Geula is an unfolding of events leading to the revelation of the presence of Hashem. Geula is related to the word “giluy” which means revelation. The Malbim ztk’l teaches when the redemption arrives we will all be in a state of “gila” (happiness) – a place of renewed happiness that we have never experienced before. This joy will come as a result of discovering that Hashem has always been in our lives and that His love is everlasting.
Feel & heal exercise of the day
Spend a few moments thinking about a time when you discovered a new aspect to an incident or of a person that brought you a sense of joy.
The basic tenet of emuna is taught in Megillat Eicha (3:38), “From Shamayim does not emerge evil…” Evil does not have a hold on existence; all that comes from Hashem is either revealed or hidden good but still it is all good. Correct spiritual vision involves piercing the surface of all that we see and look beneath. Indeed this is one of life’s greatest challenges.
There is a higher truth and a greater good that we are meant to see and experience. Truthful vision is born out of emuna; trusting there is goodness hiding inside the seemingly bad. Indeed this is the pathway from exile to redemption, lifting the veil of reality and revealing the loving-kindness of Hashem’s handiwork.
So long as we are in exile, we live a broken existence. Our greatest challenge is to trust there is wholesomeness ‘behind the scenes.’ Hashem ‘left’ the world unfinished so we may co-partner in the creative process and improve the world and ourselves. If we see the world as ‘bad’ it is because we are in the middle of an existing reality not yet complete. We cannot take one element and discard the rest but should remember that we are on the way to completing the picture.
Hashem’s intentions are pure and wholesome when they leave Shamayim. He leaves a part of creation unfinished for us to uplift and repair. In doing so, we perfect our vision and bring about our own redemption.
Rav Yechezkel Levenstein ztk’l teaches: “If this is the era of Mashiach, a lot of effort is required since a person must prepare himself in order to be worthy to merit those days. He must acquire awe and knowledge of Hashem, a taste of spirituality, a connection to good middot. Then he may receive what is to be handed out in the days of Mashiach. Our task is to make ourselves into a proper receptacle.”
Geula is an unfolding of events leading to the revelation of the presence of Hashem. Geula is related to the word “giluy” which means revelation. The Malbim ztk’l teaches when the redemption arrives we will all be in a state of “gila” (happiness) – a place of renewed happiness that we have never experienced before. This joy will come as a result of discovering that Hashem has always been in our lives and that His love is everlasting.
Though Hashem was, is and will always be with us, the difficulty of galut is that we cannot perceive Him readily. We are never alone. Before the geula arrives, we must believe that Hashem is with us He is keeping a detailed account of reward and obligation, but He still loves us. He wants us to turn to Him and bring Him into our exile.
When we experiences challenges – such as marriage problems, illness or problems with children – we need to remind ourselves of His loving Presence. It is vital to avoid blaming others or ourselves for these challenges, since this blame drags us back into Galut. Though something may appear to be going wrong, we must have emuna that it is perfectly in sync with Hashem’s Divine calculations. We are all traveling on a path to geula. Let’s allow the realisation of the future gila we will all experience in geula fuel our current state of simcha now!
When a Jew leaves this world and fails to repair a transgression via teshuva or yissurim (difficulties, hardships and challenges of life), their sin weighs down the whole of the Klal (community). The Klal then have to rectify the damage caused by that sin. Hashem created this world so it ‘naturally’ continues to perfect itself until the ultimate perfection of Mashiach.
The world must experience ‘birth pangs’ before the coming of Mashiach in order to lessen the burden of these unrepaired sins of the Klal. The entire nation must be cleansed of transgressions before the geula. This process of rectification perfects Jewish souls and brings us closer to Mashiach.
The Vilna HaGaon ztk’l teaches that if it were not for yissurim, we would not be able to stand in the Next World. Our merits and misdeeds are weighed. And our merits are lightened since they are often done with a lack of sincerity and joy. In contrast, our misdeeds are heavy since often they are committed with desire and excitement.
The word yissurim is derived from the word ‘mussar’ (rebuke). Discomfort, challenges and hardships are ‘wake-up’ calls to convey the message that we are currently ‘traveling down the wrong path’. Such wake-up calls are actually a Divine chesed, enabling us the opportunity to pay merely pennies on a one million dollar debt. Though each nisayon hurts, we can soften the impact by reminding ourselves that Hashem sends us these challenges to enable us to ‘pay down our debt’ and reach perfection.
The Zohar teaches that we see through the pupil, the black part of our eye. This represents the idea that we ‘see’ and learn through the dark times in life. When he was challenged by his suffering, Iyov asked Hashem ‘Why?’ Hashem replied, “Where were you when I created the world?” Iyov then realized the immeasurable distance between creature and the Creator.
Life is a series of detailed events chained together to form history. A lifetime of 120 years is minuscule compared to eternity. We are not privy to see the whole piece of jewelry. Only when we have reached the end of the chain of events will we be granted the understanding and knowledge of why things happened the way they did.
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Rivka bat Chaya, a Mother of 3 little kids with stage 4 breast cancer. Hashem Yirachem, Maleh Rachamim, please may Rivka bat Chaya among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering merit a complete healing b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
The Torah refers to the End of Days Ikveh d’Meshicha, the heels of the Mashiach. The AriZal points out that a heel is a seemingly unimportant part of the body that does not appear to contribute to our higher spiritual or intellectual faculties. The whole body steps on it and it steps on dirt. Nevertheless, the heel is essential since all of our body relies on it and stands on it.
Past generations laid down the groundwork for the upcoming redemption. Our generation is considered to represent the heel of the Mashiach. Our job is to complete the process of preparation for redemption, tying the last loose ends together in order to usher in the Mashiach, B’H. The Shomer Emunim ztk’l teaches that this generation has the opportunity to rectify all past misdeeds of all of past lives since the beginning of time. As it is always darkest before the dawn, our generation is faced with intense nisyonot and temptations. Yet, by overcoming such challenges we will be able to uplift all things past and welcome the redemption.
There is an entire Divine master plan which we are not privy to see. In our finiteness as humans we see only countless points and elements with no common ground. However, each separate minute element is vital to the overall picture. Picture an ant working tirelessly to move a grain of dirt in front of her so she can move forward. Her vision is blocked from what lies a foot in front of her. Her load is miniscule compared to the mound of earth piled around a tree stump just a few feet in front of her. And she cannot even fathom the fact that there lies a forest 50 feet ahead of her. She sees and focuses only that which is in front of her. Yet, overcoming her individual challenge is crucial to enabling her to reach that forest along with the other ants.
We may not see the ‘big picture’. Yet, we can be rest assured that there is something bigger and greater out there. We must focus on our individual challenges and victories, trusting that by completing our unique tikkun we are moving towards our final destination. Let’s trust the Divine process. Let’s patiently complete our own tikkun, overcoming our personal nisyonot in order to help usher the geula as it unfolds before our very own eyes.
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Sarah bat Dina a soon-to-be-Kallah who was seriously injured in this weeks bus accident in Yerushalayim. May Hashem envelop her with a complete healing among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
Hashem in His infinite wisdom foretells the difficulty of our generation. The evil inclination tends to have a strong grip and we are likely to transgress and stray from our holy task. In addition our strength wanes by the day with every hardship we experience. To this end Hashem supports us unceasingly as written in Sefer Yishayahu (50:10) “…yivtach ba’shem Hashem v’yishaein b’Elokav (…let him trust in the name of Hashem and lean on His G-d).” The Navi teaches a lesson in emuna when reality appears dim: do not despair but lean and rely only on Hashem.
Yeshayahu receives the gift of powerful emuna from his father Yehuda ben Yaakov Avinu. Therefore it is from the tribe of Yehuda that Melech HaMashiach will descend with a supernatural ability to spread ratzon Hashem to the Jewish people, in spite of the nisyonot and challenges in emuna.
It is important to understand that if we were judged with din, without taking into account the current battle we face to maintain our holiness; many of our merits would not be enough. However, when the challenges of our generation are put on the scale, the judgment is softened and we are granted compassion. The tremendous zechut of Klal Yisrael is our unwavering emuna and steady trust in Hashem in spite of what may appear as unjust, chas v’Shalom.
Sefer Shmuel Alef makes an astounding statement describing our generation. We are living in the times of “Mekeem m’afar dal,mai’ashpot yarim evyon (Hashem lifts the needy from the dust and raises the poor from the rubbish).” Our generation is experiencing a low point, as compared to the dust of the earth. Yet we learn here, when we recognize that it is only Hashem that can save us, we will be uplifted to the utmost spiritual levels and experience the greatest joy.
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Tzipporah bat Tzirel. May Hashem grant her with a complete healing among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen
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The Shomer Emunim ztk’l brings down that even in the days of the great flood of Noach and the days of the tower of Babel there were great leaders such as Avraham Avinu who was blessed with Divine inspiration to help uplift the people from the difficulties. All through the days of Egyptian slavery the Levi tribe, Moshe and Aharon lead the nations to witness miracle after miracle; emissaries of Hashem’s wonders. Yet in our days, it appears as though we are sheep with no shepherd to guide our way to the much anticipated and final redemption.
We are living through difficult times enveloped in concealment within concealment. Many sense isolation and confusion, a genuine feeling of being abandoned by our Creator. A main reason for having to go through such hiddenness according to the Shomer Emunim is to arouse our yearning and lacking of Hashem’s presence. As a result of the soul’s awakening Ahm Yisrael are uplifted to the highest heights and draw vitality from the source of life itself.
This great gift comes to those who deeply desire to return to Hashem. Often we belittle the importance of our inner craving to spiritually grow and improve. Yet, we learn here that this is the key to geulah. In spite of the devastating events that occur to Ahm Yisrael on a national and individual level it is incumbent upon us to accept it with a full heart, if not from a place of intellectual understanding, then from a state of loyalty and trust that everything Hashem does is for our ultimate best. Emuna in Hashem is the essential piece Hashem waits for us to find and attach to the big puzzle of life in order to complete this stage of exile and hasten the geula shleimah.
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Yosef Eliezer ben Devorah, a 9-year-old boy with osteosarcoma. May Hashem shower him with a complete healing among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
Please share your comments, thoughts and questions in the comment section. Would love to hear from you.
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated for the refuah shleimah of Dreisel Bas Sarah Bella – who just underwent for lung cancer surgery. May Hashem send her a complete healing among all of Ahm Yisrael who are sick and suffering, b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen!
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We learned that our generation comprises of the last of the souls left to elevate the sparks of holiness in this lowly world back to its source on high. As unredeemed souls, we emanate from the bottom soles of Adam HaRishon feet.
Being so lowly, the souls of this generation are even more tempted by the hype of secular living. We are all battling fierce forces from the side of our yetzer hara. Yet, precisely because of this strong temptation, our victories are so much more potent and effective. In today’s world, every choice to do a mitzvah is tremendous. Each movement towards Hashem effectively wins a war. Every minute holy thought, speech or deed, from emuna statements such as “I believe there’s a G-d” to putting on Tefillin or increasing tzniut, removes darkness and corrects the balance. Each prayer for the lost souls, for ourselves and Klal Yisrael strengthens the fight and does not go in vain, ever!
Our eyes may not witness immediate effects of these minute yet holy acts, and our hearts may thus fail to stir with excitement at these successes. Yet, the Shechina HaKedosha, Who nourishes us and is rooting for us, is watching and recording our every deed. He knows the level of difficulty this generation faces to choose good over evil, holy over unholy, ruchniut over gashmiut. And thus, He receives great nachat from each seemingly small acts of holiness.
If we were to see a burning home, we would not think twice about what we could do to help save people inside. We would act immediately and do everything in our power. Analogously, we are saving lives with our prayers, Torah study and acts of kindness. We are giving strength to the Shechinah when we elevate ourselves, act with emuna and joyfully serve Him by fulfilling our holy mission.
Though we souls emanate from the lowliest places, the Shechinah has continuously sustained us, never giving up on us or believing in us, and constantly giving us second chances. Reciprocally, it is our constant and persistent and patient emuna, our never giving up and believing in the upcoming geula that will serve to unify and glorify His name throughout the world.
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of לאה רחל בת בריינא מלכה , Leah Rochel bat Braina Malca, a young mother who will be going through chemo for the next year. May Hashem send her a complete healing among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering, b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
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For the past 5775 years, the Jewish people’s mission or tikkun could be simplistically summarized as rectifying Adam’s original sin. The souls that have been redeemed up until this point in history are those souls fallen from Adam HaRishon’s upper and middle section of his body. At this point in history, we now face redeeming those holy sparks representing the lower end of Adam’s body, the heels of his feet. What does this teach us about the geula process?
Many Rabbonim point out that our generation is lowly and weak, in comparison to previous generations. This teaching supports the fact that we are the holy sparks from the lower end of Adam’s body. Thus, elevating ourselves may be more difficult than the souls of previous generations because we face a greater pull towards the base or physical temptations. However, success is intrinsically important. And accomplishment will be more meritorious given these souls have further to travel and a greater challenge to accomplish.
Our souls are encapsulated by impure husks, enslaved by the whims of the evil inclination. Therefore, we experience intense temptation and a strong pull towards physical drives and needs. We are weighed down by materialism and temptations, yet our souls’ yearn to be freed, to be pulled up and out. It is hard work to pull ourselves and the connecting souls out from these difficult and dark places. Mashiach will not come until we are all taken out.
Yet, despite these intense challenges, we have survived all this time and our souls are sustained during the darkness, recalling their G-dliness and destiny for greatness. Herein lays the secret to the amazing eternal connection between the Jewish People and the Shechinah HaKedosha.
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Leah Rachel bat Golda Fagel. May Hashem send her a complete healing refuat hanefesh v’refuat haguf among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
Though the Torah provides hints and insights, according to the Arizal, we cannot comprehend the [exact] way that the geula will unravel.
A Midrash on Perek 45 of Tehillim teaches that [as part of the geula process], Ahm Yisrael will come before HaKadosh Baruch Hu and ask “When will you redeem us”? Hashem will answer “when your soul is cast down to the dust, then I will assist you and redeem you.”
Why does the nation need to descend to such lowliness to merit redemption? The Arizal teaches that during Creation, all of the souls of Klal Yisrael were included in the soul of Adam Harishon. When he sinned, we sinned. When Adam was banished from Gan Eden, all Jewish souls were banished. Adam Harishon’s soul was dispersed among all the people of Ahm Yisrael. To correct and remedy Adam’s sin, the Jewish people’s task is to gather the sparks of holiness that were captured by the Satan (represented by the snake) at the time of the original sin.
In the past, Hashem has given Ahm Yisrael numerous opportunities to completely rectify this original sin. Two examples are at Har Sinai and the building of both Batei HaMikdash. However, Ahm Yisrael failed to stick with the G-dly plan, instead building the golden calf, sinning with immorality and senseless hatred.
Though we have now managed to partially redeem ourselves and thus the first soul’s sin the redemption process is not complete. When we have completely redeemed ourselves, we will witness the coming of Mashiach ben Dovid. More tomorrow.
