Tag Archives: war

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Create an angel

July 31, 2014
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to all the wounded soldiers.  May they merit a complete healing amongst all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

“All of Your commandments are emuna” (Tehillim 119:86). The Zohar HaKadosh teaches that the 613 mitzvot are fundamentally 613 pieces of advice on how to strengthen the bond with HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Each time we do a mitzvah in effect we shrink the gap between Klal Yisrael and Hashem. In order to supercharge our mitzvot we must incorporate our hearts as well as our minds into every mitzvah.

Body and soul are enjoined in this world for the purpose of revealing Hashem’s presence. The body is inclined to physicality; it sees the outer casing. The soul penetrates the surface and digs to uncover purpose. The body needs the soul as much as the soul needs the body to fulfill its mission on earth. The mind needs the heart as much as the heart needs the mind to capture the power rooted in each mitzvah. We experience the powerful benefits of each mitzvah when we pair what we know to what we feel.

During this time many of us want to help our soldiers, the Jewish communities situated in the South of Israel or anyone in harm’s way. What can we do from the four corners of our home that will supercharge the merits of Ahm Yisrael? Pump emuna into our mitzvot. Here’s one way how:

Next time we begin doing a mitzvah let’s envision that we are creating a perfect angel. As we complete the mitzvah let’s picture shipping this angel immediately to a soldier in Gaza to shield and protect him.

Send the angel to move a rocket to hit an open field or into the sea. Maybe send that angel to a friend or family member who is experiencing hardship; pack him up with extra love and hugs. What about sending him to a person that we may be on bad terms with?

Imagine the power Hashem has given us when He appointed us to be co-partners with Him to bring G-dliness into this world. Let’s take advantage of it.

Unity Cancels All Harsh Decrees

July 17, 2014
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

Today’s Daily Dose of Emuna is dedicated to safety and unity of Klal Yisrael. No matter where we live or where our physical bodies reside may our hearts and souls always face Yerushalayim and our soon to be built, Beit HaMikdash, Amen!

I recently heard a Rav tell over the following incident:

“I was traveling a few years ago in a taxi in Yerushalayim with an Arab driver. Making small talk I asked him what he thought of the current Arab Israeli conflict (at the time there was intense uprising) . His response floored me.  He said, “Look, it is all because your G-d left you. Our capacity to harm you Jews lies only in this reason. G-d took you out of Egypt, gave you Mann to eat and you left Him. He created great miracles here in Israel and you left Him.”

Yet, that isn’t 100% true. Look at the current wave of teshuva, in spite of the anti-Semitism and pogroms. Hashem’s name is still bonded in our hearts and spoken in our mouths. Even the Jewish people who do not regularly observe Torah still speak of Hashem’s glory and loving hand.

To give a sense of how G-dly a nation we truly are I take you to an army base.  This month on the 11th of Tammuz a Givati Second Commanding Officer by the name of Ofer Vinter spoke to his soldiers and said, “We have completed our preparations and are ready for this moment and the mission ahead. We are ready to give up our lives in order to protect our families, our nation and our country. I lift my eyes up heavenward and recite together with you, Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad. Hashem, G-d of Israel, please bless our coming and going. We are fighting in the name of Ahm Yisrael – against those who dishonor Your name.”

Ahm Yisrael – we are holy. Our essence is compassion and kindness, tzedakah and self-sacrifice. We enjoin our tears together. Our fears are one. Together our tefillot and Tehillim are storming the Heavens. Unity cancels all harsh decrees.

Is This OUR War to Fight?

July 15, 2014
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

Five major catastrophes occurred in Jewish history on the 17th of Tammuz: (1) Moses broke the tablets at Mount Sinai, in response to the building of the Golden Calf. (2) The daily offerings in the First Temple were suspended during the siege of Jerusalem in the 5th century BCE. (3) Jerusalem’s walls were breached, prior to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. (4) Prior to the Great Revolt, the Roman general Apostamos burned a Torah scroll — setting a precedent for the horrific burning of Jewish books throughout the centuries. (5) An idolatrous image was placed in the Holy Temple — a brazen act of blasphemy and desecration. (Aish.com)

How can we illustrate the current battle? What is the avodah (task at hand) of each and every one of us right now? To sing Tehillim v’Tishbachot (Songs of praise, love and affection) to Hashem. That is our mission; to sing to Hashem in a very loud lofty voice.

We learn this from the following written in Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles) II, 20:15-17: “And he said, “Hearken, all Judeans, inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Yehoshafat, so said Hashem to you: You shall not fear neither shall you be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the war is not yours but Hashem’s… It is not for you to fight in this [war]; set yourselves, stand and see the salvation of Hashem with you, O Yehudah and Jerusalem; fear not and be not dismayed. Tomorrow, go forth before them, and Hashem will be with you.”

Do you know what Ahm Yisrael did right after Hashem spoke? They sang to Hashem as is written, (ibid. 20:19), “And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise Hashem with a loud voice on high.” Worrying ceased and in its place came songs of love to Hashem.

The K’tuvim (Scriptures) continues (ibid. 20:22), “And when they began to sing and to praise, Hashem set ambushes again the children of Ammon, Moav, and Mount Seir, which were against Yehudah, and they were smitten.” They didn’t have to life a single finger – Hashem fought their war!

Something to think about particularly today!

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Nosson Tzvi ben Sorah Rivka Kashtya a two year old who is in a coma after a pool accident. May Hashem send him a complete recovery amongst all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

The War Within and Without

July 14, 2014
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

It is written in Tehillim (32:7), “You are my shelter. You protect me from trouble…” In spite of our spiritual weakness, Hashem does not abandon us and continues to protect us individually and collectively as a nation.

It is quite shaky here in Eretz Yisrael. Reminds me of the image described by Noam Elimelech ztk’l on how the end of days will appear to us. R’ Noam said that during our time, the generation of the footsteps of Mashiach, it will feel as though a long thick rope is dangling from the sky with Hashem ‘holding’ on to one side and Klal Yisrael holding onto the other. Hashem will shake the rope vigorously back and forth. Those who are foolish will let go and fall down saying Hashem obviously doesn’t want us anymore. The wise will hold on with their dear life knowing that Hashem is ‘testing’ His loyal servants.

When is loyalty tested? When the ‘boss’ is not around – not when he is looking over everyone’s shoulder with beady eyes. It’s rough – it’s a tough war – within and without; fighting the enemy within and without. But let us be rest assured, we may think the ‘boss’ is not around – but He is watching and how!

The battle within is between whether we will lose our emuna or fortify it. What will we choose to do? Rationalize in our minds how this cannot be just from a loving Father, c’v, or hold on to what the Torah has stated since Har Sinai: Hashem will NEVER abandon His people.

How will we ever sleep? Hashem will help us sleep. Was there ever a time we needed His warm caress and embrace more so than in the past couple of weeks. And we haven’t even begun the ‘three week mourning period’ yet.

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Shoshana Baila bas Masha Sara.  She is currently unconscious, possibly due to a side effect from one of her medications.  Please take a moment to daven for her complete healing b’riut hanefesh v’b’riut haguf amongst all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

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