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Bringing the Shechinah into our lives

July 14, 2015
Orit Esther Riter
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BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the yeshua for Pinchas ben Bassya Yehudit. May Hashem shower him with all of the goodness and clarity that he needs, Amen.

The Shechinah sustains life ~ she is the soul of the world.  As we immerse ourselves in a life of Torah and mitzvot we enhance the outpouring of love between the Shechinah and HaKadosh Baruch Hu.  This in turn injects our lives with life force and revealed goodness.  It is only through Torah learning and attachment to Torah principles that we ‘bring’ the Shechinah into our lives.  HaKadosh Baruch Hu so to speak ‘”shares” the Shechinah with His beloved nation in order to comfort and guide us through this confusing world.

What can we do to make the Shechinah feel welcomed?  It is written in the Talmud, “Rabbi Yossi teaches the Shechinah dwells only in a place of wholeness and not in a place of lacking, not in a place of sadness but only in a place of happiness and joy.”Although during Bein HaMeitzrim we are to diminish our happiness and use this time to reflect on our losses; we are not instructed to remove all joy from our midst.

Joy does not require that we laugh or necessarily smile.  Genuine joy comes from living a life of purpose; connecting all instances and experiences to the ultimate reason for existence. At this time we should contemplate the unbearable pain and hardships born from this long anguish-filled exile and acknowledge that we have drifted from our true and holy essence.  We need to ‘return’ to our purpose; we need to turn-on our emuna.

Enhancing Unity

July 13, 2015
Orit Esther Riter
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Today’s daily dose of emuna lesson is dedicated to the immediate recovery and refuah shleimah of Esti Rappaport, her husband Misha and their four children who were involved in a major accident last night on Route 17 in the US.  Parents are in critical condition. May Hashem shower them among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering with a complete refuah shleimah b’karov,b’rachamim, Amen.

As we know the next two weeks are din (judgment); let us explore what we can do in honor of the Shechinah. As we go about our lives, performing mitzvot it is of great importance to focus our intent on uniting the Shechinah back to HaKadosh Baruch Hu. The mystical teachings bring down that there is a disconnection in Shamayim between the male and female aspects of Hashem which disrupts our ability to maintain peace down below.

The Shechinah is with us in exile; She watches over the Jewish people everywhere we go. Whether we are at sea or treading on desert sand, through joy and sadness, She is hovering over Ahm Yisrael sharing our pain and suffering. She ‘yearns’ to see us happy and settled once again in our homeland; the way back is adorned with sincere Torah learning and Tefillot.

By strengthening our emuna we create a great stir above and create Oneness and unity. Essentially living a life of emuna proclaims, ‘All is One and all comes from One’ (the fundamental message of the Shema Yisrael). This proclamation binds the fragmented reality and enjoins it back to its source. Here we have the opportunity to co-partner with the Shechinah and escort Her back to Her beloved.

Exile of the Shechinah ~ Part IIII

July 10, 2015
Orit Esther Riter
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Klal Yisrael is lost.  Mama Rachel cries over her children who have been dispersed amongst the nations and sent into exile.  We have lost our connection to our real purpose in life. Even though many have returned to the land of Israel, we are still broken hearted since so many still do not recognize the intimate bond we share with Torah and mitzvot.

Although we were lost without Eretz Yisrael; we have been found and returned as a broken nation. The tears shed by Mama Rachel are soothed by the promise (Yirmiyahu (31:15), “…v’Shavu banim l’gvulam (Her children will return to its borders)”.  The Jewish nation shall yet return to the ways of their forefathers as the RamBam ztk’l explains at the end of days we will all do teshuva; no one will be left behind.

The Shechinah is pained by her children since the entire reason for creation was to share Her light with us.  When the Jewish nation strays from Hashem’s path we cause a darkening of the entire world. The Divine light wishes to dwell in every Jewish heart and when She does not find a place in our hearts, she unfortunately is ‘forced’ into hiding causing a loss of light.

From here we see the great importance and value each of us holds in keeping a life of Torah and mitzvot. It is in our hands to ‘give strength’ to Hashem to lighten up the world with revealed goodness.  We learn this from the passukim, “Hashem oz l’Amo yiten (Hashem will give strength to His nation)” and “Tzur yiladcha teshi (Ha’azinu 32:18) (You forgot the mighty rock Who bore you; you forgot the G-d Who delivered you).”

Tzur is HaKadosh Baruch Hu who gave birth to us and anointed us to be His holy children.  When we attach ourselves to Hashem and rely on Him as a child leans on her loving parent, we essentially give Hashem the koach to shine His Divine goodness onto this world and fight off our enemies.  

Exile of the Shechinah ~ Part III

July 8, 2015
Orit Esther Riter
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Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the immediate refuah shleimah of Ahavah Emunah bat Chava Etta.  May we all scream on high to invoke rachamei Shamayim for this special neshama, a mother of five young children, who is diagnosed with the machala, r’l.  May Ahavah Emunah bat Chava Etta merit a complete healing among all of Ahm Yisrael who are sick and suffering, b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

If our eyes could only see the pain and suffering of the Shechinah we would not be able to stand it. All of creation bears witness to the heart wrenching cries of the Shechinah. Each rock and tree, river and mountain top, ocean and plant hear the daily wails of the Shechinah waiting to unite with Her children.

All that is in our hands to do, we must do. This is the time to cry a river of tears over the fate of the Shechinah and Klal Yisrael. If not now, then when? Let us picture hearing the voices of thousands upon thousands of holy camps of angels weeping over the sorrow of the Shechinah. Should this not stir our hearts to cry?

Mourning the Beit HaMikdash is meant to remind us all that is missing in our lives. It should cause us to realize that we are living life broken-hearted even if we don’t realize we are incomplete. Envision seeing your mother wrapped in sackcloth and covered in ashes crying over you; screeching and weeping (Yeshayahu 2:1), “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for Hashem has spoken; Children I have raised and exalted, yet they have rebelled against Me.”

If we only knew how much Hashem loves us. He ‘wanders’ with us in our exile from place to place, never leaving our side.

Exile of the Shechinah ~ Part II

July 7, 2015
Orit Esther Riter
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The Shechinah in simplistic terms refers to the Divine light that Hashem created by drawing down other holy lights from the upper realms.  Although we cannot fully grasp the essence of what this means the Sages explain that Hashem ‘desires’ that a part of this light shine onto this world and dwell with Klal Yisrael and the Beit HaMikdash.

It is Hashem’s ‘will’ that this light accompany Ahm Yisrael wherever we go in our exile.  This becomes more evident when taking a closer look at the word Shechinah and extracting from it the word shochen, to dwell.   Just as the clouds block the rays of continuous sunshine (the clouds parallel our sins) so too our transgressions separate the Shechinah who shines Divine radiance unto us but is blocked.

Essentially it is through the light of the Shechinah that all bracha comes down to this world.  Do we realize this? How many of us truly pray for the Shechinah to be redeemed?  The Shechinah HaKedosha is solely ‘dependent’ on the actions of Klal Yisrael.  Our thoughts, speech and deeds directly impact Her honor and glory.

Particularly at this time where the Jewish people are vilified we find Hashem’s presence hidden the most.   However never forget -the greater the evil doing to Klal Yisrael the more the Shechinah suffers along with us.  This message is taught to us through the verse in Sefer Zechariah (2:8), “Hashem proclaims concerning the nations plundering you: Those who strike you, strike the pupil of my eye.”  In other words, when Ahm Yisrael suffers the Shechinah is immersed in indescribable pain along with us.

The Place the Jewish People Call Home

March 19, 2015
Orit Esther Riter

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Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Chaviva Sarah bat Ahuva Tsivia. May Hashem shower her with a complete healing refuat hanefesh v’refuat haguf among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’rachamim, b’mheira, Amen.

VERY IMPORTANT TEFILLAH FOR PARNASSA TO BE READ EREV ROSH CHODESH NISSAN, TOMORROW, FRIDAY, WRITTEN BY THE SHLAH HAKADOSH:  CLICK HERE 

Exile defines a state of being away from one’s homeland; distant from one’s natural habitat. A person in exile feels they are distant from realizing their goals; unable to fulfill their potential and live up to their mission. Ultimately, this can result in a sense of emptiness, sadness and personal alienation. This is the environment in which the Jewish people currently reside.

The media attempts to ‘sell’ us happiness by depicting our lives as lacking and incomplete. They promise us smiles and fun, yet our inner vessels are left empty. The Jewish soul is always searching, flickering as the wick of the candle, yearning and craving to elevate back to its Divine source. We feed it chocolate, vacations and other materialistic ‘toys’ and wonder, “What is it that I am still missing in my life?” Not matter how sweet a chocolate soufflé is (yes, they are fantastically yummy!), it does not appease a weary soul’s appetite.

Freedom is the ideal state to live in – a state of being absolutely connected down to the deepest core of our being. Genuine freedom is not defined as the ability for the body to run wild and act on its every whim, since that too is slavery; being enslaved to one’s bodily lusts at no end. The body never has enough it always wants to be fed more. Additionally the joy is short-lived and leaves a person with frustration over not having been given all it demands.

By contrast, the soul knows contentment and leaves in its track a deep sense of joy when it is properly fed. The longing remains however the person is enveloped with tremendous inner composure, tranquility and calm. The Jewish soul pleads within us to return her back to her homeland; an environment of Torah, mitzvot and good deeds.

That is personal redemption and the expression of true freedom. Torah is our great consolation and our personal GPS that guides us back to our soul and to our natural surrounding.  The place the Jewish people call home.

True Freedom

March 12, 2015
Orit Esther Riter

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Today, the 21 of Adar is the yahrtzeit of the Holy Noam Elimelech of Lizhensk Poland ztk’l, the prime disciple of Maggid of Mezritch, the student of the holy Ba’al Shem Tov HaKadosh. On one occasion Rabbi Elimelech and Reb Zushya ztk’l (his brother) were staying at an inn. Each night non-Jewish peasants would enter their room and jestingly beat the one who lay nearest the fireside, Reb Zushya. One night, Rabbi Elimelech offered to change places with his brother so that he could take the beatings instead. Suggesting that Reb Zushya had suffered enough of this “Divine admonishment” the agreement was made and Rabbi Elimelech lay next to the fire instead. That night, the common gentiles again entered to begin their jest. This time, however, one of them said that the one by the fire had taken his fair share of the treatment, and now it would be better to jest with the other one! Again Reb Zushya took the beatings. Afterwards, he told his brother that whatever is decided in Heaven transpires! May the zechut of the tzaddik serve as an advocate on behalf of Klal Yisrael and may we be zoche to emulate the ways of our righteous, Amen.

True freedom is a continuous pursuit of liberation – opposite of bondage – in everyday life. And what bondage does mankind experience in our day and time? The burden of the body’s desires that topple the soul’s call. There are 613 desires in us that we must correct one at a time, each desire with all of its parts. This is achieved through the study of Torah and adherence to Hashem’s mitzvot.

During the time of the korbanot which will be read in the coming parshiot, we learn how the offerings elevated the Jewish soul. The korbanot come to teach us how to correct our ‘nature’ and reveal our G-dliness. When we surrender our selfish desires and in place bestow kindness to others we essentially offer a korban to Hashem.

Unfortunately, when we fail to transform our animalistic drives, they cause us problems; the desires become negative forces in our lives. Letting ourselves be governed by these forces bring us much suffering and hardship. As we neglect to rise above our bodily impulses we are ‘forced’ to confront them through more difficult Divinely dictated ways. With each challenge overcome, more and more of our egotistic tendencies dissipate. As a result we connect more to our brethren and draw closer to Hashem.

We cannot bring korbanot to Hashem as of yet – B’sD soon! – However we can make a conscious exerted effort to free ourselves of our selfish desires and heed the calling of our soul. There is no better place for the Jew to be. And be reassured; it is nothing less than living a life of utter bliss.

Tefillah in Galut

March 11, 2015
Orit Esther Riter

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Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated as a Mazal Tov to our sweet grandson Eliya on occasion of his 4th birthday. May he grow from strength to strength and fulfill a life decorated with Torah, mitzvot and Ma’asim Tovim. May his parents see nachat and abundance of bracha always, Amen.

How does tefillah assist us in our state of exile? Freedom being the opposite state of exile is defined as a state whereby one is welcome to express himself and live in his natural state, unrestricted by external forces that come to limit him.  Some may argue that on Pesach we indeed left Egypt, a state of enslavement by the Egyptian oppressors, but entered a life of servitude to Hashem.  Certainly this is more preferable yet even so, isn’t freedom an absence of all limitations on mankind; physical, emotional, moral and spiritual?

Freedom as described by Chazal entails a life filled with meaning; being able to live a life with purpose.  The harsh reality of the Jewish people in Egypt was their subjection to futile hard back-breaking labor which served no purpose, just for the sake of breaking their spirit.  Living a life where work is not seen as a means to an end but is its own goal essentially is slavery by modern day definition. In simple terms, committing our lives to search material achievement and power is far from living a life of freedom.

How downcast is the Jewish soul who is forced to live a life of galut within galut; not only prevented from expressing its true desires but being forced to surrender itself to short-lived pursuits which are finite and pointless.  Not viewing work as part and parcel to that which we must do in order to fulfill our spiritual task in this world, but involving ourselves in the material for its own sake and gain.  Fundamentally the road to freedom is adorned with the questions ‘Who am I’ and ‘Why am I here?’ and the pursuit to fulfill their answers.

When we turn to Hashem in tefillah we in effect are doing the same; withdrawing ourselves from exile and entering into the spiritual realm of geulah. We are reminded of our individual and collective holy mission and readjust our reality to pursue it.

Unnatural

March 10, 2015
Orit Esther Riter

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In our day tefillah gives voice to our inner desire, although sometimes hidden, for galut to end and for us to be uplifted to our natural state of geulah.   We accept the decree that we must currently remain in exile and although extremely painful we subjugate our will to Hashem’s will that this is where we need to be. Yet with that, we may still contest His will and pursue every path possible to connect to Him through exile.  Galut is intended to ‘squeeze’ out of the Jewish people something that would be unattainable by any other means; consciousness of the Jewish soul.

We are meant to feel alienated and yearn to return to our ‘natural’ state of Oneness with Hashem.  These coming weeks we will exert great effort to gain a sense of freedom from this current state of exile and strive to personally experience redemption from Egypt.  Thus it is essential that we delve into the meaning of where we are coming from and where we are heading!

In exile the Jewish people are denoted as ‘temporary wanderers’ not as dwellers as the children of Esav are referred to.  We are defined as living a life deprived of its pride. We are a nation among 70 mighty nations.

The galut affects every Jewish soul and diminishes Hashem’s Oneness as it is taught by Rabbi Akiva ztk’l, ‘in every place where Israel was exiled the Shechinah was exiled with them.’  So what positive benefit is attained when Ahm Yisrael is in exile?  Chazal teach that it is precisely while in exile we are given an opportunity to proclaim our Emuna, our loyalty and faithfulness to Hashem, by continuing to adhere to the holy Torah in spite of being persecuted.

Until When?

March 9, 2015
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

Galut.  We keep hearing it. The sense of despondency persists. Oy, what are we to do?  Until when Hashem?  Until when?

“Because of our sins we were exiled from our land and driven from our soil…” are the words we recite in the Mussaf prayer. It is more than just a physical expulsion rather a disconnect from the penetrable channels to Hashem.  We are now in limited mode as to how much we can feel Hashem’s tangible presence.  This is galut, a state of disconnect. So what now? How do we weave the broken tapestry so we can cherish the wholesomeness of our life’s picture?

For one thing, don’t get out of Hashem’s house!  The Talmud Pesachim (86b) teaches that if the Host demands that His guests get out of His house we are not to fulfill His instruction to do so?!  Hashem being The Host of this world and us, the Jewish people, being the guests in His Home, we are not to accept when He banishes us from His presence.  Rather we are to pursue and never relent in our efforts to come close to Him!!

The pathways are kept open for those of us who wish to fight our way back to an intimate relationship with Hashem.  We are never to cease struggling; this is our choice and one that Hashem ‘yearns’ for.  We are left with one way, loaded with spiritual ammunition, to achieve this cause; Tefilla! More tomorrow.

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