Author Archives: Orit Esther Riter

BS’D

The Chofetz Chaim ztk’l teaches a parable that clarifies the understanding of the importance of constant review and repetition of emuna learning.

It is likened to a man who draws water from a well on a freezing 20 degrees below zero winter day. He stores the bucket of water outside until he wishes to use it. However to his amazement after a few hours he finds the water frozen solid.  The amount of work now required by him to enjoy some of the water is tremendous; he will have to chisel his way to enjoy but a few drops.

However if he was wise he would have made sure to check on the water every so often.  As a thin layer of ice would begin to form on top he would have simply had to give it a quick stir in order for it to break apart and prevent the formation of a solid block of ice.

We take an insightful teaching from this analogy as this resembles our avodah when it comes to learning emuna.  Emuna requires constant review, evaluation and integration in our lives or else it will freeze and become difficult to access.  The world outside is cold and numbs our emuna senses.

Therefore we must constant dip ourselves into the warm and loving study of emuna to keep our souls well-nourished with the ‘water’ it so desperately needs to drink!

BS’D

Our entire purpose in life is to arrive to the One and Only truth- Ein Od Milvado the absolute knowledge of Hashem.  There is no other power that brings about events without the ratzon of Hashem; ‘His will’ comes through His emissaries – a.k.a. ‘natural means’.

The Ramban ztk’l teaches in his commentary at the end of Parshat Bo- the intention of all the mitzvot is for us to live with emuna in Hashem and recognize His constant presence and intervention in our lives.  The result of which is a profound sense of appreciation for Him having created us and giving us the opportunity to live.  This is our sole purpose in life.

To bring this one step further our task is to differentiate between event and it’s seemingly ‘natural cause’ and link it directly to its true source – ratzon Hashem.  There is no other cause but His will; Hashem is the Seebat HaSeebot (Reason of Reasons).

The Gra’, the Vilna Gaon ztk’l, further elucidates on this teaching in his Mishlei commentary (22:39)- the founding principle behind the giving of the Torah to B’nai Yisrael is that they should place their complete trust in HaKadosh Baruch Hu; that is the entire purpose behind keeping mitzvot.

There is one and only one way to implant this recognition firmly and deeply within us; repetition and review.  Reminding oneself of this fundamental message evening, morning and afternoon is the only way to keep it viable in every step we take.  The world presents us with ‘nature’, coincidence and logical reason.  Learning emuna equips us with the necessary armor to pierce these outer shells and see Hashem in it all.

BS’D

The soul goes through many struggles in this world to attach herself to Hashem. As the soul ascends from level to level in her attempt to complete her mission there will be downfalls; this should be expected and planned for.  There is no need to despair – this is part and parcel of her refinement process.

Principally speaking, these spiritual falls are intended to increase our drive to come closer to Hashem and build our relationship.  As part of the effort to regain attachment, we begin doing teshuva and take inventory of our spiritual standing.   Thus, Rebbe Nachman ztk’l teaches this is a descent for the purpose of an ascent.

From here we learn a remarkable lesson: this lowly world provides our soul with the precise environment it needs to battle, overcome and B’H elevate itself to those levels that it would not be able to attain if stayed on high.  This world is ‘boot camp’ for the soul where she experiences countless ups and downs so that we may increase our ratzon (intense desire) and determination to attach ourselves to higher and higher spiritual levels.

Living life with the knowledge that we will periodically receive a ‘wake-up’ call through those challenges so that we do not miss ‘our mark’ is heartening to say the least.  The goal is to keep reminding ourselves that this is what life is all about and not to get sidetracked with other thoughts and goals in mind.

BS’D

Emuna is an innate gift given to every Jew.  The emuna seeds were ‘planted’ during the entire experience of Yetziat Mitzrayim; with every plague another seedling was lovingly planted in our hearts by Hashem, a testimony of His love for us.  We read in the Pesach Hagaddah, “Ani v’lo saraf (It was I {Hashem} and not an angel)” who redeemed you from Mitzrayim; so that we remember that we were and still are personally taken care of by Hashem Himself.

Genuine emuna is a settled intellectual conviction that what Hashem has promised will indeed come to pass.  Borei Olam’s promises of our future are as certain and reliable as though they were being told to us personally right now.  We should be keenly aware of Hashem’s love for us at every given moment.  The word bitachon (trust) is derived from the word betach (secure).  In other words it describes a state of safety, security and certainty, not just intellectually but emotionally.

“Ki karov eilecha hadavar me’od b’ficha u’vilvavecha la’asotoh (For the matter is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it)” (Devraim 30:11).  Although this particularly refers to our ability to do teshuva, it is a well known teaching that after doing a spiritual accounting we are gifted with incredible closeness to Borei Olam.  The ability to bond to Hashem is very near to us, we need not travel far to access it, as it is warmly planted in our hearts.

BS’D

The Torah states that Moshe Rabbeinu bitterly complained to HaKadosh Baruch Hu, “… Did I give birth to them (Ahm Yisrael), that You say to me, ‘Carry them (Ahm Yisrael) in your bosom as the nurse (oman) carries the suckling.  From where have I meat to give to this entire nation?” (Bamidbar 11:12). The root word of oman is the same as for emuna.

Just as the mother’s milk is vital in the growth of her infant, so too does emuna play an exceptionally important role in the life of a Jew.  The newborn needs to be nurtured in order to develop into a healthy individual.  Similarly, the Jewish soul must be supported through thoughts, words and acts of emuna to vitalize the body with strength to live and assist the soul to fulfill its mission.

However in the incident above Moshe feels he can no longer care for the Jewish people and nurture their emuna.  Why did he meet ‘ends rope’ when he was asked to provide meat for Ahm Yisrael? After all this wasn’t the first time he was pressed with complaints from them.

This instance though was different since it depicted a nation who simply wished for meat to satisfy their physical cravings and not for existential purposes.  This imparts a serious problem – here Ahm Yisrael pursued their material lusts severed from spiritual intent.  A person can never completely gratify his bodily desires as taught in Kohelet, “A man does not die having fulfilled half of his lusts.”  One lust leads to another to no end.

A great emuna lesson is taught here – emuna cannot be ingrained unless we trim our material pursuits.  The drive for constant material gain is persistently met with dissatisfaction and complaints; a fortress and barrier that prevents emuna from growing.

BS’D

Pain and suffering can affect our emuna either as a cover when removed reveals that which is underneath or as an earthquake shakes the earth; either it will reveal our inner light which lay dormant or shatter us to pieces.  Let us explore the idea on how challenges can bring our latent potential to surface into actuality.

Hardships are likened to ‘wake up’ calls.  Depending on how sound asleep we are, the ‘alarm’ will sound softly or loudly.  The Heavenly goal is to get our attention to shift gears and strengthen our awareness of Hashem’s presence in our lives.

Which state of sleep are we in?

1)      Are we dozing off but can still hear our name being called, yet are unable to reply rationally?

2)     Are we so sleepy that we need to be awakened to notice what is going on around us?

3)     Do we need ‘medical’ intervention (incidents in our lives) to awaken us?

4)     Is the state of sleepiness so deep that we are likened to be in a state of anesthesia, whereby all sense of feeling is removed?

As the urgency to get our attention becomes more pressing, we are summoned from above with stronger signs to respond.  The objective – motivate us to reveal our immeasurable potential and shine our light which was previously hidden from ourselves and others.

We have so much to do during our limited time here in this world.  If we are ‘asleep’ we won’t realize how much we could have done.  Therefore next time a challenge caresses your life, don’t hit the sleep button. Rise and shine to a better you and light up your world!

BS’D

Emuna originates from the heavenly sphere where the upper lights and creative forces originate.  Our soul stems from this lofty place and once experienced this immense G-dly light directly.  The desire to connect back to this light is the soul’s only desire and mission; the purpose of her existence.

The neshama ‘remembers’ the delight she once experienced.  It is deeply engraved in her.  Unconsciously, we (our bodies) seek pleasure yet we do not understand that this sensation comes from the soul’s desire to bond with that place where all goodness derives from Hashem Yitborach.

Emuna is the bridge that connects the upper and lower worlds.  To have emuna means to connect our worldly experiences and define their relevance according to Heavenly terms.  Seeing worldly happenings through the eyes of the soul, through emuna eyes, creates an entirely new reality, a new pair of lenses.

Let’s look at the purity of a child – their simplicity and wholeheartedness.  Adults feel as though they are speaking to a soul and not the body of a little person.  They are real and not blocked by impurities – until they get older and the outer world has impacted their way of thinking.   A child is simple and sincere.  They know how to say “I don’t know” when they don’t.  Children aren’t intimidated by society and the opinion of others.  They are guided by their internal compass called the soul.

We should learn from the ways of children.  Their sincerity and care when you talk to them, their ability to be in touch with their feelings and their innocent non-judgmental outlook can serve as emuna 101 classes for every one of us.