Tag Archives: teshuva

  1. Home
  2. Posts tagged "teshuva"
    3. (Page 3)
Loading
loading..

Who is Like You Hashem!

August 11, 2015
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated l’iluy nishmat the two beautiful neshama’s who were tragically killed in a car accident while on vacation in Arizona z’l. May their souls bask in the Divine radiance of the Shechinah HaKedosha and may we, Klal Yisrael, keep pleading and beseeching rachamei Shamayim for the geula shleimah b’rachamim, b’karov, Amen. 

“Mi Kel Kamocha… (Who is like You Hashem…)”. We the Jewish people are so privileged to have a G-d as Hashem; Patient, Loving, Forbearing, Merciful and Forgiving. Everything is known before Hashem; The Knower of mankind’s innermost thoughts and intentions, even those we are unaware of ourselves.

With that being said Hashem is ‘aware’ that we transgress and yet He continues to shower us with life in spite of our rebelling against Him. By analogy it is compared to being hosted by friends in their clean and tidy home yet messing it up while they watch; all along not stopping us. At the exact moment of wrongdoing and acting against Hashem’s will we are still pumped with G-dly oxygen to act-out. We use the gift of life against the One Who gives us life.

The ministering angels who perform the priestly functions in Hashem’s celestial court proclaim that Hashem is “The King that allows Himself to be humiliated” (Tanya, Iggeret HaTeshuvah 7). Hashem is The Ba’al HaChesed and The Giver of life and can ‘take revenge’ on any soul yet never does.

Hashem bears the humiliation and ‘yearns’ for us to do teshuva in recognition of our wrongdoing and straying from the correct path to life. “Who is like you Hashem!!”

Choose Life

August 10, 2015
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Tova Malka bas Rivka. She needs all the prayers she can get right now. She was diagnosed in April with stage 4 breast cancer and is only 43. She has two young girls 4 and 2.  May Hashem shower her with a complete healing among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, brachamim, Amen.

As we tippy toe our way to Chodesh Elul with great trepidation of what the New Year will bring we should ponder, ‘What is being asked of us?’  ”Ubacharta ba’Chaim…(And you shall choose life …)”  We are instructed to choose life; to make a conscious decision to want to live.

Hashem Yitborach with His infinite compassion and love of the Jewish people carves both paths in full range before us.  We can clearly see the path that leads to prosperity and the roadway that heads to our own collapse, chas v’Shalom; it is our decision to make.  Hashem instructs us to ‘make the choice’ and He will ensure that we embark on the pathway of our choice.

The Heavenly ‘desire’ for us to choose correctly is so intense that our mere stirring of the heart is enough of an indication to put us on the roadway towards life.  The Nefesh Chaim, Rebbi Chaim m’Volozhin ztk’l teaches that when a Jew just contemplates doing a mitzvah, he ‘strikes’ his Heavenly rooted soul and causes Hashem to shower him immediately with strength and the ‘know how’ to go about fulfilling it.

From here we learn a great message that we need to carry with us all year long.  The only choice a Jew essentially has is to choose;”Ubacharta ba’Chaim…(And you shall choose life …)”.  This is the most important decision that each and every one of us faces at every given moment. What’s your choice?

Power of Teshuva

August 5, 2015
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is sponsored and dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Chaim Doniel Baruch ben Rivkah Briendel. May Hashem shower him 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.

If you wish to sponsor a daily dose of emuna lesson, please write oritriter@gmail.com.

The power of teshuva is so great, no words can describe.  The Rambam ztk’l writes that teshuva closes the gap between man and the Shechinah HaKedosha.  A person who was once distant and unprotected, under the rule of teshuva can now experience intense love and closeness to Hashem.

A Jew who involves himself in teshuva can be assured that his mitzvot find favor on high, is pumped with vitality and life force directly from Hashem’s pipeline, in short teshuva gives Hashem eternal ‘pleasure and delight’ which He then spills onto Klal Yisarel at their time of need.

Rav Yechezkel Levinstein ztk’l explains the Rambam’s words, ‘Greater is teshuva that brings man close to the Shechinah’ as is written in Hosea (14:2), “Return, O Israel, unto Hashem; for you have stumbled in your iniquity.” From here we learn that through the power of teshuva one can literally cleave to Hashem; closeness achieved at this high level is greater than can be attained through any other mitzvot.  It is compared to one who was enveloped with fog and has now moved to a place of openness and clarity.  This comes particularly as a result of the Ba’al Teshuva humbling himself. Teshuva enables him to see how great Hashem is and how much good is being poured forth onto him.

Ladies, join me and an intimate group of the Daily Dose of Emuna women in Uman in 2 weeks’ time to experience the awesome teshuva and closeness to Hashem that comes as you place your hands and head on the kevarim of such tzaddikim as Rebbe Nachman and the Holy Ba’al Shem Tov ztk’l.  Register today to secure your place. To see the flyer with details click here.

Seeking Justice

August 4, 2015
Orit Esther Riter

No Comments

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is sponsored and dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Devora bat Chava Rochel, who is suffering from an illness.  May Hashem shower her 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.

If you wish to sponsor a daily dose of emuna lesson, please write oritriter@gmail.com.

It is imperative that we put into proper perspective the idea behind Hashem’s ‘desire’ to seek justice; otherwise, it maybe appear to be harsh and unfair.  The Torah teaches the genuine meaning behind Hashem’s idea of justice.  The court system in this world (somewhat ‘resembling’ the Heavenly court) was founded on the principle that it serves to deter society from breaking the law.  Therefore it needs not be viewed as a place of punishment and cruelty but as a place that encourages order and peace.

Furthermore, Hashem displays His endless love and compassion to Ahm Yisrael as He continuously gives us a ‘back door’ option before entering into a ‘court of law’ otherwise known as teshuva.  “And you, son of man, tell the house of Yisrael: ‘You say “our sins and iniquities are upon us, and because of them we are rotting away, so how can we live?”‘ Say to them, ‘As I live — the words of my Hashem/Elokim — I do not desire the death of the wicked one, but only the wicked one’s return from his way that he may live; repent, repent…'” (Yechezkel 33:10-11).

Hashem will tear up all decrees, discard of them in their entirely! And what does Hashem, the ‘Prosecutor’ ask from us that we earn such compassionate treatment? “Stretch out your hand to Me. Talk to Me, show Me that you care. Be honest and tell Me your wrongdoings. Set up an action plan outlining your intent to correct your ways. Open your heart and be willing to surrender your ‘nature’ for the purpose of spiritual elevation.  I in turn will overturn ‘nature’ for you.” Amazing, simply amazing…

It is very near …

October 2, 2014
Orit Esther Riter
,
No Comments

BS’D

Today’s daily dose is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Sarah bat Sarah. May Hashem shower her with complete healing amongst all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

How difficult is it to do teshuva? To some it may appear to be an unattainable goal. However, the Torah teaches in Parshat Nitzavim regarding teshuva, “Ki hamitzvah hazot, asher Anochi Mitzavcha hayom … v’lo reh’choka hee. Lo ba’Shamayim hee … ki karov elecha hadavar meod…” Teshuva is not beyond anyone’s reach. In fact it is near; ever so near to Klal Yisrael.

If it is so accessible then why do our Sages teach that we need 40 days to prepare for Yom Kippur? Rebbe Natan ztk’l explains that teshuva is easily accessible so long as we yearn for it. Every Jew is capable of stirring their heart with an intense yearning to return to Hashem. As a result teshuva is easily achieved. What begins as a fiery desire to seek truth and closeness to Hashem, ends in a cleansing of the heart and bonding to Hashem, the source of taharah (purity). In summary, it all begins and ends with the amount of desire we demonstrate to Hashem.

Building up desire in the heart begins in the mouth; with tefillah. Pleading and begging as a pauper to a point where it pains us to continue living with such great distance from Him, is precisely what determines how close we eventually will feel towards Hashem. The more pain over the detachment; the tighter our bond will be.

To encapsulate today’s daily dose of emuna in preparation for Yom Kippur: feel the pain caused by our current exile and Hashem’s concealment.  The greater the obstacles that stand in our way when striving for a closer bond with Hashem, the more painful it is. The more painful it is, the stronger our desire to come closer to Hashem. Therefore let us use our pain and suffering as a catalyst to beg Hashem to end this exile and embrace us with a speedily redemption – b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen!  

Let us remember, the source of all trials and tribulations stem from our being in galut. The Shechinah is suffering with us.  We are never alone even though we may feel at times we are.  Yom Kippur is the day of return. Please Hashem bring us back home.

G’mar Chatima Tova! May we all be inscribed and sealed for a good year filled with the miracles of redemption, Amen!

Genuine Teshuva

October 1, 2014
Orit Esther Riter
,
No Comments

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated l’iluy nishmat Aharon ben Yitzchok z’l.  May his neshama bask in the Divine radiance amongst all of the tzaddikim who have departed from this world, Amen.

The process of teshuva (atonement) carves the path to return to ourselves. Change begins within; subsequently it permeates to those around us.  When one spoke of a wheel is upgraded, the entire wheel’s system spins with greater ease.

Change begins in our own mind.  It begins by asking the following: “Who am I and where am I heading?”  The word Shuva (return) is comprised from the letters shin, vav, beit and hay. When these letters are rearranged in different order it spells Busha (embarrassment).  Genuine teshuva requires a dose of embarrassment; otherwise it is not complete.  It is important to feel embarrassed over our thoughts, speech and actions since this further implants within the subconscious not to repeat them again.

Long impacting teshuva demands brutal honesty when answering the above mentioned questions.  We cannot lie to ourselves and blame others while praying for change.  We can always change ourselves.  In fact we are the only ones we are required to change.  If we truly desire to elevate our lives spiritually now is the time to yearn, seek and beg for it.

Pray with simple words and meaning; as long as it is sincere.  Ask for clarity of thought and Heavenly assistance to fulfill your Divine mission and shine with purity.  Beseech Hashem’s help to accept everything in life with a full heart, no complaints and Emuna shleimah. Hashem ‘Loves’ the tefillot of the ‘broken hearted’ who wish to cleave to Him.

Hashem’s Mikveh

September 30, 2014
Orit Esther Riter
,
No Comments

BS’D

Today’s daily dose is dedicated l’iluy nishmat Chava bas Efraim Shabsai, a’h.  May her neshama be elevated by the learning of today amongst all of the tzaddikim who have departed from this world, Amen.

Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz shlit’a makes a beautiful point of the gift of Yom Kippur.  Rabbi Akiva ztk’l is known to say, “Ashreichem Yisroel, lifnei mi atem metaharin umi metaher es’chem, Avichem sheba’Shomayim” (Yoma 8:9).  Yom Kippur is a day where our sins against Hashem are forgiven.  Yet, without the Beit HaMikdash how are we ‘dipped’ into a Mikveh? Hashem Himself, so to speak, serves as the agent of purification. This teaches us a profound lesson as to the extent of how much Hashem loves His beloved children.

Unfortunately we do not have our Holy Beit HaMikdash standing in this world to help us atone for our transgressions and sacrifices cannot be brought to bring us closer to Hashem. Yom Kippur, however restores us just the same.

It is vital to mentally prepare ourselves for this powerful immersion. On Yom Kippur we are each dipped into Hashem’s ‘Personal Mikveh.’  The words of Rabbi Akiva stand today to console us.  No matter how deep we may have sunk, Hashem is here with us to see us through our darkness and enlighten our life’s path.

The Maharal ztk’l explains that the taharah (spiritual purity) that comes as a result of Yom Kippur is the natural effect of what follows when one cleaves to Hashem.  Anytime we completely attach ourselves to Hashem, it is impossible for a sin to remain attached to us since Hashem is the source of all taharah. When there are no barriers between us and Hashem – all transgressions naturally dissolve and are stripped away.

Another astounding insight for us to anticipate as we approach the last of the ten days of repentance! Yom Kippur and the enveloping kedusha it creates, and even as the day ends its effect is left with us. Thank you so much Hashem!

The Cry Within

September 29, 2014
Orit Esther Riter
,
No Comments

BS’D

Today’s Daily Dose is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Reuven Pesach ben Henya. He is undergoing a medical procedure today. May Hashem send the doctor to be a good shaliach for his complete recovery, Amen.

The sounding of the shofar is the weeping of the soul that longs to attach itself back to its Holy origin. It is the cry of one whose separation is so agonizing it can no longer contain its piercing pain within.

Our destinies are being carved each moment of the coming days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Who will be at war, which will be for famine, who for life and who for death? We mourn our sins and the inability to live the life we should be living. We acknowledge that we have drifted from our life’s purpose and feel the loss in our current reality.

The embarrassment we face while we own up to our transgressions displays that we feel detached from the sin and know that it is not who we really are. We proclaim that we are holy and that we were taken ‘hostage’ by our yetzer hara and therefore did not live up to our spiritual obligations and standards. We wish to return; we completely and genuinely submit ourselves to doing Hashem’s will.

Only as a result of Hashem’s endless compassion and Rachamei Shamayim are we able to return. We are undeserving of such glorified treatment – we are in debt and have no leverage for making any special requests. Hashem in His infinite mercy grants us the opportunity to wipe our slates off and transcend our physical limitations in order to lessen the distance created by our transgressions.

The end result is affection, connection and closeness to our Divine source – a state of joy like no other.

A ‘New’ Me (part II)

September 18, 2014
Orit Esther Riter
,
No Comments

BS’D

(Part II – cont’d from yesterday)

The Zohar, the mystical commentary of the Torah, teaches that we begin Elul feeling as though we are ‘back-to-back’ with G-d – that is, G-d is facing away from us and we are facing away from G-d.  We feel displaced and confused over our relationship with our Creator.  Yet, if we motivate ourselves to turn around 180 degrees, we discover that G-d is actually right there facing us! When we take the initiative this month to reconnect to our spiritual core and come closer to G-d, we actually find ourselves right next to Him!

We all inevitably become distracted and take detours along the path of life. Elul serves to redirect our compass, enabling us to reconnect with our inner selves and become rejuvenated. This road to self-discovery requires honest evaluation over our choices, and taking the initiative to make meaningful resolutions for change.

Some practical ways we can reconnect this month include:

  • Thinking about our bond with G-d. Imagine a more intimate relationship and strive to feel His presence in each of our relationships and daily activities.
  • Listening to the Shofar (ram’s horn) which is blown every day in Ashkenazi synagogues. What do we hear when the Shofar sounds? Do we ask ourselves: “What is holding me back?  There is so much more I can be doing.
  •  Reciting Psalm 27 until the holiday of Sukkos. This Psalm depicts King David’s personal relationship with G-d.  It declares his gratitude for all the goodness in his life and his hope and reliance on G-d’s compassion for the future.

With motivation, initiative and new meaningful resolutions, we can strive forward towards Rosh Hashanah, buoyed by the hope and excitement of re-discovering the new ‘ME’ just waiting to be born.

 

A New ‘Me’ – part I

September 17, 2014
Orit Esther Riter
,
No Comments

BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Frumah bas Mechlah Ita.  May Hashem shower here with a complete healing amongst all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

During a Torah class I feel privileged to teach, one woman recently shared a beautiful insight that begs to be imparted. Traditionally, every child in this woman’s extended family blesses their parents and grandparents on their birthdays. This year, her four year old granddaughter blessed her grandma: “May you be blessed soon with a new child.” Though this was physically far-fetched, the lady intuited that this blessing contained a G-dly hint. She recalled that this month of Elul lends itself to renewal, a rebirthing of the spirit. She thus interpreted the blessing as being a blessing for her to “soon give birth to a new ME!”

Once a year, our Creator provides us with an amazing opportunity to rejuvenate our spiritual essence and thus redefine the direction of our lives. During this month we are open to new perceptions and emotions, and feel driven to look beyond the dominating forces or bad habits that may have characterized our lives until this point.

This rejuvenation and freshness lies in sync with the Zodiac sign of this month, Virgo. The Jewish Nation is referred to in the Torah as Betulat Yisrael, the virgin of Israel1. The pure maiden is excited to build her new home and bond with her groom. She is virtuous and innocent, loyal and dedicated to her b’shert (soul mate).This term describes the yearning of the Jewish soul; the ray of the Divine that resides in every Jewish person. This month of Elul provides a unique opportunity to uncover our spiritual core – our desire to bond with our Creator in love. (part II tomorrow)

Stay Connected

Categories

Tags

anger Av bitachon chanukah daily dose of emuna Divine Providence Elul Emotions emuna fear Galut geula gratitude happiness hardships Hishtadlut hitbodedut joy marriage neshama Orit Esther Riter Parnassa passover Pesach purim Purim segulot Purim segulot and insights Rosh Hashanah self-improvement self-worth Shabbat shavuot Shechinah soul Story Time Succot suffering Tammuz tefillah tehillim teshuva Thirteen principles of Emuna Tu B'shvat war Yom Kippur

This month’s daily doses

April 2025
S M T W T F S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930  
Layout mode
Predefined Skins
Custom Colors
Choose your skin color
Patterns Background
Images Background