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Why & How

June 18, 2018
Orit Esther Riter

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I recently read an article from Rabbi Sacks in which he quoted Nietzsche (a German philosopher) “One who has a why to live for can bear almost any how”; in other words when one losses emuna in Hashem, one’s purpose in life begins to die. The ‘why’ in life is in order form a close-knit relationship with Hashem and reveal the G-dliness that lies within each of us.

Living a Jewish life points to living a meaningful life where we believe we are loved, cared and cherished by Hashem. In fact, this is the only reason why the Jewish people have been able to survive such horrific circumstances thus far; our emuna is our strength!

There is meaning and purpose in everything even if we cannot understand or feel it. As Rabbi Sacks writes, “Find it and your ‘why’ will carry you through almost any ‘how’.

The Power of Clarity – Part II

June 13, 2018
Orit Esther Riter
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(Cont’d from yesterday)

Painful experiences are a result of dinim (judgments). When we suffer, a few things may occur simultaneously. Firstly, our da’at (mental and emotional state) may travel further into exile. Our mind and heart may not accept the concept of ‘Gam zu l’tova (this is also for the best)’. We may be thrown into a state in which we cannot see the bigger picture or the purpose of the hardship.

As a result, we may be left feeling lost, confused and distant from Hashem. We may even sense that we are insignificant and unloved which may make us feel despairing. In this unhappy state it is difficult to give or accept love to ourselves, to others and to HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

Chazal brings an amazing insight as to how to sweeten the judgments and lessen our pain. We must go to the root of our pain and view it through our da’at. That is, we must look at the event again and rationally conclude in our minds that it is somehow and in some way for the best. Then, we must gradually allow our emotions (our heart) to digest this rationale.

In other words, we must ultimately view the event through emuna lenses. Higher consciousness helps us deal with the pain since we now associate it with a rational purpose from a more objective and expansive viewpoint. We no longer feel that we are subjects of happen chance. Through this renewed level of understanding, the dinim can slowly change from bitterness to sweetness.

The Power of Clarity – Part I

June 12, 2018
Orit Esther Riter
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How joyful we should feel when contemplating that Hashem chose us of all nations; the inherent value we hold is greater than we can imagine. At moments of darkness and difficulty, we may not come to appreciate what this means however Hashem called His Torah a valued treasure since it offers us a remarkable opportunity to connect to Him.

Da’at is mental and emotional clarity, which generally develops with maturity. Thus, the pain sets in before we develop the necessary tools to maturely and rationally process and deal with the hardship.

Children are often not able to absorb and process their pain as easily as mature adults. Most young children (and adults who have not achieved da’at) do not know how to react to such pain and may either repress their feelings or inappropriately lash out.

Suppressed feelings may thus emerge at various points in their lives. They may become more aware of the agony inside, but not necessarily where it is coming from or why they are suffering.

During the course of our lives, we all traverse paths of darkness (where we feel alone or treated unfairly by others and Hashem, chas v’Shalom. We eventually grow stronger from those experiences. Every descent is followed by an ascent. (to be cont’d tomorrow)

Seven Qualities

June 5, 2018
Orit Esther Riter

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We are all searching for menuchat hanefesh, an inner state of tranquility and composure; a reassuring sense that everything is all right.

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.

What’s the purpose?

June 4, 2018
Orit Esther Riter

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Rav Pinchas of Koritz ztk’l one of the Ba’al Shem Tov’s students asks the question, “What’s the purpose of a momentary stirring of the Jewish heart to do better when in fact it is short-lived and they return back to their ‘old’ ways?”

His answer comes in the form of the following parable: Imagine a king’s son was kidnapped and held hostage; visualize the pain of the king yearning to see his son. He understands that his son’s release might be impossible yet the thought of seeing him for just a few moments a day warms his heart and serves as a ‘band aid’ over his aching heart. This in spite of the pain that his son would have to return to captivity after those few moments.

The lesson is clear; even if the pathway to teshuva appears as though it is ‘2 steps forward and 1 step back’ and complete teshuvah is unrealistic to achieve at this time, the stirring of the Jewish heart is ‘desired’ on high by Hashem even if for a few moments and that person returns to their previous spiritual fall afterwards.

Keen Awareness

September 27, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

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For forty days, Hashem has showered us with endless doses of clarity and awareness to drive us to achieve our soul’s rectification. During this auspicious time, we are ‘face to face’ with Hashem and are keenly aware of what we need to do and repair. The way we think is more Divine and our response to life’s events is more G-dly.

The Torah’s mystical teachings bring down that our keter, dwelling place of Hashem’s will, is more open at this time; thus enabling us to sense the amazing good Hashem desires us to have. Throughout the year, it becomes challenging to perceive Hashem’s boundless love and care. However the ‘real you’ comes forth on Yom Kippur after many cries and screams of longing to be recognized and nurtured.

The Divrei Chaim ztk’l teaches that it is for this reason we are instructed to build a Sukkah right after Yom Kippur. The real you only needs a simple hut to live and sleep in; she finds her home in simplicity without materialistic garb and design, she simply wants to live in the constant embrace of Hashem.

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated L’iluy nishmat Leah bat Joya a’h. May her neshama rest in the Divine radiance among all the righteous souls who have departed from this world, Amen.

Wishing everyone a meaningful and uplifting Yom Kippur and a warm and loving Chag Sukkot. 

Our Uncle

September 26, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

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One tear shed this time of year is equal to tears cried the entire year. Each of the ten days of repentance is an endless gift and value as they build up our intention on Yom Kippur. R’ Yechezkel Levenstein ztk’l teaches we should grab every mitzvah possible these days and put our entire heart into it.

Our neshama is looking for her beloved called Dodi, her uncle. Why does the Torah chose an uncle to depict a loving relationship?  Halacha teaches that even if a couple separates, their mutual children must still consider the siblings of their parents as uncles and aunts. So too does Hashem want us to recognize that He never separates from us and we will always be together (even if we think He has ‘divorced’ us!)

These days leading to Yom Kippur are considered one entire Eit Ratzon. To the measure that we desire to spiritually elevate ourselves so too we are given the Divine assistance to find our true selves. The way to increase our ratzon and inject a true desire to return is by feeling how distant we are from connecting to our soul. The more we need Hashem back in our life the greater assistance we are given to fulfill our true purpose in this world, B’H.

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated L’iluy nishmat Sabale’ Aharon ben Yitzchok a’h. May his neshama rest in the Divine radiance among all the righteous souls who have departed from this world, Amen.

 

The Sweet Fragrance

September 25, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

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The prayer of a single Jew is great; yet united tefillot are powerful beyond words. To this end, Hashem instructs that we combine our prayers with others; those righteous and those less worthy in order to compensate one another.

The Chachamim teach that our prayers are like an incense offering. Included in the mixture of sweet spices we must add galbanum (chelbaneh) a spice with a dreadful odor. So too is with the single Jew’s prayer who may feel sometimes ‘lower’ than others, she should still attach her prayers with the community of Israel as we each hold an essential ingredient in the communal prayer service. We should trust that Hashem will accept our tefillot. Just as the composite of the incense offering must include a lesser sweet fragrance so too each of our tefillot is of equal value and vital to complete the mix.

The arousal of one’s heart during this time of year must not be underestimated. The soft voice of the soul calls from inner depths and yearns to cling to the root of her holiness. The light of emuna that shines forth from the innocent desire of one’s soul is capable of sweetening the entire batch of spices and form a perfect blend as a korban.

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated L’iluy nishmat Yosef ben Levi a’h. May his neshama rest in the Divine radiance among all the righteous souls who have departed from this world, Amen.

Elul Recorded Lectures

August 28, 2017
Daily Dose Of Emuna
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DateTopicWatch at
DateTopicWatch at
Aug. 9, 2018Elul Finding Hashem, Finding the Real You
Sept. 4, 2016'The Miriam Project' - Geula Teleconference
Sept. 4, 2016Elul - Refresh Your Spirit
Aug. 25, 2015Parsha Ki Teitzei - Elul, Living a Life of Awareness
Aug. 18, 2015Parshat Shoftim, Insights into Elul
Sept. 9, 2014Elul: Getting Married ... to Hashem
Sept. 2, 2014The Five Missions of Chodesh Elul
Aug, 26, 2014How to get 'High' on the Holidays
Aug, 26, 2013Kotel Live | A spiritual experience at the kotel
Aug, 19, 2013Elul: Building harmony between body and soul
Aug, 12, 2013Elul: Storehouse of Emuna and Teshuvah
Aug, 5, 2013Nishmat Kol Chai: Start the Month of Elul with Gratitude
May 28, 2013Perek 27 Tehilim

Where are you?

July 25, 2017
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

In Parshat Devarim Moshe Rabbeinu asks, “Eicha Esah Levadi” How can I bear alone (on my own) your trouble, burdens and quarrels?” (Deut. 1:12). Hidden in the word Eicha we find many powerful messages. The gematria of Eicha is 36, equal to the number of prohibitions for which one gets karet, spiritually cut-off chas v’Shalom. Therefore, one of the intents of Eicha is to propel us to reconnect to our inner truth and repair what is broken in our lives. We are destined to go from churban (destruction) to chibur (connection). How?

The first time the word Eicha is found in the Torah it is presented as a question asked by Hashem after the sin of Adam HaRishon. Hashem asks, “Ayeka” (same letters as the word Eicha but pronounced differently). Adam HaRishon is asked, “Where are you?” During the mourning period of the three weeks, we too are urged to search for our inner truth.

Just as Hashem looked to find Adam then He wishes to see us as well. Even though we too carry a bundle of faults, Hashem still ‘longs’ for us. The passionate call of a Ba’al Teshuva who calls out to Hashem for guidance and compassion uncovers the greatest light from darkness. These are the days of yearning intended to piece together the brokenness of our lives.

The road from darkness to light is found in the question “Where are you?”

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