Author Archives: Orit Esther Riter

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Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Shimon Machlouf ben Miriam Varda, the son of Rav Arush shlit’a who is in critical condition after a head-on collision this past motzei Shabbat. Also to the refuah of his wife Daniella bas Zehava who B’H gave birth to a healthy baby boy right after the accident and to their two children Nachman and Miriam b’nei Daniella.  May Hashem shower them with a refuah shleimah refuat hanefesh v’refuat haguf among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

Thirteenth Principle of Emuna according to the Rambam ztk’l:

At the proper time, there will be a revival of the dead for those righteous individuals who deserve it.

The World to Come is a state of complete attachment to Hashem, the source of life.  Our G-dly spark is the essence of our being; it is our link to eternity.  Chazal teach that one who does not have emuna in techiyat hameitim is disassociated with techiyat hameitim, just as one who does not have emuna in the Torah is disassociated with Torah.  A person who does not believe in techiyat hameitim is disconnected from Hashem and is thus severed from his root above and cut off from eternal life.

The nefesh, a person’s life force, the fact that he is alive is the one thing that Jews and non-Jews have in common.  The ruach is a person’s conscience and inclines us to do good deeds.  This too non-Jews have.  There is yet an additional lofty level of holiness that is beyond the natural human framework.  It propels us toward greatness; this is the Jewish neshamah.

At the time of techiyat hameitim the nefesh will be accompanied by the body.  The ruach returns to Hashem.  The prevailing view of the Ramban is that Mashiach will come, build the Beit HaMikdash and bring the Jewish people back to Hashem.  Life in this world will continue ‘normally’ yet in its rectified state.  When this world ends Olam Haba will be our only reality.

The Jewish people will radiate with holiness and we will reach tremendous heights. This comes as a result of Eretz Yisrael finally being handed to the Avot HaKedoshim who will set a personal example if avodat Hashem for all the people.

This completes our quick study into the basics of the Thirteen Principles of Emuna.

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Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah Herzl ben Farcha the bus driver stabbed in yesterday’s terrorist attack and all of the injured.  May Hashem shower them with a refuah shleimah refuat hanefesh v’refuat haguf among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

Twelfth Principle of Emuna according to the Rambam ztk’l:

Mashiach ben Dovid can come at any time and he will be a greater king than any other human king.

The Chatam Sofer ztk’l teaches what is already clear to many of us – the galut will not carry on forever.  This is one of the basic principles, without it the Torah cannot stand.  Why?  Judaism is based on a loving close relationship between the Jewish people and Hashem; Mashiach reflects this bond.

Mashiach embodies the concept of time where reward and punishment will be openly revealed.  The Midrash in Parshat Bamidbar writes that a Divine voice will echo from the hilltops at the time when Mashiach arrives and announce, “Whoever acted for G-d, let him come and receive his reward.”   We are in this world to develop a close knit bond with our Creator; that is the most profound reward we can ever ask for.  Mashiach will perform wondrous miracles in the merit of the Jewish people.  At this time all will witness Hashem’s love for the Jewish nation.

Moshiach will be a man who possesses extraordinary qualities. He will be proficient in both the written and oral Torah traditions. He will incessantly campaign for Torah observance among Jews, and observance of the seven universal Noahide laws by non-Jews. He will be scrupulously observant, and encourage the highest standards from others. He will defend religious principles and repair breaches in their observance. Above all, Moshiach will be heralded as a true Jewish king, a person who leads the way in the service of G‑d, totally humble yet enormously inspiring.

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Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah Rivka bat Berta Bracha.  Please daven for the success of multiple surgical procedures that she will be going through today. May Hashem shower her with emuna, strength, clarity, chochman, binah and da’at, refuat hanefesh v’refuat haguf among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

Eleventh principle of Emuna according to the Rambam ztk’l:

There is reward and punishment for our actions.

The Torah discusses the idea of individual, national and universal reward and punishment. It is evident that Hashem rewards the tzaddikim by granting them bracha and punishes the wicked with devastation. In fact this is the basis of the second perek of the Shema, “… the rain of the land in its seasons” is dependent on our adherence to Torah and mitzvot. Even the mitzvah of honoring one’s parents is rewarded with “your days may be long upon the earth which Hashem will give you.”

All wrongdoings will be taken into account and will not simply be ignored. Even the tiniest misdeed is recorded and the soul of that person will need to be rectified either in this world of the next. Yet, the truth is that reward and punishment to many is just a belief and not a fact. If we are honest with our feelings because there is no absolute proof of consequence we many times fail to fulfill our calling.

The most important step is to first believe that our actions have consequences; that is the most powerful motivator possible. Yet if this would occur instantly free will would cease to exist. Therefore we have the freedom to decide whether we will or will not believe in the repercussions of our actions. All suffering serves as a means of rectification and healing; sort of like a spiritual rehabilitation making a new beginning possible.

Chazal teach us that “the reward for mitzvot is not in this world” rather it will be in Olam Haba. The reason is explained, there is no possible reward for mitzvot in this world; there is nothing of such great value that would compensate and compare.

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Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah Rebbetzin Tziporah bat Sarah.  May Hashem shower her with a refuah shleimah refuat hanefesh v’refuat haguf among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

Tenth principle of Emuna according to the Rambam ztk’l:

G-d is aware of all of our actions

Hashem knows everything that we think and do; He knows it all.  His knowledge is not limited to the past or the present; He knows the future as well. Hashem creates the world and continues to run all of creation down to the minute detail. Nothing exists, no activity occurs without Hashem.

Hashem in our compassionate Father; kind and merciful.  I am responsible to be proactive but rely on Hashem to look out for my ultimate best.  As written in the Chofetz Chaim, a Lesson a Day, “Hashem’s involvement in this world is unchanging and He continues to watch over those who place their trust in Him.”

Seeing Hashem as the source of all existence essentially leads us to recognize His goodness and constant concern over us.  Thus we are driven to praise Him for all the wonders of the world and constant miracles He performs.  All life is in the palm of Hashem’s Hand, so to speak, as we see in this week’s parsha of the plagues.  The Egyptians were no more than a mere fly to be swatted away, as Hashem saw fit. The world was dumbfounded when they learned that the Jewish nation fled Egypt and more so with great wealth.

Though this occurred thousands of years ago Hashem’s intimate interaction with existence and the Jewish people in particular still ensues. The Borei Olam “… Peers out from the windows, Peeks through the lattice work …’ as written in Shir HaShirim; is always aware of our every move.

We may not clearly see Him, but know that He is here; aware and involved in everything.