Category Archives: Daily Dose Of Emuna

BS’D

Today the 4th of Iyar is the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik of Brisk (1810-1892), famed talmudic scholar and author of the Beis HaLevi commentary. In 1854, Rabbi Soloveichik joined the leadership of the famed Voluzhin Yeshiva, the center of Jewish scholarship at that time. He was known for his great piety; it is said that his fear of sin was comparable to an ordinary person’s fear when his life is in danger. He became rabbi of Brisk, Lithuania, thus launching the famous Brisker rabbinic dynasty; his son was the famed Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik. (Aish.com)  May the merit of the tzaddik serve as an advocate for Klal Yisrael, Amen.

We cannot force ourselves to be optimistic, particularly if we were not raised in such a way. The way to live a life full of hopefulness is by setting goals that will excite and inject new zest into our lives. In other words, pump ourselves up by visualizing the objectives and jumping up and down with delight over how wonderful we will feel when we achieve them. Once a decision built on fiery passion is made, rest assured that you are without a doubt that much closer to the end goal than you were a second before you made that decision. In fact, the Mesilat Yesharim states that it is actually easier to do the deed than it is to decide to do it.

We have very little control over our successes and failures; ultimately it is only Hashem Who brings forth the outcome. But we are required to make the first move. Irrelevant whether we think it is ‘logical’ and makes sense that we can succeed and really change ourselves, we need to ‘partner’ with Hashem and beseech His assistance.

It cannot be repeated too many times how important it is to have a strong belief system in oneself as well as a solid Emuna relationship with Hashem. The reason it is of such great value is because the fuel feeding our engine is the positive energy we invest in meeting our goals. How strongly do we believe we can do it? If our foundation is not rock-hard, the inner conflicts and negativity will creep in and disrupt our progress.

It doesn’t matter how long you have gotten ‘used to’ living your life not believing you can realign your habits, responses and way of thinking. You don’t have to be who you were yesterday. You can be a ‘new you’.

It begins first with your unwavering desire to do so.

BS’D

As discussed in yesterday’s emuna lesson change cannot be done in one attempt.  We should not be dragged down due to unreasonable expectations and lack of patience to see our goals through until the end.  In fact with each repetition of thought, speech and deed we should acknowledge that we are a work in progress and we are becoming better people from step to step.

We are going to be challenged and the work ahead is tough.  Hashem can do anything. Therefore when we connect to the Infinite source of strength, help and guidance there is no end to what we can do.  Open your heart and speak words of Emuna for each word will positively affect change.  We just finished celebrating Pesach yet the Emuna waves are still splashing.  Nachshon ben Aminadav charged into the Yam Suf and believed with every fiber of his being that Hashem was going to bring a yeshua … sure enough the miracle of world history unraveled before them.

Everyone has a belief system that has either been forced into their subconscious or self-taught.  Our brains steer us through life based on this program whether we notice it or not.  Our thoughts are everything.  We cannot control our thoughts yet we can control the way we respond to thoughts that ‘randomly pop up’.  Our thoughts can challenge & empower, weaken & limit or motivate & encourage us.

A small change in thought, a shift towards positive thinking will affect our chances of success in changing that which we so eagerly wish.

BS’D

Join me on the 12th Annual English Speaking Women’s Getaway!

​Sunday, June 14, 2015 – Tuesday, June 16, 2015

The weeks of Sefirat HaOmer are the ideal time to refine our character traits. How can we attempt to realign our personality when we are so accustomed to ‘naturally’ responding in a given way? Repetition, repetition and then again repetition! Change requires habit forming and of course Divine assistance through tefillah.

Every attempt to alter our personalities must begin with a fiery unwavering desire and commitment to see it no other way. We start by setting a goal and believing in our ability to achieve it. Then after we need to be excited and inspired about the idea of reaching this goal and keep injecting ourselves with a great dose of anticipation at being where we aspire to be.

Uttering words like, “I really hope I can do this” and/or “It is my dream to make it happen” have no room when striving for genuine lasting change since they imply doubtful hope. Rather they should be replaced with expressions like, “With Hashem’s help I will do this!” and/or “I can no longer go back on this. Change begins here!”; that proclaims belief in oneself.

Get enthusiastic at your decision and begin to borrow from the excitement that will shower your future when you finally reach it. In other words, act today as though you have already reached the goal and ‘borrow’ from the future pleasure and delight that will shower you once you are there.

It is essential to be and stay in a positive state of mind when setting any goal. Easier said than done however there lies the key to permanent success. We will continue to discuss various practical suggestions B’H throughout the Omer on how to realize our potential and meet the ‘new you’ along the way!