Tag Archives: emuna

  1. Home
  2. Posts tagged "emuna"
    3. (Page 11)
Loading
loading..

I Believe ~ Ani Ma’amin

March 6, 2017
Orit Esther Riter
,
No Comments

BS’D

Avraham Avinu implanted within the Jewish people the concept of emuna. He challenged the pagan beliefs of his time and faithfully proclaimed the belief in One Supreme Authority. We his descendants are gifted with the name Ma’aminim b’nei Ma’aminim – Believers the children of believers.

By definition emuna means faithfulness and loyalty; a commitment to uphold the words of the Torah. This allegiance is not dependent on logical understanding or intellectual rationale. It is a declaration on our behalf to uphold the belief system taught to us by our Holy Torah by virtue of the fact that it is Divine, 100% truthful and just. All of this we inherited from Avraham Avinu.

The preservation of our Torah is credited to the loyal and consistent transmission from father to son throughout the generations. We know that the guiding messages of the Torah are accurate. It must be since without this knowledge we have no spiritual existence; likened to cutting off our spiritual air supply.

In Parshat Reeh (14:1) the Torah clearly states, “Banim atem l’Hashem (You are children of Hashem)”. Hashem will never forsake or abandon His beloved children.  We need to consistently reassure ourselves of this vital message at times of difficulty. This is the pathway to strengthen our emuna – fortifying the notion that Hashem’s love is eternal and will never perish.

In good times and in bitter times our emuna ought to flow in our mind and heart and permeate our entire being singing the words Ani Ma’amin – I believe!

Climb – Fall

March 1, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

The soul goes through many struggles in this world to attach herself to Hashem. As the soul ascends from level to level in her attempt to complete her mission there will be downfalls; this should be expected and planned for.  There is no need to despair – this is part and parcel of her refinement process.

Principally speaking, these spiritual falls are intended to increase our drive to come closer to Hashem and build our relationship.  As part of the effort to regain attachment, we begin doing teshuva and take inventory of our spiritual standing.   Thus, Rebbe Nachman ztk’l teaches this is a descent for the purpose of an ascent.

From here we learn a remarkable lesson: this lowly world provides our soul with the precise environment it needs to battle, overcome and B’H elevate itself to those levels that it would not be able to attain if stayed on high.  This world is ‘boot camp’ for the soul where she experiences countless ups and downs so that we may increase our ratzon (intense desire) and determination to attach ourselves to higher and higher spiritual levels.

Living life with the knowledge that we will periodically receive a ‘wake-up’ call through those challenges so that we do not miss ‘our mark’ is heartening to say the least.  The goal is to keep reminding ourselves that this is what life is all about and not to get sidetracked with other thoughts and goals in mind.

Very Near

February 28, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

Emuna is an innate gift given to every Jew.  The emuna seeds were ‘planted’ during the entire experience of Yetziat Mitzrayim; with every plague another seedling was lovingly planted in our hearts by Hashem, a testimony of His love for us.  We read in the Pesach Hagaddah, “Ani v’lo saraf (It was I {Hashem} and not an angel)” who redeemed you from Mitzrayim; so that we remember that we were and still are personally taken care of by Hashem Himself.

Genuine emuna is a settled intellectual conviction that what Hashem has promised will indeed come to pass.  Borei Olam’s promises of our future are as certain and reliable as though they were being told to us personally right now.  We should be keenly aware of Hashem’s love for us at every given moment.  The word bitachon (trust) is derived from the word betach (secure).  In other words it describes a state of safety, security and certainty, not just intellectually but emotionally.

“Ki karov eilecha hadavar me’od b’ficha u’vilvavecha la’asotoh (For the matter is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it)” (Devraim 30:11).  Although this particularly refers to our ability to do teshuva, it is a well known teaching that after doing a spiritual accounting we are gifted with incredible closeness to Borei Olam.  The ability to bond to Hashem is very near to us, we need not travel far to access it, as it is warmly planted in our hearts.

Pursuit of what?

February 27, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

The Torah states that Moshe Rabbeinu bitterly complained to HaKadosh Baruch Hu, “… Did I give birth to them (Ahm Yisrael), that You say to me, ‘Carry them (Ahm Yisrael) in your bosom as the nurse (oman) carries the suckling.  From where have I meat to give to this entire nation?” (Bamidbar 11:12). The root word of oman is the same as for emuna.

Just as the mother’s milk is vital in the growth of her infant, so too does emuna play an exceptionally important role in the life of a Jew.  The newborn needs to be nurtured in order to develop into a healthy individual.  Similarly, the Jewish soul must be supported through thoughts, words and acts of emuna to vitalize the body with strength to live and assist the soul to fulfill its mission.

However in the incident above Moshe feels he can no longer care for the Jewish people and nurture their emuna.  Why did he meet ‘ends rope’ when he was asked to provide meat for Ahm Yisrael? After all this wasn’t the first time he was pressed with complaints from them.

This instance though was different since it depicted a nation who simply wished for meat to satisfy their physical cravings and not for existential purposes.  This imparts a serious problem – here Ahm Yisrael pursued their material lusts severed from spiritual intent.  A person can never completely gratify his bodily desires as taught in Kohelet, “A man does not die having fulfilled half of his lusts.”  One lust leads to another to no end.

A great emuna lesson is taught here – emuna cannot be ingrained unless we trim our material pursuits.  The drive for constant material gain is persistently met with dissatisfaction and complaints; a fortress and barrier that prevents emuna from growing.

Wake Up

February 21, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

Pain and suffering can affect our emuna either as a cover when removed reveals that which is underneath or as an earthquake shakes the earth; either it will reveal our inner light which lay dormant or shatter us to pieces.  Let us explore the idea on how challenges can bring our latent potential to surface into actuality.

Hardships are likened to ‘wake up’ calls.  Depending on how sound asleep we are, the ‘alarm’ will sound softly or loudly.  The Heavenly goal is to get our attention to shift gears and strengthen our awareness of Hashem’s presence in our lives.

Which state of sleep are we in?

1)      Are we dozing off but can still hear our name being called, yet are unable to reply rationally?

2)     Are we so sleepy that we need to be awakened to notice what is going on around us?

3)     Do we need ‘medical’ intervention (incidents in our lives) to awaken us?

4)     Is the state of sleepiness so deep that we are likened to be in a state of anesthesia, whereby all sense of feeling is removed?

As the urgency to get our attention becomes more pressing, we are summoned from above with stronger signs to respond.  The objective – motivate us to reveal our immeasurable potential and shine our light which was previously hidden from ourselves and others.

We have so much to do during our limited time here in this world.  If we are ‘asleep’ we won’t realize how much we could have done.  Therefore next time a challenge caresses your life, don’t hit the sleep button. Rise and shine to a better you and light up your world!

Connect Back

February 20, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

Emuna originates from the heavenly sphere where the upper lights and creative forces originate.  Our soul stems from this lofty place and once experienced this immense G-dly light directly.  The desire to connect back to this light is the soul’s only desire and mission; the purpose of her existence.

The neshama ‘remembers’ the delight she once experienced.  It is deeply engraved in her.  Unconsciously, we (our bodies) seek pleasure yet we do not understand that this sensation comes from the soul’s desire to bond with that place where all goodness derives from Hashem Yitborach.

Emuna is the bridge that connects the upper and lower worlds.  To have emuna means to connect our worldly experiences and define their relevance according to Heavenly terms.  Seeing worldly happenings through the eyes of the soul, through emuna eyes, creates an entirely new reality, a new pair of lenses.

Let’s look at the purity of a child – their simplicity and wholeheartedness.  Adults feel as though they are speaking to a soul and not the body of a little person.  They are real and not blocked by impurities – until they get older and the outer world has impacted their way of thinking.   A child is simple and sincere.  They know how to say “I don’t know” when they don’t.  Children aren’t intimidated by society and the opinion of others.  They are guided by their internal compass called the soul.

We should learn from the ways of children.  Their sincerity and care when you talk to them, their ability to be in touch with their feelings and their innocent non-judgmental outlook can serve as emuna 101 classes for every one of us.

Centering Ourselves

February 15, 2017
Orit Esther Riter
,
No Comments

 

BS’D

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 minuscule 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 re-connection and realignment to the truth; that Borei Olam is intimately involved and governing the world and therefore we have nothing to worry about!

Emuna Review – Part II

February 7, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

Chazal explain the following Rambam, Hilchot Teshuva (8:2) – “The righteous sit with crowns on their heads and enjoy the radiance of the Divine Presence.” The emuna (acknowledging Hashem’s intimate involvement in our lives) we attain in this world together with our heartfelt attachment to His presence is likened to spiritual cleansing and illumination achieved in the higher worlds. It is immeasurable and incalculable to ration the spiritual delight our soul experiences every moment we awaken and fortify our emuna.

It is of great importance during our sojourn in this world to constantly recognize our utter reliance on Hashem; our existence is being maintained by Hashem every breathing moment due to His will.  As written in the book of the Kuzari we are continually being sustained by Hashem and if He were to remove His supervision for even one moment everything would cease to exist.

The Nefesh Chaim further explains how important it is to appreciate Hashem’s endless kindness and accept the decrees with a full heart of emuna. Hashems ‘eyes’ can see where we can no longer see; a place of truth and revealed goodness.

 

Emuna Review – Part I

February 6, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

No matter how many times we review the core meaning of emuna it is always worthwhile to review. The Chazon Ish ztk’l describes emuna in his book “Emuna u’Bitachon” as a feeling ingrained deep into one’s heart which can be compared to other human emotions.

Emuna is the soul’s ‘reaction’, her emotional expression towards her perception of Hashem Yitborach in her life. Essentially emuna is an emotion that needs to be aroused and fill the heart. When the heart acknowledges and ‘feels’ Hashem’s presence, the soul is infused with holiness. ‘Genuine’ emuna is one that is felt in the depths of one’s heart.

Indeed emuna is acquired through learning and intellectual knowledge however that is part one of acquiring emuna.  The second half is the avodah of instilling it deep into one’s heart.

Emuna is an emotional belief that Hashem guides every minute detail in life.  It is a heartfelt knowing; a reassurance that leaves our heart warm and secure.  The stirring may come as a result of experiencing anguish which awakens emuna and causes one to yearn for Hashem’s closeness. Our reliance on His compassion and warm embrace can clearly be appreciated when we fall on tough times.

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the complete healing of Naomi Miriam bas Roysa Shpetla. May Hashem send her refuat hanefesh v’refuat haguf among all of Klal Yisrael in need of yeshuot v’nechamot, Amen.

Shiviti Hashem

January 31, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

Positive thinking – we’ve heard it before. Intellectually we understand that happiness holds all blessing. Yet how can we replace negative thinking patterns to positive messages?

Chazal teach the moment a negative thought ‘pops’ into mind we should see the words ‘Shiviti Hashem l’negdi tamid’. Negativity is removed when we see Hashem’s Holy Name Y-K-V-K in front of us; whether in our minds’ eye or physically. The quicker we ‘see’ Hashem in front of us the more rapidly the negative thought is removed.

Hashem gifted us with the unique ability to control the way we respond. Although we have ‘natural tendencies’ and ‘innate qualities’ and are often drawn to feeling melancholy, our task is to change our thinking patterns. Since we are inherently connected one to another by nefesh the way we think has a profound cosmic effect on the entire world. Our thoughts create energy cords that ripple through the spiritual realms and largely impact our physical world.

Dovid HaMelech writes in Tehillim (43:5), “Ma Tishtochechy nafshi umah tehemy alaiy (Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you stir within me?)” Our soul was created to be happy and content in this world. Place Hashem ‘in front’ of you and change way you think and respond.

Stay Connected

Categories

Tags

anger Av bitachon chanukah daily dose of emuna Divine Providence Elul Emotions emuna fear Galut geula gratitude happiness hardships Hishtadlut hitbodedut joy marriage neshama Orit Esther Riter Parnassa passover Pesach purim Purim segulot Purim segulot and insights Rosh Hashanah self-improvement self-worth Shabbat shavuot Shechinah soul Story Time Succot suffering Tammuz tefillah tehillim teshuva Thirteen principles of Emuna Tu B'shvat war Yom Kippur

This month’s daily doses

March 2026
S M T W T F S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
Layout mode
Predefined Skins
Custom Colors
Choose your skin color
Patterns Background
Images Background