Opening & Closing Doors

14 Teves 5770: Each day a new door opens as an old one closes, yet Emunah remains constant. Wake up and realize that Hashem created today for YOU and that you have a chance to make it a better day for you and for others. Give your attitude to the world with Emunah (faith) and Bitachon (trust) with a twist of Simcha (joy) THANK YOU HASHEM

A Daily Re-Creation

10 Teves 5770: Each day Hashem re-creates the world. Wake up this morning and realize that Hashem awakened you this morning because you have a purpose. Live today with the knowledge that Hashem wants you here to be the best of what you have to offer. Live with faith, trust and B'simcha. Tzom Kal ~ Easy fast to all. Thank You Hashem

The Lesson of Nituk

2 Kislev: The moment Nituk happens the pain and loss of emunah happens at the same moment. As we imagine the TIKUN the nituk can bring, this enables us to LEAN ON emunah like a good friend who is there for you no matter what. Lean on emunah, have faith in Hashem that these moments of nituk will pass, and it is a test until the TIKUN arrives. THANK YOU HASHEM

Growing from Nituk to Tikun

18 MarCheshvon: When Nituk (separation, abandonment) is at its highest strength and you can feel the pressure or the loss. You then let go, free fall, and watch as Hashem is mashlaym (completes) the process from Nituk to Tikun (fix). This moment is breathtaking as you realize that the Nituk was really a tikun all along... THANK YOU HASHEM

Nituk & Tikun

10 MarChecshvan: Nituk and Tikun are interchangeable words. Nituk means cut off or separated and Tikun means to fix. When HASHEM seems to send us messages of NITUK we must have emunah that it is in itself a TIKUN. This may not be EASY to accomplish, However, with work on our emunah we can see the TIKUN and be grateful to Hashem

Getting closer

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha 5 MarCheshvan: There will be days where obstacles are placed before you and you may think that Hashem is hiding from you or not on your side that day (god forbid). Just the opposite is true. It is a moment that will test your emunah to see if you really believe that everything is from Hashem and all is good. When you want a ball to go farther you pull your hand back first then release. Same concept. NEVER lose faith!

A Leap of FAITH

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Rosh Chodesh MarCheshvan: It takes a leap of faith to stay focused in faith. Working on keeping the faith, is having faith when things don't go so well. Take the leap of faith and let go and let Hashem. He's never wrong, we just don't understand his ways. Begin this month anew by taking a leap toward faith, trust and with joy. THANK YOU HASHEM

Building our path toward Emunah

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

23 Tishray: The holidays have come to and end and until Chanukah we have time to build a forward path toward accepting Emunah, Bitachon, B'simcha with Bitul into our lives. Just like people tend to begin food diets after the chag, so too we shall begin a spiritual diet/ Let's begin by looking at our list of goals for this coming year and to ask Hashem to help us achieve all that we set out to do. THANK YOU HASHEM

Benefit Of The Doubt

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Thurs. 10 01 09 / 13 Tishray 5770: Emunah and dan lekaf zchus (giving the benefit of the doubt) go hand in hand. The next time you fear an outcome or are feeling worried about something. Combine the lessons of emunah with giving the situation/person the benefit of the doubt and you will see (over time) less worry and more emunah in Hashem. THANK YOU HASHEM

New Year Theme: BITUL

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Fri. 09 25 09 / 7 Tishray 5770: Emunah without "Bitul" is like a nice car without much gas in it. You can travel but you won't get very far. "Bitul" = letting go. Try this weekend, when you see something happening in your life not only have the Emunah but also use "Bitul" letting go your control of the matter and see what happens. Feedback appreciated. Good Shabbos to all, Gmar Tov, Easy fast!

Returning from Uman

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Thu. 09 24 09 / 6 Tishray 5770: Hodu Lashem Ki Tov {I am grateful to Hashem for He is good} Our trip to Uman is over and now we must come down from the mountain and bring the positive energy into the here and now and hope it will last a while. Biggest lesson I learned this year pertains to "bitul". A new word, an old concept and the new theme for our Emunah, Bitachon, B'Simcha adventure. THANK YOU HASHEM

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

I want to express my gratitude to Hashem for getting us to and from Uman sound and safe with many new things to work on in the coming year.

Psalm #100: A psalm of thanksgiving, call out to Hashem, everyone on earth. Serve Hashem with gladness (joy), come before Him with joyous song. Know that Hashem, He is God, it is He who made us and we are His, His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise, give thanks to Him, bless His name. For Hashem is good, His kindness endures forever, and from generation to generation is His faithfulness. {Translated from the ArtScroll weekday Siddur}

STEP 6, 7, 8

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Wed. 09 15 09: Step SIX Call random friends wish them a great year. Step SEVEN Call peopel that you may have wronged this past year and ask forgiveness. Step EIGHT Make a list of 99 things you wish to accomplish this year and read this list every week. Put the date next to each accomplishment. May this year be the best ever. TYH

8 Steps STEP FIVE

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Tuesday, September 15 09: Step FIVE: Write a letter to yourself reviewing all that you experienced this past year. List in your letter items you put the principals of Emunah and Nekuda Tova to work for you. Write the good stuff and write some of your weak moments this past year. Close the letter out with a list of improvements that you look forward to in the coming year. THANK YOU HASHEM!

8 Steps STEP ONE through FOUR

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Tuesday, September 08 09: Today we begin the 8 steps to prepare ourselves for the new year 5770. Step ONE: Make a list of things you did great this past year and next to each item write: THANK YOU HASHEM. This way we begin with and end with Nekuda Tova. From this step forward we will focus on strengthening our Emunah, Bitachon and B'Simcha with FOCUS and a solid plan for the coming year.

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Wednesday, September 09 09: Step TWO: Make a list of things that need improvement and next to eaqch item put a number 1-5 (1 means must be worked on asap). Then separate into 5 priority lists. (All the ones, two's etc,) Then take one from each list and create a monthly chart that you will work on these 5 items each month to improve for the coming year. This way you will accomplish more in the coming year.

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Sunday, September 13 09: Step THREE: Write a list today for all things (that you can recall) you accomplished this past year and next to each accomplishment write THANK YOU HASHEM. Then write a list of things you would like to work on and improve in the coming year, and next to each item write PLEASE HELP ME HASHEM. This way we will start off the new year with gratitude and hope

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Monday, September 14 09: Step FOUR: Write a list of missed accomplishments over the past few tears. Choose 3 out of the list and add them to the list of things you plan on accomplishing this coming year. You can only do this if you are practicing Nekuda Tova. For if you start looking at what you have not yet accomplished without NT it could harm your way of thinking. THANK YOU HASHEM

August 25 - September 4

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Tuesday, August 25 09: Continuing with N T B ... today we will see the good in everything with JOY! First begin by seeing the good in Self, Hashem and Others, Then reach out to Hashem and bring JOY into every aspect of your day. B'Simcha!! Thank You Hashem! Reach within and Thank Hashem with JOY!

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Thursday, August 27 09: Before we decide to choose either side. We should be aware that we need to let go and take Hashem into account when making any choices. This helps us build our Emunah. THANK YOU HASHEM

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Friday, August 28 09: THANK YOU HASHEM! When we are thankful for the little things Hashem reveals to us the BIG/GREAT things to be grateful for. Practicing being grateful for EVERYTHING especially the smaller things in life will allow us to build ourEmunah. It will make us closer to Hashem with Emunah, Bitachon and B'Simcha! Good Shabbos to all. Review the daily lessons and practice them over the weekend. T Y H

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Sunday, August 30 09: When we get tested on our lack of emunah, the faster we recognize it and bounce back, the easier we get closer to Hashem. Thank you Hashem

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Monday, August 31 09: Some say "When I see it - I'll believe it!" However, someone who pursues Emunah (faith) and Bitachon (trust) B'simcha (with Joy) will notice that when they are grateful to Hashem, you can pursue faith and trust and believe it. Then you will see greater things around you as you are now unlocked to see what you didn't belive before. THANK YOU HASHEM!

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Thursday, September 03 09: Hashem speaks to us through many different messengers. Sometimes it's loud and clear and sometimes we ignore it. To act upon the basis of emunah is to be able to see and believe that everything is from Hashem and to put our complete faith in Him will eventually make it a better way to live. This task is not easy, but it is a reality. Today practice listening to the messangers. T Y H

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Friday, September 04 09: Review all our snippets on Emunah, Bitachon, B'Simcha and write feedback which lesson you like best and send feedback please. Good Shabbos

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Took some days off and returned Sept. 08 09

Start your N B T today

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Monday, August 24 09: The month of Elul is a great time to show Hashem that we want to be better than the year before. Most people choose one middah (attribute) to work on. Today we start "Nekudah Tova Bakol" (The attribute of the good points in everything). First we will choose to see the good in self, in Hashem and in others. Then as time progresses we will choose to see the good points in everything. T. Y. H.

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

If you want to commit to a 30 day program of Nekudah Tova Bakol, join our THANK YOU HASHEM group and express your thankfulness and gratitude to Hashem for EVERYTHING!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7675372673&ref=ts

Being Tested Daily on Emunah

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Sunday, August 23 09: Why is it that our PERSONAL feelings get in the way of Emunah? Because a "lack of Emunah" is the norm, and working on creating a better sense of Emunah takes serious time, commitment and N.T.* energy. Therefore, one must practice seeing the good points in self often, as this leads to less "lack of" and more "Acceptance of Emunah" into our daily lives. THANK YOU HASHEM

(* N.T. = Nekuda Tova = Good points)

Early to Bed helps with Emunah

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Thursday, August 20 09: Going to sleep early in the evening and awakening very early in the morning to daven with the Netz (sunrise) increases ones Emunah. Going to sleep early in the night eliminates worry and bad thoughts thereby leaving less room for lack of faith to occur. THANK YOU HASHEM

Thank You Hashem for your kindness

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Wednesday, August 19 09: Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul: Please light a candle today for my grandfather Rebbe Eliezer Zusia ben Yisroel Avraham zatzal. He was a great man who led by example. He treated my grandmother with the greatest levels of love, respect, honor, and understanding. He gave me my first lessons in Emunah. May his memory serve as a beacon of light upon all of us. Thank You Hashem!

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Hakoras HaTov (Positive Recognition) My grandfather adopted hundreds of orphans, widows and widowers throughout the war torn years. He treated them like his very own children. Upon his death in 1982, he left behind thousands of gems along his path. When he married my grandmother, a tiny light shone through the most darkest days I have ever seen. This light has led me onto the path I am on today. I am grateful to Hashem for bringing my grandfather into my life. I am thankful to my grandfather for teaching me by example what it means to live with Emunah, Bitachon, and B'Simcha! Thank you Hashem

about my grandfather

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliezer_Zusia_Portugal

The Benefit Of Doubt

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Tuesday, August 18 09: Don't be surprised if our daily lessons turn into periodic tests within the ongoing pursuit to have more faith, trust and with joy. The biggest one that is sent almost daily is "Giving the benefit of the doubt" to self, others, and Hashem. It isn't easy, but with a constant awareness, we can become better at giving ourselves, others and Hashem the "benefit of the doubt". Thank You Hashem

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

See the good, be the good, feel the good... in everything. Practice it and it gets easier over time. The ups and downs will get us there just keep at it. Thank You Hashem!

Good Tidings

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Monday, August 17 09: (Aleph-Bet Book) A person who is in the habit of bringing good tidings clothes himself in the quality of Eliyah Hanavi (the prophet). By (Bitachon) trusting in Hashem, one comes closer to Hashem. Let's use the power of MONDAY by saying "Thank You Hashem" as often as possible today. THANK YOU HASHEM

Emunah in Self first

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Sunday, August 16 09: An important lesson in "Nekuda Tova" (Likutay Mohran) Just like we have Emunah (faith) in Hashem, we must also have Emunah in ourselves. We have faith that Hashem is listening to every word we say, even if we we havent't behaved so well, Hashem listens to every word. We each have the power to ask for compassion from Hashem.

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

As it is stated (Psalms 145:18) "Hashem is close to all who call upon Him - to all who call upon Him sincerely" We recite this three times a day. By seeing the good within us and having faith is US. We step forward toward Hashem with Faith. When we have faith, we are strengthened to talk to Him, to get close to Him, and to trust B'simcha

Trust Removes Worry

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Thursday, August 13 09: (Aleph-Bet book) Bitachon (Trust) in Hashem saves one from worry. Through silence a person merits trusting in Hashem. By trusting in Hashem a person comes closer to him. Let us practice a few moments of silence today which will bring us to trust Hashem more and this way we may be saved from worrying so much. With faith, trust and joy. Thank you Hashem!

Pro-Active approach to talking Emunah

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Wednesday, August 12 09: Today we shall practice yesterday's incredible lessons of speaking Emunah in order to not glitch and fall - but to rise above all and have the Emunah we seek. Throughout the day, randomly stop and observe Hashem's awesome creations, and proclaim "Thank you Hashem!" Do the best you can at the level of faith you have. First see the good in you, then see the good in everything Hashem created!

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

To read and hear Psalm 34 what David wrote when he realized that everything and everyone has a unique purpose in this world. Here is the link:
http://www.tehilimhotline.org/lecture_view.asp

You may also use this site to listen and read all 150 Psalms that David wrote. The power of tehilim is endless and helps build Emunah.

Talking Emunah

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Tuesday, August 11 09: (Likutay Halachos) Emunah is something very powerful. Emunah is dependent in the mouth of a person. Therefore, a person should speak about Emunah. As it says (Psalms 89) "I will make known your faithfulness with my mouth" When a person falls into a lack of emunah here is a good idea how to snap back: "Talk emunah with your mouth" This in and of itself constitutes Emunah. Thank you Hashem!

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Continued from yesterday... Then as David wanted to show his strength, he decided to take the goblet belonging to the King. The King was guarded by a very strong guard. As David took the goblet he crawled under the great legs of the then sleeping guard. Suddenly, the huge man's leg dropped and crushed David. David said to Hashem, "Please don't forsake me now" and Hashem sent a bee, and it bit the leg of the guard and for the instant that the guard lifted his leg, David was able to escape. Then he realized that Hashem showed him that all three things have purpose, it must be there is purpose to it all. He then composed Psalm 34 "Of David when he disguised his sanity before Avimelech who drove him out and he left...

Today is a new choice

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Monday, August 10 09: Each day we renew our faith in Hashem, so don't worry about yesterday and don't project anything negative toward the future. Choose to see the good in you and renew your faith in Hashem TODAY with Joy! Hashem wants us to grow closer to him with complete faith, trust and joy! THANK YOU HASHEM

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

continued from yesterday.. Hashem created three situations where David before he became King David would see the value in all three creations. When he was running away from the pelishtim as they were looking to kill him, he began to act like a crazy person by writing slogans on walls all over town. The king told the soldiers to let him go as he is obviously a CRAZY person. Later on as he was running from the army that was chasing him he ran into a cave and Hashem sent a spider to spin a huge web at the entrance of the cave. When the army came looking they passed by the cave realizing that he can't possibly be in there... continued tomorrow

Emunah is a paradox

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Sunday, August 09 09: (Sichot Horan) It is only possible to turn to Hashem with Emunah through truth, as it says, "...and all His deeds are with Emunah". Everything Hashem created was with the sense of Emunah. The entire world was created in a paradox with Emunah at its helm. Thank you Hashem!

Daniel Bendelman

So the challenge is to have the Emunah even through their are paradoxes behind subjects such as free will, divine providence and creation?

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

100% correct!

Michaela VonTom Lawson

I have a daily devotional 'Prayer with Fire 2' by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman. His focus on Emunah has help my davening. Thank you for the continued focus.

James-Guy Jacobs

But why did Hashem create wasps? Seriously they just annoy you and seem to serve no other purpose other than to seriously irritate you on a hot day? Are they just a test? How were waps created with emunah?

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

David before he became King David was annoyed by three things. 1) Crazy People 2) a Spider 3) a Bee. He said to Hashem these three are here to annoy and have no purpose so Hashem taught him three valuable lessons that each and every being has a purpose. To be continued tomorrow
(I love cliff hangers ) :)

Bitachon (Trust) Lessons

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Friday, August 07 09: (Aleph-Bet Book) 1) Trust in Hashem brings peace. 2) Emunah (faith) produces Bitachon (trust) in Hashem. 3) A person who does not trust in Hashem tells lies. Lies prevents a person from trusting in truth. 4)The waters of the jordan river are a segulah for trust. THANK YOU HASHEM! Please feel free to send feedback. Have a beautiful and uplifted Shabbos!

Torah brings us closer...

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Thursday, August 06 09: (Loshon Chasidim) Through Emunah Hashem destroys all bad decrees and he turns them into righteousness. (Hebrew word tzedek = din) Hashem turns this into the word charity (Hebrew word tzedaka = kindness) and this helps a person from sufferings connected to making a living. THANK YOU HASHEM!

Closer to Faith

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Wednesday, August 05 09: (Aleph-Bet Book) 1. One's belief in Hashem must come through faith and not because of miracles. 2. You may achieve faith by being humble. 3. Faith is dependent upon a person's mouth. {Speaking about faith not only increases it ~ it is FAITH!} 4. Faith is considered like charity. THANK YOU HASHEM!

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

Any quotes from the Aleph Bet book {Rebbe Nachman's Aphorisms on Jewish Living} is being written with permission from the publisher. You may purchase this great book where Jewish Books are sold the ISBN #0-930213-15-7

Emunah without pre-conditions

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Tuesday, August 04 09: (from the sefer Ani Bechasdecha Butachtee) When it comes to Bitachon (trust) in Hashem it should not be done 'on condition on'. Many people mistakenly trust in return of, or 'on condition on'. To have Emunah (faith) and Bitachon in Hashem requires us to let go and let Hashem do what needs to be done. Over time we will see better changes within us. THANK YOU HASHEM!

The path to trust

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Monday, August 03 09: (from the sefer Ani Bechasdecha Butachtee) The path to Bitachon (trust) passes through the simple and basic belief in Emunah (faith). Therefore, if one wants to awaken to have more Emunah he should take the simplest path. Before taking any action, first FEEL that with your simple faith in Hashem, you will get closer to Him. THANK YOU HASHEM! Say it often, and mean it!

Wake up with Nekuda Tova

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Wednesday, July 29 09: PART FOUR NT: Nekuda Tova means, "good point". R' N. says that even if you think that you are living in darkness and sin, even if you feel that the most negative about yourself, as you awaken in the morning look and find the "good point" within yourself and wake up with Emunah (faith) filled with Simcha (Joy), bring your Nekuda Tova into your day and by seeing the good in you so will Hashem.

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

By bringing your nekuda tova into your every morning wake up call, then you will Daven each day with joy. When you see the good in you, and give yourself the benefit of the doubt, then with emunah b'simcha you Daven to Hashem, you will learn B'simcha and you will do the mitzvos B'simcha. This is the essence of waking up and starting off each day with emunah through the NEKUDA TOVA within yourself.

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Wishing you all an easy fast and a good Shabbos. Practice the NEKUDA TOVA within yourself. Review the lessons and then we meet back again on Sunday and move forward with Emunah, Bitachon, and B'Simcha.

Awakening from the darkness

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Tuesday, July 28 09: PART THREE NT: Alot Hashachar means, when the morning rises. The word Shachar (morning) and Shachor (darkness) comes from the same word root. Therefore, R' N. teaches us that in the morning (shachar) when we rise from our darkness (shachor) is when we need to judge ourselves more favorably and to see the good in us (nekuda tova). This way we awaken with a roar from within our darkness.

Now we must awaken and take our firststep forward on this new path of seeing the good in us, the good in others and the good in everything Hashem created in this world.

See the good in YOU

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Monday, July 27 09: PART TWO NT: The halacha says that when one wants to awaken from his/her slumber a voice comes along saying don't get out of bed. R' N. says that waking up in the morning is likened to waking up from our personal deep sleep. This is why the voice says stay in bed. It is trying to tell you that in the past you had done so much so bad, don't wake up, from your personal slumber... continued below

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Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

It is precisely at this point one must see the good in himself and not ponder on bad things. One needs to wake up from their own slumber and judge themselves in a favorable way. This will bring you closer to Emunah in Hashem and will allow you to pray better and be a better person.

Nekuda Tova Intro

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha This week we will present a FOUR parts look into the concept of nekuda tova. Simply stated the "good point" of every person. Especially these days leading up to the saddest day of the year when we cry and mourn our great loss of the holy temple. Wishing you all a meaningful week and easy fast.

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Sunday, July 26, 09: PART ONE OF NEKUDA TOVA: R' Nachman talks about the start of the day. We are instructed to wake up with a roar and give ourselves the charge for the day to begin to serve Hashem anew. We all know the hardships of waking up. Here we are instructed to seek out something good about ourselves and to awaken with that good thought. I bless you to awaken with good thoughts about self. Thank You Hashem!

Weekly: Something to think about

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha Friday, July 24 09: A review of the tools we discussed this week is in order and let us practice them over the weekend. May Hashem bless us with a greater awareness of the paradox of emunah and continue to have bitachon in Hashem B'simcha. Good Shabbos

Emunah Bitachon Besimcha

THANK YOU HASHEM Psalm #100: A psalm of thanksgiving, call out to Hashem, everyone on earth. Serve Hashem with gladness (joy), come before Him with joyous song. Know that Hashem, He is God, it is He who made us and we are His, His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise, give thanks to Him, bless His name. For Hashem is good, His kindness endures forever, and from generation to generation is His faithfulness. {Translated from the ArtScroll weekday Siddur}