Author Archives: Orit Esther Riter

BS’D

“Harofeh l’shvurei lev, u’michabesh l’atzvotam (He Who is the Healer to the brokenhearted will also bind up their wounds”) Tehillim 147:3.

The Ba’al Shem Tov HaKadosh ztk”l teaches that tefilla eventually leads to an elevation of spirit.  Tefilla should begin with a lev neeshbar (a broken heart); not a voice of despair but from a voice of hope. A broken heart is in need of mending and dependent on Hashem for fixing.

Tefilla should give us hope as written in Yirmiyahu 14:8; “Mikveh Yisrael Moshiyo be’et Tzara… (O’Mikveh Yisrael, the redeemer thereof in time of difficulties…).”  The passuk should be read as m’kaveh (hope Yisrael for you will be redeemed in your time of difficulties).  A broken heart anticipates redemption knowing it was, is and will be good. Hashem attends to our wounds of sadness; He showers us with love and care. Let our tefillot be the avenue through which we strengthen our emuna and await for the yeshuot, Amen.

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of  Faiga Miriam bas Devora who is undergoing hand surgery today. May Hashem send a complete healing b’mheira among all of Klal Yisrael who are in need of yeshuot v’nechamot, Amen.

BS’D

“Habaim le’taheir m’sayim lo m’Shamayim (The one who sanctifies himself below, is sanctified by above (by Hashem).”  Chazal teach of the greatness and power of a person’s will and desire in their avodat Hashem. It is incumbent upon us to stir our hearts with a desire to spiritually elevate.  One practical way is to find a shiur in your community and commit to attend it on a regular basis excluding unforeseen circumstances.  This initiative creates a vessel for Hashem to pour His blessings into and will draw you closer to Him.

Learning Torah is compared to reading a personal letter addressed to you from Avinu She’b’Shamayim. Torah speaks individually to each of us as though sending us guiding words together with a warm hug.

Humans beings are called b’nei adam. The word adam is derived from the Hebrew word adameh (to resemble, emulate).  The Gemara in Shabbat states one should  emulate Hashem; just as He is compassionate and merciful so should we.  We must walk in His ways, walk in His footsteps; “Ma Hu Rachum, af atah rachum, Ma Hu Chanun, af atah chanun”.

The word mitzvah is directly linked to the word tzavta (companionship).  Performing mitzvot unites and creates companionship with Hashem.  Happy is the one who performs mitzvot with great intent and desire to connect to one’s unlimited G-dliness.

BS’D

Our Sages teach about the tzaddikim; “le’bam be’rishutom/they are in full control over their hearts”.  Additionally written in Pirkei Avot; “who is strong, the one who conquers his inclination (his heart, desire, passion, natural tendencies)”.  A strong person is one who is in full control of his emotions.

Actions require intellect; we cannot rely on emotion alone.  It is of great importance to think before we act and ask the questions: What am I about to do?  Is it worth it?  What will I gain or chas v’Shalom lose from it?

For example while experiencing marital challenges it is wise not to inquire about others and their marital experiences at that time as this may stir unconscious feelings of jealousy and resentment towards them. Rather, hold onto positive thoughts and reserve your energy to constructively move forward. Should you need to seek advice use it to rebuild; stay away from self-pity, jealousy or other negative emotions.

Cheshbonot Shamayim (heavenly calculations) are just.  The particular struggles we go through are directly designed to assist our souls to grow.  They are based on our eternal needs which may not be comfortable to deal with in this world but are for our ultimate good.

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the complete healing of the mother of one of our daily dose of emuna readers Teresa daughter of Rose. May Hashem send her a complete healing in mind, body and soul soon, Amen.

BS’D

Prayers for Shalom bayit should be included in all of our daily tefillot and ‘talks’ with Hashem. Undoubtedly marriages experience ups and downs however a vital key to peace is when the wife and husband individually invest time and effort on refining their personal middot.

Feeling fulfilled as an individual enables us to unite with our spouse in a more positive way.  The AriZal teaches that our spouse is our tikkun; the way to repair a spiritual fault we hold within our own self.

As Rav Ezriel Tauber shlit”a so eloquently describes marriage, ‘You can’t find peace with your other half if you do not have peace with your first half (meaning within you)’. Hashem knows what is best and sets before us that which we need for our eternal benefit.  We are here to spiritually grow and mend our aching nefesh.

Trust Hashem’s plan and rely on His infinite wisdom; we are working for our soul’s eternal good.  However we cannot achieve anything on our own and should beseech Hashem’s guidance each and every day for ultimate success in marriage and all of our endeavors.

BS’D

Stop for a moment and contemplate the amazing gifts Hashem bestows upon you.  Begin by combing your life and viewing every minute. See how Hashem took, takes and will keep taking care of you.  This is the beginning of loving HaKadosh Baruch Hu conditionally. Most definitely your heart should be filled with intense love.

Now you can enter the next phase of love – unconditional love to Hashem. Think about Hashem’s existence and the fact that He is always with you. Talk with Him and make Him the center of your life.  Remove the barriers that block your heart. Sharpen your awareness that Hashem rests within you.

The Maharal ztk”l explains that feeling Hashem’s love is dependent on one’s understanding of how fragile life is.  Each and every moment of life is granted to each person out of Hashem’s will for her to exist.   Acknowledge how vulnerable existence is and how life is ever changing. We need endless Rachamei Shamayim for every step we take.

The Chazon Ish ztk”l teaches that when our emuna increases we begin to feel ‘Divinely taken care of’ and watched over.  An overall feeling of trust and inner calm sweeps through our emotions and unconditional love is carried into our heart.

BS’D

Feelings of hurt gradually turn into anger; feeling we weren’t treated fairly.  Upon close look at the word ‘fair’ let’s ask the question, “What defines fairness?” Fairness is relative to the one who speaks the word. Fairness is connected to our emotions which are born out of our perception of life and the way we think things should be. Negative emotions arise when we feel events are unjust.

Rav Dessler ztk’l teaches that the soul carries middat hatzedek (the attribute of truth, a point of truth). This spark of G-dliness carries with it Hashem’s signature – emet (truth). Therefore Klal Yisrael has an inherent drive to constantly seek the truth – to seek justice/fairness.

However negativity crawls into our emotional system each time we sense an event is unfair.  Still let’s remember that our interpretation is personal and relative to our personal life experiences; a limited viewpoint indeed.

This explains why emuna is vital. Our predisposed analysis is tainted by our past.   We cannot trust our eyes since it varies based on mood, habit and the way we were taught to look at life or as a result of the hardships we went through.   Truth is Hashem’s monogram and belongs solely to Him; it is never changing and eternal.