Author Archives: Orit Esther Riter

BS’D

With all of his dependency and fragility a newborn baby is secure in his life.  A baby knows instinctively that he is in good hands and all of his needs are being taken care of.  This relationship is the beginning stage, the founding principle guiding every human being at the onset of life.

A baby doesn’t trust that everything will be just as he wishes for it to be, yet he is reassured that whatever may be is exactly what he needs.  Even at the time when he is stubbornly fixated on getting his way and his parents disagree, deep down he knows that it comes from their love and care and for his ultimate best.

We are Hashem’s children, “Banim atem L’Hashem Elokeichem… (You are children of Hashem…)” (Sefer Devarim 14:1).  Just as children do not readily understand their parents calculations for restricting certain things and allowing others, it is a relationship that goes beyond intellectual comprehension.  It is implanted in the core of every Jew; Hashem loves me in spite of the intense pain that I am currently going through.

Thank You Hashem for everything… for all of the times You helped and I didn’t realize that it was You.  Thank You Hashem for all of the kindnesses You do for me every moment.  Thank you Hashem for all of the things that I am lacking…. I know that they are not meant for me to have right now.  Deep inside I know this to be true, even though my heart is stubborn and doesn’t always follow what my mind already knows.  Hashem, please help me feel it, sense it and live it!

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the hatzlocha of my husband Avraham Avi ben Ruth on his 45th birthday today. May Hashem bless him with health, happiness and a long life and enable him to continuously perform mitzvot and good deeds, Amen!

Tomorrow, 24th of Tevet, is the yahrtzeit of the holy Ba’al HaTanya, the Alter Rebbe, Reb’ Shneur Zalman of Liadi ztk’l. As a Talmudist, Rabbi Shneur Zalman endeavored to place Kabbalah and Hasidism on a rational basis. In his seminal work, Tanya, he defines his approach as “מוח שולט על הלב” (“mind ruling over the heart/emotions”). He chose the name “Chabad” for this philosophy—the Hebrew acronym for the intellectual attributes (sefirot) Chochma (“wisdom”), Bina (“understanding”), and Da’at (“knowledge”). Both in his works and in his sermons he “indicated an intelligent and not a blind faith” and assumed an intellectual accessibility of the mystical teachings of the Kabbalah. This intellectual basis differentiates Chabad from other forms of Hasidism. May his zechut protect us and all of Klal Yisrael, Amen!

The 24th of Tevet is also the yahrtzeit of Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, ztk’l. One well known idea of his, expounded on in Michtav m’Eliyahu, is the Nekudas Habechira (point of free will). He states that everyone has a point in his service to G-d where he has to fight his evil inclination and other points where he there will be no battle, some where he will always give in to his evil inclination and some where he will always win over his evil inclination, and that this point moves as he learns to overcome his evil inclination or as he give in to it. May he serve as an advocate for Klal Yisrael, Amen!

One of the ways to hold on to the holy light of Shabbat Kodesh is by cleaning our internal vessels. How? For the Torah-observant Jew, this can be attained by keeping Shabbat at the forefront of his consciousness all week long. For others, it may be to simply review the laws of Shabbat and familiarize themselves with the intricate nuances of the halachot.

During the long workweek, the Divine forces of revelation are separated. The Shechina (the female manifestation also called Malchut) is in exile, disconnected from HaKadosh Baruch Hu (the male expression called Zeir Anpin). She is lonely and wishes to unite with HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Every erev Shabbat, we go out to greet her – the bride – by singing Lecha Dodi Likrat Kallah and escort her to her groom.

When the Beit HaMikdash was standing, there was unification of these Divine aspects. However, they broke apart when it was destroyed, and since then, HaKadosh Baruch Hu has become more concealed and separated from His children. Up on high as well as here below in this world, we experience this painful disconnection.

Nonetheless, we can actively take part in reuniting the groom – HaKadosh Baruch Hu – and the bride – the Shechinah – every Shabbat. When we prepare for Shabbat, we adorn the bride and prepare for her much anticipated meeting with her groom. The Shabbat table is likened to the altar in the Beit HaMikdash. The traditional kiddush, eating of the challah and singing of Shabbat songs are part of the service in the holy temple.

This Shabbat while we rejoice at the table, let us remember that Hashem is ‘revealing’ His unified presence to the world as was felt in the days of the Beit HaMikdash. B’H with this lofty impression kept in mind, we will genuinely elevate our Shabbat experience!

Wishing everyone a beautiful Shabbat!

BS’D

Would love to hear from you…. please post your comments, thoughts and questions at the end of each emuna lesson.

We are all searching for menuchat hanefesh, an inner state of tranquility and composure; a reassuring sense that everything is alright.  Rabbeinu Bachya ztk’l author of the well-known sefer Chovot Halevavot writes in the gate of trust that in order for us to fully trust in someone else and live with such genuine trust that we are being taken care of, he would have to embrace all of the following seven qualities; otherwise  we would not be enable to be completely tranquil:

* That person must love us and have great compassion for us.

* That person must know everything there is to know about us and what we need.

* That person must be powerful enough to help us.

* That person must know how to help us; the correct and best way.

* That person must be present and available at all times.

* That person must have such power that nobody else can harm us unless they allow it.

* That person must be absolutely generous towards us and want only what is best for us.

Certainly, all of these qualities cannot be found in any human being. They are only found in Hashem. He loves us and has compassion for us. He is all-knowing of what we need.  He is all-powerful and knows just how to help.  Therefore He is the only one who can benefit us and will not cause us any harm.  He is always watching over us and there is never a time where His ‘watching eye’ is not hovering over us.  He is in complete control over the world  and therefore no one can cause us any harm.  Last but not least He is absolutely generous and wants only what is for our best.

BS’D

Today’s daily dose is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Bracha bat Faigel.  May HaKadosh Baruch Hu shower her with rachamei Shamayim, a complete healing amongst all of those in Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen!

Our moods dramatically fluctuate from moment to moment; joyful now, anxiety stricken the next.  Sefer Tehillim offers us an outlet to deal with the ever changing emotions and teaches us the method for handling them.  We can draw from the emotional upheaval that Dovid HaMelech ztk’l lived through and seek to learn from the sacred words in Tehillim how to unlock our feelings and use them to connect to HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

Tehillim presents words of wisdom encoded with Ruach HaKadosh, Divine inspiration, so we can be inspired to communicate with Hashem. Through the recitation of Tehillim we connect to Torah, to the infinite wisdom of Hashem, and also to our holy ancestors and their derech. We transcend time and space when we attach ourselves to the ancient words of our forefathers and bridge the past with the present – proclaiming our loyalty to the eternal message of Torah that bears no expiration date.

For example perek lamed in Tehillim is an admixture of emotions.  Initially Dovid HaMelech is thankful, then turns to being sad, changing to joyful and ending with a sense of depression. How does Dovid HaMelech cope with his inner turbulence?  He rededicates his life (his house) to Hashem.

Rededication is a process of concentrating our strengths into revamping our lives, realigning our thoughts and reorganizing our priorities.  Through the process we emerge stronger with a more optimistic outlook on life.  This empowerment leads us to broadcast words of praise to Hashem for guiding and leading the way.

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to L’iluy neshmat Baila Perel bat Reb Moshe Yitzchok z’l.  May her neshama bask in the radiance of the Shechinah amongst all of the tzaddikim who have departed  from this world, Amen.

Today, 20 Tevet, is the yahrtzeit of the RamBam, Maimonides, ztk’l.  Maimonides’ magnum opus is Mishneh Torah, a comprehensive 14-volume code of Jewish law which has since been the subject of more than 300 commentaries. Maimonides’ great philosophical treatise, Guide for the Perplexed, explains Jewish theology in light of Aristotelian philosophy and science. A popular saying is that “from Moses [of the Torah] to Moses [Maimonides], there has never been one like Moses.” Maimonides is recognized today as the greatest medieval Jewish philosopher.  May he serve as an advocate on high for Klal Yisrael, Amen!

Rabbi Yoseph Soloeveitchik of the Brisker dynasty ztk’l taught that tefillah is the method in which the soul expresses itself through words and is able to release the turmoil within.    How do we pray?  Out of rote because this is what we were taught we must do or with powerful sincerity filled with emotional outburst?  For most, it varies each day.

The challenge is to allow ourselves to get in touch and let go of those emotions. Many of us though subconsciously wish not to acknowledge them.  It is only in times of great difficulty or by contrast immense joy where we can no longer contain them, that we  find Hashem and wish to speak to Him.  Then why are we ‘instructed’ to pray when the feelings are not connected to the lofty essence of tefillah?

Simply speaking, Rav Soloveitchik writes, it is because every day we must view ourselves in the midst of a crisis, c”v.  Every moment we should see ourselves and the world around us in desperate need of the redemption to take place.  If we take notice of the tefillot in the siddur we will find that at times the words express feelings of elated joy and gratitude and yet at other times we profess humbleness and shame and beseech rachamei Shamayim.

The reason is so that we can see Hashem in all our path of emotions; those we encounter in our daily routine and the stormy feelings that arise from the soul.  The spectrum of feelings all lead us to one address; it is all from Hashem and we cannot do anything without His loving care and intervention.  We are forced to acknowledge the emotions, feelings of dependency and vulnerability to HaKadosh Baruch Hu and cast them to His care.

Tefillah is an amazing method that Chazal have devised to ensure the crumbling of the ego and the humbling of the soul.

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Reuven Pesach ben Henya.  May he receive a good report from the doctors today giving him a clean state of health and may there be no more suffering for him or anyone in Klal Yisrael, Amen!

Shabbat is a day of joy bringing with it renewed spiritual meaning and insight into our routine lives.  Do you have a deep desire to reconnect?  The simple act of restraining oneself from creative activity on Shabbat builds space within to achieve a closer bond to Borei Olam.

To welcome the Shechina, which symbolizes perfection of unity and wholeness, our emotions within and our physical homes without must achieve a state of Shalom (peace).  Through the process of forming harmony externally and internally we draw Hashem’s sukkat Shalom to shelter and embrace us.

How do we engage in this process?  When we transform our mode of thinking from this world to the next; through expanding our consciousness from a state of constriction whereby we think in terms of this world and bring ourselves to contemplate the World to Come.  Physically by actively making Shabbat we delve further into this expanded mode of consciousness and thus build harmony between the spiritual and physical.

The inherent message embedded in the intimate song we sing every erev Shabbat Shir HaShirim is that we long for that time when HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s name will be openly revealed and glorified by all.  Our soul will not be quenched until then, the ultimate future, when Klal Yisrael will be totally attached to Hashem Yitborach.

In spite of the fact that we currently live under physical externals we still never lose our emuna that it is all an allusion and though not readily revealed to us, we are One with Hashem.  Our yearning is to perceive this Oneness in its revealed state without illusions.

BS’D

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Through tefillah, we are able to bond with Hashem in an irrepressible manner.  Tefillah centers us on how dependent we are on Hashem for everything in our lives. From the seemingly miniscule to the apparently significant events, all is personally taken care of by HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

However, the messages we receive from the Western world media is precisely the opposite.  ‘Your strength and intellect has brought you success’ is what is being told to us.  Just as soon as we reinforce our minds and hearts with emuna, we walk into the ‘big world’ and our vantage point is smashed to smithereens.

At that point, we are plunged into thinking once again that we are calling the shots, and the more we do, the more we will accomplish.  (The subject of hishtadlut (amount of concerted effort) vs. emuna is beyond the scope of this emuna lesson.  However, if you wish to learn more, send me your comments.)  Therefore, for us to reach a point where we attain a level of unwavering emuna free from worry and anxiety is no simple task. Working on emuna is a lifelong mission for each and every one of us as we are told by Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe ztk’l.

Tefillah is that time of day that reminds us how much we need Hashem every step of the way.  Walking away from tefillah should be an invigorating experience filled with reconnection and realignment to the truth; that Borei Olam is intimately involved and governing the world and therefore we have nothing to worry about!

Today’s daily dose is dedication to the refuah shleimah of Feiga Hinda bat Ruchel a little girl with severe medical complications.  May HaKadosh Baruch Hu shower upon her an abundance of rachamei Shamayim and may she have a complete healing amongst all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering, b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen!

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated l’iluy neshmat Yaffa bat Esther z’l, Shoshana bat Rivka z’l and Rinat bat Shoshana z’l. May their neshamas bask in the Divine radiance together with all of the tzaddikim who have departed from this world, Amen!

Trusting in Hashem takes practice; emuna is derived from the word l’heetamen (to train/to practice).  What requires training?   The mind and the heart both require constant reminding that Hashem is in charge of every aspect of our lives.  Repeating the notion over and over again, ‘Hashem, You love me and I love You.  You are here with me and taking care of everything. I am in great hands!’

It is vital to reaffirm our heart with this message even when our world is calm and feels in order.  Particularly during peaceful times we must shield ourselves with protective gear for the possible turbulent times ahead.  This can be achieved through uttering words of praise and appreciation at every possible moment for the endless gifts Hashem bestows upon us.  Most of the times we simply do not cherish or notice the goodness showered upon us; it is time to start paying attention.

Let us take for example the ‘natural’ act of turning on the washing machine and assuming it will work just as it should and did before. However there is no ‘supposing’ when it comes to anything; each time we turn on the machine and it functions properly we should recognize it as a gift and say ‘thank you’ to Hashem who made it work!

Training ourselves to ‘see’ the continuous kindness being rained down into our lives will lead to a strengthening of emuna since we can certainly trust in the One who does so much good for us.

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Rafael David ben Ella.  He is the father of young children and needs all our ongoing tefillos. May he merit a complete healing, refuat hanefesh v’refuat haguf amongst all of those in Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen!

In perek 42 of Tehillim, a vivid image of a lonely man who lives with emuna is portrayed. His soul thirsts for Hashem.  Although he is steeped in difficulty he still desires to continuously cling to his steadfast trust in Hashem’s compassion. Dovid HaMelech ztk’l describes his feeling of abandonment, “… when will I come and appear before Hashem?” (passuk 3).  He describes in passuk 5 the joyful memories when the Klal elatedly went up to the temple and could readily feel Hashem’s presence.

However, he now experiences such intense distance, cast as it were into an emotional exile.  His anguish is so vividly felt.  Nevertheless, he doesn’t abandon his emuna. This lesson can easily be applied to many of us who endure hardships since we too can empathize with such emotions, the sense of feeling fragile, alone and confused, even abandoned c”v by Hashem.

In passuk 8, water is illustrated as a destructive force far different than initially described in the beginning of this perek as a source of nourishment for the deer.  Here, the water sweeps over Dovid HaMelech and causes him to be lost.  His inner voice as if yells out, “Where are you Hashem?  I am frightened and need you.”

Yet at the end of this perek, Dovid HaMelech regains his strength and states confidently … “I will yet praise Him.”  This hints to us the best possible response to distressful events in our lives.  We must pour our hearts out in honesty, without reservation and not deny our pain, although at the same time not question Hashem’s master plan.

Rather, just as Dovid allows himself to experience human pain and suffering, he also broadcasts confidently that he does not give up hope.  Why?  “…. Ki od (yet)” there is a future that has yet to be openly revealed.  The exile will end and all be clear.  “I will yet praise Him”, meaning in spite of my current pain, weakness and overwhelming sadness of present-day, I am assured that all is good and I will merit seeing it, B’H, b’rachamim, b’karov, Amen!

BS’D

Today’s daily dose is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Ketty Bat Olga who is undergoing surgery tomorrow, Friday morning (NY time 6 AM) at NYU Hospital.   Please daven that the surgery serve as a shaliach for her complete healing and she and all others in Klal Yisrael suffer no longer, Amen!

Today, the 9th of Tevet, is the yahrtzeit of Ezra, the leader of the Jewish people at the time of their return from Babylonian exile and the building of the Second Temple. Ezra was the founder of the Great Assembly, a body of 120 prophets and sages who established important matters like the standard text found in Jewish prayer books today. (Aish.com)  May we always be zoche to have great righteous leaders to guide us in this world in the path of Torah, Amen!

We are seated now in the heart of winter with snow thinking we will never see sunshine again.  The trees even appear lonesome as the animals go into hiding.  Should we snuggle into a corner too?

The Torah teaches that what goes on around us in the physical world is a reflection on what happens in the spiritual worlds and is meant to convey a message to us as well.  When the sun shines brightly during the warm months of spring and summer there is a sense of revelation due to the immense light and warmth.  Yet when the climate is cold there is certainly an aspect of withdrawal and cold lifelessness.

However we must reveal the hidden good for there is plenty to unearth.  At the onset of Tevet we should begin digging inside to discover what has been concealed from us, recognizing the weeds and thinking about what we wish to replant. This is the required condition to prepare us for the month of Shvat in which the sap begins to spill forth to nurture the seedlings.

This notion defines the fast tomorrow, the 10th of Tevet as well.  The inner essence of fast days is good for it since it cuts us off from our material ends. Although in current times we seemingly appear as a lost nation without the ability to shine, these days are destined to become days of joy and happiness.

We can glow, we can shine and we can rededicate our lives to Hashem no matter how dreary we feel and how distant we’ve traveled.  May it be a meaningful fast and may we walked away renewed and strengthened with resolve in our avodat Hashem, Amen!

Tomorrow, the 10th of Tevet is the yahrtzeit of Reb Noson  (January 22, 1780 – December 20, 1844) born Nathan Sternhartz, who was the chief disciple and scribe of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov ztk’l. Reb Noson is credited with preserving, promoting and expanding the Breslov movement after the Rebbe’s death. Rebbe Nachman himself said, “Were it not for Reb Noson, not a page of my writings would have remained.”  May his merit serve on high as an advocate for Klal Yisrael, Amen!

Have a wonderful Shabbat.