, we may feel “alone and afflicted.” It dawns on us that there is no one to rely on other than on our father in Shamayim (Ein al mi l’hisha’en ela al Avinu she’baShamayim).

However, once we have entered deep into the mindset of how much we depend on HaKadosh Baruch Hu, and daven from the depth of our soul to Him, we can be assured that He will show His kindness and help us. As it says, “Ba’ erev yalin bechi, v’la-boker rinah— In the evening one lies down weeping, but with dawn, a cry od joy.” In the evening, when we face hardships, we go to sleep weeping and experience a negative mindset. “But with dawn” — when good fortune appears on the horizon — we cry tears of joy and we see everything in a positive light.

Life may feel like a rollercoaster; sometimes good times and sometimes bitter times. When we experience smooth sailing, it is relatively easy to think positively — everything is good and will be good. Yet, the opposite is true as well. The trick is to avoid this rollercoaster by constantly reminding ourselves— particularly during the tough times— that everything is for the good. When we think rosy, things become rosy.

No matter how tough or negative a situation appears, we should revitalize ourselves to stay positive in our thinking. We can actively search for every minute benefit that may accrue from that situation, no matter how small or far-fetched. The impact of our mindset is more powerful than we can fathom. As someone once said, “Life is all about perception. It is not what it is— it is what we think it is.”

– “Turn Around” by Orit Esther Riter, Day 68, pg.172

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Every emotion (even if born out of mundane occurrences) and every spout of inspiration contains within it a message from our soul. Whatever the cause may be that is upsetting and causing us frustration we must turn to Hashem since this is the way that He speaks to us, through our feelings. There is no one and no where else to turn but to ask Hashem for help. What kind of help? We ask for clarity of mind and understanding and for the ability to accept and internalize that everything is for the best.

One of the most difficult tasks in this world is to live life mindfully; to be aware of what is happening inside and outside of ourselves. Acknowledging and accepting our feelings while letting go of those that harm us carves the path for healthier relationships with ourselves, those around us and of course Hashem. If we are boggled down with emotional turmoil and dismiss our feelings, we miss out on the prime opportunity to understand our soul’s needs and complete her rectification.

Our soul is hiding under layers of ‘covers’ and is a spring that waits to burst forth. However we must dig and search for cracks in our soul and always strive to expose her light. With each time that we tend to our various emotions, we expose our soul more and more thus making it easier for her to wake up with passion and inspiration more easily. We can sensitize our mind to the point where we will see Hashem in everything…. just listen to your heart!

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Why do bad things happen to good people? The Midrash Bereishis Rabbah (32:3) gives three metaphors in trying to tackle this ancient question that probes the minds of both young and old:

* Rabbi Yonatan explains: a potter checking his pots (by tapping their surface) does not hit the weak pots that would crack. Yet, he checks the strong pots that can withstand numerous hits without shattering. So too does Hashem test the strongest of His children.

*Rabbi Yossi ben Chanina teaches: when a flax dealer knows that his flax is of superior quality he does not hesitate to beat it as this causes it to thicken. However a thinner piece of flax will crack when whipped.

* Rabbi Elazar explains: When a farmer has two cows one strong and one weak, which one will he use to carry the heavy load?

The first teaching seems to suggest that checking the pots is for the purpose of the pot and not for the potter in order to demonstrate to the pot how strong it truly is. The second lesson learned from Rabbi Yossi is that hitting the flax strengthens the flax itself and increases its quality and ability to withstand hardship. Rabbi Elazar in the third explanation brings down that difficulties helps strengthen others by example. So, next time you feel like you are carrying the heavy load, know you have been sent the exact amount of weight Hashem knows you can handle.