The Healing Power of Love \ Parashat Mishpatim

D'var Torah: "You shall surely let go of your indignation" (Shemot 23:5). Imagine you are in the mall. As you are shopping you bump into your neighbor. You can't help noticing that he is shoplifting. He knows you saw him and he gives you a little smile and says, "Hi David," as if nothing happened. You are shocked and feel upset that he stole, but there is very little you can do about it without causing a scene. How should you veiw him in the future? The Torah has remarkable advice, "Let it go!" Forget what happened and let go of your critical feelings. It is a Mitzvah to draw him close to you with love and friendship! Maybe this positive approach will have a good impact on him and he will be inspired by your compassion to correct and improve his ways.   

Moral: Judgement and criticism of others is often counterproductive. The compassionate Torah has a game-changing idealogy: "Let it go," and win your friend's redemption by smiling on him with love, acceptance, and joy. 

Application: Emulate HaShem's compassion and forgiveness. (1) Let go of your judgements of others. (2) Respond to unsuitable behavior with love and friendship. (3) Give people the support and confidence to grow towards goodness and personal transformation. (4) Remember the healing power of love.   

(Based on the commentary of the Tomer Devorah, Chapter One)  

By: Zvi Miller & The Salant Foundation.

https://salantfoundation.org/

A Formula to Help Your Friend \ Pirkei Avot

A Formula to Help Your Friend \ Pirkei Avot 

D'var Torah: "Shamai said, 'Offer a little help and do a lot.'" Often people promise they will do a lot to help their friend in time of need. Yet, despite their assurances and good intentions, they end up doing very little. Shamai taught that it is best to make a modest promise to provide help for your friend. Ultimately, when your friend needs your support, do a great deal more than you originally promised. For example, when the three desert travelers came to Avraham Avinu, he told them, "I will serve you a little bread to eat." Yet, ultimately, he served them a sumptuous banquet.

Moral: When we offer to help others, it is appropriate to first express ourselves with humility and graciousness, and then actively help them with as much kindness as we can.

Application: Envision the kindness and gentleness of Avraham, offering to share a little  bread with the desert travelers. Sense how he welcomes them with care, sensitivity, and love. See him provide them with a sumptuous meal, personally serving them with kindness, warmth and compassion. Speak modestly when you volunteer to help others, and help them with the maximum effort you can make.

(Based on the commentary of Rashi to Pirkei Avos 1:15)

By: Zvi Miller & The Salant Foundation.

Daily Mussar:  Dated in May 31^st.

https://salantfoundation.org/

The Power of a Mother's Prayer \ The Secret of Rav Shimon bar Yochai

The Power of a Mother's Prayer \ The Secret of Rav Shimon bar Yochai

D'var Torah: Yochai was married for many years to a wonderful wife. Yet, sadly, his wife did not bear any children. With tears in his eyes, he asked her to accept a divorce, so that he could marry a woman who might bear him children. Yochai's wife asked him to let her try for one more year to have a child. Yochai agreed to her request.

With unshakeable trust in HaShem, a broken heart, and countless tears she prayed for a miracle, "Please HaShem, have mercy on us and bless us with a son."

One night, Yochai dreamt that he was in a forest of dry and leafless trees. Each tree was watered with a cup of water, and immediately the tree sprouted to life. Soon he came to his tree, which was next to a barrel of water.  The barrel poured water on to the tree, and it blossomed with leaves and fruits.

He related the dream to a sage and asked him its meaning. The sage told him that he would have a great son who would illuminate the world. Yochai asked him why the other trees had a cup, while his tree had a barrel of water. The sage answered, "The barrel of water symbolizes the overflowing tears of your wife."

MORAL: Faith in HaShem and heartfelt prayer with many tears has the power to convert darkness to light, heal every illness, and transform hardship into joy.

APPLICATION: Pray to HaShem with all of your heart and soul, and trust in His infinite mercy and kindness to answer all of your prayers.

(Based on the Zohar)

By: Zvi Miller & The Salant Foundation.

https://salantfoundation.org/