Podcasts about baruch hashem

Sometimes the salvation of Hashem comes right away, and sometimes the salvation comes at the very last possible moment. A situation may look like it has reached its breaking point. Every option appears exhausted. Every door seems firmly shut. And then, at the last possible second, the salvation arrives. Both kinds of salvations are exhilarating. Hashem is never late when He waits, and He is never random when He acts suddenly. Each form of salvation is perfectly calculated according to the needs of the person experiencing it. We must always hope for Hashem's help. We must believe that it can come in an instant, and we must also believe that no matter how long it has been delayed, it can still come. I read a story about a man named Reuven from Lakewood who, Baruch Hashem, had a large family but was living in a very small house. He did not want to move, because he lived in an excellent location. He had a non-Jewish neighbor whom he had asked several times if she would be willing to sell her house. She had agreed in principle, but the price was far too high for him, eight hundred thousand dollars. Not to mention that the house itself was small and would only be useful as part of an expansion to his own home. One Chol HaMoed, Reuven traveled to Eretz Yisrael with his family for a week. On Shabbat afternoon, the family walked to the Kotel to pray Arbit, while his wife stayed back at the apartment where they were staying. The entire family was excited to pour out their hearts to Hashem and ask Him for larger living quarters. They prayed at the Kotel sincerely, from the depths of their hearts, entreating the Borei Olam. On Motzaei Shabbat, before they even returned to the apartment, Reuven's wife's phone rang. It was the neighbor calling to say that she was ready to sell the house for a lower price, because she had decided to move into an assisted living facility. She told them the new price would be five hundred thousand dollars. Reuven was overjoyed. When they returned to Lakewood, they discovered certain technical issues with the house, and in the end, she sold it to them for just three hundred thousand dollars. They were able to renovate and move into a much larger home, exactly what they had been hoping for. Hashem answered their prayers at the Kotel instantly. A woman told me another story, one where the salvation came at the very last moment. She and her husband had bought a new home to meet the needs of their growing family. They planned to help pay the mortgage by renting out the house they had been living in. However, month after month passed, and they were unable to find a renter. They were under tremendous pressure, because this rental income was the only way, b'derech hateva, they could afford the new mortgage payments. For the first three months, they managed to make the payments using money from a loan they had taken for renovations. The stress was overwhelming. She said she could not sleep at night and could barely function during the day. She tried very hard to strengthen her emunah, but it felt as though it just was not sinking in. She asked Hashem to send them opportunities to do chesed with their new home as a zechut to find a renter for their old one. Indeed, Hashem sent them many chesed opportunities, but still no renter appeared. They gladly embraced every opportunity and continued begging Hashem for salvation. Eventually, it came to the point where their next mortgage payment was due on January fifteenth, and they had absolutely no way to make the payment. It would have been extremely embarrassing for them to miss it. On January fourteenth, the very last day, Baruch Hashem, they found a renter who paid the first month's rent on the spot. On that same day, her husband unexpectedly received an insurance refund check. Also that very day, they temporarily rented out part of their new home, and that person paid as well. Together, they received the exact amount needed for the mortgage, without her husband having to dip into any of his regular income. It all came together literally at ten o'clock at night, just hours before the payment was due the next day. Hashem sent them the yeshuah at the last possible moment. The salvations of Hashem are truly amazing. Our job is to believe, always, that they can come at any moment.

If a person is going through a hard time and his evil inclination is trying to get him to complain and question the way Hashem is dealing with him, he needs to give himself chizuk to accept what Hashem is doing with love. Besides the enormous spiritual value of having emunah during difficult times, this acceptance itself is a great zechut, one that may very well take the place of any further suffering. The Midrash Rabbah in Parashat Vayikra tells a powerful story. The great Tannaim, Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua, and Rabbi Akiva, once went traveling to collect funds to support talmidei chachamim who were learning Torah. In one of the cities they visited lived a very wealthy philanthropist named Abba Yudin. At that time, however, he had just lost all of his wealth and felt deep shame that he was unable to give anything to the rabbis. His wife said to him that he still owned one field and asked why he did not sell half of it and give the proceeds to support the Torah scholars. Abba Yudin could have responded, "Hashem already took away all my money, and now I should give away half of what is left?" Instead, with joy and Emunah, he sold half the field and gave the money to support talmidei chachamim. The rabbis gave him a berachah for success and continued on their way. Abba Yudin then went out with his cow to plow the remaining half of the field. As he was working, the cow slipped into a hole in the ground, and its leg sank deep into it. It appeared that the leg was certainly broken. Abba Yudin did not complain. He did not say, "After such a heroic act of tzedakah, this is how Hashem repays me?" Instead, he accepted the situation wholeheartedly and began trying to pull the cow out of the ditch. At that moment, he noticed something buried in the ground: a hidden treasure filled with gold and pearls. Through this, he became wealthy once again. The difficulty of his cow's fall actually led him to the treasure, but the true source of the berachah was his acceptance of how Hashem dealt with him. Accepting difficulties with love is extremely hard, especially when a person is genuinely trying to do good and it seems that everything is going wrong. At those moments, we need to use our minds and hearts to look for ways to understand how what Hashem is doing is truly a chesed for us. If we can think of possible reasons and honestly internalize them, the merits that result are enormous. A man told me that about two years ago he had changed jobs after being promised a great opportunity with significant additional pay. After a few months, it became clear that he had been misled, and on top of that, the work environment was extremely hostile. Going to work each day was very painful, yet he continued to go with a smile, accepting that Hashem was doing what was best for him. As an aside, if someone is unhappy at a job for legitimate reasons, there is nothing wrong with trying to find another one. During that period, he and his wife had a child with a very complex medical condition that required two dangerous surgeries. They were warned that serious and unavoidable side effects were going to take place. Baruch Hashem, both surgeries went extremely well, with no side effects at all, something the doctors said they had never seen. Throughout that time, the situation at work only worsened, but for reasons he could not explain, he remained stuck there. He kept telling himself that it was all for the best. Eventually, when he was finally able to leave the job, he sent out his résumé, but no one responded. Around that time, his child needed another medical procedure that usually required a hospital stay. Once again, Baruch Hashem, it went so smoothly that the child was released just two hours after the procedure. That night, he said to his wife, "I think the two years of hardship at work were taking the place of the hardships that were meant to come from our child's condition. Baruch Hashem, we received it at work instead of through the child." They went to sleep filled with gratitude and acceptance. The very next day, he received a phone call out of the blue offering him a new job with more than thirty percent higher pay. Now, he could not be happier. Accepting wholeheartedly and honestly the way Hashem is dealing with a person is an enormous zechut.

Hashem is involved in every second of everyone's lives. It is a great avodah when we recognize His hashgachah and attribute events and happenings to His Divine Providence. Aside from the fact that recognizing His involvement in our lives brings us closer to Him, it also gives us tremendous chizuk. It allows us to know that Hashem can always help us, no matter what situation we find ourselves in. It is so clear that He is constantly controlling everything. A woman once told me that her father's flight was recently canceled, and he was unable to get a return flight home for another three days. The problem was that he was taking a very important medication that he could not miss, and he had completely run out. He was unable to obtain more of it in the place where he was stranded. Remarkably, around that same time, someone casually mentioned to her that she was traveling to that very location the next morning. The woman immediately called her, and Baruch Hashem, the medication reached her father exactly when he needed to take his next dose. A man whom we will call Yehudah shared another powerful story. The institution where he worked arranged a special Shabbaton to honor its employees. It was meant to be uplifting and inspiring. Yehudah very much wanted to attend, but he had a minhag to go to the mikveh every morning, and he would only go if there would be a mikveh available. When Yehudah told his boss that he might not come if there was no mikveh, his boss was visibly upset. He told him how important it was that Yehudah attend, and he assured him that he would make sure there would be a mikveh nearby. Yehudah trusted him and decided to go. When they arrived at the hotel before Shabbat, they discovered that many things were operated by automatic electricity that could not be adjusted. It became clear that it would be impossible to stay there over Shabbat. The boss was extremely frustrated. He had the phone number of someone who managed a refugee camp that had been established three years earlier for orphans from Ukraine. He called him, and it turned out that the camp had a completely kosher kitchen, a dining hall, guest rooms, and was ready to host them for Shabbat. At that hectic moment, Yehudah was hesitant to approach his boss about the mikveh. But as they were boarding the buses to travel to the new location, Yehudah gathered the courage to ask whether there would be a mikveh there. His boss answered honestly that he had no idea. Yehudah then said that if that was the case, he really could not join, and asked if he could please have the phone number of someone from the nearest Jewish community so he could stay in a private home instead. His boss replied that they would figure it out when they got there and told him to just get on the bus. With no real choice, Yehudah went along. When they arrived, he tried desperately to find out if there was a mikveh within walking distance, but no one knew of one. With just a little more than an hour before Shabbat, Yehudah learned that there was a nearby matzah bakery owned by a Jew who lived in Eretz Yisrael. At one point, the owner had wanted to build a mikveh next to the bakery so that he would have one available whenever he visited. Yehudah managed to obtain the phone number of Daniel, the bakery manager, and called him. When Yehudah asked whether a mikveh had been built near the bakery, Daniel responded with clear excitement in his voice, saying that there was indeed a mikveh. Daniel then offered to come by on Shabbat morning at six o'clock and bring whoever wanted to go. Yehudah was overjoyed. On Shabbat morning, when Daniel arrived, he asked Yehudah if he knew when the mikveh had been completed. Yehudah replied that he did not. Daniel then revealed something astonishing. That past Monday, they had completed everything necessary to finish the mikveh. On Tuesday, they opened the roof so rainwater could enter. And only the night before, there had been such heavy rain that the pit finally filled with enough water. Now, on Shabbat morning, Yehudah would be the first person ever to use this mikveh. Yehudah said that his entire body trembled when he realized the hashgachah of what Hashem had done, orchestrating everything so precisely just so he could have the mikveh he so desperately wanted. Another man related a different story. Someone had given him a gift of seven hundred and ninety dollars to buy a specific product. He already knew the exact price, and the amount he was given matched it perfectly. He then began to wonder whether he should separate ma'aser from the money. On the one hand, it was a gift meant for a specific purpose. On the other hand, it was still money that had come to him. Without asking a rabbi, he decided to act above the letter of the law and gave eighty dollars as ma'aser. When he arrived at the store and went to pay, the owner told him the price was seven hundred dollars. Surprised, he asked if it was not supposed to be seven hundred and ninety. The owner smiled and asked what was wrong with getting a discount. Hashem is even in charge of the price we pay for the merchandise we buy. He is involved in every detail of our lives, and it is a great avodah each time we recognize it.

A rabbi was once trying to give chizuk to his student to be mevater regarding an argument he was having with someone else. The student said, "But Rabbi, I'm right on this one." The rabbi answered him, "Vatranut is not when you're ninety-nine percent right and the other person is one percent right. Vatranut is when you're one hundred percent right — and you still give in." Rav Steinman zt"l used to say, "My whole life, I never saw anyone give in and lose as a result." When a person does give in and it appears that he lost, he must know that he has a golden opportunity to capitalize on. When a person maintains his emunah in Hashem at a time when things seem so off, he can rise to great levels and earn endless reward. We need chizuk to be able to hold on and continue trusting in Hashem, especially when it seems that the good person loses while the one who did wrong is gaining. But if we are able to do it, we will gain so much. A man named Yaakov told me that about five years ago, his wife told him it was time for them and their six children to move from an apartment into a house. In the area where they lived, houses were very expensive. He called a real estate agent and said he could afford a total of $1.8 million. If he found something that needed fixing, he would pay $1.2 million and use $600,000 to renovate. Yaakov mentioned to people that he was looking, and one man he knew told him he was planning to sell his home, which was close to where Yaakov was living. Yaakov knew that house well. It was a house he wished he could afford, but he knew it would be far beyond his budget. The man invited him to come see it anyway. The house was spectacular, and the owner told Yaakov that whoever offered closest to three million dollars would get it. Yaakov discussed it with his wife, and they thought of a plan that would enable them to offer more than they originally thought they could afford. He offered $2.675 million, and the man accepted. They closed the deal, signed the contract, and Yaakov made the first payment and placed it in escrow. All that was left was for the lawyer to release the money to the owner. Yaakov assumed he would be moving in very shortly. But when he called the owner to discuss it, he did not answer. Yaakov called every day for four days, with no response. Finally, he received a voicemail from the owner saying that he realized he could get much more for the house and wanted Yaakov to pay $300,000 more. Yaakov called him back and said the deal was already closed. The owner refused to back down, and they ended up in beit din. In Yaakov's mind, it was an open-and-shut case. But the owner's lawyer told Yaakov's lawyer that he knew how to avoid reaching a conclusion in beit din and would never let them win. Yaakov was shocked. He called his rabbi, who said that under those circumstances they would be allowed to go to secular court. As they moved to the next stage of the dispute, Yaakov's wife told him that she no longer wanted that house. She said she did not want to live in a house that came through machloket, even though it was their dream home and even though she desperately wanted to move. Yaakov called his rabbi again, and the rabbi told him that he would definitely see blessing by giving in and avoiding machloket. Yaakov then called the owner, dropped the case, and asked only for his money back. He expected that in the next few weeks the heavens would open and shower him with blessing. But nothing happened. A year and a half went by, and they were still living in the same apartment. One day, a real estate agent called and offered him that same house which was now selling for $3.5 million. Eventually, it sold for $3.8 million. Yaakov called his rabbi again, asking where the blessing was. The man who had backed out had made more than a million dollars, and he was still stuck in his apartment. The rabbi told him, "No Jew was ever mevater and regretted it. You will see blessing." Another year and a half went by. Then a real estate agent called him to see a very nice house for sale. When Yaakov heard which house it was, he immediately said it would be far beyond his budget. The agent encouraged him to look anyway. The house was beyond anything he had ever imagined. He recognized the owner as a cousin of his, and after touring the house, they spoke together. Because they were family, the owner made him a generous offer. The house was selling for five million dollars, but he told Yaakov he would sell it to him for $3.8 million, and allow him to pay the remaining $1.2 million in eighteen months with no interest. They shook hands, overwhelmed with gratitude to Hashem. A few hours later, Yaakov received a call from the owner of the house, who quoted to him a line from the Gemara that when someone gives another person a present, he is obligated to inform him of it. He explained that he had originally been dealing with someone else who wanted to buy the house, but that person wanted to move in before Pesach, and he himself did not want to leave until after Pesach. That buyer had just called back and said he was willing to wait until after Pesach and was now offering six million dollars upfront. The owner told that man, "It looks like Hashem doesn't want you to have this house, because He just sent me someone else a couple of hours ago." Then he said to Yaakov, "The house is yours, because I already agreed to sell it to you, and I will not back out. If you want, you could flip it right now, sell it for six million dollars, and make a profit." Yaakov was floored. He stood there frozen, not believing the words he had just heard. When he told his wife, she had the same reaction. Here Hashem showed him so clearly how giving in was being rewarded. He received the house of his dreams in a wondrous way, and today he is living there happily, Baruch Hashem. In the end, that first house he had been going to buy is still having problems, and the sale was never even completed. A person who is mevater will never regret it. It may take years to see the blessing, but eventually it will come.

There are times when a person is faced with illness, and suddenly the entire world seems to revolve around doctors, tests, scans, diagnoses, and treatments. The more complicated the condition, the more the person tends to feel that everything is dependent on the doctor's words and the medications that he prescribes. If a person believes that the power to heal is in the hands of flesh and blood, then when the doctors say, "There is nothing more we can do," his hopes will collapse. Fortunately for us, we know the truth. The pasuk says,אני ה' רפאך- "I am Hashem, your Healer." Not the doctor is your healer, and not the medication is your healer. Rather, Hashem — and only Hashem — is our Healer. The more a person believes that, the more zechuyot he will gain, and the more likely it will be that he will be healed. Hashem is called the Borei Refuot, the One who creates the medications that we use to heal ourselves. Sometimes He creates a cure before we need it, and sometimes He creates a cure precisely when we need it. How many times has it happened that it seemed there was no hope, and suddenly a new treatment was discovered, a new approach was tried, and a recovery took place just in time. The treatment was discovered not because the medical world suddenly became wiser, but because Hashem decided that the time of healing had arrived. There is no illness for which Hashem lacks a cure. There is no condition for which He cannot create a new path of healing. The limitation is never in Hashem. It all depends on how much we are ready to trust in Him. We must go to doctors, and we must take medication, but we cannot put too much emphasis on them. We can never feel that without a specific doctor we cannot be healed, or without a certain medication we cannot be cured. A man told how he was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. It was recommended that he go to the biggest expert in the country in that particular field. The doctor, however, did not take insurance, and he needed to fill out forms to try to get approval for financial coverage. They refused his request, saying they had their own doctors who dealt with his issue. He tried every possible way to get approval — going to special committees, appealing to managers, explaining that it was a matter of life and death — but nothing helped. So he went to a doctor who was not recommended. That doctor told him that for his specific illness there was no standard medication, but this doctor knew something that others did not. At that very time, a new medication was being developed for precisely this type of sickness. That doctor was part of the development team, and when they reached the stage of trying the medication on patients, he included him in the trial — even though, according to the rules, he should not have been eligible. Baruch Hashem, he received the medication, and his life was saved. Six months later, the medication was approved for public use — but by then it would have been too late for him. Hashem led this man to the exact messenger through whom He wanted to give him the cure that He Himself had created. We are always in Hashem's hands. The more we know that, the more we trust that only He can heal, and the more heavenly help we will receive.

Besides for the eternal merits that mitzvot give us, there are also segulot within them that bring blessing in this world as well. When someone is in need of a yeshua, one of the greatest approaches is to become extra careful with a specific mitzvah to increase his merits through it. The Chovot HaLevavot, in Shaar Ahavat Hashem, writes that when a person helps others grow in Torah and mitzvot, his merits become endless, because they are multiplied according to the merits of all those he helped. Rabbi Yisrael Brog shared a powerful story that reveals the value in Shamayim of being mezakeh the rabim. Rabbi Pinchas Peretz is a rabbi in Ofakim. Every day, his wife would take their daughter to playgroup. One day, she asked him to do it instead, because she had something important to attend to. Rabbi Peretz put his daughter into the car and then drove to his print shop, as he did every day. At one o'clock in the afternoon, his wife called to remind him to pick up their daughter. The playgroup was not far from his shop, so he walked there calmly. When he arrived, he was told that his wife had never brought their daughter that day. In an instant, he froze. He realized that since eight o'clock that morning, his daughter had been left in the car on a blazing hot day. He began screaming and running frantically back to his car, fearing the worst. As he ran, he called Hatzalah. When he reached the car, he saw his daughter, her face beet red, but unbelievably, she was still alive. She was breathing heavily and appeared to be in a deep sleep. Emergency responders arrived immediately, administered treatment, and stabilized her. They told Rabbi Peretz that she was literally minutes away from tragedy. She was rushed to the hospital, given IV fluids, and treated extensively. The doctors could not believe that a child who had been in a hot car for five hours was still alive. That night, Rabbi Peretz saw in a dream that he was standing before the Heavenly Court. A decree had been issued that his daughter would pass away. Suddenly, Chacham Ovadia Yosef appeared and pleaded on her behalf, saying that in the merit of her father being mezakeh the rabim, she should live. Rabbi Peretz prints Torah messages in his print shop and distributes them free of charge to the public. So many people grow closer to Hashem through those words of Torah. When he woke up, he understood the magnitude of the miracle that had taken place. Rabbi Brog also shared another story. There was a man who would hang signs in his neighborhood every Wednesday, reminding people of candle lighting times and when Shabbat begins. When someone asked him why he does it, he answered that he wanted to help people be more careful with the honor of Shabbat. Another individual, already in his forties and still not married, decided to take on a merit for the public. He became a central contact point where people could send resumes, and he would forward them to those who could help with shidduchim. Baruch Hashem, not long afterward, he himself got married. There is no shortage of mitzvot through which a person can help others. Some strengthen shemirat halashon by sharing daily halachot through phone lines or printed sheets in shuls. Some help others with modesty, others with shemirat ha'einayim, and the list goes on. Every mitzvah carries immense merit, but when a person helps others perform mitzvot, the merit becomes endless.

An individual who, Heaven forbid, suffers from a physical impairment or disability may be counted toward a Minyan. The concept of a Minyan is rooted in the fact that the Shechina resides among an assembly of ten Jews, and this includes Jews with physical impairments. Therefore, if a person is unable to hear, or is unable to speak, he may be counted toward a Minyan. If, however, a person is both deaf and mute – unable to hear or speak – then he may not be counted toward a Minyan. The reason is that in the past, such a person could not be taught, and thus unfortunately would remain ignorant. He thus has the same status as a child or a mentally challenged adult, who cannot be counted toward a Minyan. The question arises whether this Halacha applies nowadays, when, Baruch Hashem, educational methods are available to teach people who can neither hear nor speak. (In fact, there is a yeshiva in Toronto for students who are both deaf and mute, and the Rosh Yeshiva is himself a deaf-mute.) Many Poskim maintain that if a deaf-mute has been taught and now has the ability to read, write and function like an ordinary person, then he may be counted toward a Minyan. Others, however, disagree. In light of this dispute, Rav Yisrael Bitan ruled that an educated deaf-mute can be counted toward a Minyan for all parts of the prayer service which do not include the recitation of Berachot. Thus, for example, if he is one of ten men, they may recite Kaddish and Barechu, but the Hazzan should not repeat the Amida, since the blessings of the Amida will be considered in vain according to the opinion that an educated deaf-mute cannot be counted. Rav Bitan writes that in such a case, the Hazzan should recite the Amida aloud while the congregation recites it silently, so they can recite Nakdishach. The Torah may be read in such a case, but the Berachot may not be recited. Another question arises regarding the status of a deaf-mute who is able to hear through cochlear implants. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Jerusalem, 1910-1995) maintained that since this individual can hear, he is like a regular person and can certainly count toward a Minyan according to all opinions. Rav Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986), however, disagreed. He argued that a person's status depends on his physical capabilities, and an artificial device allowing him to hear does not change his status. Therefore, even if a person can hear with the help of a cochlear implant, in Rav Moshe's view, he is still considered deaf. However, even according to Rav Moshe, if a deaf-mute receives a cochlear implant and then learns how to speak, he is no longer considered mute, and so he can be counted toward a Minyan. Summary: A person with a physical impairment, or who is deaf or mute, can be counted toward a Minyan. A deaf-mute, however, who can neither speak nor hear, cannot be counted toward a Minyan. If he is educated, then it is questionable whether he can be counted toward a Minyan, and so if he is the tenth man, Kaddish and Barechu may be recited, but not the repetition of the Amida, due to the possibility of the blessings being in vain. In such a case, the Hazzan should recite the Amida aloud while the congregation recites it silently, so they can recite Nakdishach. If the person can hear with cochlear implants, then according to one opinion he is not considered deaf, whereas others maintain that he is still a deaf-mute, unless he has learned to speak.

An individual who, Heaven forbid, suffers from a physical impairment or disability may be counted toward a Minyan. The concept of a Minyan is rooted in the fact that the Shechina resides among an assembly of ten Jews, and this includes Jews with physical impairments. Therefore, if a person is unable to hear, or is unable to speak, he may be counted toward a Minyan. If, however, a person is both deaf and mute – unable to hear or speak – then he may not be counted toward a Minyan. The reason is that in the past, such a person could not be taught, and thus unfortunately would remain ignorant. He thus has the same status as a child or a mentally challenged adult, who cannot be counted toward a Minyan. The question arises whether this Halacha applies nowadays, when, Baruch Hashem, educational methods are available to teach people who can neither hear nor speak. (In fact, there is a yeshiva in Toronto for students who are both deaf and mute, and the Rosh Yeshiva is himself a deaf-mute.) Many Poskim maintain that if a deaf-mute has been taught and now has the ability to read, write and function like an ordinary person, then he may be counted toward a Minyan. Others, however, disagree. In light of this dispute, Rav Yisrael Bitan ruled that an educated deaf-mute can be counted toward a Minyan for all parts of the prayer service which do not include the recitation of Berachot. Thus, for example, if he is one of ten men, they may recite Kaddish and Barechu, but the Hazzan should not repeat the Amida, since the blessings of the Amida will be considered in vain according to the opinion that an educated deaf-mute cannot be counted. Rav Bitan writes that in such a case, the Hazzan should recite the Amida aloud while the congregation recites it silently, so they can recite Nakdishach. The Torah may be read in such a case, but the Berachot may not be recited. Another question arises regarding the status of a deaf-mute who is able to hear through cochlear implants. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Jerusalem, 1910-1995) maintained that since this individual can hear, he is like a regular person and can certainly count toward a Minyan according to all opinions. Rav Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986), however, disagreed. He argued that a person's status depends on his physical capabilities, and an artificial device allowing him to hear does not change his status. Therefore, even if a person can hear with the help of a cochlear implant, in Rav Moshe's view, he is still considered deaf. However, even according to Rav Moshe, if a deaf-mute receives a cochlear implant and then learns how to speak, he is no longer considered mute, and so he can be counted toward a Minyan. Summary: A person with a physical impairment, or who is deaf or mute, can be counted toward a Minyan. A deaf-mute, however, who can neither speak nor hear, cannot be counted toward a Minyan. If he is educated, then it is questionable whether he can be counted toward a Minyan, and so if he is the tenth man, Kaddish and Barechu may be recited, but not the repetition of the Amida, due to the possibility of the blessings being in vain. In such a case, the Hazzan should recite the Amida aloud while the congregation recites it silently, so they can recite Nakdishach. If the person can hear with cochlear implants, then according to one opinion he is not considered deaf, whereas others maintain that he is still a deaf-mute, unless he has learned to speak.

One of the ways we bring down all the segulot that come from Birkat HaMazon is by saying it with true feelings of hakarat tov. When a person feels genuine appreciation, the power of his words becomes infinitely greater. When Rabbi Aharon of Belz was younger, he used to stay by a certain butcher. The butcher took such good care of the Rabbi, fulfilling his every request with great joy. Years later, the butcher's daughter suddenly became gravely ill, and the doctors were losing hope. Messages were sent to Gedolim to pray for her, and the butcher specifically asked that a message be sent to Rabbi Aharon of Belz. The messenger arrived by Rabbi Aharon on Erev Yom Tov, when there was already a long line of people waiting to see him. Because the matter was urgent, the messenger was allowed to enter immediately. When the Rabbi heard the news, he was just about to place a cube of sugar into his tea. He stopped, paused what he was doing, and began repeating over and over how much that butcher had taken care of him. He spoke at length about the kindness, the warmth, and the generosity he had experienced. Only when he felt a deep, intense sense of hakarat tov did he give the girl a beracha and pray for her refuah shelema. After Yom Tov, the messenger returned with extraordinary news. The girl had made a complete recovery. He added that they later discovered that at the exact moment the Rabbi had given his beracha, the girl appeared to be in her final moments. But then she related that she had seen, in what seemed like a dream, the Rabbi giving her a piece of sugar to eat while blessing her with the most heartfelt beracha. At that moment, everything changed. Baruch Hashem, she recovered fully. Words said with real hakarat tov are unbelievably powerful. In the first beracha of Birkat HaMazon, we acknowledge that Hashem is the One who gives us our parnasah. We need to understand what that truly means. The Gemara speaks about a Hallel called Hallel HaGadol, the Great Hallel. This is the chapter of Tehillim in which we say "Ki l'olam chasdo" twenty-six times. The Gemara asks why it is called Hallel HaGadol. Rabbi Yochanan answers that it is because it includes the words that Hashem gives food to all of His creations. Hashem, who is exalted beyond all comprehension, who resides in the highest heights, personally comes down and takes care of every single one of His creations, ensuring that they always have what to eat. Hashem does not delegate this responsibility to a messenger. He does it Himself, because He loves us so much. The question is asked: this Hallel mentions so many miracles—creating heaven and earth, the sun and the moon, taking us out of Mitzrayim, splitting the sea, leading us through the desert, defeating Sichon and Og. How can it be that of all these miracles, Hashem giving us food is considered the greatest? The sefer Birkat HaMazon BeKavanah explains that all the other miracles were one-time events. But the miracle of feeding every person and every animal is something Hashem performs every second of every day, from the beginning of time until today and beyond. Hashem is "concerned" that all of His billions and trillions of creations have what they need to live. It is a constant miracle that never stops. They say in the name of the Chafetz Chaim that if a person forgot Al HaNissim in the Amidah, the tefillah still counts. But if he did not say in Modim ועל ניסך שבכל יום…שבכל עת , the Amidah does not count. Missing a miracle that happened once can be excused, but failing to recognize the miracles that occur every single day cannot. Hashem is personally taking care of us at every moment. That is why we emphasize in Birkat HaMazon that Hashem has never made us lacking and will never make us lacking. Once we truly recognize this, only then are we ready to say נודה לך -thank You. Only then can our words of gratitude come from the heart. And the more sincerely we feel that thank You, the more powerful it becomes—and the more blessing it draws down into our lives.

If a person is going through difficulties, the natural reaction is to ask, "Why me? What did I do to deserve this?" He then feels bad about the situation and remains in that state until it goes away. However, if he reacts that way, he is losing out on a golden opportunity. The purpose of this world is to utilize every circumstance that Hashem places a person into to its fullest, and thereby gain eternal life. The Chafetz Chaim writes that the main goodness a person will receive in the future depends on how he reacts to the ways Hashem dealt with him here. If he internalizes that Hashem is always doing the absolute best for him, even though it does not appear that way, he will rise to the greatest levels, and his table in the future will be overflowing with good. The Orchot Tzaddikim writes that if a person performs a mitzvah with joy, his reward is a thousand times greater than if he were to do it as a chore. That joy will give him the merit to have success in his endeavors and to rise in levels of spirituality, to the point that Hashem will reveal secrets to him from above. The joy a person experiences while doing a mitzvah is itself a mitzvah. If a person is experiencing difficulty, he has a mitzvah to accept that Hashem is doing this for his benefit, as stated in the Shulchan Aruch. If he fulfills that mitzvah with joy, it will earn him a thousand times more reward and elevate him tremendously. The Baal Shem Tov writes that when a person is in a state of joy and happiness, he can bring about great salvations. Being depressed and complaining accomplishes nothing, whereas being accepting and joyful can give a person everything. Rabbeinu Yonah writes in Mishlei (perek gimel, pasuk yud alef) that if a person gives much charity and is exceedingly careful in the performance of all the mitzvot, yet is unsuccessful in business and has great difficulty earning parnassah, or experiences other forms of suffering despite being so good, he must strengthen himself in bitachon and accept the way Hashem is dealing with him with love. He must understand that what is happening to him is truly for the best. He says, what the person is experiencing in his life is better than all the wealth, tranquility, and success this world has to offer, because all of that passes in a fleeting moment. This world is so temporary in comparison to the next world, and one moment of pleasure there is better than all the pleasure that can ever be experienced in this world combined. A person does not know what is truly good for him; only Hashem does. Sometimes tranquility is good, and sometimes difficulty is good. Therefore, a person should never be upset with Hashem. Rabbeinu Yonah adds that this attitude is a wondrous level to reach in bitachon, and the reward for it is incomprehensible. I once read a story of a man who was diagnosed with a serious illness. He went through years of treatments, hospital visits, pain, and uncertainty. His livelihood was affected and all of his plans were dissolved, yet no one could believe the attitude he maintained throughout the experience. When people visited him, they expected frustration and anger, but instead they were met with a smile and words of emunah. One day a friend could not hold back any longer and asked him directly, "How do you keep saying Baruch Hashem? You are in so much pain, you have lost so much—don't you feel broken?" He answered, "Yes, it hurts. But pain does not mean Hashem does not love me. It means He trusts me." The doctors and nurses were in awe of his demeanor, and he made a tremendous Kiddush Hashem. Baruch Hashem, he recovered and continues to live his life with joy and emunah. The levels he reached through his acceptance during those few years are levels people often do not reach in decades when everything is going smoothly. We do not ask for difficulties, but if they ever come, we do not want to waste the opportunity. The greatest thing we can do is accept them with love and emunah.

Given by Rabbi Mendel Kessin Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #190 https://torahthinking.org This series of lectures provides an in-depth exploration of the nature of prophecy, Divine inspiration and spiritual states that were available in Biblical times, and will be prevalent during Messianic times.   Baruch Hashem! After 2 years of hard work, countless hours, and incredible teamwork, Rabbi Kessin's book, The True Power of Speech, is finally published! It's now available for sale at bookstores across the US and Israel, and on Feldheim's website and Amazon. We're so grateful for everyone's support along the way. May this sefer bring much inspiration and zechus to Klal Yisrael!

MIKEITZ: Decree To End Your Suffering | STUMP THE RABBI (253)https://youtu.be/1t3KdWxVymsThe story of Yosef Hatzadik's suffering takes a turn for the best, and in an instant it ends and turns 180 degrees. We all wish to reach that day, especially those that are going through the most difficult times of their life. But how does it work? When and Why does HaShem decree for the suffering to end? This and much more will be part of the shiur, as Rabbi Reuven returns from another surgery as part of the journey of suffering he thanks HaShem for. This will be followed by questions and answers from the live online audience that are always a big hit Baruch HaShem. Enjoy, learn, share and be Holy.

MIKEITZ: Decree To End Your Suffering | STUMP THE RABBI (253)https://youtu.be/1t3KdWxVymsThe story of Yosef Hatzadik's suffering takes a turn for the best, and in an instant it ends and turns 180 degrees. We all wish to reach that day, especially those that are going through the most difficult times of their life. But how does it work? When and Why does HaShem decree for the suffering to end? This and much more will be part of the shiur, as Rabbi Reuven returns from another surgery as part of the journey of suffering he thanks HaShem for. This will be followed by questions and answers from the live online audience that are always a big hit Baruch HaShem. Enjoy, learn, share and be Holy.

Welcome to our daily bitachon . We are now in the topic of Shaar Habechina , recognizing God in creation. One of the things that the Chovot Halevavot asked us to do was to recognize how things in creation are put together and broken apart. We spoke about how God uses fundamental building blocks to create things. And as we said, there's a mixture of physicality and spirituality. You put into your body and those things that were put together are broken down into separate components, and they are sent into the proper places. So it's almost like you build a tower of Lego and then you take it apart and you put everything back in the correct box. Everything is built together from these same building blocks, whether it's an apple or an orange or a bottle of Coke. It goes into your body, gets broken down, and gets processed and put in the right place. So that's what we're doing all day, is we're putting together, God puts together, then we break apart, and the cycle goes on. So, I'm going to take a very interesting little breakdown, which I was just out of curiosity was looking into recently. What happens when you drink a glass of Coke? We know Coke's not that healthy for you. Let's read exactly what happens. When you drink a glass of Coke, your body processes its main ingredients, which are sugar, caffeine, and phosphoric acid. Through a rapid chain of events, it involves absorption, metabolism, waste removal via the kidneys and the bladder. Now, let's go through each one separately. We'll go through the digestion, the absorption. The first thing that happens is, there's a sugar overload. Within minutes, the high amount of sugar, about 10 teaspoons in one can, hits your system. Your pancreas releases a large amount of the hormone insulin to manage this spike in blood sugar. That means you need a certain level of blood sugar, too much is no good. We all know people who have diabetes have to deal with sugar levels and with artificial insulin shots. Baruch Hashem , most of us don't have that challenge, and our body naturally is able to break down that sugar even when there's a sugar overload. Then, your liver is signaled by the insulin to convert as much of the excess sugar as possible into fat for storage. That's why you become fat when you drink too much Coke. Then there's the caffeine kick. The caffeine is absorbed into your bloodstream, raising your blood pressure and blocking brain chemicals that make you feel drowsy. This makes you feel more alert and increases your heart rate. Then there's nutrient binding, which we'll show up later the importance of this. The phosphoric acid in the Coke binds with important minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc in your intestines, preventing your body from absorbing them properly. So this is like this phosphoric acid is not doing some very good things for your body in causing certain things that should be absorbed not to be absorbed. Then, how does it impact the urination process? There's something called the diuretic effect. About an hour after drinking, the caffeine's diuretic properties become active. What is a diuretic? It's a substance that makes your kidneys produce more urine than usual. Your kidneys, which normally filter waste and excess water from your blood to make urine, are essentially tricked into flushing out the water and the minerals that the phosphoric acid had bound to it. So this phosphoric acid tricks your kidneys into producing too much water. Now, because of that, the waste fluid goes from your kidneys to your bladder, and then eventually it goes out. And that's why when a person drinks these type of coke or coffee, but more coke than coffee, you think you're hydrating your body, but you're really not because it's really causing more water to come out of your body due to this so-called tricking of the kidneys. Now, this will lead eventually, because of this, will cause valuable nutrients and electrolytes to be lost and could cause the dehydration. Why am I going into this? Because this is what happens with a simple activity like drinking a bottle of Coke. There's factories working to process this, break it down, and sometimes the things that we take in causes things to be broken down in the wrong way. That's not our point for right now. But just to appreciate how something as simple as drinking a glass of Coke is not simple. Everything is complex. Everything is bechochma asita . Everything God makes is with wisdom. So it's complex and takes a lot of wisdom and steps. to make these breakdowns that are necessary.

As we know, shidduchim are from Hashem. Even what appear to be mistakes are all part of the Master Plan. Someone told me that their friend, who is six foot two, became engaged to a girl who is four feet eleven. When the question of her height came up, the initial response was, "almost five feet." Somehow, on the other side, this was heard as five foot three. And based on that, they said yes. Clearly, this was Hashem setting things up so that the meeting would take place and the proper match could come to be. It reminds us that even when details seem unclear or inaccurate, Hashem is orchestrating the outcome. It is important to remember that even when things don't work out, even when the process feels slow, confusing, or painful, it is also from Hashem—and it is for our benefit. A man told me that just before Shavuot, a boy was suggested for his daughter. However, she was scheduled to be out of town until after Shavuot. Then the boy went away. After that, she was leaving for Eretz Yisrael for the summer. The other side initially sounded willing to wait. But when the girl returned in September, they discovered that the boy had already begun dating someone else. A few weeks later, they found out that he was getting engaged to a family friend. The girl's mother was crushed. She felt sure that this boy was perfect for her daughter, and it didn't seem that there were any other options. The father asked their rav to speak to his wife and give her chizuk. The rav told her that in Shamayim, not only is each person's match decided, but there are also several suggestions that a person must hear along the way. Before meeting the right one, a person often has to pass by others who are not meant to be. This process itself brings a person closer to their true zivug. The woman felt comforted and they moved forward. Baruch Hashem, a few months later, another boy was suggested, and this time the shidduch moved quickly to an engagement. The mother later said, "Now that I see the boy she actually got engaged to compared to the previous one, it's so clear that this match is far more compatible for her." We don't know what's truly good for us. Only Hashem does. And therefore, the only logical response is to accept His decisions with trust and happiness. Rabbi Reuven Elbaz shared a powerful story about a young man who had been offered an outstanding shidduch. The girl had wonderful qualities and came from an aristocratic family. After three meetings, however, the girl ended it. The young man was deeply hurt, and because his middot were not refined, he decided to take revenge. He approached a friend he didn't like and suggested this girl to him. The friend took it seriously, looked into her, and reported back that he was interested. The young man then told him that he arranged a meeting for the next night at seven o'clock and gave him the girl's address—without ever asking the girl or her family. The next night, the friend knocked on the door asking for the girl, and the father had no idea what he was talking about. The young man was mortified. The father, realizing something wasn't right, asked who had sent him. When the boy mentioned the young man's name, the father understood immediately what had happened. Rather than sending him away, the father invited the boy to sit for a few minutes to ease his embarrassment. In the course of that short conversation, the father was extremely impressed with him. After looking into him properly, he decided that this young man was suitable for his daughter. Baruch Hashem, they eventually got married. There are no mistakes. Everything is biyad Hashem. And everything He does is for our very best.

Jews have a tendency that whenever they speak, they regularly mention G-d or the common Hebrew word Hashem. Where does this come from? Why do we mention G-d so regularly and casually in our conversations?A fascinating conversation about the Jewish custom of regularly mentioning G-d.

In the beginning of this week's Parashat Vayishlach, Ya'akov Avinu is preparing to confront Esav, who wanted to kill him. Rashi tells us that Ya'akov prepared himself in three ways: sending gifts, praying, and strategizing for a potential battle. Why did Rashi list them in this order—placing tefillah second, between sending gifts and preparing for war? The Be'era Parashah explains that Rashi is teaching a fundamental principle about tefillah. Hashem built into the nature of the world that prayer works. And just as giving gifts and preparing for war are normal hishtadlut that people do, so too tefillah operates within the natural order. It is not considered miraculous to have prayers answered. For this reason, the Maharsha writes that although the Gemara teaches that a miracle performed for a person can deduct from his merits, anything attained through tefillah—even the greatest salvations—does not take away any merits, because tefillah is never considered a miracle. This understanding should give us tremendous chizuk. The answering of tefillah is part of how the world was created to function. Tefillot are so powerful that they can change decrees no matter how impossible the odds may appear. Chazal tell us that in Shamayim it had been decreed that Esav would marry Le'ah and Ya'akov would marry Rachel—"the older for the older, and the younger for the younger." The Alshich adds that Le'ah had four overwhelming hurdles preventing her from marrying Ya'akov. First, the heavenly decree had designated her for Esav. Second, the Pasuk testifies to Rachel's beauty. Third, the Pasuk tells us that Ya'akov loved Rachel. And fourth, Ya'akov worked for seven years for Rachel and took great precautions not to be deceived by Lavan. Yet Le'ah prayed so intensely, so persistently, with so many tears that her eyes became tender. And through those tefillot, she overturned the decree and all the natural odds. Chazal say that the greatness of tefillah is such that not only did Le'ah avoid marrying Esav, she even preceded Rachel to marry Ya'akov. And because of those same tefillot, she gave birth to six of the twelve Shevatim—the Bechor, the Kehunah, the Levi'im, the Meluchah, and the lineage of Mashiah—all emerging from her prayers. The Pasuk in Parashat Vayera says that the angels were sent to destroy Sedom while Avraham was still standing before Hashem. The next Pasuk tells us that Avraham prayed for Sedom to be spared. The Seforno explains: even though the decree had already been issued and the angels had already arrived in Sedom, Avraham still prayed, because he understood the ways of Hashem. As Chazal tell us Even if a sharp sword is already touching a person's neck, he should still pray, because tefillah can work no matter how desperate the situation seems. This past year, a woman received the difficult news that she had a tumor, lo 'alenu. At that time, she strengthened herself in guarding her speech and devoted herself to encouraging others to do the same. She was told that she would need the strongest form of chemotherapy. The doctors warned her of every side effect—especially that it was absolutely guaranteed she would lose all her hair. She asked them if there was anything at all she could do to avoid this. Their answer was clear: with the dosage she required, there was a one-hundred-percent certainty she would lose every strand. But she strengthened herself with the knowledge that with Hashem, nothing is fixed. She poured her heart into tefillah—not only for a full recovery, but also that she should not lose any of her hair. Today, Baruch Hashem the tumor has been completely removed. And amazingly, she did not lose even one strand of hair throughout the entire process. The doctors had no explanation. But the explanation is clear. She prayed to the Creator of the world—the One Who decides whether hair falls out or remains. Tefillah is wondrous, and Hashem created it to work as part of the natural order of the world. The more a person recognizes Hashem's power and involvement in every aspect of his life, the deeper, stronger, and more effective his tefillah becomes. Shabbat shalom.

Sometimes we hear stories of shidduchim that sound unbelievable — a match suggested by mistake, a name mentioned in passing, a resume being sent after being told "no" again and again, two people from completely different worlds coming together in ways no one could have ever predicted. These stories remind us that Hashem is actively involved in every shidduch that takes place. Not only are the meetings from Hashem — even the responses are from Hashem. Who says yes and who says no. Who returns a call and who doesn't. Who suddenly becomes interested and who loses interest. Who delays and who decides quickly. It is all guided by Hashem. If a shidduch fails, it is not because of something that was said or done. It is because it was not meant to be. And if a shidduch is meant to be, Hashem has millions of ways of making it happen. We never have to worry about how we will meet the one Hashem intended for us. He already arranged it. Rabbi Reuven Elbaz told of a baal teshuvah who joined his yeshivah. The man was already older and still had not married. The rabbi gently encouraged him to begin dating, and after much hesitation, he finally agreed. Some time later, a match was proposed and a meeting was arranged at a hotel. The young man arrived on time — but the girl never showed. He waited. And waited. While sitting in the lobby, he noticed another young woman who also seemed to be waiting for someone. Curious, he gently asked her who she was waiting for. She replied that she was supposed to meet a man, but he apparently had not shown up. The man then told her what had happened to him and asked if perhaps they would agree to meet and see if there might be compatibility between them. She hesitated — but then agreed. That "chance" meeting turned out to be the right one. After making all the proper inquiries, they discovered they were perfect for each other. Baruch Hashem, he eventually became a serious talmid chacham, and to this day he thanks Hashem for sending him the best wife possible in the most unexpected way. Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Friedman, author of the popular Gilyon Noam Siach , related another remarkable story. Last summer, he attended the engagement party of one of the members of his kehillah. When he arrived, the father of the chatan hurried over and said, "Rabbi, I want to tell you how this shidduch happened." A few weeks earlier, the man had attended the engagement party of the rabbi's daughter. When he arrived at the hall, there was a line of people waiting to give their wishes. When it was his turn, the rabbi warmly greeted him and then, unexpectedly, said, "Please sit for a little while — over there, near my sons and sons-in-law." The man was puzzled. No one else had been asked to sit. He had never planned on sitting. But because the rabbi asked, he went and sat. Just before that evening, a shidduch had been suggested for his son Pinchas, but this father had not felt drawn to it. Now, while sitting among the rabbi's family, he began speaking with one of the rabbi's sons-in-law. When the son-in-law mentioned where he lived, the father realized he lived in the same neighborhood as the girl's family. So he asked him about them. The son-in-law spoke glowingly about the family. By the end of that one conversation, the father's heart had changed. And now — Baruch Hashem — they were celebrating the engagement. Hashem knows how to place people in the right location, at the right time, with the right words and the right mood — in ways none of us could ever design. A person should never fall into despair wondering, "Maybe I ruined it. Maybe I said something wrong." If a shidduch is meant to be, nothing in the world can stop it. And if it is not meant to be, then it was never truly yours — no matter how promising it looked. When the Steipler Rebbe went to meet the sister of the Chazon Ish, he knew the trip involved a four-hour train ride. Planning to sleep during the ride, he learned intensely for nearly two days straight without rest. But upon boarding, he worried that the seats might contain sha'atnez — so he stood the entire trip. By the time he arrived, he was utterly exhausted. During the meeting, he fell asleep multiple times. He also had a hearing problem and struggled to hear much of what was said. And still — she said yes. Because when Hashem wants the shidduch, nothing can stop it. Hashem is the Master Shadchan. He brings people together in ways that defy logic, timelines, and expectations. And when we truly absorb this, shidduchim become less frightening, less pressured — and far more peaceful. We learn to trust. We learn to wait. We learn that when it is time — it will happen.

Given by Rabbi Mendel Kessin Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #189 https://torahthinking.org This series of lectures provides an in-depth exploration of the nature of prophecy, Divine inspiration and spiritual states that were available in Biblical times, and will be prevalent during Messianic times.   Baruch Hashem! After 2 years of hard work, countless hours, and incredible teamwork, Rabbi Kessin's book, The True Power of Speech, is finally published! It's now available for sale at bookstores across the US and Israel, and on Feldheim's website and Amazon. We're so grateful for everyone's support along the way. May this sefer bring much inspiration and zechus to Klal Yisrael!

A life without emunah and bitachon often leads a person into unnecessary stress, worry, and exertion. A man related that for his entire business career, he opened his store every day at eight in the morning and didn't close until eight at night. He was constantly worried that if he closed even a little earlier, a potential customer would go to his competitor, discover that their product was just as good, and he would lose the customer permanently. That fear, combined with the belief that more hours meant more income, drove him to work grueling twelve-hour days. As he grew older, that schedule became too demanding. But he was terrified to cut back his hours. Then someone introduced him to Sha'ar HaBitachon . After learning it, he discovered that he could safely ease his worries and reduce his hours. But hearing the ideas once wasn't enough for him to actually change. He learned each section again and again, going through the entire chapter five times, until the message sank deeply into his heart. Only then did he calmly begin closing his store at 6 p.m. instead of 8. Since that day, his financial situation has only improved. He said that he doesn't understand how, but he earns more money now than he did with twelve-hour days. The explanation is simple: Hashem is in charge of parnassah , and when we genuinely internalize that belief and live according to it, Hashem rewards that trust. It is not our job to figure out how Hashem will send us our livelihood. It is only our job to make a regular hishtadlut , believe and pray. A woman told that she is an only child and her father passed away many years ago. Baruch Hashem, she married and built a beautiful family. A few days before Sukkot this year, a FedEx envelope was delivered to their home. She assumed it was for her husband, so she gave it to him. He opened it and found a check for a very large amount of money — at a moment when they desperately needed it. They had no idea who would be sending such a sum. They investigated and discovered the remarkable chain of events behind it. Forty years earlier, her grandfather had loaned a friend $50,000. The friend never repaid it, and over time, everyone forgot about it — except for the One who forgets nothing. The grandfather passed away, and so did her father. On his own deathbed, the old friend remembered the debt and wanted to leave this world with a clean slate. He instructed his family to repay all of his outstanding debts, including the one owed to her grandfather. Since her grandfather was no longer alive, they divided the money among his children. And because her father had passed away and she was an only child, she received her father's full share. A forgotten debt from decades earlier, crossing generations, arrived at their doorstep precisely when they needed it most. While they were trying to figure out how to pay their bills, Hashem was preparing their salvation decades in advance. Hashem is the One who provides parnassah. Those who recognize this live with far greater peace of mind, knowing that their livelihood is already in Hashem's hands — and always has been.

Given by Rabbi Mendel Kessin Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #188 https://torahthinking.org   Baruch Hashem! After 2 years of hard work, countless hours, and incredible teamwork, Rabbi Kessin's book, The True Power of Speech, is finally published! It's now available for sale at bookstores across the US and Israel, and on Feldheim's website and Amazon. We're so grateful for everyone's support along the way. May this sefer bring much inspiration and zechus to Klal Yisrael!

Every time we see the hand of Hashem in our daily lives, it strengthens us to internalize that He is constantly orchestrating every event that takes place. A woman told me her family lives in an out-of-town community. Last year, during winter break, a few boys went away for Shabbat to their neighborhood. They originally planned to stay on a different side of town, but at the last moment, those plans fell through, so they ended up coming to her side of town for Shabbat. The problem was, they had nowhere to eat. Her father was asked if he could host two of the boys for Shabbat lunch. Normally, he does not like having boys over when his teenage daughters are home. But that Shabbat, something extremely uncommon happened — all his daughters were away. So he happily invited the boys in. They immediately took a strong liking to one of them, a thoughtful and refined boy whose family lives in Switzerland and who was learning in Lakewood. After Shabbat, they learned more about him, and this year, baruch Hashem, he married their daughter. How were they going to find the right match for her? Hashem brought the boy from across the world, directly into their home. The yad Hashem was unmistakable. A man told me another remarkable story. He received a phone call from an acquaintance in Israel asking for help. This acquaintance explained that his young son had a rare illness called PKU, where the body cannot break down protein. To get the necessary nutrition, the child needs a special formula called phenyl-free. But recently, the manufacturer had stopped producing it in Israel, leaving the three hundred people who rely on it scrambling to find it elsewhere. The father said he didn't know anyone in the United States. This man was the only person he could think of. He told him that he and his wife had been trying to figure out who to call, but nothing came to mind. Then the mother went to pray on Rachel Imenu's yohrzeit at Kever Rachel in Beit Lechem, pouring out her heart for her child's needs. That night, suddenly, this man's name came to mind. He told him, don't worry, I'll help you. He searched online and found the formula on a website. It was expensive, and there were sixteen cases available. He immediately asked friends if they wanted to participate in the mitzvah of helping these families. Baruch Hashem, together they bought all sixteen cases. The order was set to arrive at his home, and he knew someone flying to Israel that week. At first, the delivery date said it would take several days, which meant the traveler would miss it. But later that night, the shipping estimate suddenly changed, and the delivery was scheduled for the very next day. When this man saw where the formula was being shipped from, he nearly fell off his chair. The cases were coming from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The mother had gone to pray in Beit Lechem by Kever Rachel, begging for Hashem's help with this exact formula. And the very next day, the formula was shipped from Bethlehem. Hashem showed that He was listening in the most precise, unmistakable way. They received so many cases that they were able to distribute them to other families in Israel who desperately needed them. The yad Hashem was so clear. Every detail, every timing, every connection — all orchestrated with exact precision. And when we pay attention, we realize He is sending us messages like these all the time.

Many people are feeling uneasy about the results of the election for Mayor of New York. Just hours after the results were announced, there were already several anti-Semitic incidents. Rahmana li'slan. In moments like these, we must remember a fundamental truth: no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, Hashem is always our loving Father. He is controlling every detail that happens every second of every day. Our King does not get elected. Our King does not change every four years. He was, He is, and He always will be the One and only power directing the fate of every individual and every nation. Shlomo HaMelech says in Mishle, פַּלְגֵי־מַיִם לֵב־מֶלֶךְ בְּיַד־יְהוָה עַל־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר יַחְפֹּץ יַטֶּנּוּ . "The heart of a king is like streams of water in the hand of Hashem—wherever He desires, He directs it." The Midrash explains: just like water in a bowl can be tilted effortlessly in any direction, so too the heart of every leader is in the hands of Hashem, and He tilts it exactly as He wills. Whatever Hashem wants to happen, He brings about through the leader. The Malbim there adds a deeper insight: ordinary people are given free will, but a ruler—who has power over multitudes—cannot be allowed unrestricted free will, or he could cause great harm(in general no one can use their free will to affect another person unless Hashem wills it). Therefore, once someone ascends to leadership, Hashem limits his free will and uses him as an instrument to carry out His plan. That is why throughout history, there were leaders believed to be lovers of the Jewish people who suddenly acted with cruelty. And there were others who were assumed to be our enemies, who turned out to be our greatest allies. Once they come into power, they are governed entirely by Hashem's plan. Whatever He wants for Am Yisrael—that is exactly what will unfold. It does not matter who the leader is. Everything depends on our actions. The Gemara teaches that when Achashverosh gave his ring to Haman, that act brought about more teshuvah among the Jewish people than all the Nevi'im throughout history combined. Sometimes Hashem places a leader over us to awaken us, to push us toward teshuvah, to strengthen our emunah, or to remind us that only He controls the world. So the real question is: Are we going to trust in Hashem, or in the headlines? Are we going to believe that Hashem determines our destiny, or that our lives are in the hands of politicians? Yes, Jewish history contains painful chapters. But none of those harsh events ever came because of what a leader wanted. They were all expressions of Hashem's will—and even the difficult decrees came from His love. Like a doctor who administers a painful injection to heal the patient, Hashem sometimes gives us challenges for our ultimate benefit. Everything He does is the absolute best for us. Always. We have been under Hashem's watch, we are under His watch, and we will forever remain under His loving watch. The best thing we can do is strengthen our belief that there is nothing in the world besides Him, and strive to be the best servants of Hashem we can be. It is always our deeds and our tefillot that determine how Hashem guides the world. Baruch Hashem, we have a loving Father watching over us at every moment. That knowledge alone should give us the greatest sense of peace and strength.

The Sefer Emunash Shalema quotes the Sefer Mitzvot Zemaniyot , who teaches that it is incumbent upon us to thank Hashem for everything He created for our benefit—and that this form of service is the most powerful of all the mitzvot. The Midrash on Mishlei says that even though Hashem has millions of malachim singing His praises, all He truly desires are the praises of His children. The Kedushat Levi writes that one of the intentions of David HaMelech in composing Tehillim with such magnificent praises of Hashem was his awareness that thanksgiving and praise have the power to nullify all harsh decrees and transform them into mercy and kindness. Recently, I attended a Pidyon HaBen for the eldest of twin boys. During the seudah, the grandfather of the newborns shared the remarkable story that led to this joyous occasion. He explained that his daughter and son-in-law had been childless for nearly six years, with little reason to hope. Doctors could not agree on what the problem was; there were conflicting diagnoses, and they found themselves at a painful standstill. Then, last year, while living in Eretz Yisrael, the couple was taken to a certain rabbi for a berachah . When they arrived, the rabbi advised them to become people who constantly thank Hashem for everything. He acknowledged how hard it was for them to be happy in their situation, yet he told them how wondrous it is to express gratitude even when it feels impossible. He urged them to spend time every single day thanking Hashem for all their blessings—and even to thank Him for not yet having children. He gave them a sefer on the subject of hakarat ha-tov , and said, "In the merit of your thanking Hashem, you should be blessed with children." At first, it was difficult for them to feel genuine appreciation in their circumstances. But they persevered, practicing gratitude each day until their hearts began to change. Soon they truly felt grateful for everything Hashem had given them. A few months later, the woman called her father in America, her voice bursting with excitement. "It's a miracle!" she exclaimed. "Baruch Hashem, we're expecting!" The family rejoiced, celebrating with tears of happiness. But only three days later, tragedy struck—the pregnancy was lost. The joy turned to heartbreak. Yet in the midst of their pain, the husband gently told his wife, "Maybe this is our test—to see if we'll still be thankful after disappointment. Let's rise to the challenge and keep thanking Hashem, even for this." They continued their daily words of thanks with renewed faith. A few months later, another miracle occurred: she was expecting again. This time, it was double joy—they were told it was twins. Nine months later, she gave birth naturally to two healthy boys, and the family celebrated two berit milot and a Pidyon HaBen . (The earlier miscarriage did not affect the pidyon , since it had occurred very early on.) Thanking Hashem is one of the greatest acts we can perform—especially when it's hard to do. Each of us has so much to appreciate. And when we cultivate hakarat ha-tov , we draw down mercy, kindness, and blessing upon ourselves and the entire world.

Given by Rabbi Mendel Kessin Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #187 https://torahthinking.org This series of lectures provides an in-depth exploration of the nature of prophecy, Divine inspiration and spiritual states that were available in Biblical times, and will be prevalent during Messianic times.   Baruch Hashem! After 2 years of hard work, countless hours, and incredible teamwork, Rabbi Kessin's book, The True Power of Speech, is finally published! It's now available for sale at bookstores across the US and Israel, and on Feldheim's website and Amazon. We're so grateful for everyone's support along the way. May this sefer bring much inspiration and zechus to Klal Yisrael!

A woman once related that her daughter had been married for a few years without being zoche to have a baby. It was a stuggle that she herself could not fully relate to, yet she suffered deeply through it together with her daughter. It was painful to watch other family members and friends have babies so easily, one after another, while her daughter remained empty-handed. After several visits to their regular doctor, they turned to a specialist who identified the issue and devised a treatment plan. The process, however, included invasive and painful testing that needed to be performed at precise times of the month. Because of the upcoming holidays, they were forced to postpone the treatments, which was disheartening. She tried to remain positive, encouraging her daughter to stay optimistic and reminding her to trust in Hashem. Of course, they prayed together constantly for the best outcome at the best time. Then, out of nowhere, her daughter required emergency surgery related to the same issue. The surgery delayed things even further. She was devastated. She didn't want to be sitting in a hospital beside her daughter recovering from surgery—she wanted to be there with her daughter in the delivery room, holding her newborn baby. The frustration was mounting, and her emunah was wavering. Her daughter came home to recuperate, but seeing her in pain only deepened her struggle. Anticipating long months of testing and treatment ahead, she didn't know how she could continue. In her desperation, she sought the advice of a respected rebbetzin. She poured out her heart, explaining how hard it was to keep her faith strong and to support her grown daughter through such a difficult challenge. The rebbetzin listened, then offered advice that seemed almost outrageous. She said firmly, "You must thank Hashem for the surgery." That was all she said—no elaboration, no explanation. The woman was stunned. Thank Hashem for surgery? For delays? For pain? She thought to herself: I want to thank Hashem for blessings, not for setbacks and suffering. Still, she decided to follow the advice. Every day, as she prayed, she began to thank Hashem—not only for the good, but for the surgery, the delays, and the process itself. At first it felt strange, even forced. But gradually it became easier. It reminded her of the lesson her children had once learned—that true emunah means accepting Hashem's will as one's own, even when it doesn't align with our plans. Slowly, her heart shifted. She began to sincerely and wholeheartedly accept Hashem's will, thanking Him again and again. And then, the miracle came. Just one month later—without a single test, without a single medication—her daughter was expecting. They were stunned. Overjoyed. Beyond words. Not only had Hashem granted them the child they so longed for, but He had spared them the agonizing process of IVF. A few months later, she attended a shiur and heard a line from Pirkei Avot that resonated with her to the core: "When you accept Hashem's will, He will make your will His will." In that moment, she realized the truth of what had happened. Once she truly thanked Hashem and embraced His will, Hashem embraced hers. Today, Baruch Hashem, they have their miracle baby. Every single day they treasure her presence and appreciate the blessing she brings to their family. The lesson was clear and life-changing: thanking Hashem even for the difficulties, and accepting His will even when life doesn't go as we hoped, is among the most powerful forms of avodah. The more heartfelt and sincere the thank-yous are, the more transformative they become. At the very moment a person experiences difficulty, that challenge is truly the best possible thing for them. However, that does not mean that going forward it won't be best to get what he is hoping for. Thanking Hashem for whatever happens has the power to turn hardships into salvations and to open the gates for wondrous outcomes.

Given 10/12/2025 by Rabbi Mendel Kessin Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #186 https://torahthinking.org Baruch Hashem! After 2 years of hard work, countless hours, and incredible teamwork, Rabbi Kessin's book, The True Power of Speech, is finally published! It's now available for sale at bookstores across the US and Israel, and on Feldheim's website and Amazon. We're so grateful for everyone's support along the way. May this sefer bring much inspiration and zechus to Klal Yisrael!

Hashem sends us "love notes", kavayachol , from time to time to show us He's with us and how much He cares about us. Everything that happens is from Hashem, but when He makes it extra clear that He is involved, it gives us a lot of chizuk. A woman emailed that she had to bring her 3-week-old newborn to the hospital for testing and a procedure, and it was very stressful for them. While her and her husband were in the waiting room, her husband told her not to forget her siddur, as he pointed to it on the other side of the room. She knew she didn't bring her siddur to the hospital, but when she went over to check, she saw her name on it. They figured out her husband must have brought it when she was giving birth three weeks earlier. Now it was in the waiting room of the Nephrology Unit. That meant, Hashem took her siddur that had been floating around the hospital for three weeks and put it exactly where their baby was going to be when undergoing this procedure. They felt Hashem was giving them a kiss, kavayachol , and that made their experience much less stressful. Baruch Hashem, everything worked out okay. A man told me his son is older and not married. Last year, he was lighting the Chanukah candles in his dormitory feeling sad that all of his friends were in their own homes with their wives and children, lighting, and he was still in a dormitory. That night, he poured out his heart to Hashem and concluded by saying, "Please, Hashem, can You give me the merit of being able to light the Chanukah candles next year married in my own apartment? Baruch Hashem, this boy just got engaged and his future in-laws scheduled the wedding for the night before Chanukah. When he heard the date, he cried tears of joy, seeing how Hashem gave him exactly what he asked for. Another man told me, as a side job, he builds sukkot for people. He created his own sukkah which usually takes him days to build. This year, a new young couple moved into the second apartment in the two-family house he lives in. He told this couple that they would be able to use his sukkah any time. They were so happy because they didn't have a sukkah of their own. The night after Yom Kippur, this man had to take his baby to the hospital, and the hospital said they wanted to keep him there until he was completely healed. That meant that this man and his wife had to take turns staying with the baby there. Baruch Hashem, it looked like the baby was going to be fine, but throughout his time there this man was concerned he would not have time to build his sukkah this year. What were they going to do? The hospital didn't release the baby until late Thursday night with Sukkot being the next night. The man was hoping that somehow, because he builds other people's sukkot , this year Hashem would take care of his. Friday morning, he saw in his driveway a whole bunch of new sukkah panels. What were they doing there? He wondered. He asked his new neighbors about them and the man replied his parents had extra panels and asked him if he needed them. Since he didn't see any sukkah being put up in the driveway, he said yes, he did. It was a huge 12x20 sukkah , but there was no schach or wooden beams. The man said to him, "I have the schach and I have the wooden beams." It was a very easy sukkah to construct and, baruch Hashem, they had the nicest sukkah they ever had. The man told me, the feeling was amazing. Every year it takes him days to build his own sukkah . This year, when he wasn't able to, Hashem sent him a sukkah right to his doorstep on Erev Sukkot. Feeling the Yad Hashem is exhilarating. He sends everyone subtle messages from time to time. If we take them to heart, it will give us so much chizuk .

Every neshama that comes down into this world is given a mission: to serve HaShem from the exact circumstances in which He places it. To do that, a person must learn Torah and mitzvot, so that he will know exactly what HaShem wants him to do in every situation he finds himself in. Everything we do for HaShem only benefits us, for HaShem Himself does not need anything from us. And an integral part of our avodah is to do it with happiness. HaShem wants us to be excited about mitzvot and to feel that they are our greatest honor and privilege. He knows the nature of people is to feel joy in doing something for those who do for them. And so, HaShem not only gives us everything we have — He makes sure we know that it all comes from Him, so that we will be more excited to serve Him. In Parashat Ki Tavo, regarding the mitzvah of bikkurim (first fruits), the Torah says: וְהָיָה כִּי תָבוֹא אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר ה' אֱלֹקיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ "It shall be when you come into the land that HaShem your G-d gives you " Later it says: וּלְקַחְתָּ מֵרֵאשִׁית כָּל פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר ה' אֱלֹקיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ "You shall take from the first of every fruit of the ground t hat HaShem your G-d gives you" . And again: וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה הֵבֵאתִי אֶת רֵאשִׁית פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר נָתַתָּה לִּי ה ' "And now behold, I have brought the first of the fruits of the land that You, HaShem, have given me" . The Torah repeats again and again: "that HaShem your G-d has given you." Because if we truly recognized how much HaShem gives us, we would be overflowing with excitement to serve Him. The challenge is that we don't see Him making the fruit grow. We don't see Him writing the check, healing our illness, or bringing us our shidduch. Sometimes HaShem delays the gifts He has prepared for us, so that when they finally come, we will know exactly where they are from. A person struggling with parnasah, who prays with all his heart and then sees success, appreciates HaShem's blessing more than ever. From the very beginning, HaShem set this system in place. When Adam HaRishon was created, the Torah says the vegetation had not yet sprouted, כי לא המטיר ה' אלקים על הארץ —"for HaShem God had not yet sent rain upon the earth". Why? So that Adam would recognize the need to pray, and ask HaShem for rain. The more we recognize HaShem's Hand in giving us everything, the more joy we will feel in following Torah and mitzvot. Often HaShem makes His hashgachah peratit so clear that it cannot be missed. But even then, we must keep our eyes open. A man told me about an amazing story of hashgachah. His shul was writing a new Sefer Torah. The rabbi inspired everyone by speaking of the greatness of the mitzvah, and how it is even a segulah to have children. The man's son had recently married, and so he decided to sponsor Parashat Tazria, which begins with the laws of a woman giving birth to a baby boy. He did this in the hope that his son would be blessed with children. A few months later, to his amazement, his own wife became pregnant — after nearly six years since their last child. Baruch HaShem, the pregnancy was smooth, and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy on the very Shabbat when Parashat Tazria was read in shul. Incredible hashgachah! He had sponsored the writing of Parashat Tazria, which begins with the birth of a boy, and that very year, he himself was blessed with a son, born on Parashat Tazria. But here's the wonder: because he had donated the parashah in honor of his son, he completely forgot that he had even sponsored it. The miracle HaShem gave him slipped by unnoticed. Until later that week, his daughter dropped something in the car. As she reached under the seat to retrieve it, she pulled out a certificate. It was the certificate given to him by the shul, acknowledging that he had sponsored Parashat Tazria in the new Sefer Torah. When he saw it, he was stunned. He told me: "I didn't even realize what HaShem had done for me. But He loves me so much, He didn't want me to miss it. He made sure my daughter found that certificate, so that I would recognize His kindness." HaShem gives and gives and gives. The more we recognize it, the happier we will be to serve Him.

Given by Rabbi Mendel Kessin Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #184 torahthinking.org This series of lectures provides an in-depth exploration of the nature of prophecy, Divine inspiration and spiritual states that were available in Biblical times, and will be prevalent during Messianic times. Baruch Hashem! After 2 years of hard work, countless hours, and incredible teamwork, Rabbi Kessin's book, The True Power of Speech, is finally published! It's now available for sale at bookstores across the US and Israel, and on Feldheim's website and Amazon. We're so grateful for everyone's support along the way. May this sefer bring much inspiration and zechus to Klal Yisrael!

The Torah is the beginning of parashat Ekev promises the most beautiful rewards to those who adhere to the mitzvot . Rashi writes there that the Torah is speaking about the mitzvot that people trample upon and don't give enough respect to. Every mitzvah is such a treasure and, unfortunately, sometimes we take them for granted and don't treat them with the respect that is befitting them. Recently, a student of mine told me that he had allocated money for tzedaka and asked me if I could recommend a few people to give to. I thought of a friend of mine who is a mashgiach in a yeshiva in Israel and has a very large family. I knew he needed the help. I called to tell him of the money he was going to receive and he said, very excitedly, "Baruch Hashem, there's more to this story," which he proceeded to share with me. He said, like many others he is struggling with parnasa and on Shabbat Parashat Ekev , he read a story about a man who was also struggling with parnasa and he took upon himself to say Birkat HaMazon with kavana and very quickly his fortunes changed. My friend said to himself after reading that story, he had not been treating Birkat HaMazon the way it should be treated. He generally looks to avoid eating hamotzi and prefers mezonot instead. He felt like that was an insult to Birkat HaMazon . So from that day forward, he accepted upon himself not only to have more kavana when saying it, but to make sure to eat bread for breakfast every single day and have the zechut to say Birkat HaMazon . His wife is an excellent school teacher, but hasn't been able to find a job for the last three years, partly because schools generally want teachers there by 8:00 am, but because he has to be in yeshiva early, she has to send the little children off to school and can't start work until 9:00. Eight days after his kabbala , his wife received a phone call from a school asking if she would be willing to be their 5 th grade teacher for this year. This was on September 1, just days before school was starting. She told them she would love to but she wouldn't be able to get there until 9:00. Because they needed her so badly, they accepted her anyway. And just like that, after three long years, she had a great job. A few days after that is when I called him and told him out of nowhere he was getting thousands of dollars. That's when he told me about his kabbala to say Birkat HaMazon with kavana and to stop trampling on it and give it the respect it deserves. He added that last week his wife went to a resume specialist to see if she could somehow improve hers. The specialist told her she did it all wrong and would never get a job with that resume. She didn't even get a chance to fix it yet and, with the poor resume, she still got that job. Our mitzvot are wondrous. The more respect we treat them with, the more blessing we get in return.

Given by Rabbi Mendel Kessin Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #182 torahthinking.org This series of lectures provides an in-depth exploration of the nature of prophecy, Divine inspiration and spiritual states that were available in Biblical times, and will be prevalent during Messianic times.   Baruch Hashem! After 2 years of hard work, countless hours, and incredible teamwork, Rabbi Kessin's book, The True Power of Speech, is finally published! It's now available for sale at bookstores across the US and Israel, and on Feldheim's website and Amazon. We're so grateful for everyone's support along the way. May this sefer bring much inspiration and zechus to Klal Yisrael!

In this week's parasha, V'etchanan, we have, arguably, the most well-known pasuk in the entire Torah: "שמע ישראל ה' אלוקינו ה' אחד" This pasuk is the root of all of our emunah that Hashem is our G-d and He is the only One in control. The Gemara says in Masechet Sukkah (p. 42) that when a child is first able to speak, his father should teach him this line Shema Yisrael. With this, we are training our children and imbuing them with emunah from the earliest age. Something of such vital importance can't wait until the child is 5 or 6 years old, it must begin from the moment he/she can speak. We should not underestimate how much emunah our children can absorb. Emunah should be spoken about in the home and children should be trained from very young ages in it. I recently received an email which said, "Ever since I started listening to the Daily Emunah messages, it's as if I entered a whole new world. Growing up I was religious, but I never thought about Hashem too deeply or how He plays a role in our lives, but in the last two years, since I began listening, I became a whole new person. I'm so much happier and calmer and accepting and so grateful for the inspiring emunah lessons. I am a preschool teacher and one day, as my students walked into class, Hashem put a thought into my mind. I decided I was going to repeat a chizuk message in emunah to them in an age appropriate manner. I saw how they drank up every word with so much enthusiasm. I noticed how hungry their souls were for a connection to Hashem, even though they all came from religious backgrounds. From then on, every single day, I started repeating another chizuk lesson to them in a kid friendly way. It didn't take too long and I started noticing changes in my students' behavior. For example, little Esther told little Channah, 'I lost the snack that my mommy gave me this morning, but I am not upset because I know Hashem did it out of love and one day I'll find out why.' Channah replied, 'Did you make sure to thank Hashem for your lost snack?' This kind of talk has become the norm in my classroom, from just a little emunah message every day." I received a different email from a woman who says she speaks about emunah in her house all the time. It has changed the way her entire household thinks, and they are so much happier as a result. A few weeks ago, she was visiting her in-laws with her five year old son on Shabbat and, while he was playing outside, something banged into his eye very hard. There was no ice there so she took her son back to her house which was not too far away. While they were walking, she said out loud, "Baruch Hashem, I just remembered, I bought margarine right before Shabbat. That's the best thing to put on your eye." The little boy said in response, "Mommy, Hashem knew I was going to get a bump, so He told you to buy the margarine. He didn't tell you I was going to get the bump because then you wouldn't let it happen." The proud mother was so grateful for her little boy's response. His immediate thought that Hashem put it in her brain to buy the margarine just for him was so beautiful. He's only five. Emunah is for the very, very young as well. As a note of advice, if a very young child gets a bump and we tell him it was from Hashem for his best, he might not take it the right way, he might even come to resent Hashem because, at that time, the child is in pain. The key is to teach the child the lessons beforehand so that the child, on his own, will say it's from Hashem for his best. And when the child does that, we should make him feel so special and tell him how proud Hashem is of him for having that emunah. Shabbat Shalom.

A man told me that his wife had been a little negligent about something he had asked her to do multiple times. Unfortunately, as a result, their children were placed in a potentially dangerous situation. Baruch Hashem, everything worked out in the end, but he was extremely upset. He felt his wife had put their children in danger unnecessarily, and he had every reason to be shaken. Later that same day, while at home, he decided to learn a bit. The only sefer easily available was an ArtScroll volume of Masechet Shabbat. He randomly opened it to daf 32 ( ל״ב ), where the Gemara discusses how serious it is to place oneself in a dangerous situation. Reading it made him feel validated in how upset he was with his wife. But then, just a few lines later, he read something that shook him to the core: the Gemara says that someone who neglects learning Torah causes danger to their children. He read the line again and again. Suddenly, it hit him — he himself had been negligent in learning. He had never truly committed to a regular seder, always coming up with excuses, telling himself it wasn't realistic right now. And then he remembered something else. Just the day before, he had randomly chosen to listen to a shiur from a rabbi he had never heard before — a class recorded over ten years ago, out of thousands he could have selected. It was on the topic of Elul and Teshuvah, even though we're now in the month of Av. And incredibly, that rabbi spoke directly to the exact excuse this man had been telling himself for years. The rabbi explained why that excuse doesn't hold up, and how important it is for every Jew to carve out time to learn — even in a busy life. Now, in the span of 24 hours, Hashem had sent him three clear messages: His wife's mistake led to a danger that got him very worked up. The Gemara he "happened" to open addressed his exact situation showing him he was more guilty than his wife. The shiur he "randomly" chose directly called out his long-held excuse. He said, "I couldn't believe the hashgachah pratit. It was all connected. Hashem was clearly sending me a message, and this time, I didn't want to miss it." He picked up the phone, called his rabbi, and said, "It's time. Please help me start a serious learning schedule." Hashem speaks to us in different ways, at different moments. But it's up to us to open our hearts and pay attention to the message. Another man shared with me that from the time he graduated high school until the age of 35, he didn't put on Tefillin even once. He had drifted far from the path he was capable of being on. He loved his children dearly and would do anything for them. One day, his wife gently said, "Would you mind putting on Tefillin just for a few minutes each day — not for yourself, but so the kids can see their father wearing Tefillin?" That comment hit him like a ton of bricks. He realized how far he had gone — so far that his wife had to ask him to put on Tefillin, not even for Hashem, not even for himself, but just as an example for the kids. The very next day, he put on his Tefillin. He said he felt something special — something he hadn't felt in years. Slowly, one small step at a time, he began to come back. He started attending shul. He began learning Torah. Today, that same man has children learning full time, and he himself is growing stronger and stronger in his Avodat Hashem every single day. He is grateful beyond words for that moment that woke him up — that small comment that sparked something great. Every person is given opportunities for inspiration. Some are subtle, some are loud. Hashem wants all of His children close to Him, and He lovingly sends each one the exact kind of message they need. But it's our decision whether or not we act on it. We are getting closer and closer to the time of Yemei HaMashiach, when Hashem will fully reveal Himself to the world. Then, the tests we face now — the quiet, hidden tests of Emunah and consistency — will no longer exist. There will be no more confusion, no more doubt. But also, no more chance to grow through struggle. Now is the time. Now is the chance to grow in Torah, to grow in mitzvot, to become the people we are meant to become. Let's take the messages from Hashem and let them move us forward. Even one step today can change our entire life. And that one step can affect generations.

Given by Rabbi Mendel Kessin Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #182 https:// torahthinking.org This series of lectures provides an in-depth exploration of the nature of prophecy, Divine inspiration and spiritual states that were available in Biblical times, and will be prevalent during Messianic times. Baruch Hashem! After 2 years of hard work, countless hours, and incredible teamwork, Rabbi Kessin's book is finally published! It's now available for sale at bookstores across the US and Israel, and on Feldheim's website and Amazon. We're so grateful for everyone's support along the way. May this sefer bring much inspiration and zechus to Klal Yisrael!

The chiddushim of Rav Aaron Leib Steinman on the topic of Shidduchim were recorded in the sefer Ke'ayal Ta'arog , compiled by his students. There, Rav Steinman is quoted as saying that in our times, when we are faced with decisions about Shidduchim, we often forget the most basic principle: Shiviti Hashem l'negdi tamid —I place Hashem before me always. The question should be, "What does Hashem want me to do in this situation?" Too often, a person focuses on what they will gain from a match, rather than what Hashem's will might be for them. And this, Rav Steinman said, is one of the central challenges people face today in Shidduchim. When people hear about a potential match, do they ask themselves, "What would Hashem want me to say?" Or do they worry, "What will others think?" Concerns arise: "Is the family on the same status level as mine?" "Do they have as much money?" "Have their other children married important people?" Rav Steinman explained that when someone thinks, "How can I say yes—what will others think if they see us together?" That is a sign of too much ga'ava —pride. And that, he taught, is part of what it means when Chazal say that Shidduchim are as difficult as Kriyat Yam Suf , the splitting of the sea. A person's middot can block them from finding their intended match. Rav Chaim Volozhiner also emphasized this point. He said that it is forbidden to have ga'ava when it comes to Shidduchim. The only question one should ask is whether the other person will be good for them based on their middot and their yirat Shamayim . There is nothing wrong with a boy marrying a girl older than him. There is nothing wrong with a wealthy family marrying into a family of lesser means. And there is certainly nothing wrong with a Jew from one background marrying a Jew from another background. A woman recently told me a story that illustrates this point. Her daughter became a kallah at the age of 29. For years, her family prayed, tried all sorts of kabbalot , and did everything they could to find her match. But year after year passed, and the process only became more difficult. One day, her mother had to deliver something to a home in another neighborhood. When she knocked on the door, a young man—around 30 years old—answered. He was kind, soft-spoken, and showed beautiful middot. The mother took note and, upon returning home, called a shadchan to inquire about him for her daughter. Everything sounded wonderful—except for one detail: he was Chassidish , while their family was Litvish . The cultural differences felt too wide, and so she declined the match. But word got back to the boy's family that someone had inquired about him. Curious, they looked into the girl and were very impressed. They asked their own shadchan to follow up and try to arrange a meeting. But again, the girl's mother declined. Later that year, the name came up once more. This time, the daughter said she was open to trying. They went out—and found that they were extremely compatible. Baruch Hashem , they got engaged. Yes, there will be differences. Where she comes from, men wear black hats. Her chatan is going to wear a shtreimel . Her community dresses in short jackets; he is going to wear a long bekeshe . There will be differences in dress, possibly in language, and even in food. But they share the same values and the same dedication to Torah and middot. Together, B'ezrat Hashem they will build a beautiful Jewish home. What other people say does not matter. Last names do not matter. The only thing that truly matters is: What does Hashem want us to do!

For a 10% discount on Rabbi David Ashear's new book LIVING EMUNAH VOL 8 click the link below https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422644645.html The pasuk says at the beginning of this week's parasha that Balak saw all that Yisrael did to the Emorim and he became afraid. Rav Moshe Sternbuch asked, why did Balak become afraid specifically from the Jew beating the Emorim ? They had done much greater things before this which should have caused Balak to become afraid of them, like obliterating the Mitzrim or Kriyat Yam Suf . The Rabbi quoted from the Kli Yakar who answered, what Yirsrael did to the Emorim is referring to a different episode, namely when Yaakov Avinu, whose name is also Yisrael, defeated the Emorim with his tefilot back in parashat Vayechi , before Yetziat Mitzrayim . Balak said to himself, if the Jews can take down an entire nation using their prayers, how are we going to stand up to them? This is why he hired Bilaam, who also had powers with his mouth. Later on in the parasha , when Bilaam blessed the Jewish People, he was in awe of how they wake up every morning like lions to grab mitzvot , putting on tallit and tefillin and reciting keriyat shema . These are our greatest treasures. The more we use the power of our mouths for good, the more blessing will come down from Hashem. Rabbi Elimelech Biderman related a story that a rabbi from New York told him. The rabbi said this past year around Hanukah time, he read an amazing story about an older boy who was having a lot of difficulty finding his zivug. Baruch Hashem, this year, that boy got engaged on Thursday night, the 11 th of Kislev. At his engagement, his younger ten year old brother showed him a piece of paper which had written on it, Today the 21 st of Cheshvan, year 5781, Saturday night, I, so and so, accept upon myself to say kriyat shema looking inside the siddur and having kavana in each word in the merit that my brother gets engaged by the 11 th of Kislev . And that's exactly what happened. He said shema every night the way he's supposed to and his brother got engaged on the 11 th of Kislev. The rabbi in New York got so excited after reading this story, he related it to his own family at the Shabbat table that week. He also had an older son not married and he also has a ten year old son. When his ten year old heard that story, he accepted upon himself on Rosh Chodesh Shevat the same kabbala . He wrote on a piece of paper, For 30 days, I will say kriyat shema al hamita from a siddur the right way in the zechut that my brother gets engaged. On the 30 th night, that young boy fell asleep without saying shema . The next morning, when he realized what happened, he started to cry. He told his father that he took on this kabbala and did it for 29 days in a row but then missed it last night. His father told him not to worry, it didn't hurt his kabbala . He said, "You accepted 30 days and you did 29 of them." The father then told his son to do the last day that night and it will still count. Amazingly, the very next day, on the 2 nd of Adar, 31 days from the time this boy made his kabbala , which was also the day he finished his 30 days, his brother got engaged. We have tremendous powers with our mouths. We can say kind words to others, we can read Tehillim , we can learn Torah, we can pray to Hashem. These are our strengths. This is what Balak feared, and this is what Bilaam knew was our secret. Let us utilize these precious gifts that Hashem gave us and do them all the right way.

A young man was diagnosed with leukemia, Lo Aleinu. Baruch Hashem, he is now responding well to treatment. One day, his rabbi noticed that he was praying the Amidah with deep concentration and asked what inspired such intense kavanah. The young man replied that his doctor had recently explained to him how cancer begins. He said, "If even one single cell in the body mutates and begins to do the wrong thing, and then multiplies, it can become cancer." The young man continued, "I learned that the human body has more than 37 trillion cells, and all it takes is for just one to go off track." This struck him deeply. He began to think about the 37 trillion cells in his body that were doing exactly what they were supposed to, every moment. He realized how much he owed Hashem and felt an urge to say thank you for each and every one. So he did the math: if he wanted to say thank you for each cell, and it took just two seconds per "thank you" with real kavanah, and he did it nonstop 24 hours a day, how long would it take? His calculation came out to nearly 2.5 million years . That's what inspired him to say the Amidah with more heart and awareness—because he realized how Hashem is sustaining him with countless daily miracles. Each microscopic cell in our body is like a miniature city, with roads, factories, and workers. Cells contain tiny "machines" that produce energy, repair damage, send signals, and make proteins. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to every part of the body, completing a round trip in just one minute. There are about 25 trillion red blood cells alone. The cells send chemical messages to each other that instruct them to grow, heal, or repair. The brain, meanwhile, has 86 billion neurons firing electrical signals at lightning speed. Inside each cell lies a copy of a person's DNA, a blueprint so compact that if stretched out, it would measure six feet long—but it's packed inside something invisible to the eye. Even as we sleep, these trillions of cells continue to work— repairing damage, rebuilding muscles, cleaning waste and growing new tissues. —without pause. We could never fully thank Hashem for all He does for us. But we do get an opportunity each time we say "Asher Yatzar" to acknowledge and appreciate the intricate wonders of our body. We conclude that berachah by saying: רופא כל בשר ומפליא לעשות — "Healer of all flesh and Performer of wonders." Those wonders include our immune system, our blood cells, our nerve cells, our brain cells, our skin, our organs—and everything else that keeps functioning perfectly without our even noticing. Rebbetzin Silverstein recently shared a remarkable story. A mother had a child who could not control his bladder or bowels, and because of it, he was unable to attend school. Doctors could not help, and the parents were devastated. Then, the mother learned about the segulah of saying Asher Yatzar slowly, with kavanah, standing still, and reading it from a printed card. She began doing this every single time. Just a few weeks later, her son was miraculously healed. The doctors were stunned. The mother also said that recently, while shopping, she needed to use the restroom but couldn't find her Asher Yatzar card. She felt torn—not wanting to lose her kavanah. Just then, as if sent from Heaven, a man walked in and hung up an Asher Yatzar card on the wall. She was overwhelmed with gratitude. Hashem had answered her need at the perfect moment. We could thank Hashem every minute of our lives and still not come close to what He deserves. But the thanks we do give—if offered with heart and focus—can be incredibly powerful. Let us treasure every breath, every heartbeat, and every functioning cell—and use our moments of awareness to thank the One who never stops giving. If anyone would like to read a short write-up on specific kavanot to have during Asher Yatzar, click on the link at the bottom of today's transcript. To receive the email, you can sign up at livingemunah.com or send a request to livingemunah123@gmail.com . https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pyh95lif97je64ncdavei/Asher-yatzar-booklet-inside.pdf?rlkey=ypna9iig1pfqhrmif6bzpktqt&st=1ti1iv74&dl=0

Given 7/9/2025 by Rabbi Mendel Kessin Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #181 torahthinking.org   Baruch Hashem! After 2 years of hard work, countless hours, and incredible teamwork, Rabbi Kessin's book is finally published! It's now available for sale on Feldheim's website, and will be hitting bookstores across the US and Israel soon — as well as Amazon. We're so grateful for everyone's support along the way. May this sefer bring much inspiration and zechus to Klal Yisrael!

Rabbi Vann

It is so calming to know how involved Hashem is in every detail of our lives. He cares deeply about everything we do, and He is constantly with us, guiding us every step of the way. A woman shared that she had just moved into a new home and needed to buy curtains. One night, she planned to browse online, and in her excitement, she hurried through cleaning up dinner—but forgot to say borei nefashot . She sat down with her husband, opened their laptop, and began typing the word "curtains." After typing the first four letters—C-U-R-T—she looked at the screen and froze. The language bar was still set to Hebrew from when her husband had last used it. On a Hebrew keyboard, typing those four letters spells out: בורא ( boreh ). At that moment, she remembered she had forgotten to say borei nefashot . She said she usually typed without looking at the keyboard, and had she done so now, she would have realized on the first letter that the keyboard was in Hebrew. But this time, Hashem made her look down—just so she would type the word boreh and be reminded of the berachah she had missed. Another story was shared by a man who was looking for a good chavruta to learn with his son at night. He mentioned it to his wife, and she suggested a specific nephew who would be perfect. The problem was that his son was in high school, while the nephew was already learning full-time in a beit midrash with a chavruta his own age. It seemed unlikely that he would want to learn with a high school student. Still, the man had hope. At 11 o'clock that night—perhaps too late to call—he decided to send a text asking if it was a good time. The nephew replied that he was still in yeshiva talking to his chavruta, and that he would call shortly. When he called, the uncle asked if he'd consider learning with his son. The nephew's response left him speechless: "That's exactly what I was just talking about with my chavruta," he said. "I've been thinking I want to start learning at night with a high school boy." Amazing! Hashem had planted the idea in the nephew's mind just before his uncle reached out. Hashem knows the future and arranges everything in advance to help us. A woman who works in an office building said that one morning, her regular parking spot was taken, so she had to park somewhere else. That day, she especially needed to leave quickly after work. When she returned to the lot, she saw three Hatzalah vehicles completely blocking her usual spot. But the place where she had parked was totally clear. She immediately thanked Hashem for arranging in advance that she wouldn't be blocked when time was so tight. Another woman recalled something that happened 15 years ago. She had read an article about children who suddenly developed extreme OCD-like behaviors or severe emotional swings. The article explained that these behaviors could often be traced to untreated strep or Lyme disease—and once treated, the children returned to normal. For some reason, she was drawn to the article and even clipped it out, along with letters from parents describing what their children went through. Thirteen years later, her own child suddenly changed. Her behavior became extremely negative. Therapy didn't help, and she couldn't attend school. No one could figure out what was wrong. Every day, this mother prayed to Hashem to open her eyes and show her the solution. Then one day, she suddenly remembered that article. She found it, reread it, and had her daughter tested for strep and Lyme. Baruch Hashem , they found the cause. With proper treatment, her daughter returned to her normal self within weeks. She thanks Hashem for planting the interest in that article so many years earlier. It turned out to be the key that helped save her daughter. Hashem is with us every second of the day—guiding us, helping us, preparing everything in advance. We need to recognize His hand in our lives and constantly thank Him.

FRUIT LOOPS This week is a review of our mini-series of Walking on Water as a prophecy of the Greater Exodus. Walking on Water has been a mini-series full of encouragement and hope. It grew from this verse in the Song of Songs: "Awake, O north wind, And come, wind of the south; Make my garden breathe out fragrance, Let its spices be wafted abroad. May my beloved come into his garden And eat its choice fruits!” (4:16) To wrap up our series, let's review some key points. First, the walk through the Reed Sea is connected to the separation and gathering of waters at the Creation in Genesis One as well as the Tree of Life and the River of Life in Revelation. That's quite a swim, so Baruch HaShem we can walk on water! What those Creation and Revelation bookends have in common is fruit trees along the water. This fruit symbolism appears in natural cycles, which reflect fruit cycles in their spiritual cycles. The natural world is merely the parable of the spiritual world, but by studying the creation, we can see the spiritual fruit cycles to which we will be in perfect tune in the millennial kingdom of Yeshua. This is one reason it is so important to study and practice the feasts of Scripture, which are themed around agricultural themes. Israel works the fields to produce natural fruits which are offered as tithes, firstfruits, and offerings. The natural is elevated to the spiritual realm where it is perfected, just as those resurrected from the dead will be planted mortal, yet raised immortal, fully equipped to function in either the natural or spiritual world. The feasts of Adonai loop year after year, offering believers an opportunity to be nourished by His fruit loops. No artificial dyes, added sugar, or whatever else it is that makes Froot Loops bad for you. This is fruit for those entering the Kingdom as little children, needing nourishment for maturity when they emerge from the water: Bahya writes. When they were walking in the sea and their children cried, the mother took an apple or a pomegranate and gave it to the child. There were apple trees and other fruit in the sea. The Holy One made them grow quickly and had fruits in the sea. *Bahya, Exodus, 14:22. [Tze'enah Ure'enah, Beshalach] *The Bahya text is a reference to Midrash Rabbah to Shemot 21§10 (Exodus 14:21-22) The trip over the water-and-earth-bridge of the sea provided a taste of Eden. Not a complete transition to the Garden, but a brief experience, like their everwear clothes and sandals, food, and water. What did the water bridge provide? It lifted their feet from the natural earth, supplying a cushion of purifying water for the swift journey. Things that ascend to the Garden in a physical body must pass through fire or water to purify them for holy use. “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” If we sanctify ourselves on earth, Adonai sanctifies and perfects us in heaven. It is our duty, and it allows the world to be enticed by our odor of holiness instead of despairing that a holy walk is impossible or not even a fruitful one. We die to the sin slavery of the natural body, yet we live according the resurrection spirit of Yeshua. We have available the washing of water by the Word. This might explain Yeshua's washing of the disciples' feet...they would experience the supernatural, like Philip's rapid translation after he witnessed to the Ethiopian.  Our immersion in the water of the Word in the Torah cycles and feasts is like walking in Fruit Loops. As the mothers of Israel took fruits from the walls of water in the Reed Sea on the journey, so we enjoy the fruits of the Ruach when we enter the Kingdom as a little child. As we mature, we also bear fruit to give to others who are maturing by the River of Life, for we are a part of the Tree of Life. The crossing of the Reed Sea recalled the Creation, yet according to the Song of the Sea,

The Gemara in Masechet Avodah Zarah tells a remarkable story about Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, who was afflicted with severe intestinal pain. As a remedy, he required a particular apple cider that was produced only by idolaters. To ensure its kashrut—that it contained no wine—it needed to have been stored for seventy years. Naturally, Rabbi Yehuda was not in a position to wait that long. His attendants searched until they discovered a man who had an entire storeroom filled with seventy-year-old bottles of this cider. Rabbi Yehuda drank the cider and was cured. In response, he proclaimed: "Baruch HaMakom SheMasar Olamo LeShomrim" —Blessed is Hashem who entrusts His world to guardians. He praised Hashem for planting the idea in someone's mind to store that cider decades earlier, so that it would be ready at just the right moment. This story has a striking parallel in modern times. Recently, the American Air Force deployed fourteen bunker-buster bombs to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities that posed a threat to Israel. These were said to be the only bombs in the world that could penetrate the depths necessary to destroy the underground nuclear facility. These highly specialized bombs had never before been used in warfare. Developed about fifteen years ago, each bomb costs millions of dollars, and the aircraft capable of delivering them costs over $2 billion. These powerful weapons, designed and built long ago, had been waiting for the exact moment they would be used to protect Am Yisrael. Baruch HaMakom SheMasar Olamo LeShomrim. In the past week alone, we have witnessed numerous miracles—clear signs of Hashem's hand in our lives. A missile struck Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva, hitting the exact location of the internal medicine department. Yet miraculously, just the day before, the staff had worked with incredible urgency to evacuate all patients to an underground facility that had never before been used as a regular hospital unit. Only after everyone was safely relocated did the missile hit. What caused that sudden urgency? It was Hashem guiding their hearts. In Haifa, a Belzer family lived in an old building with no safe rooms and no bomb shelter. Sirens didn't sound in their area, but when they received a phone warning, they ran to the dining room and huddled under their table. Minutes later, their apartment took a direct hit. Half of it collapsed—but every family member, including small children, was rescued without a scratch. So many other miracles continue to emerge. Over 1,000 drones and more than 400 ballistic missiles were launched at Israel, and yet we were protected time and again. So many potential escalations could have taken place—Russia could have gotten involved, but Hashem kept them occupied with another war. China could have entered the conflict, but Hashem held them back. Baruch HaShem , the war has ended. May we always be zocher to recognize the loving hand of Hashem shielding His people from harm and orchestrating every detail of salvation—even decades in advance.

In a world filled with potential dangers, it's only natural for parents to worry about their children when they leave the house. Some are overwhelmed by fear, constantly imagining the worst, and this robs them of peace of mind. But a parent must recognize a fundamental truth: even when a child is physically near them, it is not the parent who provides protection—it is Hashem. He watches over us, and He watches over our children. And if, chas v'shalom , harm ever does befall a child, we believe with emunah sheleimah that it would have happened regardless of where the child was or who was with them. It is never the circumstances themselves that bring about outcomes. Everything happens only through the word and will of Hashem. Every day, there are countless unseen miracles where Hashem protects children—sometimes found in naïvely dangerous situations, yet guarded from harm. Knowing this should bring us calm: wherever our children are, Hashem is with them. As it says in Tehillim: " הנה לא ינום ולא יישן שומר ישראל " —Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. A Rebbe in a yeshivah shared a remarkable story. He had a student with a severe allergy to milk products. The Rebbe admitted that it was impossible to personally guarantee that not even a crumb of dairy would reach this child—but he did his best and placed his trust in Hashem, the true Guardian. Still, the Rebbe took every precaution. Any student sitting near the allergic boy during lunch was required to notify him if they brought dairy. Most of the time, those nearby were considerate and only brought parve food. However, mistakes do happen. One day, a boy who sat next to him noticed he had dairy and immediately informed the Rebbe . The Rebbe called the allergic boy over to sit beside him instead. When the boy opened his lunch, the Rebbe noticed what looked like an American cheese sandwich. The boy was about to take a bite when the Rebbe quickly stopped him. The boy insisted, "It must be parve. My parents know not to send me dairy." But the Rebbe , not taking any chances, called the boy's home. The mother was alarmed. She said there may have been a terrible mistake—her other son had requested a cheese sandwich that morning, and it was possible the lunch bags had been switched. Sure enough, the sandwich contained real cheese. Baruch Hashem , on the very day the allergic boy accidentally brought a cheese sandwich, his friend also "accidentaly" brought dairy and reported it, triggering the Rebbe to call the allergic boy over—averting a potentially life-threatening situation. It was clearly the hand of Hashem. Hashem is our constant protector. He knows every danger and precisely how to guard us from it. Another story illustrates this beautifully. A woman shared that one evening, about a half hour before sunset, she and her husband decided to go for a walk in a forest near their home. While walking, they encountered three little boys who approached them, asking how to get back to the road. After speaking with them, the couple realized these were three six-year-old boys who were completely lost and had no idea how to exit the forest. They escorted them safely back and then called one of the mothers to let her know her children were with them. The mother was deeply grateful. She had been driving around searching for them in a panic. It was min hashamayim that this couple had decided—at that exact moment—to go for a walk. Hashem had arranged for His messengers to find those boys and lead them to safety. As it says: " כי מלאכיו יצוה לך לשמרך בכל דרכיך " —For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. It is not our job to live in constant fear. Our responsibility is to pray, to trust in Hashem, and to remember that no matter where our children—and we—are, we are always under His watchful care.

When a person recognizes Hashem's involvement in his life, he has a mitzvah not only to thank Hashem, but to also sing His praises. The pasuk says: " שִׁירוּ לוֹ זַמְּרוּ לוֹ שִׂיחוּ בְּכָל נִפְלְאוֹתָיו " — "Sing to Him, make music to Him, speak of all His wonders." (Divrei HaYamim I 16:9) We are meant to speak joyfully about the wondrous things Hashem does for us. Baruch Hashem, I have the zechut to hear so many stories of how people felt Hashem's hand in their lives. There's an email address where people send in their stories( livingemunah123@gmail.com ). I would like to share just a few that I recently received. What's so beautiful about some of these stories is how Hashem is involved even in the most mundane of tasks — something as simple as pressing a button. A woman who is an English teacher related that she had been working for years on developing an app to help students drill their English vocabulary. It was a long and exhausting process, and she hoped to secure a government tender that would allow her to sell the app to schools across Israel, helping her cover the high costs. But she hit a roadblock — the Ministry of Education wouldn't provide vendors with a list of schools and contact information. How could she sell her product without spending all her time manually searching for schools? Recently, while trying to look up a phone number on her computer — for the purpose of suggesting a shidduch — she accidentally pressed the wrong button. A file suddenly downloaded onto her computer. Curious, she opened it. To her shock, it was an Excel sheet with over 1,500 religious schools in Israel, complete with all their contact information. She had never even heard of such a list. But she didn't need to — Hashem had guided her fingers to press the exact button she needed. Another woman shared a story from a recent trip to Spain in late April. A nationwide power outage struck in the early afternoon, right as she and her husband were getting ready to catch a train to their next destination. The night before, she had purchased what she thought were train tickets via the railway app. But when she opened the app to confirm the departure time, she realized she had mistakenly bought bus tickets instead. She didn't even know that buses could be booked through the app! As it turned out, the train system had completely shut down due to the power outage, leaving passengers stuck for hours in the heat. Meanwhile, she and her husband boarded a comfortable, air-conditioned bus and arrived on time with no difficulties. Once again, Hashem had guided someone to press exactly the right button. A man submitted a powerful story about a fire that broke out a few weeks ago in fields near Beit Shemesh. He sent in a picture showing completely blackened, burnt fields surrounding a single patch of lush green. That green patch belonged to Moshav Matityahu — a religious moshav who keep Shemitah. The field manager was there as the flames approached. The trees — etrogim and rimonim — were in serious danger. But then, miraculously, the flames veered, forming a half-circle around this field, and moved on to burn the next one. Not a single tree of theirs was singed. It was clearly a bracha earned in the merit of keeping Shemitah. Tragically, the surrounding fields — which were not observing Shemitah — were all burned. Hashem can and does bless us in countless ways, sometimes in very visible miracles. One final story. A man had a specialist appointment last year. The waiting room had televisions playing on all sides, the volume blasting, and the content was extremely inappropriate. He tried his best not to look, but some of the images caught his eye and became lodged in his mind. He prayed deeply for Hashem to remove those images from his thoughts. A week later, he had a follow-up appointment at the same office. This time, before going, he poured out his heart to Hashem, asking not to be exposed to those same sights again. Miraculously, when he arrived, every screen was malfunctioning. The same clean advertisement played on a loop for the entire thirty minutes he was there. Other patients were complaining, but the staff could not fix it. Only he knew that it was an answer to his tefillah. Hashem is helping us constantly. It's our job to recognize His involvement, thank Him, and tell others about it. The more we speak of His wonders, the more aware we become of His presence in our lives — and the more reasons we find to sing His praises.

When our plans are suddenly canceled or unexpected mistakes arise, they often appear to be nothing more than unfortunate coincidences. In such moments, it's natural to feel disappointment or confusion about why things didn't go as expected. However, someone with emunah —faith in Hashem—understands that there is no such thing as a mistake. Everything unfolds precisely as it is meant to, even if the reasons are hidden from us. Most of the time, we're not privileged to see the full picture. We don't always understand why certain events deviate from our carefully laid plans. Yet sometimes, Hashem offers a glimpse behind the scenes, revealing how what seemed like a disruption was actually a necessary step in a greater design. A woman shared her experience from this past Simchat Torah . She had been eagerly preparing for a joyous Yom Tov, anticipating a full house with all her children and grandchildren. She cooked in advance, excited to host the entire family. But on Chol HaMoed , her three teenage sons expressed a strong desire to return to their out-of-town yeshivot for Simchat Torah . Though disappointed, she graciously agreed, recognizing how meaningful it would be for them. Then, on Hoshana Rabbah night, her married son informed her that he had missed his flight home from his in-laws. As a result, he, his wife, and their three children would be spending Yom Tov elsewhere. The vibrant family gathering she had envisioned quickly diminished, leaving her and her husband with unexpected quiet. On a whim, they decided to go to her husband's former yeshiva—where two of their sons would be spending the holiday. A room near the yeshiva became available that night, and they took it. They packed up the food she had lovingly prepared and made the spontaneous trip. Though out of character for them, the experience turned out to be profoundly uplifting. During the Yom Tov, two different people independently suggested a shidduch for their daughter—an alumnus of the very yeshiva they were visiting who was also there for Yom Tov . They followed up on the recommendation, and Baruch Hashem , their daughter is now engaged to that young man. A missed flight, a change of plans, and a last-minute decision to travel—all seemingly minor and natural occurrences—were, in truth, Hashem's orchestration to bring this family to the exact place where their daughter would find her zivug . In another touching story, a man shared how his 10-year-old daughter asked for a special siddur with her name engraved on it. He told her that was a gift he had planned for her bat mitzvah, over a year away. Not wanting to wait, she asked again. He gently explained that it was an expensive item and not something he could give her "just because," but he encouraged her to ask Hashem for it instead. He used the moment to teach her the power of heartfelt tefillah . Inspired, the young girl began praying earnestly each day for that personalized siddur . One day a few months later, her principal called her to her office. While she was there, the principal pulled out a beautiful sidur with her name engraved on it. She explained she bought it for her granddaughter but it was the wrong nusach. Being that the store wouldn't exchange it because the name was already engraved upon it, she was stuck with it. Then she thought of this girl in her school with the exact same name as her granddaughter and offered the sidur to her. And just like that, this 10-year-old girl received the sidur she wanted so badly. It looked like a mistake but we know there are no mistakes. Hashem wanted this girl to have that sidur and this is how He accomplished it. Her sincerity was moving—and a powerful reminder that no prayer is too small or insignificant in Hashem's eyes. Everything that happens is me'et Hashem and if we're able to internalize that, we'll have a much easier time dealing with the unexpected.

We begin the Seder with the Ha Lachma Anya , which speaks about the matzah and ends with the words, "Now we are still in Galut. We hope to be in Eretz Yisrael with the Beit HaMikdash before next year's Seder." Rabbi Ronen Sharabani gave a beautiful explanation in his new Haggada Me'afar Kumi about why we begin with this. Chazal tell us that the final ge'ula will take place in the month of Nisan. So, when the month begins, all of Klal Yisrael is hoping to be in Yerushalayim with the Korban Pesach by the night of the Seder. However, if Lel HaSeder arrives and once again Mashiach has not come, it could cause a person to enter the Seder with feelings of despair, thinking: "We've made this request of L'shanah Haba'ah B'Yerushalayim every year of our entire lives—and it still hasn't happened. What's going to give us chizuk to think that things will ever change?" For this, the Rabbis tell us to begin the Seder speaking about the matza. The Seforno writes on the pasuk describing Yosef Hatzaddik being rushed out of prison that this is the way of all salvations that Hashem brings—they come in an instant. Even when it looks like there's no hope in sight, things can suddenly change. And this is what happened in Mitzrayim. The pasuk says they were rushed out of Egypt without enough time for their dough to rise. Matza is the symbol of an instant salvation. And so it says about the future geula : פתאום יבוא אל היכלו —Mashiach is going to come suddenly. When we internalize that the salvations of Hashem come in an instant, we will never despair, because we know everything can change in a moment's notice. What we see today has nothing to do with tomorrow—and the same applies to the difficulties people are currently experiencing. No matter how long it's been, no matter how dismal it seems, salvation can always come in an instant. A woman told me she got married about twenty years ago and was looking forward to a joyful home filled with children. After seven long years of waiting for their miracle, they were blessed with a precious daughter who indeed filled their hearts with the joy they had hoped for. For years after that, they tried every possible method to have another child, but it wasn't working. They delved deeply into learning and practicing emunah , and then, with the advice of their rabbi, they decided to take a pause from all their efforts and instead focus on enjoying the life they had. Especially since they were making so many efforts, they risked attributing success or failure to their own actions rather than to Hashem. They spent a year focusing more on spirituality, adopting a healthier lifestyle, eating better, exercising regularly, and appreciating everything Hashem had already given them. Then they went back to the doctor to try another treatment. Everything was looking good. They were awaiting results from a certain test, and when the results came back positive, they were thrilled. Even the doctor was elated. He told them they needed to repeat the test two more times. The second time, the numbers were even better. But on the third test, the results took a turn the other way. After eight long years of waiting for their second child, it appeared that once again they were going to be let down. That night, they called a hotline for emunah , and amazingly, there was a story shared about a childless couple who had been told by their doctor that they would never have children. The husband went for a drive afterward to clear his mind, and when he returned home, he found that his wife had set the table with their finest china. She told him, "We're going to celebrate all we have, despite the sorrowful news." The next morning, at 5 a.m., they received a phone call from the fertility clinic saying it had been a mistake—and that she actually was going to have a child after all. This woman and her husband took that story as a direct message from Hashem. They picked themselves up and enjoyed that Shabbat more than ever. They sang with their 8-year-old miracle girl. They expressed gratitude and celebrated all the blessings that Hashem had given them. That Motzaei Shabbat , they went for another test, and amazingly, everything changed for the better. Baruch Hashem , that year, they were blessed with their second miracle baby. The salvations of Hashem always come in an instant. This is the chizuk we give ourselves at the beginning of the Seder, and this is something we must always keep in mind. B'ezrat Hashem , we should see the Geula Shelema and celebrate this holiday in Yerushalayim with the Korban Pesach. But even if that doesn't happen— even then —it doesn't mean the geula can't come a second later. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach.

If, lo alenu, a tragedy occurs and everyone who hears about it thinks "How could such a thing happen? The people affected are so righteous. How could they be suffering like this now? Isn't Hashem merciful? How could all of this suffering be considered mercy?" This is one of the most difficult questions in emunah to deal with. Emunah means to believe, even though we don't comprehend. We never change our emunah because of something that appears to contradict it. The Rambam wrote, in his Igeret Mussar, to his son, "כאשר תמצאו כתוב עמוק ומאמר נבוך – if you ever come upon something written that is very deep and obscure, whether it's something in the Torah, Nevi'im or Sifreh Chachamim – אשר לא תבינוהו – which is not understandable – ונראה כסותר פינות התורה – and it appears to be contradicting fundamental principles of Torah – אל תזוז מאמונתכם – do not budge from your emunah – עמדו בחזקתכם – hold on to what you have been accustomed to believe – והפחיתות ההוא חשבוהו בכם – and the fact that you don't understand what it's saying is just a result of your human deficiency – הניחוהו בקרן זוית – put it on the side for now and don't change your emunah because of a question." This is how we are supposed to think. If something happens in the world that doesn't seem to conform to what we know about Hashem. In the future, Hashem is going to give a big class on everything that ever took place in this world and, at that time, everything will make perfect sense, and we will see clearly how merciful and righteous Hashem always was. Now is when we have the opportunity to believe even if we can't see it. There is so much out there that we can't comprehend – Gan Eden, Olam Haba. When a tzaddik leaves the world, he has the most wonderful experience moving on to a much better place. We don't see what's going on on the other side. A Rabbi was once speaking to an audience about tragedy and he spoke about the real purpose of life and this world, namely to earn the merit to enjoy with Hashem for all of eternity. After the class, a young widow approached and said, "I believe everything you said, Rabbi, and I know my husband couldn't be happier now where he is in the Olam HaEmet. But what about me? How am I supposed to go on, raising little children by myself? The pain I'm going through is too great to bear. I can't imagine being able to live another day like this." The Rabbi felt this young woman's pain and tried to empathize. He then said he knows a man personally who experienced a similar tragedy and lost his young wife suddenly. He was left with little children to take care of all by himself. At that time he was saying the same words: He can't imagine to go on in the position he's in. How could he continue with the pain? How could he possibly raise those children without his wife? About a year later, this man got up to speak in front of hundreds of people at an Azkara for his wife. He said there, he wants to publically give hakarat hatov to Hashem for the help He has provided him with during that first difficult year. He said although he was not able to work that much because he was tending to his children, he had one of the best years financially that he ever had. He thought that the day to day life was going to be impossible, but he said Hashem gave him strength to persevere. Baruch Hashem his children are happy and well taken care of. And he has received an outpouring of love from so many friends and relatives. Even during the darkest times, when it is so hard to see Hashem, He is there holding a person's hand every step of the way, kavayachol saying, "I wish you could understand why this had to happen. One day you will, but for now, don't worry, I will be here for you. I will give you the strength that you never thought you could have." In this world, our emunah is tested, but if we hold on tight and trust in Hashem we will reap the greatest rewards.

We say everyday in Pesukei DeZimra , " אהללה ה' בחיי . The Ketav Sofer explains that this means we should praise Hashem simply for the gift of life itself. " אזמרה לאלוקי בעודי "—I will sing to Hashem for all the extras He gives me. When we truly recognize our blessings, we will not only praise Hashem, but we will sing to Him with joy. There are so many potential dangers in the world, and Hashem, who is the Shomer Yisrael, is constantly watching over us. We have no idea about how much Hashem protects us, but we do know that He does, and we must thank Him for that, too. A rabbi shared how his wife went for a routine checkup. Since she was over 50, the doctor recommended a colonoscopy. She delayed the appointment several times until, one day, she received a message asking if she wanted a Cologuard test kit, which allows for an at-home screening. She agreed, and days later, two kits arrived instead of one—an apparent mistake. Since they had an extra, she told her husband to take one as well. They both sent in their samples, and the doctor informed her husband that his results were positive, requiring further examination. Although he had no plans to undergo a colonoscopy, he now had no choice. During the procedure, they removed polyps and discovered additional growths requiring surgery. Everything moved quickly from that point. They were able to get appointments due to last-minute cancellations. On the day of the surgery, the doctor informed him that if the growth was too close to the rectum, they would not be able to reconnect it, and he would have to wear a bag for the rest of his life. Baruch Hashem , the surgery was a success. It took an hour and a half longer than expected, but they removed everything, and he would not need a bag. The rabbi sang the praises of Hashem. He had no idea how much danger he was in, yet Hashem sent him exactly what he needed—through the mail—to save his life. Only Hashem knows the dangers people face and He has infinite ways of protecting them. Rabbi Binyamin Pruzansky shared a powerful story that took place last year on Erev Pesach in the Geula neighborhood of Yerushalayim. Rabbi Zev, a talmid chacham , went to Shacharit after spending nearly the entire night preparing for Pesach . He was scheduled to make a siyum for the firstborns at his shul . After tefilla , everyone gathered for the siyum . He was finishing Massechet Baba Kama. He went to the sefarim shelf to pull off a Hebrew Artscroll gemara to finish the masechet with. This masechet is divided up into three volumes in the Artscroll Shas. He opened the Gemara and began reading out loud. It was then that he realized he pulled out the wrong volume. The waiting men shifted impatiently as the rabbi went back to the sefarim shelf and pulled out a different volume. When he turned to the end of that massechet, he saw again it was the wrong volume. How could I make such a fool of myself twice? He silently rebuked himself. I must be much more tired than I even realized. Finally, on the third attempt, Rabbi Zev got it right. He read the last few lines and made the siyum. As the men began eating the celebratory cake, the door of the shul suddenly burst open. A man ran inside, announcing that there had just been a terror attack. Two terrorists had driven down the street trying to ram pedestrians. When they saw no one outside, they got out of their car and began shooting. Miraculously, their gun jammed, and no one was harmed. The people in the Beit Midrash realized that had Rabbi Zev pulled out the correct Gemara on his first attempt, they would have finished earlier and been outside at the very moment of the attack. We have no idea how much Hashem protects us every single day. It is our responsibility to thank and praise Him for the life that He gives us.