| Date | Topic | Watch at |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Topic | Watch at |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | Purim: the Esther, Haman, and Mordechai in all of us - Part 1 | 
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| Feb. 25, 2014 | Purim: the Esther, Haman, and Mordechai in all of us - Part 2 |
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| Mar. 5, 2015 | Purim and Geulah! |
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| Mar. 16, 2016 | Purim, Emuna & Geula |
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BS’D
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Rafael Yaakov ben Chedva Fraidel-a chosson who collapsed on his Shabbos Sheva Brochos in Eretz Yisroel unconsious after having two difficult operations in his head. Oy, Hashem in the zechut of Purim and Your endless love of Klal Yisrael please shower this beautiful neshama with a complete healing b’riut hanefesh v’b’riut haguf among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
BS’D
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Shlomo ben Pessel. May Hashem shower him with a complete refuah shleimah among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
A true test of simcha is when we can find a ‘pocket’ of simcha at a time of distress. According to the Ner Yisrael commentary on Tehillim, being grateful when one has lost a lot of money is a sign that one’s life was in danger and has been saved. When we can transform our difficulty to dance, we can be reassured that we have acquired the trait of simcha.
The Ohr Samaech ztk’l taught that unhappy people need to look at their situation with fresh eyes. We are to learn to appreciate what we have and not focus on what we think we should have. The art of simcha is the process of finding new perspective upon what is, not acquiring more of what we think ought to be. The key is to see the larger picture without changing the reality of facts.
Sefer Bereishis writes, “Hamin HaEtz asher Tziviticha … Achalta? (Have you eaten of the tree…?)” Chazal elucidates on this verse and tell us that this hints to Haman (Hamin is very close to the word Haman). Haman symbolizes evilness and temptation of this world. The transgression of Adam and Chava was caused by the snake who wished to lure them into idolatry, separating them from Hashem. Haman sought to entice the Jewish people into idolatry by asking them to bow down to him. The intention by both was the same; to cause a weakening in our G-dly connection.
Great joy is found in Purim as this festive holiday offers us a grand opportunity to return back to our G-dliness at a time of trouble. That is why we are instructed to increase our happiness even before Purim begins at the beginning of the month Adar; before we actually experience the ‘end’ to our troubles. We are to see our situation with ‘happy eyes’ even though our reality appears dreary and hopeless. The yeshua is coming; even if we don’t immediately see it. It is all in the eyes.
BS’D
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated L’iluy nishmat Rabbanit Rut bat Ahuva zt’l. Her endless dedication for the Jewish women and priceless words of wisdom will always be remembered. May her neshama bask in the Divine radiance together with all of the righteous who have departed from this world, Amen.
What a gift life is. We often forget. It takes immense creative imagination to remember that each day should be celebrated with its own distinctiveness as each day ushers in a whole new set of blessings. Each day deserves to be recognized with joy anew.
Purim is the Yom Tov that comes to reveal that which is always hidden to us. The good embedded in the bitter; the blessings in the hardships. It all boils down to perspective which must be directed towards eternity. When our vision is focused on the ‘bigger picture’ temporal disappointments pale in insignificance compared to the infinite picture.
Rav Hutner ztk’l taught that we do not recite Hallel on Purim since we are to find inner joy on Purim and praise Hashem’s name, each of us in our way. We are to find joy in all that we are and all that we do. We are to shower Hashem with words and acts of appreciation and celebrate the very road we travel; the road to redemption and the privilege of being part of this historical process.
Sheh lo Asani Goya, thank you Hashem that we are part of this incredible Jewish nation, an eternal nation that will live on forever in spite of what the media and evil want us to believe. Every day is a blessing in spite of the challenges as we are edging to the finish line of this world as we know it, B’H, b’Rachamim, b’Karov, Amen.
BS’D
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated L’iluy nishmat Machluf ben Chaim z’l. May his neshama bask in the Divine radiance together with all of the righteous who have departed from this world, Amen.
So good to be back! Thank you for your tefillot. I feel tremendous Hakarat Hatov to all of you who care, wrote and cheered me on through my medical challenges. Thank you Hashem for healing me through another relapse. May we all continue to serve you faithfully with Emuna shleimah, Amen.
On Purim we can reach the highest of highs in our spirituality; a place beyond intellect and reason. This state is defined as “ad d’lo yada (a state in the realm of our mind where we cannot distinguish reasonably between ‘Blessed is Mordechai and cursed is Haman.’) Our holy Sages ask how does this state of mind contribute to one’s happiness?
The Vilna HaGaon ztk’l brings a remarkable answer based on the teaching in Pirkei Avot (4:1), “HaSamaech b’Chelcko (Who is happy? The one who is content with their lot in life.)” The Gaon lists HaSamaech b’Chelcko as one of Hashem’s attributes. How can this apply to the Master of the Universe? We understand it to refer to a person who lacks certain things in life, yet is not satisfied? But Borei HaOlam?
The Chofetz Chaim ztk’l illuminates this teaching but referring to Hashem’s ‘contentment with His lot’ as Hashem being happy with His people, the Jewish nation. In spite of our lowliness, Hashem is ‘happy’ with his creation. Hashem is happy with every creature since each one contributes to His world in their own special way and plays an integral part in His Divine scheme.
We are meant to emulate this joy in our personal lives. How? By being happy and content if for no other reason other than being aware how vital we are in Hashem’s Divine master plan. We are to celebrate every small achievement we make in life; whether we see it as minuscule or grandiose. It doesn’t need to make any sense to me how I am ‘making a difference’ in this world, yet I should be happy knowing I am.
Inner joy surfaces when we see ourselves growing spiritually and feel we are contributing to this world. Samaech is closely related to the Hebrew word Tzmicha (growing, sprouting) since we experience the most joy when we actively work through our emotions and develop our G-dly selves.
We are on the road of life. Joy comes from knowing we are traveling faithfully on the right track and are continuously searching for new accomplishments to reach in life.
BS’D
Every day it’s Purim outside the home; the world wears a mask particularly the yetzer hara. The evil inclination does not expose itself in its entirety before mankind and simply request that we sin. It ‘masks’ itself in mitzvot and then cunningly draws a person into sin.
Everything serves a purpose. As we pass others on the street and ‘happen’ to hear a few words of their conversation, know that those few words ‘caught’ by our ears are specifically intended for our ears to receive. The choice lies in how we respond to this experience – will we simply let it pass or attempt to extract meaning from it.
As we learned before, every Jew is in charge of redeeming their specific holy sparks thus participating in the rectification of creation. For instance when we experience love it is a ‘mask’, a shell hiding within it its true essence; love of Hashem. By ascending this and all emotions to their root source, essentially we redeem their holy essence and hasten the geula.
Purim is named after the concept of the lottery – happenchance. The world ‘sells’ us ‘chance’ day-in and day-out – results that are brought about through cause-and-effect. However the Jewish nation is taught to follow supernatural laws and look behind the façade the world is wearing. Hashem is ‘behind, in-front and within’ every happening- beyond rationality.
Inside every Jew there is a spark of G-dliness which requires constant uncovering to become revealed. B’H the groggers and noisemakers of Purim wake us up so that we discover our calling and seek to expose the hidden G-dliness in everything.
SHUSHAN PURIM SAMAECH!
Today’s Daily Dose Of Emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Ora bat Dina just recently diagnosed with cancer. May Hashem give her the strength to overcome this machala and gift her with a complete healing amongst all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen!
BS’D
If anyone has ma’aser money and wishes to give any form of charity to families genuinely in need, please contact me and I will make sure it goes to them on Purim here in Israel. Tizku’ l’mitzvot!
Shabbat Zachor brings with it a special light of kedusha. For those who can make the effort and go to shul to listen to Parshat Zachor pay attention to each word and follow the reading with your finger. After the reading ask Hashem to erase the amalek within us. Who is the amalek within? The doubts, confusion, worries, fear and anything negative that holds us back from living a life of emuna and closeness to Hashem. After the reading it is also a special time to ask for zera bar kayama, to have children. Lastly, hearing this parsha also serves to strengthen our memory and clarity of mind.
Before the chazzan begins to read the megillah while he reads the brachot ask Hashem that you become a powerful vessel to receive the holy lights of Mordechai and Esther that come down at this moment. These lights stay with us until next Purim.
During the reading of the megillah the same holy lights begin to envelop us as if we were living through the episodes once again. Relate to the megillah as if you are praying to Hashem right now for difficulties you are going through in your present life. Reach into the context of the megillah and link it to your own personal life, i.e. hanging of Haman can be looked upon as if you are hanging your sorrows, never to see them again B’H. At the end of the megillah reading ask for your soul mate or shalom bayit, marital peace.
After the reading, cover your table with a festive cloth (suitable for Shabbat or Yom Tovim) and once again light two yahrtzeit candles and place them on your table: one in memory of Mordechai HaYehudi Hatzaddik and one for Esther HaMalka bat Avichayil. The candles brings their holy light into our homes.
Erev Purim, is a most special time particularly at chatzot halayla, midnight, which falls in most places at 11:40 pm(ish). All seven gates in Shamayim are open. Just as Esther stood before Hashem at this hour, so should we. The yetzer hara will try to play this one down, distract, make you tired and aggravate you in order to stop you from taking advantage of this once a year unbelievable time to pray. Don’t fall for it. Mordechai stood with 22,000 children on this night and prayed to Hashem to annul the harsh decree against the Jewish people and was able to overturn it. Can you imagine the power embedded in this night? Don’t miss out. No matter what, stand there at midnight, beseech, pray and beg Hashem like you have never done before… Hashem is handing out free gifts yes free…. just ask!!! Ask Hashem to annul all harsh decrees, c’v, against us and/or our beloved nation. Request that Hashem gift you with the same mesirut nefesh (self-sacrifice) that Esther HaMalka displayed and brought about the cancellation of the judgments against us.
The Purim seuda meal is to atone for enjoying ourselves at the table of Achashveirosh. It is recommended to prepare a festive table with many delectable food items and to eat from a long challah to remind us of the tall gallow from which Haman was hung. During the seuda say 120 times: Baruch Mordechai and 24 times: Brucha Esther bat Avichayil, this further brings down their holy lights to our meal. In addition, use this time to request anything on your mind, it is a time of great rachamei Shamayim. Some thoughts on what to pray for: geula, something that ‘appears’ impossible according to natural law, yeshuot, to complete that which we are lacking, etc..
Do not get angry (anytime!) on Purim, be joyful. There should be calm, peace and happiness all day long. Put some kind of nut mixture onto your table during the meal since Esther HaMalka dined on nuts whenever she entered the chambers of Achashverosh.
B’H we will come out from Purim feeling more true with ourselves, more comfortable with who we are and have a stronger draw towards being continually joyful. May this be a time of joy for us personally and collectively as a nation, a time to annul any harsh decrees c’v and may we merit the ultimate joy – the redemption of the Shechinah and of the Jewish people b’karov, b’rachamim, amen!
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