I'm a Sole Man

"If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you ... our love is strong, with You there is no wrong." (LZ)

Put your best foot forward

"What a beautiful day!"
What type of day do you think this describes? Perhaps you picture a bright sun shining through the trees. Perhaps a sweet breeze on a warm afternoon.
Well, how about a rainstorm or muggy hot day?
Why not?
As human beings, we are, well, human. We tend to appreciate all of the good that comes our way, yet frown (or worse) when we experience otherwise unwanted events.
Or do we appreciate even the good?

Imagine someone you know walking down the street. You approach the person and ask, "Did you thank Hashem for being able to walk today?"
The person will probably think that you lost your mind!
The following day, you find out that the friend you saw the day before broke his foot and cannot walk for the next few weeks. You call him up and ask, "Now are you thankful that you were able to walk yesterday?"
Although he may be upset at you, he'll know that you're right!

We are often not thankful enough for all of the precious gifts Hashem gives us each and every day. That is until we lose an ability. If only we would remember to thank Hashem each day for these abilities, He would not have to send us reminders to be thankful!
Perhaps, we can have more appreciation each day, and remember to recite the Birchos ha'Shachar with more meaning and concentration!
And maybe when we get hurt and cannot walk, chas v'sholom, we'll remind ourselves about how much appreciation we should have when we can walk!
And perhaps even say, "Thank you, Hashem for the broken foot - I really appreciate the reminder!"

(On a personal note, "Thank you, Hashem for the broken foot - I'm so grateful that You have given me the opportunity to remember Your precious gifts ... and thank you for still letting me use my left foot!")

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Thank you, Hashem for all the abilities You give me each day - I will try to use them well!"

Pray It Again, Sam

"Live in your world, pray in ours"

An open heart opens doors

Life isn't a game console. Sorry Playstation. Life is real. While you may be able to control a virtual life in a video game, you cannot do so in the real world.
Or can you?
There is one way you can control your world - through tefillah. By davening, we have the opportunity to change anything and everything. You want something - pray for it. You don't want something - pray for that too. If we truly understood the sheer power of prayer, we would stop putting in all of our efforts into what some call it "real action," and pay more attention to davening.

Rav Nachman Horedenka was a towering tzaddik, and one of the greatest students of the holy Ba'al Shem Tov. After he married, he left his wife alone and went to live in a different town. His wife went to his rebbi, the saintly Ba'al Shev Tov, to complain how his prized student left her all by herself. The Ba'al Shev Tov heard her passionate pleas, and promised to intervene.
The Ba'al Shev Tov sent for Rav Nachman and questioned his odd behavior.
"It became known to me," explained Rav Nachman, "that immediately after my wife gives birth to our first child, she is destined to die. Since I don't want her life to fall short at such a young age, I reasoned that it would be wiser to leave her childless rather than allow her to die."
"It may be easy for you to come to such a decision," responded the Ba'al Shev Tov, "but perhaps your wife feels differently."
Rav Nachman's wife was summoned, and once she heard the dilemma at hand, she nonetheless wanted to have a child, regardless of the consequences.
"In that case, however," remarked Rav Nachman, "I am bound to raise the child alone!"
"Do not fear," the Ba'al Shev Tov refuted, "I shall raise him myself!"
As instructed, Rav Nachman and his wife returned home, and a year later, they merited the birth of a son that they appropriately named Simcha. When the new mother saw the child, she was overwhelmed with sorrow that she would not live to see him grow, and she lifted her eyes to the Heavens and cried out, "Master of the world, I beg of you to grant me the ability to at least watch him grow until he has teeth!"
The Heavens heard her prayer, and indeed she merited to raise her dear son until he was two years old. After that time, the Ba'al Shev Tov brought the child into his holy home, raised him, and ultimately married him off to his own grand-daughter. The young couple later would bring a son into the world that they named after his illustrious grandfather, Nachman, and who later grew up to be the legendary Rav Nachman of Breslov!
It is said that when Rav Nachman Horedenka heard about his wife's tefillah that she prayed after their son's birth - one that had delayed her destined death for two years - he painfully cried, "When she uttered her heartfelt words, she created a moment of great mercy. If only she had asked for 70 years instead of just 2, she would have granted that as well!"

We often fail to realize the strength of our own prayers. Just a few meaningful words from deep within our hearts can make all the difference in the world. People are used to pressing buttons and seeing change on a screen, though they inherently and mistakenly believe that this is only possible in a virtual world. If they would only understand that the same is possible in real life, only the tool is not some silly piece of plastic.
Tefillah is the tool.
A power tool.
Yet, like any tool, you have to know how to use it for it to work properly.
Pray again and again until you become a master.

Say to yourself ten times today:
"My prayers are meaningful to Hashem - let me make them meaningful to me!"

I Love You, Man

"I hope life treats you kind, and I hope you have all you've ever dreamed of. And I wish to you, joy and happiness, but above all this, I wish you love - and I will always love you."

With Love, Hashem

Action. Reaction. Welcome to this world.
One of the most frequently asked questions is why Hashem "makes" bad things happen in the world. This question cannot be answered because it isn't a valid question. Before asking how it can be, we must first ask if such a thing is even true in the first place.
Would a person create and build something only to destroy it? No.
Would a person give someone a gift out of love and then break it? No.
Would a person commit an act of violence and evil to the one he loves most? No.
So how can it be that Hashem, who created the world solely for our benefit - to enjoy, grow, and gain - and then gave us all of the abilities we have ... did it to cause us pain and loss? It doesn't seem to make any sense.
In truth, Hashem loves us more than anything else in the world. After all, He created us! Besides, Hashem, who is infinitely perfect, cannot have any evil in Him, chas v'shalom. He is only capable of good.
So where does the evil and pain come from?
Ourselves!
Action. Reaction. Remember?
We create our own future with our actions. Therefore, Hashem can only hope that life treats us kind, and, if we do what we are designed to do, then it will. He can hope that we experience only joy and happiness, but that's up to us. We can make that choice. Finally, He wishes us love - that whatever we experience in life, we will see His love for us ... but He will always love us regardless of our feelings for Him!
Hashem loves Man - He created him. All He can do, however, is hope that we come through and see His love for us!
A Father will always love His children, even if they don't reciprocate that love.

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem loves me, and I love Him!"

March Madness

"The engine is running, but there 'aint nobody behind the wheel."

Which way are you driving?

And the madness marches on.
After over 2,000 years in exile, we have witnessed the most horrific madness. The Crusades. The Inquisition. The pogroms. The Holocaust.
Absolute madness.
Yet, we, the Jewish People, still march on. Proudly. Boldly.
But how?
Take a look around. Listen to the daily conversations around you. What is everyone talking about?
The economy. The wars. The politics. The violence. The pain and sorrow.
Or maybe they're talking about a television show. A movie. A ball game. A new album.
When was the last time you overheard a conversation about the Parsha? The upcoming Yom Tov? An insightful Torah thought?
We know that our People are strong, but what are we using our strength, courage, and energy for?
More "Madness"?
As Jews, we must question our objectives. Our direction.
"Am I driving around mad and lost, or do I have a true direction in life?"

Eighty-five year old Herbert was driving down the freeway when his cell phone rang.
"Herbert!" his wife cried urgently. "I just heard on the news that there's a car speeding the wrong way down Route 17. Please be careful!"
"No joke," Herbert replied, "it's not one car. It's hundreds of 'em!"

Yeah, we're driving down the road of life, but are we headed in the right direction?
Or do we think that it's just everyone else who is confused?
How many of us are in the right lane on the right highway - preserving our People for the next generation?
Who will help support our future?
Our engines are certainly running, but are we truly behind the wheel?

Drivers wanted.

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please help put me on the proper path of life! Help show me the way!"

Ups and Downs and Ups

"Life has its downs and ups"



Baby steps, baby steps!

 In life, we all fall. Everyone.
But not everyone gets back up.
The trick is to remember that as human beings, we are prone to fall. We are prone to make mistakes. As it says, "There is no such thing as a righteous person in this world that has not sinned."
Hashem created us with the knowledge that we will stumble, yet He also gave us the ability to regain control and stand firmly once more.

Imagine young parents and their small toddler. After several months of crawling, the child manages to hold tight to the living room couch and stands up. As his excited parents stand two feet away beckoning the child to come to them, the lad takes his first three steps ... and then staggers and falls to the carpet.
But what joy fills the house!
The beaming parents call the child's grandparents and burst out in jubilation, "Chaim took his first three steps! You should have seen him! He actually walked!"
But didn't he then fall? Why are they so proud of him?
Because at his age, three steps is a major accomplishment! Sure he fell. That's what he's supposed to do! But over time, he will stand more and walk further. And he won't fall as often. Until the day will come when Chaim will grow up and will run without falling even once!

Fall we will, but get back up we must!
There's no use in burying ourselves in self-inflicted pity or sorrow.
Our dear Father, Hashem, is overjoyed with every step we take! And although He may appear to stand afar, He waits for us to walk to Him!
Parents wouldn't dare pull such a stunt with a newborn, simply because they know that a child of such an age doesn't have the capacity to walk yet. Similarly, Hashem expects us to walk at our pace. He stands at a distance when He knows that He is in reach! Within our power.
We can make it there!
Don't give up!
Get up and walk again!
Again and again until you're there!

Admittedly, however, there is one difference between the mashal and the nimshal. While it would be silly for Chaim's parents to be proud of him when he walks without falling at age 20, Hashem will always be proud of us - regardless of how old we are!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, I am going to try to get closer to You today! And even if I fall, I will find the strength and get up again!"

Looking for ... Myself

"And I still haven't found what I'm looking for"

Where are you?

You may not have realized this, but you're searching.
All your life you're searching.
The only question is what you're searching for.
Most people don't ask themselves this question, therefore they never figure out what they're really trying to get at. What they're living for. While many spend their days and nights looking for ways to entertain themselves and fill their time with fun and excitement, there are those who search on a religious level. They sense that there is something more to life than fun. More than entertainment. In their minds, they think that they are searching for Hashem, searching for Him in order to believe in Him.

A young man once went to visit a great chassidic rebbe. Anticipating his visit with this holy figure, he thought that he would finally get the answers to his questions.
"Why did you come here, my friend?" asked the Rebbe with a sweet and warm smile.
"I came here to find G-D!" came the enthusiastic reply.
"Is that it?" questioned the Rebbe. "For that you could have stayed home, because G-D is everywhere - even in your own home!"
Puzzled by the response, the young man asked, "So then why DID I come?"
The Rebbe answered softly, "To find yourself, my friend. To find yourself!"

Hashem is everywhere. Everywhere you look is another testimony to His existence and continued management of the world.
Everything.
Everywhere.
So what are we looking for?
Perhaps, we are not truly searching for Hashem, rather searching for ourselves. We need to clarify what our primary goals are in life. What we really want to aspire to. What we really need to do to get there.
Who are we? Where are we? Where am I going?
Such is the true search in life.
Enjoy the search.
May you have a successful journey!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please help me find the proper way. Please help me recognize and accomplish my goals!"

Are You Lost?

"Have you ever been so lost, known the way and still so lost?"


What's the Megillah telling you?


Has it ever happened that you thought you knew where you were, only to realize shortly thereafter that you were actually lost?
Has it ever happened that you thought you were absolutely right, only to realize later that you were actually wrong?
As Shushan Purim 5771 comes to a close, we take a few moments to reflect upon the story of Purim and one of its messages for us today.
We have all learned that Hashem's Name does not appear even once in the Megillah. We have been taught that this demonstrates the fact that He remained hidden throughout the story. His Hand, so to speak, was working behind the scenes - beyond the vision of the human eye. As the story unfolded, the Jews felt that the end was near - their fate of death sealed. Under the circumtances, they appeared to have good reason to question G-D. With the date of their extermination fast approaching, they thankfully came together to follow the direction of their fearless leader - Mordechai. Joining in united fasting, tefillah, and wholehearted teshuva - as Mordechai instructed - they earned the Heavenly mercy needed to ultimately bringing about a complete turn-around. The Jews were saved. Mordechai was elevated in the royal monarchy.
The Megillah ends with the following oft forgotten note: "For Mordechai the Jew was viceroy to King Achashveirosh; he was a great man among the Jews, and found favor with the multitude of his brethren; he sought the good of his people and spoke for the welfare of his children."
Although there are dozens of lessons to be learned from the Megillah, let us focus on one - faith in our leaders. At the beginning of the Purim story - nine years before it ended - a vast number of Jews attended the feasts of Achashveirosh, against the will of Mordechai. In fact, the Gemara records one opinion that states that the reason for the danger to the Jewish People was because of this very fact - they didn't heed the words of their leader. It would take one final call to action by Mordechai years later - to fast and do teshuva - that would turn back the hands of time and correct their sin.
We must ask, "Why didn't they listen to him initially? If he told them not to go to the parties, why did they go anyway?"
The simple answer is because they didn't think it was a problem. They thought he was overreacting to the situation. They thought he was being overly strict. They thought they knew better.
But they didn't. They were lost without knowing it. They refused to listen to reason. To listen to the voice of the Torah and its sages.
Thus, Hashem's Name is not found because in the exile, we will often find times where we won't be able to see Him or understand the reasons for life's difficulties. He remains hidden. Yet, His will is publicized through our Torah leaders - leaders such as Mordechai.

How do we utilize this lesson for ourselves in our times?
First, we must take a step back and look at ourselves. We must question, "Where am I? Who am I? Where am I going?" Then we must realize that we need to make the Torah and its sages our guides to help us find the proper way. We must make the conscious effort to heed their words and respond affirmatively and positively to their calls to action - and put our faith in them ... Hashem's emissaries here in this world. Instead of thinking that we know what's best for ourselves, let us recognize that we may be a bit too lost to make those decisions.
Let us take the lead of our leaders!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"I have firm faith in the words of Chazal, Hashem's messengers in this world!"

Fast ... In Our Days

If it were only as easy as "If you build it, He will come."

Although Ta'anis Ester is not a fast connected with the destruction of the Beis ha'Mikdash, each day we daven for the rebirth of Yerushalayim and the rebuilding of the Beis ha'Mikdash. Therefore, I share with you this song by one of my favorite Jewish music artists today, Shloime Daskal. His sweet and melodious voice will leave you yearning for the day when Moshiach will usher in the Final Redemption and our national reunion in the glorious and magnificent city of Yerushalayim. May we all witness it soon in our days!



Bonei b'rachamav Yerushalayim, Amen!

Are You Game?

"We are the champions, my friends. And we'll keep on fighting 'till the end"


Are ready to go up
against the Yetzer Hara?

Did you hear the buzzer yet? Good, because it hasn't rung yet!
The posuk says, "Ki teitzei l'milchomo al oy'vecha," when you will go out to battle against your enemy. This is not just referring to an actual war, but to life itself. When our souls "go out" - leave their Heavenly abode to be placed into bodies in this world, we are immediately placed into battle. Every event in life - every action, decision, and even thought - is a battle against our most valiant and cunning enemy, the Yetzer Hara.
And he's ready to fight!
They say that the Yetzer Hara is the best chavrusa - he's never late, always argues with you, and never gives up!
In truth, each day is another game against him. And each day we must say to ourselves, "Hey, I'm not going to think about tomorrow's game. I'm going to worry about today's! Today I am going to live like a tzaddik! I don't care when the Yetzer Hara questions how I intend to continue to be so holy and righteous every day. I don't have to be! I just have to be a tzaddik today!"
Here's the game plan: fight until the end of today's game. Give it your all. Put in every ounce of energy until you're drained. Tonight you'll rest and then you'll play to win again tomorrow!
Win today. Win tomorrow. Hey, maybe you'll go for a three peat ... or even four!
No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions - of the world!

(In honor of "The Boys")

Say to yourself ten times today:
"I will be a tzaddik today! I will be a champion today! I will think only about today!"

Walking On Broken Glass

“Now everyone of us was made to suffer, everyone of us was made to weep. But we've been hurting one another, and now the pain has cut too deep …”

Fragile! Handle with care.

As we stood by Har Sinai, we were united as one people. We reached the level of holiness in order to receive the Torah only as a result of this unity. Hundreds of years later, it would be the lack of unity, sin'as chinum - baseless hatred, that would cause our glorious Beis ha'Mikdash to be diminished to rubble. Ultimately, it will be our reaffirmed unity that will bring about the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Beis ha'Mikdash. It will be our thoughtfulness and unwavering care for our fellow Jew that will bring the Final Redemption.

All we need to do is go a step further.

All we need to do is go beyond the call of duty for one another.

All we need to do is infuse a unbreakable bond for each other.

To go the extra distance. To do more.

When the chosson and kallah danced away from their chupah with an entourage of all their family and friends, the saintly Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv - the famous Alter of Kelm, as he was known - was seen crawling around on the floor where the chupah had just taken place.

What could bring this great giant to lower himself to his knees and crawl like a child on the floor?

He was searching and gathering the broken pieces of glass that the chosson had just broken - in order to make sure that nobody would get cut by the shards left behind!

This glass is broken to remind us that even at the height of our most joyous occasions, we must never forget the destruction of the Beis ha'Mikdash. Therefore, even while we join together at perhaps the most happy, Jewish event - a wedding - we must remember that we are truly still apart! The glass symbolizes that we may be together the night of a wedding, but indeed we will continue to be broken and scattered!

Perhaps, the Alter of Kelm was doing much more that cleaning a dangerous mess. He was teaching us that if the pieces are not gathered together once again, people will undoubtedly continue to get hurt!

Say to yourself ten times today:

"I will do more to be helpful and accepting to every person today!"

With All My Heart

To love and to cherish, from this day forward - and by death we still will not part

Replace the hard-ships with heart-loads!

This world is but a hallway that leads to the ballroom that is the World to Come.
Do we truly think that we have the capacity to understand what each event in this hallway means?
Do we really think that in our limited, finite minds we can interpret Hashem's most profound and infinitely wise reasons for each and every single movement and event in this world?
Just as a child sitting and playing joyfully and without fear in the back seat of a car being driven by his parents through a dangerous and treacherous snow storm - we must be well aware that Hashem is in control. He is driving - and a Master driver He is.
All we can do is realize and accept His judgments, however painfully they may be. In the end, there is reason for everything. And His reasons are just - if we would only know how ...

The Chofetz Chaim recounted at the funeral of one of his sons the story of a woman whose two sons were killed before her very eyes during the Spanish Inquisition. She lifted her eyes to the Heaven and whispered, "Hashem, I confess that while my sons were alive, my love for You was not complete; I left a corner in my heart for the love of my sons. Now that my sons have passed, all of my love is only for You, and I can completely fulfill the mitzvah of loving You with all my heart!"
When he finished the story, the Chofetz Chaim concluded, "The love that I had for my son until now I hereby offer to You!"

Let us take the pain and turn it into love!
Let us take the darkness and turn it into light!
Let us take the our exile and turn it into redemption!
All Hashem asks from us is to believe in Him.
If we would just find the courage to love and to cherish without question.
After all, He is our Father, and our Father knows best!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, I may not know why You do what You do - but I know full well that You do!"

Oh, Oh, Oh, It's Not Magic

Silly, tricks are for kids!

Open a siddur. Open a better future.

Tefillah. Davening.
What comes to mind when you hear these words?
For many, they think of a siddur - a book filled with endless words that they can't read and certainly can't understand. For them, tefillah is boring - almost painful to attend and remain for its entirety. They avoid davening at all costs. After all, if they don't connect with the words or recognize the potential tefillah holds, I suppose they cannot be blamed. It sure would be frustrating for me to sit through an hour prayer session conducted in some foreign language that I don't understand. I would probably go out of mind. However, if I was told that this prayer group involves speaking with the Creator of the world, and that the words contain some ultra-powerful, proven words and phrases that can alter our lives - I would probably learn that language quite fast!

It once happened that the young son of the great Chasam Sofer (Rav Moshe Sofer, tz"l) became terribly ill. Yet, nobody had the courage to go to the Chasam Sofer and deliver him the news since they didn't want to be the cause of interrupting his learning. A short time passed, and the child's situation diminished to the point where his health was so poor that they feared his death closely approaching.
When the gathered family and friends realized that his moments were counted, the Chevra Kadisha were dispatched and beckoned to the child's bedside. They caringly placed the customary candles in the room that were to be lit when his innocent soul would depart. It was at that time that they understood the necessity of sharing the information with the Chasam Sofer.
A few of the relatives hesitantly broke the painful news to the Chasam Sofer with heavy hearts. Upon hearing how the Chevra Kadisha had already been to the house and set up the candles, the Chasam Sofer abruptly stood up, went to the Aron Kodesh, opened the curtain and doors with great emotion, and began pouring out his heart to Hashem for Him to have mercy on his son, and to reverse the dreadful situation from pain to fortune.
When he completed his powerful and stirring tefillos, he closed the doors of the Aron, and asked the people around him to return to his home and to bring the following message - to gather the candles that were to be lit ... and to store them away to be used at the child's wedding!
The men returned with a pessimistic attitude, assuming that the child had already succumbed to his illness and passed away. Yet, as they approached the house, they heard sounds of joy from within. When they entered, they were told of the boy's miraculous recovery. Indeed, they gathered the candles as instructed, and stored them away safely. Several years later, when the young man was to be married, the candles that were once intended to be lit for impending doom were lit in utter jubilation and immense celebration!
Such is the power of tefillah!

Magic? Nope. Just tefillah! Just the power of prayer!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"I will put all my efforts into davening better today! I will make them meaningful!"

Diamonds On the Road

Pair of Tzitzis = $8. Hebrew-English Siddur = $20. Reward earned in the World to Come = Priceless.

Diamonds! Everywhere! For free!

How would you like endless happiness? Infinite pleasure?
How would you like an existence of utter bliss and satisfaction?
What do you think really earns this type of life? This kind of existence?

There was once this fellow who enjoyed boating immensely. Several times a week, he would take his simple canoe out into the river, along with his fishing rod, bait, lunch, and various other necessities. One day, as he drifted further and further from shore, he went through a patch of heavy fog, only to surface in an area he didn't recognize. Looking from side to side for some clues as to his location, he couldn't seem to find his way. Suddenly, he looked into the distance and saw a small island up ahead.
Pulling up to the river bank, he dragged his canoe safely out of the water and walked up to road above. The sight that greeted him nearly caused him to pass out in sheer amazement. The roads were paved in diamonds! No dirt. No concrete. Just millions of stunning, glittering, priceless diamonds stretching as far as the eye could see!
As he stood there overwhelmed in thought, the inhabitants of the island passed him by in confusion. One local native approached him, and asked, "Sir, is everything alright?"
"Alright? Alright? No, no! I'm better than alright!" came the loud response. "Don't you see what's on the ground?
"Ah, sir," answered the local, "there's nothing there except for stones."
"Stones? Those aren't regular stones! Those are diamonds!"
"Right, diamonds. Diamonds are stones. What's so special about them? They're everywhere."
The man couldn't believe what was going on. "Yeah! They're everywhere! Do you have any clue what they're worth? Each one of them? MILLIONS! Do you hear me? MILLIONS!"
By this time, a sizable group of people gathered, laughing at their visitor. As they smirked and jeered, some remarked, "What a fool! Why does he seem to care so much about the stones on the ground? It's not like they're worth more than dirt!"
Regardless of the people's reactions, the man ran back to his canoe, gathered the four or five plastic bags he had stored in his lunch box, and returned with tremendous excitement. He dropped to the ground and began filling the bags with diamonds. The people watched with even greater laughter, but it didn't faze him.
"Who cares what they think and say," thought the man. "They're out of their minds! I don't care if they believe me or not, but these diamonds are priceless! Where I come from, each one of these stones will make me rich! I'm not about to pass up this opportunity!"
As the man filled the bags to capacity, he caring loaded them into his canoe, and headed back home.

Do we have even the slightest clue as to the value of a single mitzvah? One single mitzvah - let alone hundreds or even thousands of them? Where we come from, each one is priceless! Yet, we come to a world that doesn't necessarily value them as much as they should.
But the roads are covered with them! There are diamonds everywhere! Everywhere!
We are given a pre-determined amount of "bag" space to fill up on them in order to cash in once we return Home. Are we about to allow others who mock the mitzvos, who say, "Ah! Who cares about tzitzis! They just make you itch and sweat!" Or, "Davening? So early? I ain't getting out of bed early for that!"
Are we really going to stop amassing a wealth here in this world just because of public opinion, or because "it isn't cool" to do mitzvos?
Are we really going to pass up on these massive diamonds?
Or are we going to rush to gather them up!
Go ahead! Gather those diamonds - they're everywhere!

(Thank you, Rav Avigdor Miller, tz"l, for continuing to inspire us all with your words - your diamonds! We can only imagine the infinite wealth you have earned back Home for the lifetime of wisdom you shared with us.)

Say to yourself ten times today:
"I am totally committed to do every single mitzvah that comes to my hands today with energy and love!"

We'll Get Together Soon

"When 'ya comin' home, dad?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then, son."

"When 'ya comin' home, son?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then, dad."

When you coming home, Dad?

Each day in our tefillos, we beseech Hashem numerous times for Him to return - to return His infinite glory to the world by bringing Moshiach, restoring the exalted throne of Dovid ha'Melech to the magnificently rejuvenated city of Yerushalayim, and of course, rebuilding of the most majestic structure ever known to man - the final Beis ha'Mikdash.
We cry out to Him in our pain, "Hashem! Why do You seem so far from us? Please! We can no longer bear the agony of exile! Return to us!"
However, not a day goes by without our Father calling out to us to come home to Him. He beckons us, "When are you coming home, My dear children? Why have you strayed so far away from Me? Return to Me!"
We are left, therefore, with a difficult dilemma - who is to return to whom? Are we to await for Hashem to come close to us once more, or for us to gain a closeness with Him ourselves?

The atmosphere was filled with awe and fear. The purity of heart and the stirring of the soul was palpable as a sea of white extended throughout the shul with the people standing still just moments before that momentous moment of Kol Nidrei on Yom Kippur night. The holy Rebbe entered and silently made his way to the front to take his position. With his head lowered and talis wrapped around his saintly body, the Rebbe opened the machzor to begin perhaps the most inspiring tefillah of the year.
But there he stood motionless. The seconds turned into minutes. With each united beat of the collective heart of the congregants, the second hand of the clock continued to tick. Again. And again. After nearly twenty minutes of silence, the Rebbe turned to Yankel, the blacksmith, and motioned for him to approach.
The tall Yankel bent over to hear what the Rebbe had to say, responded, and then returned to his seat. Almost instantaneously, the Rebbe's sweet and melodious voice began with brilliance and emotion. The tears streamed down the cheeks of all present as the night's tefillos continued with passion and heartfelt commitment to Hashem.
As the Rebbe descended from his post at the conclusion, members of the shul voiced their curiosity as to the his delay and exchange before davening.
"As I stood there poised to begin Kol Nidrei, a humbling thought struck me," explained the Rebbe. "I thought to myself - how could we, imperfect human beings fraught with flaws and misdeeds have the audacity to come before the Almighty and speak to Him as if we are worthy subjects? How are we to approach Hashem if we are so small? How can we even begin to serve Him when we are so meek?
"I then thought of Yankel. While standing at nearly seven feet tall, I remembered that Yankel's wife is barely five feet tall. I motioned to Yankel, and asked him, 'Yankel, if you're so tall and your wife is so short, how do you speak to one another?'
"Yankel answered, 'Rebbe, it's simple. My wife stands on her tippy toes to speak to me, and I bend down the rest of the way to hear her!'
"It was then that I realized that this is the exact same relationship between Hashem and us! Although He is incalculably taller than us, all He asks for us is to try - to reach up to Him as far as we possibly can ... and then He will come down to us the rest of the way!"

My dear friends! All Hashem asks of us is to do our very best! All we need to do is to muster all of our efforts into serving Him, and He will then take care of the rest!
We desperately wish to regain that special bond - that loving relationship we once had the pleasure of experiencing. There is only one way to accomplish that feat - by trying harder and harder to reach Hashem with all our might! If we are ever to achieve the goals we mentioned above, we must act NOW!
Now reach up as high as you can and you will one day soon be with Hashem!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please give me the willpower to serve You better today! I just want to be closer to You!"

Hashem.com

Don't forget to cross your t's and dot your com's.



Did it click yet?

 Perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions revolves around the incredibly vast amount of mitzvos and details that constantly require our attention as Jews - is it really all that necessary? Does it really matter if I fulfill each mitzvah exactly as described by Chazal? Isn't it good enough if I do the general idea?
Although the following on-line conversation is not new, it is well worth another read. Perhaps, after reading and thinking through the following, we will have a better idea of the necessity and importance of every last fine detail.

Dear Rabbi,

Why does the Jewish religion seem to obsess over insignificant details? How much matzah do we have to eat, which spoon did I use for milk and which for meat, what is the right way to tie my shoelaces? It seems to me that this misses the bigger picture by focusing on minutiae. Is this nitpicking what Jews call spirituality? (I actually already sent you this question over a week ago and didn’t receive a reply. Could it be that you have finally been asked a question that you can't answer?!)
Sol

 

Dear Sol,

I never claimed to have all the answers. There are many questions that are beyond me. But it happens to be that I did answer your question, and you did get the answer. I sent a reply immediately. The fact that you didn't receive it is itself the answer to your question.
You see, I sent you a reply, but I wrote your email address leaving out the "dot" before the "com". I figured that you should still receive the email, because after all, it is only one little dot missing. I mean come on, it's not as if I wrote the wrong name or something drastic like that!
Would anyone be so nitpicky as to differentiate between "yahoocom" and "yahoo.com "? Isn't it a bit ridiculous that you didn't get my email just because of a little dot?
No, it's not ridiculous. Because the dot is not just a dot. It represents something. That dot has meaning far beyond the pixels on the screen that form it. To me it may seem insignificant, but that is simply due to my ignorance of the ways of the web. All I know is that with the dot, the message gets to the right destination; without it, the message is lost to oblivion.

Jewish practices have infinite depth. Each nuance and detail contains a world of symbolism. And every dot counts. When they are performed with precision, a spiritual vibration is emailed throughout the universe, all the way to G-d's inbox.

If you want to understand the symbolism of the dot, study I.T.
If you want to understand the symbolism of Judaism, study it.

All the best,
Rabbi

If we put in enough effort and care into the mitzvos we fulfill, we are hopeful that they will successfully reach their destination. Just stay tuned for the response message. Read between the lines. The responses are there. But they're not black on white - they're in vivid, vibrant colors ... in every aspect of our lives!
You've got mail!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, give me the understanding to know what You want from me today and I'll do my very best to succeed!"

Man In the Mirror

I'm gonna make a change, for once in my life - it's gonna feel real good.

What are you lookin' at?

Next time you look in the mirror, before you take a look at your hair or your shirt collar, stop to look yourself in the eye.

Is that you?

Of course it's you, but is it really you?

Who you want to be?

Who you can be?

Young Mordechai had a wonderful collection, but not of baseball or basketball cards - rather of gedolim cards. He would gather all of the great tzaddikim of the time and enjoy staring into their wise and illuminating faces. He loving placed each one in an album to preserve his cherished collection. Deep in his heart, Mordechai yearned with all his might that one day he would grow up to be as scholarly as they.

Mordechai's parents once glanced into their son's album, and saw something very puzzling. It seemed that Mordechai deliberately left the first page blank. Their mystery was solved when they saw a piece of paper inside the vacant picture slot.

It read: "Mordechai, if you'll learn well and work hard in Torah, you too will some day be entered here. But if not, you'll be left out!"

It is no surprise that with a soul so convicted, so motivated such as Mordechai's that he grew up to be the great Rav Mordechai Gifter, tz"l, the beloved Rosh Yeshiva of Telshe in Cleveland, Ohio, and one of our greatest leaders and luminaries in America.

Still looking in that mirror?

Ask yourself, "Who do I want to be?"
Now make that happen! Make that change ... it's gonna feel real good!

Say to yourself ten times today:

"I am a great person! And I can be even better! Today, I will be the best!"

Count Your Blessings and Make Your Blessings Count!

When life throws you a lemon, make a bracha!

Stop, think, and thank!

How many brachos would you say we recite each day? One hundred or so? How many times when we say one do we stop and think what we're saying? Or think of the meaning of the words?
Ever since early childhood, we are taught to say a bracha before eating or drinking anything. Since we've been doing it for years, we tend to take them for granted. We recite them without meaning. Without thought. Without purpose and appreciation.
The follow short story demontrates for us how much we must value each and every single bracha. Perhaps we may become inspired to think before each bracha. And perhaps we will one day come to realize just how infinitely great each bracha is.

There was a righteous widow in the city of Brisk that suffered tremendous hardships, paralized and left immobalized in bed without being able to move a limb. The Rov of Brisk, the famous Mahari"l Diskin, arranged for her to be fed, as well as paid a woman to clean and change her daily.
Once, before Yom Tov, the Mahari"l Diskin went to visit the widow - to give her a bracha in honor of the Yom Tov.
"I have come to give you a bracha - a bracha for a happy Yom Tov!" the Mahari"l Diskin happily exclaimed.
"Rebbi," the widow responded, "I only have one request - to bless me to merit an extended, long life!"
Surprised and bewildered, the Mahari"l Diskin thought to himself, "Has this poor woman not suffered enough? She sits in bed like a stone, unable to move an inch. She cannot even recite brachos because her body isn't clean - and she wants to live a long life? What pleasure can she possible gain from a life such as this?"
Recognizing his confusion, the widow explained, "I ask for long life because each day, a woman comes to clean and wash me. In the moment immediately thereafter, when I am clean for just a short time, I am finally able to recite a bracha ... once a day! Tell me - is it not worthwhile to live all day in my state of pain in order to merit to say a single bracha before the Creator?!"

Each time I think of this story, tears swell in my eyes.
Would we ever think of such a lofty, holy thought if we were in such a position?
Would we ever accept immense pain - a life in utter helplessness - for a single, daily bracha?
And then to request for it to continue in such fashion!
What sacrifice!
What infinite righteousness!
What everlasting joy such a person gives to Hashem!
Everlasting merit in the World to Come!
What if we thought to ourselves that each bracha we say will be the only one we can today?
Would it not be that much more meaningful?
Would it not be said with more concentration and contemplation?
Would we not recite it with deep emotion and care?
Let us remember this story each time we are about to fill our mouths with food - and then fill our mouths with praise of Hashem!
"Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-D and King of the Universe ..." - how great indeed You are!

Say to yourself  ten times today:
"I can never thank You for everyting You give me! Thank you, thank you!"

Fill 'er Up! Premium!

Knock, knock. Who's there? Me. Me who? You should know who you are!

Fill yourself with Torah and mitzvos!

One of the most prominent Jewish psychiatrists today attributes all behavior and emotional deficiencies and difficulties to the lack of self-esteem. In fact, he attests that through his research and endless array of patients, a low self-esteem has extraordinarily detrimental effects that deplete any vestige of happiness in life, as well as stunt, weaken, or even completely destroy the growth or existence of all positive character traits.
While this is certainly a terrible tragedy, the disturbing and debilitating state we currently find our society in appears to only be worsening. The developing on-line social networks are all founded on the need to publicize ourselves - the need for recognition and attention. This, too, comes from a form of low self-esteem.
How can we fight this cataclysmic reality? As Jews, what are we equipped with to fight this grim battle against the forces of despair and low self-worth?
The Kaminetzer Maggid once related this marvelous mashal, one that may open the door to the answer we are searching for.

There was once a well-acclaimed craftsman who was famous for his one-of-a-kind pieces of elaborate and expensive furniture. After much labor and detailed artistry, he completed his newest piece - a stunning, regal curio display. The wealthy and prominent began their bids on the piece, drawing quite astronomical numbers. In the end, a successful businessman from Vienna won the bid - at 80,000 ruble. Placed in his luxurious living room, the businessman displayed some of his finest and priceless gold and gems in the curio.
The weeks and months passed, and the businessman witnessed a total collapse of his estate. The bank was forced to repossess his mansion along with his possessions since he was unable to pay all of his outstanding debts. The curio was taken as well, stored and moved countless times. Each time it was moved, it incurred scratches, dents, and abrasions due to the mishandling of the expensive piece.
Ultimately, the curio, devoid of any remnant of value, was sold at an auction for a measly 50 ruble. The shoemaker who won the auction proudly brought the piece back to his shop in Vienna where he would store scraps of leather and various tools.
One day, the craftsman who constructed and designed the curio was walking the streets of Vienna when he tripped on a nail and tore his shoe. Luckily, he saw a shoemaker shop just a few stores down the street. He entered the shop and showed his damaged shoe to the owner.
"Sure thing. I can fix that. Let me get a replacement piece of leather and a few tools from the other room," explained the shoemaker.
As he opened the door to the adjacent room, the craftsman peered inside and couldn't believe his eyes! His glorious, precious curio he spend days building now found a home in a dirty, low-class shoemaker shop! Overwhelmed with dismay, the craftsman passed out on the spot!

We, my dear friends, have been formed as one-of-a-kind, magnificent works of art! We are masterpieces designed with infinite wisdom, care, and foresight by the greatest Craftsman ever. Each Jew is an intricate and priceless creation.
However, we were designed for the sole purpose of being filled with valuable commodities - Torah and mitzvos - and meant to display these everlasting gems in all their glory.
But what do we fill them with? Every possible mundane and earthly pleasure, just like the scraps of leather and dirty tools! We have allowed ourselves to lose our wealth, our Torah and proud Jewish identity, and have willingly moved around resulting in our decreased value and state of beauty.
Though we are precious! We are priceless! We are each the sole and beloved child of Hashem!
If we were to recognize this, and live with this knowledge each day of our lives, we would clearly see just how valuable each one of us are! We would never succumb to low self-esteem! How could we?
We are invaluable!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"I am important! I am valuable! I am priceless! And I will accomplish great things today!"

Hashem's Air Is Truly Everywhere

"And I swear, by the moon and the stars in the sky, there'll be air"

Be great by thinking great!

How often does anyone stop to think and thank Hashem for all of the glorious creations that most of us take for granted? Let's take the air, for instance. I can't remember the last time I heard someone thanking Hashem for the wonderful air. Well, except for the great Rav Avigdor Miller, tz"l, of course ...

Upon a regular visit, Rav Miller's grandson entered his illustrious grandfather's apartment - only to be startled by the scene he saw before his eyes. Rav Miller's head was completely submerged in the kitchen sink ... filled with water! Before he could react, Rav Miller suddenly thrust his head out of the water and gasped for breath.
"Zeidy," cried the alarmed grandson. "What is going on? Are you alright?"
Drying his face, Rav Miller explained warmly and calmly.
"I was walking outside earlier today (Note: Rav Miller walked for some time daily for his health), and someone joined me as we spoke about various topics," explained Rav Miller. "The man then started talking about the air quality, and began complaining about air pollution. How could I accept lashon hara about Hashem's air? How could I accept that something is wrong with it? So I needed to prove to myself just how great and important Hashem's air truly is! Therefore, I filled the sink with water, put my head in, and waited until I couldn't breath anymore. Then, in desperate need of air, I pulled my head out of the sink - ahhhhh ... the delicious, beautiful air Hashem created! Thank you, Hashem!"

Next time you're outside, pause for a few moments and look around.
Take a deep breath.
Ahhhh!
Isn't His world the most glorious place ... on earth?

Hey, isn't that an Uncle Moishy tune? "Hashem's AIR, Hashem is there, Hashem is truly everywhere!"

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Thank you Hashem for everything you gave me in life - I will try to make good use of it all!"