Today’s eMussar Lesson 30th Tishrei, 5771

eMussar – The Wisdom of Personal Growth
A daily inspirational, concise idea, with a suggested action.

A Heart of Love and Joy

THE AGADAH OF THE TALMUD

Rabbi Akiva said, “‘Love your friend as you love yourself’ – is the primary axiomatic principle of the Torah.” This ideal implies that there should be an equivalency between the love we have for others and the love we have for ourselves. Meaning, just as we want the best for ourselves, we should want the best for others.

If we don’t give with the complete love within our hearts, we are not quite fulfilling the principle. Therefore, we should give our friends everything in our capacity, without holding back any benefit that is within our power to give. For instance, we should share with them our wisdom, financial resources, time, and give them honor, etc.

Avraham Avinu was a master of loving others. Yet, if someone were to suggest to us that we should wait outside our house and find guests to invite for a meal, we would say, “I am not on that level.” However, if we fully accept the value system of the Torah, we will realize that there should be no bars on our hearts.

Conducting ourselves in the kind ways of Avraham is the true and ultimate pleasure. Meaning, when we open up all the chambers of love that reside within our hearts, we will discover our true selves. The pursuit of unbounded loving-kindness and good deeds will bring us true and lasting joy. By reaching out to others and giving them our “all,” we will experience a taste of the Garden of Eden.
[Based on Da'as Torah of Rav Yerucham]

TODAY: Allow yourself the joy of awakening the Avraham Avinu within you.

By Rabbi Zvi Miller.

New Blog Post: TESHUVAH: THE MOVIE IN MY MIND One Day of Teshuva for A Year of Aveiras

Daily eMussar

Salant Foundation’s eMussar(sm) gives you a piece of practical wisdom and perspective for your daily life…in just 3 or 4 minutes a day!

These practical character enhancement and personal growth tools stay impact your mind and your character….and you’ll likely have a chance to try out these inspiring insights and lessons almost every day.

Just so you know, “mussar” is the traditional name for the teaching of character development and personal growth. And Salant Foundation’s eMussar delivers this perspective to you every day via e-mail.

It’s FREE…so why not sign up now, please send email to salant@netvision.net.il or to salantorg@gmail.com

Source: My Email Subscription

eMussar” Copyright © 2010 by Rabbi Zvi Miller
and the Salant Foundation

Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth, 30th Tishrei, 5771

Motivational Quotes

Switch
How easily can we switch from one world to another? How smoothly can we exchange our noisy, busy environment, for a world of tranquil thoughts, a setting of serenity and light, calm and peace?

Often, we are guilty of spoiling even our quietest moments. We turn our attentions to the news or sports events, to music, eating, running around, shopping, traveling. Even the moments we give to prayer, we interrupt with noisy images and ideas. Thus, we turn away from the world of the spirit.

We need to look however, to do the opposite. We need to interrupt our hectic schedules, our mad activity, and give a moment to the heavens. We need to pause in the middle of the noise, and reconnect to the Creator — to the power of the world, to eternity. In this way, we draw success into our days.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

Visit the author’s site. Subscribe to “Keep Smiling“.

Visit Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s Blog “Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth“

SOURCE:

Self-Growth Qoutes, 30th Tishrei, 5771

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Pleasure Quotes

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Enjoyment
The more we enjoy the world around us, the more the world around us is ours.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

SOURCE:

Today’s eMussar Lesson 29th Tishrei, 5771

eMussar – The Wisdom of Personal Growth
A daily inspirational, concise idea, with a suggested action.

The Ultimate Enterprise

THE PSALMS OF KING DAVID\8:2

“HaShem, our G-d, how mighty is Your Name over all the earth; You place Your glory upon the heavens.”

The royal ministers were traveling to the palace with the glorious crown that was commissioned for the coronation of the new king. The elegant crown sparkled with gold and diamonds. As they approached the city gates, the ministers came upon some peasants who were plowing a field.

The ministers showed the crown to the peasants, who were amazed by the beauty of the crown. Then one of the ministers asked the peasants if they would trade their plow for the crown.

“The crown is beautiful but if we traded away our plows we would be unable to farm the land,” claimed one of the peasants.

“You are not thinking clearly,” said the minister. “If you possessed this crown you could sell it for millions of dollars. You could buy these fields and hire your own workers!”
The crown in the story represents the invaluable Torah. It is worth it for us “to trade some of our time” during the day for the precious gift of Torah study. The holiness, light, and eternal benefit that we receive from the Torah is worth far more than all the gold and gems in the world.

Even the angels desire the Torah, and proclaim, “You place Your glory upon the heavens.” For the words of Torah are set like radiant diamonds on HaShem’s Crown. Through the words of Torah HaShem created heaven and earth. May we embrace the Torah and connect to LIFE, itself.
[Based on the parables of the Chofetz Chaim]

TODAY: Set aside some time each day to study the holy Torah — and enjoy the light.

By Rabbi Zvi Miller.

New Blog Post: TESHUVAH: THE MOVIE IN MY MIND One Day of Teshuva for A Year of Aveiras

Daily eMussar

Salant Foundation’s eMussar(sm) gives you a piece of practical wisdom and perspective for your daily life…in just 3 or 4 minutes a day!

These practical character enhancement and personal growth tools stay impact your mind and your character….and you’ll likely have a chance to try out these inspiring insights and lessons almost every day.

Just so you know, “mussar” is the traditional name for the teaching of character development and personal growth. And Salant Foundation’s eMussar delivers this perspective to you every day via e-mail.

It’s FREE…so why not sign up now, please send email to salant@netvision.net.il or to salantorg@gmail.com

Source: My Email Subscription

eMussar” Copyright © 2010 by Rabbi Zvi Miller
and the Salant Foundation

Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth, 29th Tishrei, 5771

Motivational Quotes

Shining Sun
My lover, my sweetheart, has a gift for me. He has hidden it just around the corner. He is waiting for something — a smile maybe, or a laugh, for me to clap my hands in joy, in anticipation. Then he will produce his gift.

The Creator is our lover, our sweetheart. He wants us to enjoy the life He gives us — as it is. Moreover, He has a special gift. He has hidden it just around the corner. He is waiting for something — a smile maybe, or a laugh, for us to clap our hands in joy, in anticipation. Then He will produce His gift.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

Visit the author’s site. Subscribe to “Keep Smiling“.

Visit Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s Blog “Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth“

SOURCE:

Self-Growth Qoutes, 29th Tishrei, 5771

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Desire Quotes

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Passion
To be passionate about something means that that something affects every aspect of your life – your speaking, walking, eating, sleeping, etc. It’s fantastic, and wonderful. Choose then something important to be passionate about.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

SOURCE:

Today’s eMussar Lesson 28th Tishrei, 5771

eMussar – The Wisdom of Personal Growth
A daily inspirational, concise idea, with a suggested action.

Bring Light and Joy to Your Soul

PIRKEI AVOS\THE ETHICS OF OUR FATHERS 2:16

Rabbi Yehoshua said, A “bad” eye, the negative impulse, and hatred removes a person from the world.

Man stands at the gateway between the physical world and the spiritual world. The only creation composed of both a material element and a holy soul; he lives in both worlds simultaneously.

The purpose of man’s existence is to unite these two worlds. That is, to draw down holiness from the spiritual world into this world. We have the opportunity to sanctify this earthly realm, so that it becomes one with the holy world.

Since we are at the juncture we have the unique capability to access holiness. Yet, how do we bring down the sanctity from the higher worlds to the lower world?

When we perform Mitzvoth, we draw holiness, delight, and splendor upon our souls. The more Mitzvoth we perform, the more we elevate our lives. Ultimately, we reach a level of holiness in this world that is relatively equivalent to the holiness of Gan Eden!

However, if a person pursues negative thoughts and deeds, the holy light of Gan Eden does not shine on his soul. Therefore, he does not experience the sanctity of Gan Eden in this physical world.

May we pursue abundant Mitzvoth so that we fill our souls with holiness, light, beauty, and peace.
[Based on the commentary of Rav Nachman to Pirkei Avos]

TODAY: When you do a Mitzvah – heighten your awareness that you are drawing light and holiness upon your soul.

By Rabbi Zvi Miller.

New Blog Post: TESHUVAH: THE MOVIE IN MY MIND One Day of Teshuva for A Year of Aveiras

Daily eMussar

Salant Foundation’s eMussar(sm) gives you a piece of practical wisdom and perspective for your daily life…in just 3 or 4 minutes a day!

These practical character enhancement and personal growth tools stay impact your mind and your character….and you’ll likely have a chance to try out these inspiring insights and lessons almost every day.

Just so you know, “mussar” is the traditional name for the teaching of character development and personal growth. And Salant Foundation’s eMussar delivers this perspective to you every day via e-mail.

It’s FREE…so why not sign up now, please send email to salant@netvision.net.il or to salantorg@gmail.com

Source: My Email Subscription

eMussar” Copyright © 2010 by Rabbi Zvi Miller
and the Salant Foundation

Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth, 28th Tishrei, 5771

Motivational Quotes

According to His Praises
“A person is who his praises” (Mishle 27.21). What we admire, speak about and praise defines our inner self. When we praise the rich and mighty, we understand that these are our true aspirations. When we praise those who do good and help others, this reveals our true self (Shaarei Teshuva 3.148). Accordingly, we remake ourselves when we change who we praise — who we take an interest in, think about and admire.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

Visit the author’s site. Subscribe to “Keep Smiling“.

Visit Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s Blog “Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth“

SOURCE:

Self-Growth Qoutes, 28th Tishrei, 5771

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Desire Quotes

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Want to Want
It can be tough to want to live as we need to live. Still, we can want to want to live as we need to live. This too will improve our lives.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

SOURCE:

Today’s eMussar Lesson 27th Tishrei, 5771

eMussar – The Wisdom of Personal Growth
A daily inspirational, concise idea, with a suggested action.

Focus on the Good

PARSHA INSIGHTS\THE SAGES OF MUSSAR

After being saved from the great flood, Noah, uncharacteristically, drank wine and became intoxicated. Due to his drunken state, he fell asleep when he was unclothed. His son, Cham, saw that his father was uncovered and disgraced Noah.

Shem and Yafes, Noah’s other sons, heard of Noah’s predicament, and attended to their father with great honor. Each son took the corner of a blanket and walked backwards, covering their father, with their eyes turned away from Noah’s nakedness.

This incident reveals the base nature of Cham, in contrast to the dignified nature of Shem and Yafes. Cham fell to one of the pitfalls of human nature, i.e., judging and censuring others for their flaws. When he noticed a blemish in his father, he dismissed all of his numerous good qualities and classified him as a “lowly drunkard.”

In contradistinction to Cham’s pitiful reaction, the sterling character of Shem and Yafes prompted them to act in a noble manner. Not only did they not belittle their father’s uncomplimentary behavior, they turned their face away to avoid looking upon Noah’s shame. Even more, they immediately took action to “cover up” his disgrace.

The exemplary conduct of Shem and Yafes illuminates the high path of interpersonal relationships. Specifically, they committed themselves to always seeing the good in others, NEVER giving credence to negative spots.

In addition, they made noble efforts to “cover over” the flaws of others – crowning their fellow with redemption, dignity, and peace. May we learn from their goodly ways to uplift ourselves and all of those with whom we are associated.

TODAY: Focus on seeing a full measure of GOOD – in yourself – and others.

By Rabbi Zvi Miller.

New Blog Post: TESHUVAH: THE MOVIE IN MY MIND One Day of Teshuva for A Year of Aveiras

Daily eMussar

Salant Foundation’s eMussar(sm) gives you a piece of practical wisdom and perspective for your daily life…in just 3 or 4 minutes a day!

These practical character enhancement and personal growth tools stay impact your mind and your character….and you’ll likely have a chance to try out these inspiring insights and lessons almost every day.

Just so you know, “mussar” is the traditional name for the teaching of character development and personal growth. And Salant Foundation’s eMussar delivers this perspective to you every day via e-mail.

It’s FREE…so why not sign up now, please send email to salant@netvision.net.il or to salantorg@gmail.com

Source: My Email Subscription

eMussar” Copyright © 2010 by Rabbi Zvi Miller
and the Salant Foundation

Keep Smiling, 27th Tishrei, 5771

To those who read “Keep Smiling” before, I hope you will enjoy reading them once again…
Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

       An Apple

The apple you eat gives you energy. As you eat it, you release this energy. The energy moves from the apple, into you. The question is can you tap into this same energy without eating the apple?

In other words, an invisible power-line enters this world from higher realms. It penetrates the elements of this world. It allows them to perpetuate and interact with each other. It gives substance to waters, minerals, stars, seas and winds. It feeds the plants that feed the crawlers that feed the walkers, stalkers and other creatures of our planet. All this adds pleasure to our life.

To receive energy from this line, we must look to its stores — the packets of power that hold its gift. We must eat that apple. But this is only part of the solution…

We cannot gain full benefit from the apple until we see the power-line. We must appreciate that this goodness, together with all goodness, comes from the Creator alone. The apple may keep us alive. But we gain more — much more — when in that apple, we see the Creator.

Excerpted from: ““Be a King”“.

Have a growth-filled, uplifting day!

by Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

Visit the author’s site. Subscribe to “Keep Smiling“.

Visit Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s Blog “Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth“

SOURCE:

Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth, 27th Tishrei, 5771

Motivational Quotes

Food and Clothing
Do you have a food to eat? Yes? So, be happy. Do you have clothes to wear? Yes? So, be happy. Can you breathe? Yes? So, be happy. Are you alive? Yes? So, be happy.

That’s it. We really need no more. If we can focus on what we have — no matter how little it is — we can stop complaining, and just be happy.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

Visit the author’s site. Subscribe to “Keep Smiling“.

Visit Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s Blog “Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth“

SOURCE:

Self-Growth Qoutes, 27th Tishrei, 5771

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Desire Quotes

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

What we want
We need to want what is good, what is beautiful, what is magnificent. For it is what we want, what we really want, that we receive.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

SOURCE:

Keep Smiling, 26th Tishrei, 5771

To those who read “Keep Smiling” before, I hope you will enjoy reading them once again…
Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

       Desire

Whether we like it or not, we are pleasure-seekers. This is beyond our free choice. It’s something we cannot escape.

Still, we can choose what type of pleasure we pursue. Is it the pleasure of eating and drinking, lazing around the house, playing, chatting, shopping?

Or do we look for other pleasures — more spiritual pleasures? For example, we may seek the pleasure of being a dynamic personality — of doing great things; the pleasure of bringing joy to others — of making them smile; the pleasure of thinking — of walking and talking with the Creator.

Whether we like it or not, we are pleasure-seekers. Still, we can decide whether we choose purely physical pleasures, or spiritual pleasures as well.

Excerpted from: ““Be Happy and Succeed”“.

Have a growth-filled, uplifting day!

by Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

Visit the author’s site. Subscribe to “Keep Smiling“.

Visit Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s Blog “Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth“

SOURCE:

Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth, 26th Tishrei, 5771

Motivational Quotes

Enjoy Others
Look at the children playing in the garden. Doesn’t this give you pleasure? Surely, you can delight in their beauty, their simplicity? Surely, you can enjoy their laughter, their fun?

Look at old people, resting in their places. See worn hands resting on shining walking sticks. See lived-in faces with deep, warm eyes staring into the distance, gazing into an uncertain future. Surely, you could hug such a person?

So far, the exercise has been easy. Now, let’s take it one more step.

Start looking at all people in a new way, in a happy way. Some of them dress well, others are a little shabby; some are handsome, others are quite plain; some are easy to talk to, others are distant. Still, we can enjoy them all. We can take pleasure in their presence. We can see them as our friends, and wish them happiness and success.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

Visit the author’s site. Subscribe to “Keep Smiling“.

Visit Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s Blog “Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth“

SOURCE:

Self-Growth Qoutes, 26th Tishrei, 5771

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Beauty Quotes

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Cool
To remain cool and friendly on the outside, while turning our scream for help to the heavens alone…aah, now that’s an accomplishment.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

SOURCE:

Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth, 25th Tishrei, 5771

Motivational Quotes

A Favorite Friend
If a favorite friend gave you a gift — a gift that cost him thought and time, effort and money — you would be grateful. Even if you did not understand this gift, even if it did not suit your tastes, still you would thank him. You wouldn’t want to injure his feelings.

We must do no less then with the gift of life — the gift the Creator extends to us. We may not understand this gift — it may not suit our tastes — still, we say thank you. We don’t want to injure the Creator’s “feelings”.

Moreover — we must know — that if the Creator himself — the billionaire of all billionaires, the Creator of all creators, the Genius of all geniuses, the Kindness of all kindness, the Love of all love — gives us this gift, it must contain great value. There must be a prize beyond what we realize — a worth beyond what we know buried in this gift. We need to unlock its secret — its excitement and greatness — and find the treasure of life.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

Visit the author’s site. Subscribe to “Keep Smiling“.

Visit Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s Blog “Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth“

SOURCE:

Self-Growth Qoutes, 25th Tishrei, 5771

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Beauty Quotes

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Glory and Beauty
See the glory and beauty of the Creator in the world around you, and the glory and beauty of the Creator within yourself.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

SOURCE:

Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth, 22nd Tishrei, 5771

Motivational Quotes

Nothing Other
Even if we have nothing other than the Creator helping us through our lives, we have a fortune. For, as He has helped us from birth to this day, so we can well hope He will help us through to the end as well.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

Visit the author’s site. Subscribe to “Keep Smiling“.

Visit Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s Blog “Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth“

SOURCE:

Self-Growth Qoutes, 22nd Tishrei, 5771

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

Beauty Quotes

From “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book.

See Beauty
Focus on beauty, the culmination of all good attributes. See beauty in the world around you, the people in your life. See beauty in yourself, in the opportunities that await you. See beauty in this very moment.

By Rabi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

SOURCE: