BS’D
Today’s 14th of Sivan is the yahrtzeit of the Nefesh HaChaim, R’ Chaim m’Volozhin ztk’l. As a primary disciple of the Vilna HaGaon ztk’l he emphasized the power of Torah study and fulfillment of mitzvot to bring a Jew close to Hashem. The central importance of Torah study reached its heights in the yeshiva, which became a model for all Lithuanian Yeshivot. May his merit serve as a holy advocate for Klal Yisrael, Amen.
Every day I get emails from women around the world addressing the same idea – I have emuna in my mind, but missing it in my heart. Emuna of the mind a.k.a. intellectual emuna is not strong enough to affect our emotions. In order for emuna to touch our emotions, a.k.a. sensory emuna, it is vital to get in touch with our thoughts which give birth to our emotions. What other benefit does uplifting our thoughts have aside from feeling better about our circumstances?
Thoughts affect our destiny. This may sound extreme however Torah teaches that positive thinking, holy speech and good deeds can change our path. Hashem brings forth all events. Yet it is within the power of every Jew who lives a life of emuna, and who truly believes that Hashem can bring about a change in their situation to merit Heavenly compassion and additional assistance.
When we believe with all of our hearts that Hashem loves us and wants only for our good this wipes away the bitter view and enables us to readily see the good. Emuna deepens our vision and elevates our eyes to spiritually see the good. However it doesn’t stop there. On a more palpable level it actually produces change in the situation for the better. Such is the tremendous power of emuna. We will continue to expand on this teaching in the coming days.
