BS’D
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Eden Malka bat Ravit, a 5 week old baby with meningitis and in critical condition. May Hashem send her a complete healing among all of those in Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering, b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
The Gaon Rav Yechezkel Levenstein ztk’l teaches that we tend to let the days leading to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur idly pass us by. This is due mainly because we do not recognize the importance of these days nor the enormous opportunity given to us to prepare for the upcoming year.
Rav Yisrael Salanter ztk’l writes in his Iggeret – events in this world appear to be the result of ‘natural circumstances’; broken off from their divinely ordained root. Elul offers the chance to break away from this routine mindset and reprogram the way we think. The major issue is that many do not want to change their ‘take on life.’ It is human nature to steer away from harm; therefore we choose not to think about the upcoming judgment of Rosh Hashanah and its possible repercussions.
Mankind relishes in the idea that he will remain healthy, wealthy and live out his life forever on this planet. He thinks back over the previous Rosh Hashanah’s and how he ‘succeeded’ in the past. Unfortunately no one can rely on the past as we are meant to realize how fragile our destiny is.
‘Ostrich mentality’ has become the favorable way of our generation; we tend to place our head in the sand. However, the fear of judgment is an essential component in preparing for Rosh Hashanah. Uvacharta ba’Chaim, choosing life is just that – a choice. In order to find favor in the eyes of our Creator, the King of existence, we must lift our heads high and beseech His compassion and love. Consciously making this choice places us in His ‘Merciful Hands’ and enables us to feel His closeness.
May we all let out a heartfelt cry to Hashem in the coming days; “Hashem, I love You. I can’t live without You. Have rachmanut on me; on my soul. What am I to do? I have only You to turn to, Hashem. Only You can direct me onto my proper path. Give me the words, the feeling, the heartfelt stirring, the desire to want to do Your will. Help me forget the frivolities of the world and remember eternity. Help me align my life with Your will and feel wholesome and pure. Help me remember that my life is in Your hands and I have no one else but You.”
Wishing Klal Yisrael a k’tiva v’chatima Tova. A year of emuna, strength, clarity, love, acceptance, forgiveness, care and giving. Please forgive me if I have ever offended anyone through my writing and teaching. Thank you all for inspiring me to learn and teach the passionate call of our generation – Emuna. May Klal Yisrael know of no more sorrow and suffering, only revealed goodness and blessing. May we fulfill our holy task and make the best of every living moment – love and accept Hashem’s Kingship with a full heart. May we soon rejoice and dance together in the Beit HaMikdash and experience the true joy only to be revealed at the time ofMashiach Tzedkeinu b’mheira b’yameinu, Amen.
