Daily Bitachon - delivered directly to your computer and/or mobile device https://itorah.com/daily-bitachon/sutton/all en-us Copyright 2026 iTorah.com Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:01:11 GMT Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:01:11 GMT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss itorahwebsite@gmail.com Rabbi David Sutton Daily Bitachon Podcast - Daily Bitachon By Rabbi David Sutton Daily Bitachon by Rabbi David Sutton: Building Strength from your love, faith and devotion to Hashem episodic Torah Learning Resources. itorahwebsite@gmail.com No https://learntorah.com/content/fb3f2591-41c8-4cd9-8d8d-72b1f6621e53.mp3 As we approach Elul, we always read Parshat Re'eh beforehand. The mnemonic for this connection is ראה רש אלול אלף הגיע ( "See, Elul is on its way" ). In Parshat Re'eh, we read: בנים אתם לה' אלוקיכם ( "You are children of Hashem your God" ). It is no coincidence that we receive this message as we begin Elul. As we mentioned, the theme of the month of Av is that God is our Father. As Av ends, we reiterate that we are the children of Hashem, and therefore: לא תתגודדו ( "Do not divide yourselves" ). As we leave Av, we transition into a new expression of love: that of a husband and wife— אני לדודי ודודי לי ( "I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me" ). We move from one loving relationship into another. Rav Wolbe writes that the ultimate goal of all mitzvot is love, as stated in the second paragraph of Kriat Shema : והיה אם שמוע תשמעו אל מצוותי אשר אנכי מצווה אתכם היום לאהבה את ה' אלוקיכם ( "If you will listen to My commandments that I command you today, to love Hashem your God..." ). The focal point of all mitzvot is to lead us to love. Conversely, every aveirah (sin) contains an element of hatred. Rav Wolbe quotes Rav Yerucham Levovitz, who explains that there is often a mixture of motives: an act of love can contain a degree of hatred, and within the heart, love and hate can coexist. For example, a parent loves their child, yet in a moment of frustration, discipline is applied. The verse states: חושך שבטו שונא בנו ( "He who spares the rod hates his son" ). We do not hate our children, but on a scale of 0 to 10—where 10 is ultimate love and 0 is complete hatred—we are not always at the ultimate expression of love. When a person commits a sin, they fall somewhere along this continuum. As we prepare for Elul, we must overcome the spiritual hurdles resulting from the destruction commemorated in Av. We pass through Av to rectify these flaws and prepare for the love of Elul and the end of Av. Rav Yerucham Levovitz explains in a sicha in his sefer Da'at Chochmah u-Mussar (as cited by Rav Wolbe) that the three cardinal sins represent ultimate hatred. On a scale of 0 to 10, when a sin reaches 10 (total hatred), spiritual survival is impossible—it creates a complete religious disconnect, which is why one must choose to die rather than commit them: Avodah Zarah (Idolatry): Represents total hatred and betrayal toward God by serving another deity. Shefichut Damim (Murder): Expresses hatred toward one's fellow man ( ben adam l'chaveiro ) as well as toward God. Gilluy Arayot (Forbidden Sexual Relations): While Rav Yerucham does not explicitly detail the nature of this hatred in his text, an explanation is offered based on the three spheres of human connection: man to God, man to his neighbor, and man to himself. Avodah Zarah severs the connection to God; Shefichut Damim severs the connection to others; and Gilluy Arayot causes a disconnect from oneself by degrading human dignity. As stated regarding the Sotah (the wayward woman), because her action mimicked animalistic behavior, her offering consisted of barley—the food of an animal. Gilluy Arayot demotes a person from their elevated human standing, causing self-destruction. This explains why individuals often experience self-loathing after such sins: the act itself is rooted in self-hatred. Rav Wolbe asks: How can the soul—described as a שלהבת יה ( "a flame of God" ), inflamed with divine love as depicted in Shir HaShirim —harbor a force of hatred that disconnects man from God? He brings a proof from the Gemara in Shabbat 105b, where Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri states that one who tears their clothes, breaks utensils, or scatters money in anger should be viewed as an idolater. Today the yetzer hara tells a person to do one small thing, tomorrow another, until it eventually entices them to worship idols. Anger demonstrates that a person is currently controlled by the yetzer hara . This is why on Yom Kippur we confess: על חטא שחטאנו לפניך ביצר הרע ( "For the sin we committed before You through the yetzer hara" ). While all sins involve the evil inclination, this specific confession refers to moments when the yetzer hara gains total dominion over us, such as through bouts of anger. Rav Wolbe proves this from Tehillim 81:10: לא יהיה בך אל זר ולא תשתחוה לאל נכר ( "There shall not be a strange god within you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god" ). What is the "strange god" ( el zar ) that resides inside a person? It is the yetzer hara . The word zar denotes estrangement. A person can become estranged from others, from God, and from themselves. Estrangement ( zarut ) is the exact opposite of belovedness ( yedidut ). Rav Wolbe notes elsewhere that the word ידיד ( yedid ) is a contraction of יד יד ( hand to hand )—one hand reaching out and another reaching back. The counter-force to this connection is zarut , which causes separation. Elul centers on אני לדודי ודודי לי , but it is continually challenged by this force of estrangement. God is called ידיד נפש אב הרחמן ( "Beloved of the soul, Merciful Father" ). Yet, zarut creates a sense of disconnection. For example, difficulty in maintaining concentration ( kavanah ) during prayer often stems from a lack of felt connection. If we truly felt close to our Father, prayer would flow naturally; estrangement blocks that feeling. Self-estrangement occurs when a person loses clarity about their own spiritual standing and no longer truly knows themselves. Remedying this is the core task of Elul: Connection to God: Represented by אני לדודי ודודי לי ( "I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me" ). Connection to Others: Represented by the acronym of Elul found in איש לרעהו ומתנות לאביונים ( "...sending portions to one another and gifts to the poor" ). Connection to Self: Hinted at in the verse ומל ה' אלקיך את לבבך ואת לבב זרעך ( "And Hashem your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring" ), where the initial letters of א ת ל בבך ו את ל בב spell Elul . The "foreskin" ( orlah ) of the heart acts as a barrier that blocks inspiration and disconnects the mind from the heart. Though the mind understands, the heart remains covered, creating inner division. The job of Elul is to serve as a time of restored connection and love—realigning ourselves with God, with our fellow human beings, and with our inner selves. Having passed through the period of destruction, we overcome the negative forces of hatred and work to revive the sources of love and holy connection. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/f2c033a0-e711-49c8-bf33-1be8d46a26ef.mp3 When we look at time, we don't usually think of it as a creation—we assume time just is , and that God created people, places, and physical things within it. But time is a creation, too. Nothing exists unless God creates it. While it can be hard to fathom, God created time, and like any creation, time has different "flavors." Just as places and people have different flavors, so does time. In our context, when we say "flavors," we really mean levels of holiness. But there is a crucial distinction: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry are different flavors of the exact same item—ice cream. When it comes to living creatures, an animal and a human aren't just two different "flavors" of the same thing; they are entirely different states of existence. As we know from the Kuzari's hierarchy, a Jewish person represents a distinct state of being. The same principle applies to holy places. The Beit Hamikdash was not just another physical location. Rav Wolbe, quoting the Ha'emek Davar , explained that when you walked into the Beit Hamikdash, you entered a completely different time zone and existence. As Rav Moshe Feinstein put it, walking into the Beit Hamikdash was like stepping into God's embassy—a place existing min ha'olam v'ad ha'olam (from this world to the next world). You were stepping directly into Olam Haba. Shabbat operates the exact same way. Shabbat is me'ein Olam Haba —a mini-experience of the World to Come. It isn't just a different flavor of time, like the difference between "Monday morning blues" and a Friday weekend mood. It is the difference between ice cream and pastrami—a completely different category of existence. Rav Matisyahu Salomon illustrates this with a story about the Chofetz Chaim. When the Chofetz Chaim completed writing the Mishnah Berurah , he hosted a large siyum . He invited a group of Talmidei Chachamim , and each day of the week, they celebrated a different volume, spending the day discussing its topics—Volume 1 on Sunday, Volume 2 on Monday, through Volume 6 on Friday. The guests assumed that after spending all week at his house, Shabbat would proceed as normal. Instead, the Chofetz Chaim called everyone together and announced, "We need to make another siyum ." Confused, they asked, "But there is no seventh volume of the Mishnah Berurah !" He replied that Shabbat had come to him and asked, "Why don't I get a siyum ?" Rav Matisyahu Salomon explains: because Shabbat is a higher dimension of time, from the perspective of Shabbat's realm, the siyum had not happened yet. It was an entirely different level of existence. This concept explains several other teachings: Sheva Brachot: The rabbis explain that on Shabbat, you don't necessarily require panim chadashot (new guests) at a Sheva Brachot meal. Why? Because Shabbat itself is so new and distinct that no one was truly there before—it is a whole new reality. Physical Being: The Chasam Sofer famously noted that while a medical test on people from different regions might show minor variance ("flavors"), the spiritual reality of a Jew who eats kosher food alters their physical baseline. The Nature of Food: Rabbi Grossman offered a parable of two cars that look identical, but one runs on regular gasoline and the other on diesel. Putting the wrong fuel into a car destroys the engine. Similarly, we consume unique spiritual food because we operate on a different plane of existence. The Beit Hamikdash had holy Korbanot for the same reason: higher states of existence require higher food. The Shift after Adam Harishon: Rav Moshe Shapiro noted that after the sin, Adam was told he would have to eat the grass of the field. Originally, bread grew on trees—meaning fully formed, ready-to-eat carbohydrates grew naturally like fruit. When Adam realized he was reduced to eating raw wheat from the ground like livestock, he lamented, "Am I and my donkey to eat from the same trough?" Eating the same food implied operating on the same plane of existence. Aseret Yemei Teshuva: Rav Moshe Shapiro also explained why we adopt additional stringencies like Pat Akum (refraining from non-Jewish baked bread) during the Ten Days of Repentance. By elevating what we eat, we demonstrate to Hashem that we are striving to exist on a higher, more elevated plane. This helps us answer a famous question about the days of the week. Midrashic sources teach that the days of the week are paired up (e.g., Sunday with Monday, Tuesday with Wednesday, Thursday with Friday), but Shabbat was left without a pair. Shabbat complained, and Hashem responded that the Jewish people would be her match. Why couldn't Shabbat simply pair up with Sunday or Tuesday? Because a match requires compatibility in existence—a giant cannot marry a regular human being because they belong to different categories. Sunday through Friday share the same mundane level of creation, but Shabbat belongs to a higher plane. The only fitting partner on that same elevated level of existence is the Jewish nation. This is the deeper meaning of Kiddashto Mikol Hazmanim —Hashem elevated Shabbat above all other times. As we enter Shabbat each week, let us appreciate and embrace the elevated state of existence we are privileged to step into. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/cdd7df71-4833-42f1-b19b-21c7899e12d4.mp3 Faith, Effort, and Overcoming Arrogance We promised you yesterday that we'd talk about the topic of pride and realizing Hashem is in charge—not just when it comes to money, but also when it comes to our strength and our wisdom. Physical Strength and Health Let's take strength first. A person exercises and loses weight. He thinks, "I lost the weight. I am healthy because I work out, take my medicine, and stay hydrated." What does that have to do with God? You might say, "Okay, God gave me the idea to exercise. Very nice." But it goes much deeper than that. Your exercise and efforts can backfire if Hashem doesn't make them succeed. You are not making it happen. Ultimately, your health is God's decree because you prayed well on Rosh Hashanah. Our physical efforts are just hishtadlut —a natural cover-up for the divine decree. Every action does not guarantee a reaction. A person could ride a bicycle for his health, hit a bump in the road, break his elbow, or worse. Cause and effect do not rule the world. Reb Moshe Feinstein noted that before the Surgeon General determined that smoking was dangerous, it did not make people sick in the same way. Why? Because illness comes when a person fails to protect their health according to the Torah's command in Mesillat Yesharim : Ushmartem me'od l'nafshoteichem ("Take extreme care of your lives"). When someone acts out of a duty to care for the body God gave them, their effort is fulfilled. Reb Yitzchak Kaduri lived to 102 while smoking because he was unaware of its modern medical diagnosis. You put in your effort, and Hashem causes the weight loss. Many people exercise and never lose weight, while others lose weight without exercising at all. You could work out, get dehydrated, spike your heart rate, and end up harming your health. You are not in charge of your health. Wisdom and Human Capability Next case: wisdom. Someone thinks, "I'm a smart guy. I prepare great classes because of my intellect." What do we say in the Musaf prayer ( Ochila La'El )? "The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Hashem." Man can organize his thoughts— ma'archei , like setting the Shulchan Aruch —but Hashem directs the words that leave his mouth. None of the words you speak come purely from your own power. Someone once asked: "Are you trying to tell me that when I dribble a basketball and shoot it through the rim, God is in my arm?" Absolutely. God is in your arm. In the piyut recited on the second day of Rosh Hashanah ( Shacharit ), written by Reb Yehuda HaLevi, we say v'hakoach miyadecha —the strength in your hand is from Him. The Chovot HaLevavot discusses this in Sha'ar HaBechina as "the secret of movement." Nothing moves on its own. The atoms, the molecules, the forces of motion—God is behind all of it. There is no "automatic pilot" in this world. The Aruch notes that the word automatos comes from Greek philosophy, which viewed the universe as running on self-sustaining mechanics. In reality, a living Pilot drives every detail. The Illusion of Control People often think, "Of course God can interfere—I could slip while shooting the ball, or tariffs could ruin my business." Reb Matisyahu Salomon shared a story about observing a businessman who prayed with intense kavanah (devotion), yet was known to be cutthroat in business. When asked about this contradiction, the man replied: "I know God can interfere. Ships can sink, or tariffs can rise. So I pray: 'God, I know what I'm doing in business—just don't interfere.'" That is entirely the wrong attitude. Everything that happens comes directly from Hashem: Koach miyadecha . The Tomer Devorah elaborates on this when explaining the thirteen attributes of mercy ( Mi Kel Kamocha ). Who is like God, who displays ultimate savlanut (patience)? Even when a person sins, God continues to pump life energy into that individual's limbs at that exact second. Consider this parable: A man lets his neighbor plug a party sound system into his home electrical outlet, requesting only that the music stop by 10:00 PM so his baby can sleep. Midnight arrives, the music is blasting, and the baby is crying. What does the homeowner do? He pulls the plug! Hashem does not pull the plug. He continues to sustain the breath and strength of a person even while they misapply those gifts. Our thoughts, speech, and ideas originate from God. Preparation is our hishtadlut , but the final outcome remains in His hands. A single slip of the tongue can alter a career; without divine protection, human effort quickly stumbles. From Tisha B'Av to Neilah Our High Holiday season serves as a direct rectification for the spiritual drop of Tisha B'Av. Tisha B'Av represents the concept of the Gid HaNasheh —the sinew of forgetting. What causes us to forget God? Arrogance in our wealth, strength, and wisdom. We rectify this by progressing through the Days of Awe until reaching Neilah on Yom Kippur. According to Shmuel in Masechet Yoma , the core essence of Neilah is encapsulated in these words: Ma anachnu? (What are we?) Ma chayenu? (What is our life?) Ma chasdenu? (What is our kindness?) Ma tzidkotenu? (What is our righteousness?) Ma kochenu? (What is our power?) Ma gevurotenu? (What is our strength?) "Behold, all the mighty men are as nothing before You." Rav Yerucham Levovitz once cited the story of a famous Jewish strongman who could bend steel bars. Targets of antisemitic hostility in Europe spiked his bed of nails with poison. A tiny prick infected him, and he rapidly deteriorated and passed away. Rav Yerucham remarked: Look at this powerful man—one microscopic point on his back, and he falls. The Transience of Human Fame Anshei Hashem —people of renown and wealth—pass away and are quickly forgotten: Hathaway Avenue (Deal, NJ): Named after William Hathaway, a prominent 19th-century hotel proprietor who purchased the land in 1854 and hosted Deal's incorporation gala in 1897. Today, few who drive down the street know his story. Carnegie Hall: Andrew Carnegie financed its construction in 1891. Decades later, public speaker Dale Carnagey intentionally changed the spelling of his last name to "Carnegie" as a marketing move to associate himself with Andrew's colossal wealth. Today, people routinely confuse the two. Historical Magnates: Prominent leaders, such as Ishaia Angel of Damascus or the Farhi family of Syria, held vast influence in their time. Yet across generations, earthly prominence fades into history. "The wise are as without knowledge, and the understanding as without intellect. For all our deeds are emptiness, and the days of our lives are vanity before You. The preeminence of man over beast is non-existent, for all is vanity." Conclusion This clarity is the goal of Neilah : replacing the self-reliance that leads to spiritual decline with the absolute awareness that everything originates from God. Rabbeinu Bachya notes on the command lo tira mehem ("do not fear them") that those who harbor genuine reverence for God feel no fear of man. Embracing this perspective during the Yamim Noraim restores our focus, clears away false pride, and anchors our ultimate connection to Hashem. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/c77029c3-1d4e-46b1-b9ad-97f37bda0e7d.mp3 When the Torah warns us in Parshat Eikev about forgetting God due to arrogance, it pinpoints the exact root of that pride: accumulating great wealth and concluding, " כֹּחִי וְעֹצֶם יָדִי עָשָׂה לִי אֶת הַחַיל הַזֶּה " ("My strength and the power of my hand made me this chayil "). What does chayil mean here? Ramban explains that chayil refers to war (as in Chaylei Tzahal , the Israel Defense Forces). Under this interpretation, the verse describes someone boasting, "My success in battle was achieved through my own strength." Instead, the Torah instructs us to remember: " כִּי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא הַנֹּתֵן לְךָ כֹּחַ לַעֲשׂוֹת חָיִל " ("It is Hashem your God who gives you the strength to achieve military victory"). Ramban notes that while Jewish soldiers are capable and powerful fighters, they must recognize that their strength originates from God to avoid falling into arrogance. This illustrates a vital principle: although we must put in our hishtadlut (practical effort)—and we may execute it skillfully enough to veil the underlying divine intervention—we must always remember that the success remains a miracle. A striking example of hishtadlut and victory comes from modern history: the famous raid on Entebbe. Operation Entebbe (Operation Yonatan) On the night of July 3–4, 1976, the IDF executed Operation Thunderbolt, a daring commando mission that rescued 102 hostages held at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. The crisis began when an Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked by Palestinian and German terrorists and diverted to Uganda. The hijackers separated the Israeli and Jewish passengers from the rest, holding over 100 captives while demanding the release of imprisoned militants. Idi Amin's Israeli Connection Uganda's dictator, Idi Amin, welcomed the hijackers and deployed Ugandan troops to assist them. Ironically, Amin had close historical ties to Israel: Military Training: In the 1960s, Amin underwent officer and paratrooper training in Israel under IDF instructors. Israeli Contacts: During the crisis, Israeli officials attempted to leverage Amin's personal friendship with retired IDF Colonel Baruch "Burka" Bar-Lev, who phoned Amin repeatedly to negotiate the release of the hostages. However, Amin used the situation for international posturing and refused to free the captives. The Mercedes-Benz Decoy Strategy Because Entebbe was over 2,500 miles (4,000 km) from Israel, surprise was critical to prevent guards and hijackers from killing the hostages before commandos could reach the terminal. The Scheme: Israeli intelligence knew Idi Amin frequently visited the airport in a black Mercedes-Benz 600 escorted by Land Rovers. The Execution: The assault team, led by Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu (older brother of Benjamin Netanyahu), loaded a black Mercedes styled to mimic Amin's official vehicle into the lead C-130 transport plane. The Assault: Upon landing under cover of darkness, the commandos drove the Mercedes and Land Rovers directly toward the terminal. The ruse bought precious time, allowing the assault force to approach the building before Ugandan guards realized what was happening. The Outcome Hostages Rescued: 102 of 106 hostages were safely evacuated. Enemy Casualties: All seven hijackers and approximately 45 Ugandan soldiers were killed. Three hostages died in the crossfire during the raid, and a fourth (Dora Bloch) was later murdered in a Ugandan hospital on Amin's orders. IDF Losses: Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu was the sole Israeli military fatality. Tactical Impact: Commandos destroyed several Ugandan MiG fighter jets on the tarmac to prevent pursuit during takeoff. This 53-minute ground raid remains one of the most famous special operations in modern military history. Despite the tragic loss of Yonatan Netanyahu, the operation was celebrated as a monumental victory. I recall a student arriving at my elementary school the following week wearing a T-shirt featuring Idi Amin saluting, captioned: Kol Hakavod leTzahal ("All respect to the Israeli Army"). While the IDF displayed extraordinary bravery, preparation, and skill, we must keep the ultimate source of success in mind: " כִּי הוּא הַנֹּתֵן לְךָ כֹּחַ לַעֲשׂוֹת חָיִל " ("For it is He who gives you the strength to achieve success"). Therefore, the ultimate praise belongs to God: Kol Hakavod laHashem . As the verse states, " לִכְבוֹדִי בְּרָאתִיו " ("I created it for My glory")—the world was created so that we might recognize and reflect God's honor. We say " בָּרוּךְ כְּבוֹד ה' מִמְּקוֹמוֹ " ("Blessed is the glory of Hashem from His place") and " בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד " ("Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever"). Ultimately, all honor for our achievements returns to Him. That is the first explanation of chayil . A second explanation defines chayil as the amassing of financial wealth. When someone builds a fortune, they often attribute it entirely to their own acumen, leading to pride. Notice what Targum Onkelos says on " כִּי הוּא הַנֹּתֵן לְךָ כֹּחַ לַעֲשׂוֹת חָיִל ": God does not merely give you physical energy to go to work; " הוּא יָהֵב לָךְ עֵצָה לְמִקְנֵי נִכְסִין "—He gives you the ideas and insight to acquire property. You might think your business success stems from your brilliant choice of strategy, brand, or market entry, but those insights originate with God. As the verse teaches: " רַבּוֹת מַחֲשָׁבוֹת בְּלֶב אִישׁ וַעֲצַת ה' הִיא תָקוּם " ("There are many thoughts in a man's heart, but it is Hashem's counsel that stands"). The good decisions that yield your success are ultimately God's ideas brought to fruition. It is human nature to point fingers at areas that do not apply to us directly. As a rabbi who neither runs a corporate enterprise nor serves as a frontline soldier, I could easily look at businessmen and warriors and say, "What is wrong with you? Don't you realize God gives you your strength and wealth?" It is easy to lecture others on spiritual flaws when we aren't tested in those same areas. (Brief pause due to an emergency call—returning to the topic now.) Why do we find it so easy to judge others when we have no skin in the game? There is a well-known parable about a man applying to join the Communist Party. The interviewer asks: "If you had two houses, would you give one to Mother Russia?" "Of course!" he replies. "If you had two cars, would you give one?" "Without hesitation!" "If you had two coats, would you give one?" "No way." "Why not?" asks the interviewer. "Because I actually have two coats!" In theory, loyalty is effortless. When an obligation touches our actual possessions or lifestyle, our perspective shifts. So it is easy for an observer to ask why soldiers or entrepreneurs do not attribute their success to God. However, self-examination requires looking deeper. The prophet Yirmiyahu identifies three distinct areas where people take self-righteous pride (a passage read on Tisha B'Av, a day centered on the consequences of forgetting God): " אַל יִתְהַלֵּל חָכָם בְּחָכְמָתוֹ וְאַל יִתְהַלֵּל הַגִּבּוֹר בִּגְבוּרָתוֹ אַל יִתְהַלֵּל עָשִׁיר בְּעָשְׁרוֹ " ("Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his might, nor the rich man in his riches"). Instead, " כִּי אִם בְּזֹאת יִתְהַלֵּל הַמִּתְהַלֵּל הַשְׂכֵּל וְיָדֹעַ אוֹתִי " ("Let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me"). What did we personally construct to earn that glory? Our Sages teach: " הַכֹּל בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם חוּץ מִיִּרְאַת שָׁמַיִם " ("Everything is in the hands of Heaven except the fear of Heaven"). As the verse states, " מָה ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ שֹׁאֵל מֵעִמָּךְ כִּי אִם לְיִרְאָה " ("What does Hashem your God ask of you, except to fear Him"). When you close a profitable deal, recover your health, or arrive at a brilliant insight in Torah study, that clarity originates from God. Does this mean we carry no moral accountability for our actions? Of course not. God provides human beings with energy and mental capacity, but our moral choices remain entirely ours. God grants us the physical ability to speak, but whether we choose to speak Lashon Hara (derogatory speech) or refrain from it is our own moral decision. God does not compel us to sin. To understand human temptation on a deeper level: prior to Adam's sin, evil was entirely external to humanity (represented by the serpent outside of man). After the sin, evil became internalized within the human psyche. When an internal voice prompts someone to speak Lashon Hara , that voice is not divine inspiration; it is the internalized influence of the serpent ( Yetzer Hara ). God created those opposing forces to preserve free choice. We cannot blame God for our wrongdoing—we chose to listen to the temptation rather than to God's command. Divine inspiration grants us the constructive ideas for success, strength, and financial breakthrough; moral choice determines whether we obey God's laws. These three arenas of pride are visible even in early childhood. I once walked with my first-grade grandson and asked him, "What makes a kid cool in school?" He listed three traits: Athletic ability: Being good at sports. Possessions: Having cool gear (like bringing the best basketball to the playground). Academics: Getting top marks on tests. Even in elementary school, the baseline metrics of social prestige mirror the biblical categories: Sports capability represents Gibbor (strength). Possessions represent Ashir (wealth). High test scores represent Chacham (wisdom). Every individual—whether a business executive, a rabbi, or a stay-at-home parent—must recognize that achievements in these areas stem from God. The central spiritual struggle is internalizing this truth to prevent arrogance. When it comes to finance, cause and effect do not always operate linearly. Effort invested in one area often yields results from an unexpected direction. Consider the well-known story of yeshiva students who spent a day soliciting donations and returned empty-handed. The next morning, the Rosh Yeshiva thanked them for their hard work. They protested, "Why are you thanking us? We brought in no money." The Rosh Yeshiva replied, "An anonymous donor just walked in and gave a massive contribution. That happened because of the effort you put in yesterday." Your dedicated effort ( hishtadlut ) triggers divine reward, though often through channels you never anticipated. This explains the Talmudic maxim: " יָגַעְתָּ וּמָצָאתָ תַּאֲמִין " ("If a person says, 'I have toiled and I have found,' believe him"). Why does the Sages' phrase use the word "found" ( matzata ) rather than "produced" or "earned"? Because even after rigorous toil, the ultimate success arrives like a metzia (a lost object found unexpectedly). There is no automatic, mechanical correlation between our input and the output—especially in financial matters. While we easily understand this dynamic in business, how does it apply to wisdom ( Chacham ) and physical strength ( Gibbor )? When someone studies a complex topic and masters it, or adheres to a workout regimen and gets fit, they naturally feel a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Next, we will explore the challenges of strength and wisdom, and how we can avoid arrogance when taking pride in those accomplishments. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/8200c568-93ca-4dad-89a0-b003e1862b6e.mp3 Remembering and Forgetting: Disease, Cause, and Cure We continue with the topic of remembering and forgetting vis-à-vis Tisha B'Av and Rosh Hashanah. Now, we have to ask ourselves: how do I know if I am forgetting God? I might look like I am doing fine. If forgetting God is the disease, how do I diagnose it? The Beit HaLevi explains that the symptom of forgetting God is fear . If you are afraid, it means you have forgotten God. He brings a pasuk in Yeshayahu: "Mi at vatirei..." ("Who are you that you should fear...")—and then it says that you forgot Hashem. Hashem is not on your mind. What does that mean? This connects back to a warning in the Torah: "Lo tira" —when you go out to war, do not be afraid. Rabbeinu Yonah notes that this applies not only when going to war, but to any challenging situation that comes your way. Do not be afraid. You might ask: How can you expect me not to be afraid? That feels impossible. What does the Torah say right after that instruction? Remember what Hashem did at Yetzias Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt). To give a mashal (parable): Imagine a man walking down a dangerous road. I remember during COVID walking down Ocean Parkway when a group of motorcyclists and bicyclists came by during a "defund the police" rally. There I was, wearing my kippah , walking down Ocean Parkway, and I got scared. Now, hold on. Imagine I were inside a large tank wearing a bulletproof vest, with a cannon in front of me. Would I be afraid? Of course not. So why would someone in that situation be afraid? Only because they forgot they were inside a tank! If you remember you are in a tank, you are not afraid. We all have a tank. That tank is Hakadosh Baruch Hu protecting us: השם צלך על יד ימינך ( "Hashem is your shade at your right hand." ) כי אתה השם מחסי ( "For You, Hashem, are my refuge, my protection." ) As we say in Zichronot : "L'chol hachosim bo" —to all those who find refuge in Him. We have a place of refuge. Think of historical figures or despots—like Noriega in Panama—who ran into an embassy for protection because, by international law, enemies couldn't touch them there. An embassy is a refuge. God is our refuge. But when I forget that I am inside that refuge, I become afraid. Thus, the symptom of the disease of forgetting God is fear. The Causes: Arrogance and Desire The next thing we need to understand is the cause of the disease. There are two causes: Arrogance ( Ga'avah ) Desire ( Ta'avah ) It is interesting to note that right after Tisha B'Av, in Parashat Va'etchanan , the Torah discusses forgetting God due to desire . In Parashat Ekev , it discusses forgetting God due to arrogance . What does it mean to forget God due to desire? The Torah warns that you will enter a land full of wealth—houses you didn't build, vineyards you didn't plant, and so on. You will become steeped in physical desire, and as a result, you will forget God. That is what the Sforno explains. The first mention of forgetting God in Parashat Va'etchanan is rooted in desire ( Ta'avah ). We see this same concept connected to the Churban Beit HaMikdash (Destruction of the Temple). Why did the Churban happen? The verse indicates that people were drinking wine, listening to music, and ואל פועל השם לא הביטו —they did not pay attention to the handiwork of God. If you ignore the handiwork of God and focus solely on self-indulgence, it causes you to forget Him. The Chida notes that this means they did not bless Him; Berachot are the cure for forgetting God, as we will see. So now we have three parts: The Symptom: Fear. The Causes: Arrogance and Desire. The Cure: Birkat HaMazon , Berachot , and keeping God on your mind. Regarding cause number one ( Ta'avah ): וישמן ישורון ויבעט ( "Yeshurun grew fat and kicked" ). When a person is full, they become totally self-absorbed and forget God. The Gemara says that a lion roars only when it is full. We all know that when you are running on empty—when you are hungry—you become humble. That is why we fast on Yom Kippur. Fasting brings humility. If you enter a day with a full stomach, you are not humble; but by the end of the fast, at Neilah , you are humble because you haven't eaten. The second cause—arrogance—is also very interesting to analyze. In Parashat Ekev , the scenario is different: you didn't enter a place with pre-built houses; you built the houses yourself. This refers to the second generation entering Eretz Yisrael . Interestingly, in modern America, the dynamic is often flipped: The First Generation came with nothing, worked hard, and built themselves up. Their main challenge is arrogance ( "I am a self-made man; I built this wealth" —like a Holocaust survivor who becomes a billionaire). The Second Generation is born into wealth. They didn't make a dollar themselves, so their main challenge is usually not arrogance, but desire . Because they don't have to struggle, they grow up with fancy houses, luxury cars, and expensive vacations. They are born into wealth and can easily become spoiled. Regardless, arrogance is born from success: "I made my money; I made my life." The Torah warns: ורם לבבך —your heart will become haughty from success— ושכחת —and you will forget. Arrogance and desire are the two root causes of this spiritual disease. The Antidote: Berachot The antidote provided by the Torah is: ואכלת ושבעת וברכת — "You shall eat, be satisfied, and bless." Otherwise, pen —lest you go down the path of forgetting God. The Meshech Chochmah raises a fascinating question on this verse ( V'achalta v'savata u'verachta ). The Gemara points out a contrast in halachah : For food , the biblical obligation ( d'Oraita ) to make a blessing comes after eating. For Torah study , the biblical obligation to make a blessing comes before learning. Why are they flipped? Why don't we biblically recite a beracha before eating or after learning? The Meshech Chochmah answers that the purpose of making a beracha after eating is not merely to say thank you. If it were only about expressing gratitude, as the Gemara implies, you ought to thank God even more when you are hungry and about to eat! If someone passes you a glass of water when you are dying of thirst, you say thank you right away—not just after you finish drinking. Instead, the beracha comes after eating because that is when you have just consumed physical food. After eating, a person becomes full, satisfied, and susceptible to arrogance and indulge in desire. Therefore, Birkat HaMazon acts as an immediate antidote administered after exposure to the risk. Think of it like a poison and its antidote: if someone is exposed to a poison, they must take the antidote immediately afterward, or the poison will kill them. The potential poison of desire and arrogance after a meal receives its immediate antidote through the post-meal beracha . When it comes to studying Torah, the dynamic is reversed. Before you start learning, you are not yet connected; you might approach the study with the wrong motivations or mindset. Therefore, you make a beracha beforehand to set the right intention. This explains why the Churban came about: על שלא ברכו בתורה תחילה —because they did not make a beracha over the Torah first . They lacked the right intentions. They failed to realize that learning is meant to connect them directly to God, and as a result, the Shechinah departed. The beracha must precede learning to anchor the experience. After learning, you are already connected and focused, so a biblical beracha afterwards isn't required in the same way. (Of course, Rabbinically, we now recite blessings both before eating and after learning as well). To summarize: With eating , the vulnerability to Ga'avah and Ta'avah occurs afterwards , when you are full. With learning , the vulnerability to wrong intentions occurs beforehand . Thus, Berachot serve as the system designed to cure the disease of forgetting by forcing us to remember. Conclusion: The 100 Blessings Finally, it is known that there are 98 curses listed in the Tochecha read before Rosh Hashanah. In truth, there are 100, because the text also includes unwritten misfortunes, accounting for two more. Our Sages teach that these 100 curses correspond to the 100 blessings ( Me'ah Berachot ) we are meant to recite every day. Within these 100 daily blessings, 98 are Rabbinic and 2 are Biblical ( Birkat HaMazon and Birkat HaTorah , according to many opinions). What protects us from the 100 curses are the 100 blessings: 98 Rabbinic blessings offset the 98 explicit curses, while the 2 primary Biblical mitzvot of blessing offset the 2 hidden curses. The antidote to the disease of forgetting—which brought about the curses—is the daily discipline of Berachot . A similar concept appears regarding Sheva Berachot : Seven blessings recited twice a day (at two meals) over seven days equals 49 x 2 = 98 blessings . Add the two initial blessings at the wedding itself ( Chatan v'Kallah ), and you reach 100 blessings . Those 100 Berachot shield the new couple, welcoming them into a beautiful world of continually remembering God. In summary: we have identified the disease (forgetting God), the symptom (fear), the causes (arrogance and desire), and the ultimate cure ( Berachot and mindfulness). Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/2faee792-f40b-424d-a800-232f5af65a9c.mp3 Tisha B'Av, Rosh Hashanah, and the Power of Remembering According to the Zohar, one of the central themes of Tisha B'Av is forgetting God . Where do we see this? It says that when Yaakov Avinu had his wrestling match with Esav's angel, it took place on Tisha B'Av—the time when Esav was granted the power to impact Yaakov and bring about the Galut (exile). As we know, Esav's angel displaced Yaakov's sciatic nerve, the Gid Hanasheh . That is the simple explanation. The Deeper Meaning of Gid Hanasheh The Zohar expands on this by asking: what does Nasheh actually mean? Simply put, nasheh means to be dislocated, as the root nash means "to move." However, the Zohar points out , nasha means to forget, making the Gid Hanasheh the sinew of forgetting . Its spiritual essence causes a person to forget God. We see the word נשה meaning to forget when Yosef said, "Ki nashani" —"For God has caused me to forget ." As we know, the human body has 365 sinews, which correspond to the 365 solar days of the year and the 365 negative commandments ( mitzvot lo ta'aseh ). Each day has a matching component in man, in time, and in the Torah: In man: The physical Gid Hanasheh . In mitzvot: The prohibition against eating the Gid Hanasheh . In time: The fast of Tisha B'Av. Furthermore, the words "Et Gid" ( ) contain a hidden hint to all the dark fast days of the Churban (destruction): Et ( ): Refers to Tisha Av ( ). Gimmel ( ): The 3rd day of Tishrei— Tzom Gedalia . Yud ( ): The 10th of Tevet— Asara B'Tevet . Dalet ( ): The fast of the 4th month (Tammuz)— Shiva Asar B'Tammuz ( Tzom Harevii ). Another connection between Yaakov and the Churban on Tisha B'Av is the custom to place a stone under one's pillow on Tisha B'Av night. This stems from Yaakov Avinu placing stones around his head when he slept. Some teachings suggest that Yaakov's dream also occurred on Tisha B'Av; that is why he saw the spiritual guardians of the nations ascending and descending, and why he became terrified when he saw Edom (Esav) ascending without coming down. Regardless, we see that the primary force of Tisha B'Av is the force of forgetting . Rosh Hashanah: The Remedy of Zikaron The way we fight back against this spiritual forgetfulness is through Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is Yom Hazikaron —the Day of Remembrance. Simply speaking, we often explain this as the day when God remembers us, which is true. However, Rav Moshe Feinstein offers a deeper insight: "remembrance" in this context means God remembering our memory of Him . The secret to our success on Rosh Hashanah is our active remembrance of God. The more we keep God in our thoughts, the more He remembers us—as we say in the Retzei Vhachaletzanu addition to Birkat HaMAzo on Shabbat : if we do not forget the Beit Hamikdash , God will not forget us. Our act of not forgetting Him and His act of not forgetting us are intrinsically linked. Of course, God never literally forgets us. When it appears He has forgotten, it is merely hester panim (the hiding of His Face). In truth, God is always watching us— metzitz min hacharakim (peeking through the lattices). In the haftarah of Parshat Shoftim, the Jewish people claim, "God has forgotten me and forsaken me." God responds: "Can a mother forget her nursing child?" Hashem adds that even if a human mother could somehow forget her child, "I will never forget you." What Does It Mean to Forget? "Forgetting" in a spiritual sense does not mean complete amnesia—like forgetting a computer password. It means that something is no longer at the forefront of your mind . If someone asks you today, "Did you think about your eighth-grade rebbi today?" You would say, "No." Did you forget who he is? No, but he was "forgotten" in the sense that he was not on your mind. Similarly, when the prophet asks if a mother could forget her child, it doesn't mean she forgot his name; it means she became distracted and left him behind. He wasn't on her mind at that moment. Conversely, Zikaron (remembrance) means actively bringing something to mind and setting it into action. The word Zachar (male/remember) is connected to action—males represent active givers, whereas females represent recipients. Therefore, to "remember" God means to actively keep Him on the front burner of our minds. When we do this, we, so to speak, put ourselves at the forefront of His mind in an active, dynamic way. Standing Before the "Spiritual MRI" The Zichronos —the section of Mussaf where we declare that God remembers all actions—is the most critical part of our Rosh Hashanah prayers. Malchuyot: Acknowledges Hashem's sovereignty—a fundamental pillar of emunah (faith) as we crown Him King. Shofrot: Recalls the revelation at Har Sinai. Zichronos: The part most personal to us, as we read how God reviews every individual's life—who will live, who will die, which countries will experience war or peace. When you internalize that God is examining your every deed, thought, and mission, it is terrifying. Rav Wolbe compares Zichronos to passing through an MRI machine. It doesn't scan for physical ailments, but for spiritual ones. What will the test results be? Usually, when you take a medical test, you get the results in a few days. But the results of this spiritual MRI do not come immediately. You only find out the results as the year unfolds: Will you buy that new house? What will happen with your health, concerns, and challenges? Since no one is handed their results on the spot, a person could theoretically sit on pins and needles all year worrying. So how do we protect ourselves? The "Life Jacket" of Ein Od Milvado Rav Wolbe notes that right in the middle of the Zichronos prayers, the Torah gives us a spiritual life jacket to keep us from drowning in fear: (Fortunate is the person who does not forget You, the human who draws strength from You.) By actively remembering God and keeping Him on our minds, we create a shield of protection. This is the essence of "Ein Od Milvado" —the ultimate realization that there is nothing in existence other than God. Rav Matisyahu Salomon quotes a powerful idea regarding this concept, citing a famous story about the Brisker Rav (a descendant of the Nefesh HaChaim ). While escaping the Nazis on a train in wartime Europe without papers, the Brisker Rav instructed his children: "Just focus entirely on the concept of Ein Od Milvado. Think only of God." As a Nazi officer approached them, the Rav briefly had a momentary lapse in focus, caught himself, and re-centered his mind on Ein Od Milvado . The Nazi turned around and walked away. Rav Matisyahu Salomon points out: If someone told you that a month from now you'd be trapped on a train surrounded by Nazis, what would you do? You would spend every single day practicing Ein Od Milvado ! There is a similar story about the Beis HaLevi (also a descendant of the Nefesh HaChaim ). The Russian authorities had blockaded a town to search warehouses for contraband goods—which many local Jews traded in out of financial necessity. One merchant, terrified because his warehouse was full of illegal goods, ran to the Beis HaLevi after Shacharit . The Beis HaLevi told him: "We are going to sit right here and study the concepts of Ein Od Milvado in the Nefesh HaChaim until it is crystal clear to you." They spent the entire morning engrossed in this study. By lunchtime, the inspectors reached the merchant's warehouse and marked an 'X' on the door before leaving for lunch. When two different inspectors came by after lunch, one saw the 'X' and said, "We already checked this one," and walked past. The man was saved. Bringing Remembrance Into Action Rav Matisyahu Salomon explains that Rosh Hashanah is our personal Ein Od Milvado moment. We need Hashem on our minds the entire day, and the entire month of Elul is designed to prepare us for this focus. We even bring this mindfulness into our Rosh Hashanah festive meals through the Simanim (symbolic foods). The Meiri asks: Why do we recite the Yehi Ratzon requests in the middle of the meal rather than before it? He explains that the prayers were recited as people ate. Why? Because we don't want to forget God even while eating! When we eat pomegranate salad, we recite Yirbu Mitzvotenu K'Rimon to connect the food back to God. When we eat the head of a lamb, we recall Akeidat Yitzchak . Every step of the way—even during a physical meal—is about keeping Hashem at the forefront of our minds. Rav Wolbe teaches that we must maximize every single second of Rosh Hashanah. While it takes effort, keeping God in our thoughts is the ultimate antidote to the spiritual forgetfulness of Tisha B'Av, realigning our lives and ushering in a sweet, blessed new year. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/d0268733-f133-4a76-8f56-f32e273f096e.mp3 The Message of Tu B'Av: Discovering Hashem's Love Welcome to Daily Bitachon . I apologize for not sharing this class prior to Tu B'Av , but its message remains timeless regardless. Our Rabbis teach us that the month of Av is not merely called Av —it is known as Menachem Av . Some communities announce, "Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av" , Sephardim similarly refer to the month of Elul as Elul Rachamim (the month of mercy). Two Halves of One Month The Chatam Sofer offers a profound insight regarding the month of Av. He explains that Menachem Av does not describe the entire month as a single unit, but rather highlights its two distinct halves: The First Half ( Av ): Associated with hardship and judgment. The Second Half ( Menachem ): Beginning on the 15th of Av ( Tu B'Av ), a new period of comfort ( nechama ) begins. Our Sages note that the word AV ( ) can stand for A rur (cursed) and B aruch (blessed): While we typically say on Rosh Hashanah, "May the year and its curses end; may the new year and its blessings begin," in a spiritual sense, this transition actually initiates on Tu B'Av. Just as the sap takes 45 days to rise up the tree—starting on Tu B'Shevat and bursting into new buds by Rosh Chodesh Nisan —so too does the spiritual energy for the High Holidays begin rising on Tu B'Av. The Miracle in the Desert Why is Tu B'Av celebrated as a holiday? Historically, it was the day the generation of the desert stopped dying. For 39 years following the decree of the Spies ( Meraglim ), every Tisha B'Av, those reaching the age of 60 would dig their own graves, lie in them, and approximately of the population would pass away. However, in the final year: On the 9th of Av , the people entered their graves as usual. The next morning, everyone woke up alive . Suspecting they had miscalculated the Hebrew calendar, they returned to their graves each night. On the 15th of Av , seeing the full moon, they realized the calendar was correct and the decree had officially ended. How Did the Sentence End Early? According to Tosafot (and as noted by Rav Wolbe), the people had assumed the 40-year decree began after the sin of the Spies. However, Hashem, in His immense mercy, counted "time served": He included the year they had already spent in the desert prior to the Spies. He linked the sin of the Golden Calf ( Chet HaEigel ) with the sin of the Spies—connecting the beginning and end of the Three Weeks. And based on the Golden calf , that happened a year before the spies the jail sentence began a year earlier The people entered their graves expecting the final wave of death, unaware that Hashem had mercifully shortened their sentence. When they arose alive on Tu B'Av, they realized: Hashem is not out to get us; Hashem is protecting and loving us. Although the miracle occurred on the 9th of Av, it was only on the 15th of Av—when they recognized Hashem's mercy—that it became a true holiday. Misinterpreting Hashem's Love Through History A recurring theme in Jewish history is the tendency to misinterpret Hashem's actions as hostility rather than love: Event Human Misinterpretation The Inner Reality Adam & Chava Believed the serpent's claim that Hashem withheld the fruit out of jealousy. Hashem instructed them for their ultimate benefit and protection. The Spies Believed Hashem brought them to the desert out of hatred ( "Because of Hashem's hatred for us..." ). Hashem brought them out of Egypt to give them the Holy Land. Destruction of the Temple When the enemies saw the Cherubim (angels) embracing during the destruction, the Jews feared Hashem was exposing them to mockery. According to the Parshat Derachim and the Chida ( Nachal Kedumim ), the embrace was Hashem's final parting hug before a long exile. The key to ending the "curses" of the year is changing our perspective: realizing that what seemed like harsh judgment was actually an expression of Hashem's divine care. The Power of the 15th Rebbe Yerucham Levovitz explains that when we bless the new moon, we do not focus on astronomical mechanics; we focus on what the moon symbolizes—the Jewish nation waxing and waning. Major Jewish holidays occur on the 15th of the month ( Pesach, Sukkot, Tu BiShvat, Tu B'Av ) because the full moon represents the moment when the month's spiritual influence ( Mazal ) reaches its peak maturity and strength. Moving Forward to the High Holidays Starting from Tu B'Av, it is time to prepare our hearts for the High Holidays. Key Takeaway: Realize that Hashem is a loving Father who seeks our best interest. By fixing the ancient misconception that Hashem's intentions are negative, we correct our spiritual course—moving from Rosh Hashanah to Sukkot ( Zman Simchatenu ), and ultimately to Shemini Atzeret , where we stand in joyful closeness with God. Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/c91bd02d-b2fe-494f-af3b-c955c5e7dbea.mp3 Unanswered Prayers and the Treasury of Jewish Tears The Message of Parashat Va'etchanan We are continuing with the theme we started yesterday—a central message from Parashat Va'etchanan. Moshe Rabbeinu prayed to enter Eretz Yisrael and was not answered. This gives us chizuk (encouragement): when we pray and feel we are not being answered, it does not mean our prayer was wasted. We are no different than Moshe Rabbeinu. Rav Aryeh Levin and the Widowed Woman Rabbi Feuer brings down a beautiful story about Rav Aryeh Levin, a man of rare compassion and sensitivity. Once, a distraught, recently widowed woman came to him, crying uncontrollably. All his efforts to console her were to no avail. Finally, the widow said she would accept consolation if he could answer one question: "Please tell me: what happened to all my tears? I prayed and prayed for my late husband. I recited chapter after chapter of Tehillim and shed thousands upon thousands of tears. My very soul flowed into those tears. Where are they? Were they all wasted?" Gently, Rav Aryeh Levin replied: "After 120 years, when you leave this world and ascend to the Heavenly Tribunal, you will see how meaningful and precious your tears were. You will discover that Hashem Himself gathered them, counted every single teardrop, and treasured it like a precious gem. There is a beautiful line that Sephardim say in Selichot: העבר חטאתי אלהי ישועתי וגם את דמעתי שימה בנאדך ('Forgive my sins, God of my salvation, and place my tears in Your flask.') This based on a pasuk in Tehillim(56:9) נֹדִי סָפַרְתָּה אָתָּה שִׂימָה דִמְעָתִי בְנֹאדֶךָ הֲלֹא בְּסִפְרָתֶךָ : "You Yourself have counted my wanderings; place my tears into Your flask—are they not recorded in Your book?" The Gemara comments on this pasuk : "Whoever sheds tears over [the passing of] a virtuous person, the Holy One, Blessed be He, counts them and stores them in His treasure house, as it is stated: 'You Yourself have counted my wanderings; place my tears in Your flask, are they not in Your book?'" (Shabbat 105b) God has a flask where He places every Jewish tear. You will discover that whenever a harsh decree loomed over the Jewish people, one of your tears came and washed the evil away, making it null and void. Even a single sincere tear is a source of salvation." Hearing this, the woman burst into a fresh flow of tears—no longer tears of sorrow and grief, but tears of courage and hope. The "Tefillah Bank" and the Power of Unanswered Prayer The Sefer Chasidim teaches that prayers that go unanswered enter a "tefillah bank." We often view an unanswered prayer as if it were thrown in the garbage, but it is actually deposited in a celestial bank to be used later. It may even work for you in ways you don't yet see. The Chazon Ish and the Returned Generation Rav Yitzchak Scheiner zt"l (Rosh Yeshiva of Kamenetz Yerushalayim) spoke in the Deal Shul on Tisha B'Av many years ago, following Rav Matisyahu Salomon zt"l . Rav Matisyahu had spoken about the remarkable spiritual renewal of the Jewish people that we are witnessing today. Rav Scheiner shared how those words struck a personal chord, recalling his own journey from public school to becoming the Kamenetz Rosh Yeshiva. He shared the following story: In 1950, the Chazon Ish asked Rav Galinsky to keep an eye on a young bochur who had left his non-religious kibbutz to learn at the Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. Rav Galinsky noticed this was not an isolated case; there was a steady stream of young men returning to Yiddishkeit. Rav Galinsky asked the Chazon Ish: "Why do you suppose so many children are coming back to Yiddishkeit today, leaving behind the lifestyle of their non-committed parents?" The Chazon Ish answered: "The generation that left Yiddishkeit came from religious parents. Those parents saw what was happening to their children and—for whatever reason—could not stop them. They cried lonely, bitter tears. They prayed and they fasted, but it was too late to stem the tide. However, Hashem does not forget a Jewish tear. If those sincere tears did not save their own children, they were preserved to help their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. That is why these children are returning today—because Hashem never forgets a tear." A Personal Reflection: The Legacy of a Teardrop I will share something on a personal note as well. Many years ago, in the early 1980s, I met a great Rabbi—Chacham Abraham Raful (the uncle of Chacham Yosef Raful shlit"a from Ateret Torah). He was in his 90s at the time. When he heard my last name was Sutton, he asked, "Are you related to Abraham Sutton?" That was my great-grandfather. When I said yes, he told me a story he had witnessed firsthand: "Your great-grandfather lived in Syria, but he would travel to Yerushalayim on occasion. One morning in shul, I noticed he was weeping bitterly during his tefillah. Thinking he had a terrible personal problem, I asked him, 'Mr. Sutton, how can I help you? What's wrong?' He answered, 'Nothing is wrong. But every morning when I recite Birkat HaTorah and reach the words וצאצאנו וצאצאי צאצאנו ( 'our children and the descendants of our children' ), I think to myself: My children I know, and I can guide them to the best of my ability. But my grandchildren and great-grandchildren—what can I do for them? All I can do is cry for them. So that is what I do every morning during Birkot HaShachar.'" Chacham Abraham Raful concluded: "If he has religious grandchildren and great-grandchildren today, it is from those tears." I am living proof—a product of tears shed decades ago that are still working today. And while there were tears that seemingly didn't work immediately for certain family members, in the end, even those who experienced a temporary lapse returned. The spiritual gene was awakened by those prayers. Understanding the Full Impact of Tefillah The Steipler ( Chayei Olam , ch. 28) explains that the question "Why wasn't my prayer answered?" comes from a flawed perspective. We have no idea what would have happened without our prayers. How can we say a prayer wasn't answered when it may have prevented a far worse outcome? The Midrash notes that prayer sometimes accomplishes half: When a decree was issued that all of Aharon HaKohen's children should pass away, his and Moshe's prayers saved two of his four sons. While losing two sons was a horrific tragedy, the prayer mitigated a harsh decree and saved the remaining two. Tears with a Delayed Reaction: The 100-Year Siyum Sometimes, tears have a delayed reaction even for the very person they were meant for. (Jewish Observer, Dec. '98, p. 47) A man once made a Siyum Mishnayos on Shas for his father's yahrzeit , marking the 100th anniversary of his father's arrival in America. He retold the trials his family faced and how the "Goldene Medina" (America) had eroded their Yiddishkeit. He was the youngest of nine children, and his eight older siblings had already severed their connection to Yiddishkeit. His father's last hope was him—Mordechai. On his 16th birthday, Mordechai built up the courage to confront his father before davening : "Papa, I'm not going to Yeshiva College. I'm not going to lay tefillin anymore. I'm not going to shul on Shabbos. I want to be just like my brothers, sisters, and friends." The author recalled: "I raised my hands expecting a slap, but my father stopped and began to plead: 'Motke, du bist die letzte—you're the last one. My last hope. Don't say that. Don't mean it.' I was shocked to hear my father beg. 'Papa, please,' I said. 'I don't want to learn to be a rabbi. I just want to be like everyone else.' 'So don't be a rabbi!' he cried. 'Just stay a good Jew—put on tefillin, keep kosher, keep Shabbos. Don't become like the others. It's enough that I raised eight—I don't need nine! Motke, it's enough already!' My father burst into tears. I hugged him and cried too: 'Papa, please don't cry. It makes no sense to me to be frum, but I'll try.'" For 16-year-old Mordechai, those tears were soon forgotten as he eventually drifted away like his siblings. Decades later, however, the tears returned to him. When his own son wrote to him from Jerusalem saying he had enrolled in Yeshiva Ohr Somayach, Mordechai booked a flight to Israel to talk him out of his "foolishness." But as he prepared to leave, the memory of his father's tears came rushing back—and his heart changed. At the Siyum , he concluded: "On this centennial of my father's arrival in America and on his yahrzeit, I want to say: 'America, you beat us Jews bad, but you didn't win.' And to my father: 'Papa, you were beaten badly, but you didn't lose.' " Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/94aa5356-22d8-4ed8-8230-d186f3aed06a.mp3 Daily Bitachon: The Power of Unanswered Prayer Welcome to Daily Bitachon . We are continuing our series on the topic of Nechama (comfort), as we enter the Seven Weeks of Nechama . We didn't have much time to cover Parashat Va'etchanan in detail, but it contains a critical message: Moshe Rabbeinu offered 515 prayers —the numerical value ( gematria ) of the word Va'etchanan ( ואתחנן ). After these 515 prayers, Hashem tells Moshe: "Rav lach" — "That is enough, do not speak to Me anymore on this matter." Our Sages tell us that had Moshe prayed just one more time , his prayer would have been answered. At first glance, this sounds like a depressing note on which to begin the season of comfort: Moshe Rabbeinu prays incessantly, yet he isn't answered! The Mystery of 515 What is the significance of the number 515? 1. The Connection to Every Tefilla The Megalleh Amukot points out that the standard gematria of the word tefilla ( תפלה ) is 515 . This means that every single prayer we recite connects back to this concept of Moshe Rabbeinu praying and not receiving the answer he sought. Furthermore, the Megalleh Amukot explains that this is why we recite Psalm 90 ( Tefilla L'Moshe ) on Shabbat, ending with: יראה אל עבדיך פעלך "Let Your work be shown to Your servants..." Moshe is pleading to see Hashem's handiwork by being granted entry into Eretz Yisrael . 2. The Mathematical Breakdown ( Pnei Yehoshua ) The Pnei Yehoshua ( Berachot 32a) offers a fascinating calculation: If you count the days from Tu B'Av until the 7th of Adar (the day Moshe Rabbeinu passed away), using the standard calendar alternating between full and short months: Av: 16 days Elul: 29 days Tishrei: 30 days Cheshvan: 29 days Kislev: 30 days Tevet: 29 days Shevat: 30 days Adar: 7 days Total: 200 days 200 days 3 daily prayers = 600 prayers. Subtract the 28 Shabbatot during this period (where personal petitions are not made): . On his final day, after 515 prayers, Hashem told Moshe to stop before he could recite the 516th prayer. Moshe began praying on Tu B'Av—the day of turnaround and joy—and prayed continuously until his final hours, only to be stopped just one prayer short of his goal. Why Did Hashem Stop Him? The Sefer Chasidim (ch. 612), quoting Rabbeinu Saadia Gaon, notes that one reason a prayer might not be answered is due to a final decree ( gzar din ). But why would Hashem issue a decree that prevents such sincere prayer from being accepted? The Or HaChaim HaKadosh explains that entering the Land was ultimately not for Moshe's (or the Jewish people's) true benefit : Anything Moshe Rabbeinu built was eternal because his spiritual attribute was Netzach (eternity). Had Moshe entered Eretz Yisrael and built the Beit HaMikdash , it could never have been destroyed. Consequently, when Israel sinned in the future, Hashem would not have been able to vent His wrath on wood and stone; the destruction would have fallen entirely upon the Jewish people themselves. By not entering the Land, Moshe effectively took a hit for the Jewish nation. As Moshe later reflects: וגם בי התאנף ה' בגללכם "Hashem was also angry with me on your account." Moshe realized that his prayer was held back for the ultimate protection and salvation of Am Yisrael . This realization is itself a profound level of nechama (comfort). Sometimes we pray relentlessly for something, but Hashem withholds it because He knows it is not ultimately good for us. A Second Calculation: High Holidays to Shemini Atzeret The Sefer HaToda'ah offers an alternate tradition: Moshe offered these prayers from Rosh Hashanah through the morning of Shemini Atzeret —the window of cosmic judgment. 21 days 24 hours = 504 hours. Add the 12 hours of the eve of Shemini Atzeret = 516 total units/prayers. Hashem stopped Moshe in that final 516th hour—the exact moment the decree was being sealed and handed down—to prevent the decree from being annulled, because the outcome was necessary for the greater good. The Lesson of Nechama: No Prayer is Wasted Why do we read Parashat Va'etchanan every year during these seven weeks of comfort? The Pri Tzadik explains that reading this portion gives us strength during this period. We often ask ourselves week after week: "Where is the comfort? Why aren't our prayers bringing the immediate redemption we long for?" The Torah reassures us: Do not feel defeated if your personal prayers seem unanswered. No prayer is ever wasted. כל המתאבל על ירושלים זוכה ורואה בנחמתה "Whoever mourns for Jerusalem merits to see her joy." The Steipler Gaon writes in Chayei Olam (ch. 28) that even if years or decades pass and you feel your prayers haven't worked, never give up . Every single prayer accomplishes something vital. He quotes a Midrash illustrating that some prayers are answered after 3 days, some after 30 years, and some even after 100 years. We cannot see the divine timetable, but every word of tefilla builds something lasting. If Moshe Rabbeinu—the greatest leader who ever lived—had prayers that were withheld for a higher, hidden good, we shouldn't lose heart when our own prayers seem to go unanswered. Trust that Hashem hears every word, and every prayer accomplishes its purpose in its proper time. We will continue more on this topic tomorrow, B'ezrat Hashem. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/2d102651-dc14-4a49-922a-efbdc605f387.mp3 Welcome to Daily Bitachon The Gemara ( Berachot 31a ) tells us that the prophets always conclude their prophecies with words of praise and comfort; every book in Tanach ends on a positive note. This raises a famous question: If every book ends positively, why does Megillat Eicha end on such a dark note? כִּי אִם מָאֹס מְאַסְתָּנוּ, קָצַפְתָּ עָלֵינוּ עַד מְאֹד "For have You utterly rejected us? You have been extremely angry with us!" That certainly doesn't sound like a happy ending! (Note: While we customarily repeat the previous verse, "Hashiveinu," that is not how Yirmiyahu actually concluded the text.) Why would Yirmiyahu write an ending like that? Didn't he know the rule? Reading Eicha Through a New Lens The Reishit Chochma ( Sha'ar Ha'ahava, Perek 7 ) answers that we are actually misreading the pasuk. It isn't a statement of absolute rejection— it is a question : "Could it really be that You have utterly despised us? If You were truly angry enough to destroy us, You would have obliterated us completely by now!" The very fact that we are still around, enduring through exile and destruction, proves that Hashem is not out to destroy us. Rather, He is rousing us to do Teshuva . That is the ultimate goal: הֲשִׁיבֵנוּ ה' אֵלֶיךָ וְנָשׁוּבָה ( "Bring us back to You, Hashem, and we shall return" ). This aligns with Yeshayahu's prophecy: כִּי לֹא לְעוֹלָם אָרִיב, וְלֹא לָנֶצַח אֶקְצוֹף — "I will not contend forever, nor will I be angry for eternity." Hashem's anger is temporary, intended only to awaken our hearts. The Seven Weeks of Comfort ( Sheva D'nechemta ) This insight is crucial as we enter Shabbat Nachamu , ushering in the seven weeks of comfort. Many people are familiar with the "Three Weeks" of mourning, but fewer realize that they are followed by seven haftarahs of comfort ( Sheva D'nechemta ), corresponding to the three weeks of rebuke ( Tlata D'puranuta ). Rav Wolbe zt"l used to point out Hashem's incredible love for us: He gives us more than double the amount of comfort compared to the weeks of suffering! What Does Nechama Really Mean? We usually translate Nechama as "comfort" or "consolation." But to understand its true definition, we look to its first appearance in the Torah ( Bereishit 6:6 ): וַיִּנָּחֶם ה' כִּי עָשָׂה אֶת הָאָדָם בָּאָרֶץ "And Hashem repented/changed His mind that He had made man on the earth." Rashi explains that Nechama means a change of mind or perspective —recalculating one's approach. As Rashi notes: " וְכֵן כָּל לְשׁוֹן נִיחוּם שֶׁבַּמִּקְרָא " —this is the definition of Nechama throughout all of Tanach. Nechama means learning to view a situation through a completely different lens. Understanding the "Love Tap" There is a touching story about the Belzer Rebbe , who lost a child. Despite his tragic loss, he stayed remarkably strong. One of his friends asked him how he was able to maintain his fortitude. The Rebbe replied: "If a person is walking down the street and suddenly gets slapped on the back, he turns around ready to fight. But if he turns around and sees that it was his loving father giving him an affectionate pat, his entire reaction changes." When we realize that everything comes directly from Hakadosh Baruch Hu , we recognize that even the hardest moments are a "love tap" from our Father. That shift in perspective is Nechama . Masterclass in Perspective: Nachum & Rabbi Akiva 1. Nachum Ish Gamzu The master of this perspective shift was Nachum Ish Gamzu , whose very name shares the root of Nechama . On every single occurrence in his life, he declared: גַּם זוּ לְטוֹבָה ( "This too is for the best" ). He possessed the unique ability to reframe any situation and find the latent good within it. 2. Rabbi Akiva His prime student, Rabbi Akiva , famously taught: כָּל דְּעָבֵיד רַחֲמָנָא לְטָב עָבֵיד ( "Whatever the Merciful One does, He does for the good" ). When Rabbi Akiva traveled to a town and was refused entry, he was forced to sleep alone in the forest. One by one, his candle blew out, his rooster was eaten, and his donkey was killed. Yet, at every step, he maintained that it was for the good. The happy ending? Bandits attacked the town that very night; had he been in town, or had his candle or animals given away his position, he would have been captured. 3. Rabbi Akiva at the Temple Mount The famous Gemara at the end of Masechet Makkot relates that Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues walked past the destroyed Har HaBayit (Temple Mount) and saw a fox emerging from the site of the Holy of Holies. The Sages wept, but Rabbi Akiva laughed. The Sages asked: "Why are you laughing?" Rabbi Akiva responded: "Why are you crying?" They said: "A place so holy now has foxes walking through it—how can we not cry?" Rabbi Akiva explained: "Now that I see the prophecies of destruction fulfilled in full detail, I know with absolute certainty that the prophecies of ultimate redemption will be fulfilled as well!" On two separate occasions where Rabbi Akiva reframed a tragedy into hope, the Sages responded: עֲקִיבָא נִחַמְתָּנוּ, עֲקִיבָא נִחַמְתָּנוּ "Akiva, you have comforted us! Akiva, you have comforted us!" He didn't change the physical reality—he changed their perspective. Re-evaluating the Fall In Amos (5:2) , a verse states: נָפְלָה לֹא תוֹסִיף קוּם בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל (Superficially translated as: "The maiden of Israel has fallen and will never rise again.") However, the Gemara ( Berachot 4b ) offers an entirely different way to read the verse: "She has fallen, and she cannot fall any further—therefore, Rise, O Maiden of Israel!" The Iyor Devash explains this with a simple parable: If you trip while near a chair, you fall onto the chair. If you trip near a couch, you fall onto the couch. But once you hit the solid ground, you cannot fall any lower . The only option left is to get up! This is why we sit on the floor on Tisha B'Av: It symbolizes that we have hit rock bottom. From the floor, there is nowhere left to go but up. From the Floor to Rosh Hashanah Once we hit the bottom, we rise to the Betulah (the maiden)—which represents the Mazal of the upcoming month of Elul, a time of deep love between Hashem and the Jewish people. The Sefer Imrei Pinchas notes that sitting on the floor on Tisha B'Av is actually an Eit Ratzon (an auspicious time of favor), as it begins our spiritual construction toward Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The Ben Ish Chai ( Benayahu, Berachot 4b ) quotes the Zohar: When Israel falls so low that they cannot get up on their own, Hashem Himself steps in: בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אָקִים אֶת סֻכַּת דָּוִיד הַנֹּפֶלֶת ( "On that day, I will raise up the fallen Tabernacle of David" ). This explains why Dovid HaMelech omitted the letter Nun (which stands for Nofel / falling) from the Ashrei prayer—so we would never think that a fall is permanent. Even though the very next verse provides comfort— סוֹמֵךְ ה' לְכָל הַנֹּפְלִים ( "Hashem supports all who fall" )—the Nun was omitted so nobody would misinterpret it and fall into despair ( Ma'ari Kair, Shemot 10:1 ). Hope Above All Else Avoiding despair is so critical that the Beit Yosef ( OC 554:24 ) records an ancient custom established by the early Sages ( Zekenim HaRishonim ): Women would wash their hair on Tisha B'Av after Chatzot (midday). This custom was based on the Yerushalmi's teaching that Mashiach is born on Tisha B'Av afternoon. Why introduce this practice on a fast day? כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תִּתְיָאֲשׁוּ מִן הַגְּאֻלָּה "So that they should not give up hope in the Redemption!" The Sages specifically instituted this for women of that era who could not read the prophetic texts, ensuring they would not walk away from Tisha B'Av in despair. Although we do not follow this practice today, it highlights a profound principle: We must never leave Tisha B'Av on a down note. We Won the War: The Lesson of Gid HaNasheh The Zohar (cited in Melefet Sappirim ) hints that the four fast days are embedded in the commandment of Gid HaNasheh (the forbidden sciatic nerve): עַל כֵּן לֹא יֹאכְלוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת גִּיד הַנָּשֶׁה "Therefore the Children of Israel shall not eat the displaced sinew..." This prohibition stems from the nocturnal wrestling match between Yaakov Avinu and the Angel of Esav. Why does the Torah require us to remember this struggle for all eternity? The Sefer HaChinuch ( Mitzvah 3 ) explains: This mitzvah is a perpetual guarantee to the Jewish people. Even though we suffer through terrible hardships and persecutions at the hands of the nations, we are guaranteed that we will never be destroyed. We will endure forever, and the Redeemer will come. The angel ( Sar shel Esav ) tried to uproot Yaakov, injuring his thigh. Yet, as the Torah tells us, the sun rose and healed Yaakov. So too, no matter how much our enemies pain us, the sun of redemption will shine and heal us. When we reflect on our history, what should our ultimate takeaway be? We won the war. We struggled, we wrestled, but we survived—and we will prevail. Looking Forward This process culminates on Yom Kippur, when we take the Se'ir (representing Esav, the Ish Se'ir ) and push away the Se'ir La'Azazel . We emerge from these days stronger, purified, and resilient. When we comfort a mourner, we say: תְּנָחֲמוּ מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, תִּרְאוּ בְּנֶחָמַת צִיּוֹן "May you be comforted from Heaven, and may you behold the consolation of Zion." This is not merely a wish for sadness to fade—it is a prayer for a new perspective . B'ezrat Hashem , as we move through these seven weeks of comfort, may the prophecies of נַחֲמוּ נַחֲמוּ עַמִּי ( "Comfort, comfort My people" ) penetrate our hearts and transform the way we view our lives and our future! Sun, 26 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/e16cedac-a2c6-4c2b-8248-8ea5a09b569e.mp3 Welcome to Daily Bitachon Today we have a double dose! Dose One: Shabbat in general. Dose Two: Shabbat Nachamu and the concept of Nechama (comfort). The Antics of the Antagonists This discussion is based on Midrash Eicha (Introduction, Letter 17) , where Rabbi Abbahu quotes a verse from Tehillim (69:13): יָשִׂיחוּ בִי יֹשְׁבֵי שָׁעַר "Those who sit by the gate talk about me..." Who is this referring to? It refers to the Goyim sitting in their theaters and circuses— וּנְגִינוֹת שׁוֹתֵי שֵׁכָר —making up drinking songs. As they sit around as drunks, they begin to mock, ridicule, and make fun of the Jewish people. The Midrash outlines a specific list of these taunts, every single one of them targeting our observance of Shabbat . The Four Taunts of Shabbat 1. The Carob Consumption First, they say: "We must be cautious with our spending so we don't end up eating carobs like the Jews!" They ridiculed how generously Jews spend money for Shabbat, foolishly believing it would impoverish us and force us to subsist on carobs. The Reality: Who gets the last laugh? We keep Shabbat, we remain successful, and as for those drunkards—nobody even knows what happened to them. 2. The Shabbat Garment Next comes a two-fold complaint. Someone asks his friend: "What is considered a long time to suffer?" Answer: "The time it takes to launder a Jew's Shabbat cloak." Why did they consider this a long time? Because they claimed Jews were so impoverished that they wore the same garment all week and only washed it on Erev Shabbat . Naturally, a garment worn all week takes significant time and effort to scrub clean. Alternatively, the Midrash uses the words כַּמָּה שָׁנִים אַתְּ בָּעֵי מְחֵי , which can be understood as: "How long do you want to live?" ( Meche coming from Chayut / life). Answer: "As long as a Jew's Shabbat cloak lasts!" Meaning, since Jews only wear their Shabbat clothes once a week, those clothes last a very long time. Historical Note: Both taunts target our respect for Shabbat through our special clothing. Throughout history, there were times of intense poverty. It is told that Rav Shach Zt"l used to own only one shirt. On Erev Shabbat , he would wash it, sit on the roof in his undershirt and tzitzit learning Torah while it dried, and then put it on for Shabbat. Today, baruch Hashem, we have dedicated Shabbat clothing that lasts long enough to eventually be passed down as weekday wear. Regardless of their taunts, here we are, continuing to honor Shabbat L'chvod Shabbat . 3. The Broken Beds & Baldness Next, they brought a Mumus into the theater with a shaven head. (A "Mumus" is explained by some as a mime or clown, and by others as a mummy.) They would ask the crowd: "Why is this mime's head shaven?" They would answer: "These are the Shabbat-observing Jews! They toil all week for Shabbat, but because they squander all their money on Shabbat expenses, they become so poor they have no wood left to cook with. So, they break apart their wooden beds for firewood! Because they have no beds, they sleep on the dirt ground. Sleeping in the dust makes their hair fall out—and that's why baldness is a Jewish trait!" 4. The Price of Oil Building on that absurdity, the nations added a final taunt: "Now that the Jews sleep on the ground and are covered in dust, they have to constantly smear themselves with oil to wash away the bad odor. Because of their high demand for oil, the price of the commodity has skyrocketed—and that's why oil is so expensive!" History Repeats Itself Nothing has changed in thousands of years! Blame the Jews for the price of gas. Blame the Jews for the price of oil. According to them, Jews consume all the oil to clean themselves because they burned their beds for Shabbat! It's a classic conspiracy theory—pure fake news with zero basis in reality. Meanwhile, back in the real world: We are celebrating Shabbat. We aren't burning our beds. We aren't sleeping on the floor. Gas prices may be high, but that has to do with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz—not us! They will continue to scapegoat us, mock us, and blame us. But in the end, we get the last laugh . וַתִּשְׂחַק לְיוֹם אַחֲרוֹן "She laughs at the final day." (Mishlei 31:25) They can taunt our Shabbat all they like, but they will be the ones weeping when we reach יּוֹם שֶׁכֻּלּוֹ שַׁבָּת ( Yom Shekulo Shabbat )—the eternal Shabbat of Olam Haba . Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/94ddb288-3485-4790-aa6a-fc9b3c84306f.mp3 The Core Mindset of Tisha B'Av: The Pain of Disconnect Welcome to Daily Bitachon . As we approach Tisha B'Av, we must identify our fundamental mindset. We often get caught up in the minute details of an event and lose sight of its core theme—or, as the saying goes, lose sight of the forest for the trees . Consider Rosh Hashanah: if you ask people for its central theme, they might say it's the Day of Judgment, the New Year, or the start of the Aseret Yemei Teshuva (Ten Days of Repentance). However, the Ramchal distills it into just two words: Yom Malkeinu — the day of our King . Judgment and Teshuva naturally flow out of that primary reality: Hashem is our King. The same principle applies to Tisha B'Av. What Is the Ultimate Focal Point? Is it mourning the Churban (destruction of the Temple)? Yes. Is it focusing on the sins that caused it, like Lashon Hara and Sinat Chinam (baseless hatred)? Of course. Is it stirring our emotions about the historical tragedies of the Jewish nation, including the Holocaust? That definitely helps. But what lies beneath it all? What is the core theme? Rav Nosson Wachtfogel zt"l explains that our focus during these days is rooted in a famous Gemara in Masechet Berachot (3a). The Gemara relates that Rabbi Yossi once entered a ruined building in Yerushalayim to pray. On his way out, he met Eliyahu HaNavi, who asked him, "Did you hear anything in there?" Rabbi Yossi responded that he heard a Heavenly Voice crying out: "Woe to the Father who exiled His children, and woe to the children who were exiled from their Father's table!" Eliyahu HaNavi revealed that this Voice does not cry out just once; it cries out three times every single day when the Jewish people recite Kaddish . From here we see that the focal point of Tisha B'Av is mourning the disconnect from our Father in Heaven . Understanding the Disconnect Our Father is alive, and we are alive—yet there is a functional separation between us. Mourning this is no different than mourning the loss of a relative. Fundamentally, death is a separation of the body from the soul. Similarly, the Beis HaMikdash became disconnected from the Shechina (Divine Presence). The physical destruction of the Beis HaMikdash was merely an external symptom of an internal, spiritual disconnect. As the Midrash notes, a Heavenly Echo mocked the ancient conquerors: "You ground pre-ground flour." The building was already hollow; it was a body without a soul because the connection had already been severed. The phrase "exiled from their Father's table" perfectly describes our current reality: When the Beis HaMikdash stood: We sat directly at our Father's table in His revealed presence. Today: We still receive care packages from Him—He sustains, feeds, and protects us—but we can no longer see Him directly. Hashem created the human framework of parents and children as a tangible model so we could comprehend our relationship with Him. The ultimate Father is Avinu SheBaShamayim . While fathers miss their children deeply, children going off to camp don't always miss their parents with the same intensity. Why Is Kaddish in Aramaic? This brings us back to the Gemara: why do we recite Kaddish in Aramaic? We noted that Hashem moans over our distance when He hears us say Kaddish . When a son recites Kaddish for a physical parent, it serves as a stark reminder to Hashem of the grander, broken Father-Son connection— if only His children mourned the cosmic disconnect between themselves and their Ultimate Father with the same intensity. This emotional weight is precisely why Kaddish is in Aramaic. As Tosafot explains, the ministering angels do not understand Aramaic. We intentionally use this language because if the angels understood the depth of Hashem's grief over His exiled children, they would attempt to block the prayer just to spare Him the pain. Furthermore, the angels are jealous of our unique status; they must wait for the Jewish people to praise Hashem first because we are His children . Awakened Mercy: The Father-Child Connection We find another instance where Hashem's mercy is aroused by a parent-child disconnect in Masechet Chullin (139a). Regarding the mitzvah of Shilluach HaKan (sending away the mother bird), the Torah states: "If a bird's nest happens to be before you..." You might have thought you were required to search mountains and valleys for a nest, but the verse teaches that it applies only if you happen upon it. Rav Yair Chaim Bacharach ( Chavot Yair , Responsum 67) deduces that if you stumble upon a nest, you are obligated to send away the mother bird, even if you do not want the eggs. Why? He explains based on the Zohar: the rationale behind this mitzvah is to invoke Divine mercy on the mother bird, which in turn awakens Divine mercy for the Jewish people in exile. Whenever Hashem sees a parent bemoaning a child—or a child bemoaning a parent—it triggers a powerful awakening of Heavenly compassion. As the Tanna DeBei Eliyahu Rabbah (Ch. 31) states—quoted by Rabbi Chaim Palachi in Mo'ed L'Chol Chai (15): "Hashem sits and waits for Klal Yisrael even more than a father waits for his son or a wife for her husband, hoping they will do Teshuva so that He may redeem them and rebuild the Beis HaMikdash for them." Rabbi Chaim Palachi adds: "Every time I read this passage, my eyes flow with tears. How is it possible that the King of Glory, the Eternal God, sits and waits for us to return to Him just so He can bestow upon us every good in the world—yet each person continues following the stubbornness of their heart, with no one taking it to heart to say, 'Come, let us return to Hashem'?" The Tree Draped in White A beautiful story told by Rabbi Baruch Chait/Rabbi Paysach Spiro illustrates this bond: A young man had a bitter falling out with his father. Fueled by anger and rebellion, he packed his bags, walked out of his parents' house, and went off to live life on his own terms. Years passed, and things went downhill. He hit rock bottom—broke, exhausted, lonely, and filled with deep regret for how he had treated his family. He desperately wanted to come home, but he was overwhelmed by shame and fear, assuming his parents had disowned him. Unable to bring himself to call or walk up to the front door, he wrote a letter: "Dear Mom and Dad, I know I broke your hearts and I have no right to ask to come back. But I am taking the train home next week, and the tracks run right along the back of our property. If you can ever find it in your hearts to forgive me and let me come home, please tie a white cloth on the old tree next to the tracks. If the train passes and I see a white sheet, I will get off at the station and come home. But if the tree is bare, I will stay on the train and never bother you again." The day arrived, and the young man boarded the train. As it approached his hometown, his heart pounded so fast with anxiety that he couldn't bring himself to look out the window. He turned to the stranger next to him and whispered, "Sir, our house is coming up around the next bend on the left. Can you please look out the window and tell me if there is a white sheet hanging on the tree by the tracks?" The train rounded the bend. The stranger looked out, gasped, and put a hand on the boy's shoulder: "Son, look for yourself." The boy opened his eyes. There wasn't just one sheet on the tree— every single branch was draped in white. White towels, sheets, and tablecloths hung from the clothesline, draped over the roof of the barn, and tied along the fence. His parents hadn't just put up a signal; they wanted to make sure there was no possible way he could miss the message: They were waiting for him, they loved him, and he was welcome home. This is precisely how Hashem feels toward us. Let us keep that close to our hearts this Tisha B'Av. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/d2a8707b-b21d-4c4f-9be2-a44eb3f09eac.mp3 Daily Bitachon: Erev Tisha B'Av Message Welcome to Daily Bitachon for our Erev Tisha B'Av message. As we prepare for Tisha B'Av, one of our essential obligations is to trace the roots of our exile—to look into the sources and understand why we fell and went into Galut . 1. The Root Cause: Disdain for Torah In Midrash Rabbah (in the introductions, and specifically where Rav Huna and Rav Yirmeya quote Shmuel bar Yitzchak), we find a striking statement: Hashem was willing to forgo punishment for the three cardinal sins—idolatry, promiscuity, and bloodshed—but He did not forgo punishment for the disdain of Torah ( Miyuso shel Torah ). This is explicitly derived from the prophecy in Yirmiyahu: "For what reason did the land perish..." (Yirmiyahu 9:11) The verse does not say the land was destroyed because of idolatry, immorality, or murder. Hashem explicitly answers: "...Because they have forsaken My Torah." The Midrash continues in the name of Rav Chiyya bar Abba, quoting the verse: "They have forsaken Me, and My Torah they did not keep" ( Yirmiyahu 16:11 ). Upon which Hashem says: הַלְוַאי אוֹתִי עָזָבוּ וְתוֹרָתִי שָׁמָרוּ "If only they had forsaken Me, but still kept My Torah! For the light within it would have brought them back to the good." Resolving the Contradiction This presents an obvious problem: The Gemara in Yoma (9b) explicitly states that the First Beit HaMikdash was destroyed because of the three cardinal sins! Furthermore, these three sins carry the death penalty—how could neglecting Torah study be considered a worse trigger for destruction? Rav Aharon Kotler zt"l ( Mishnat Rabbi Aharon , Vol. 1, p. 28) answers: The Power of Remedy: The three cardinal sins are undeniably grave. However, as long as the Jewish people engaged in Torah study, Hashem delayed their punishment. Why? Because the Torah possesses an inherent light that eventually guides a person back to Teshuva (repentance). Loss of the Shield: Once they abandoned and held disdain for Torah study, they discarded the very tool that could save them. Without the antidote, their sins stood unaddressed, and their doom was sealed. Rav Elchanan Wasserman's Mashal: In warfare, two armies may trade blows, but if one side manages to destroy the enemy's armory or airfields, the target becomes completely defenseless. We are in a constant war with the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination). Hashem created the Yetzer Hara , but He created Torah as its antidote ( "Bara'ti Yetzer, Bara'ti Torah Tavlin" ). Abandoning Torah means disarming ourselves in the middle of battle. 2. The Battle with the Sar shel Esav The ongoing historical struggle between Yaakov and Esav is captured in the all-night wrestling match between Yaakov Avinu and the guardian angel of Esav ( Sar shel Esav ). The Timing: Sefarim point out that this wrestling match took place on the eve of Tisha B'Av . The Remint in the Text: The Torah notes that the angel injured the גִּיד הַנָּשֶׁה ( Gid HaNasheh ): גִּיד ( Gid ) hints at the three fast days: ג (Gimmel) = Tzom Gedaliah (3rd of Tishrei) י (Yud) = Asara B'Tevet (10th of Tevet) ד (Dalet) = Shiva Asar B'Tammuz (17th of Tammuz, the 4th month) את ( HaNasheh ) acronym for Tisha B'Av. ת שעה א ב Why Attack Yaakov? Notice that the angel did not attack Avraham (who represents Chesed ) or Yitzchak (who represents Tefillah ). He attacked Yaakov , who represents Torah . Esav's angel targeted the ultimate weapon of the Jewish people. Yaakov's Body (Talmidei Chachamim) --> Could not harm Yaakov's Thighs (Tomchei D'Oraita) --> Successfully struck As the Chafetz Chaim explains (citing the Zohar), the legs/thighs symbolize Tomchei D'Oraita —the supporters who uphold the Torah. The angel realized he could not destroy the Talmidei Chachamim directly, so he tried to weaken the supporters' appreciation for Torah. The Modern Reframe Current Support: Baruch Hashem , in our generation, we are witnessing unprecedented support for Torah learning globally, with initiatives raising hundreds of millions of dollars to sustain Eretz Yisrael's centers of learning. Rav Yaakov Hillel's Insight: When governments reduce funding for Torah institutions, people naturally worry. But Rav Yaakov Hillel offers a profound reframe: Hashem wants the Torah to be sustained purely by those who cherish it—the Charedim v'Dvar Hashem . He is elevating the purity and stature of Torah support. 3. Mourning and the Absence of Torah Why did Esav wait to attack Yaakov? יִקְרְבוּ יְמֵי אֵבֶל אָבִי וְאַהַרְגָה אֶת יַעֲקֹב אָחִי "The days of mourning for my father draw near; then I will kill my brother Yaakov." (Bereshit 27:41) Classic commentators explain: As long as Yaakov was immersed in Torah study, the rule of "Hakol kol Yaakov" applied, and Esav had no power over him. Esav specifically waited for a time of mourning ( Aveilut ) , because a mourner is forbidden from studying Torah. He calculated that during an absence of Torah study, Yaakov would be vulnerable to attack. On Tisha B'Av—the ultimate day of national mourning—we do not engage in standard Torah study. Yet on this very day of darkness, the light of Mashiach is born to turn our mourning into joy. 4. The Halacha of Netilat Yadayim There are only two days in the year when we do not wash our hands up to the wrist for morning Netilat Yadayim (washing only up to the knuckles): Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur . Day The Spiritual Reality Why We Wash Only to the Knuckles Tisha B'Av Peak power of the Sitra Achra (Esav) The spiritual impurity ( Tuma ) is so thick that standard washing cannot completely remove it; we do only the bare minimum required for the morning. Yom Kippur Peak power of Kedusha (Holiness) Esav is banished ( Se'ir La'Azazel ). The atmosphere is so elevated that impurity has no foothold—only a minimal wash is necessary. Conclusion Our goal this Tisha B'Av is to bridge these two realities: to transform the heavy, vulnerable energy of Tisha B'Av into the pure, triumphant elevated state of Yom Kippur. By recognizing that Torah learning is our ultimate lifeline and protective weapon, may we strengthen our dedication to Limud Torah and its support, and merit seeing the ultimate transformation of this day into a festival of comfort and redemption. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/ebf26a93-0067-4d18-89d5-e5c089b501a0.mp3 The Holiday of Distance: Understanding Tisha B'Av as a Moed In Alei Shur (Volume 2, Page 411), Rav Shlomo Wolbe zt"l addresses a well-known halachic anomaly noted by the Shulchan Aruch : We omit Tachanun (supplicatory prayers) on Tisha B'Av because the prophet Yirmiyahu refers to the day as a Moed —a designated time or holiday. How can a day of national tragedy and mourning be considered a festival? What does it mean for Tisha B'Av to be called a Moed ? The Three States of Spiritual Connection Quoting his teacher, Reb Yeruchom Levovitz zt"l , Rav Wolbe explains that the word Moed stems from the concept of a meeting or encounter. Naturally, we understand a holiday as a time of spiritual proximity—a Moed shel Kiruv (a holiday of closeness). How, then, can there be a Moed shel Richuk —a holiday defined by distance? Rav Wolbe explains that human spiritual awareness exists on three distinct tiers: Closeness ( Kiruv ): Active, conscious alignment with Hashem. Distance ( Richuk ): Acknowledged separation, where one feels the pain of being far from Hashem. Ambivalence ( Avad Cheshbon ): Total spiritual apathy, delusion, or loss of self-awareness. Rav Wolbe draws upon Rabbeinu Yona ( Sha'arei Teshuva , Gate 2, Letter 9), who describes the lowest spiritual state: individuals whose hearts have lost all self-accounting ( mikerav libam avad cheshbon ). Described in Yishayahu as a "nation that has lost all counsel" ( goi ovad etzot hemah ), people in this state drift along without a true barometer. They may view themselves as righteous and perform mitzvot , yet their deeds are tainted by self-justification. As the Gemara notes of self-righteous hypocrites, they act corruptly like Zimri yet expect the reward of Phinehas. The Delusion Before the Destruction This state of self-delusion defined the generation immediately preceding the destruction of the First Beit HaMikdash . Yirmiyahu rebuked the nation: "How can you say, 'I am not defiled, I have not followed the Ba'alim'? Look at your way in the valley, know what you have done..." — Yirmiyahu 2:23 The prophet's primary indictment was not merely the sins themselves, but the complete denial and rationalization of those sins: "Behold, I will enter into judgment with you because you say, 'I have not sinned'" (Yirmiyahu 2:35). As the Yalkut Shimoni comments on this verse, Hashem's judgment came specifically because the people refused to admit their wrongdoing. Hashem extends mercy to one who acknowledges and forsakes sin ( "Modeh v'ozev yerucham" ), but genuine repentance is impossible when one lives in denial. The Realization: A Return to Truth When the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed, the delusion shattered. In that catastrophic moment, the Jewish people experienced a profound epiphany: I thought I was connected, but I am entirely far away. While devastating, that realization was a vital reality check. Recognizing one's distance is itself the beginning of a relationship. In human terms, a married couple undergoing a period of distant dynamic still has a relationship; it is a far cry from complete dissolution or indifference. When a person feels the pain of being distant from Hashem, they re-anchor themselves in reality. Hashem is a God of truth, and His presence cannot reside in a life built on self-deception. When we confront our distance and grieve over it, we connect to that essential point of truth. As Dovid HaMelech writes: "Hashem is close to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth." — Tehillim 145:18 Reawakening on Tisha B'Av This insight redefines how we approach Tisha B'Av each year. Chazal teach that any generation in which the Beit HaMikdash is not rebuilt, it is as though it was destroyed in their time. If the generation of the Beit HaMikdash —a generation operating at a lofty spiritual frequency—could fall trap to self-justification, how much more vulnerable are we? Steeped in physical comfort and modern distractions, it is easy to slip into a state of avad cheshbon , where the absence of the Beit HaMikdash hardly registers. Tisha B'Av serves as our annual spiritual reset. By mourning the loss and confronting the immense gap between where we are and where we ought to be, we transform our apathy into awareness. Recognizing our distance becomes our point of contact with Hashem, establishing Tisha B'Av as a true Moed —the essential gateway to the High Holidays and the call to "search and examine our ways, and return to Hashem" ( Eichah 3:40 ). Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/31c1bf19-7dc1-41bb-87a7-531eb32e1c84.mp3 The Root Cause of the Churban Welcome to Daily Bitachon. Today, we are discussing the Churban Beit Hamikdash (the destruction of the Holy Temple). While the Gemara provides many different reasons and causes for this tragedy, there is one famous cause mentioned by the Prophet Yeshaya ( Yeshayahu ) that, at first glance, seems remarkably minute. Speaking in the name of God, the prophet states: "Yaan כי נגש העם הזה ( Because this nation has approached Me ), befiv uvisfatav kibduni ( with their mouths and their lips they have honored Me ), but libo rishak mimeni ( their heart is far away from Me ), ותהי יראתם אותי מצות אנשים מלמדה ( and their fear of Me is just a commandment of men learned by rote )." The prophet concludes that because of this mechanical, rote behavior, the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed. At first glance, this is difficult to comprehend. It seems incredibly harsh to destroy the Holy Temple simply because people are performing mitzvot out of habit. Even if it is a flaw, it hardly seems like a crime—let alone one warranting such a severe punishment. Nobody killed, nobody stole; they were actively serving God, they just lacked heart. It was what we call "lip service"—mouths and lips moving, but no heart behind them. The Death of a Nation To understand this connection, we have to look at how the Kuzari describes the Churban Beit Hamikdash . He explains that the destruction of the Temple was, in a sense, the death of the Jewish nation. When the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, we essentially lost our collective soul. The Kuzari compares our ongoing exile to a buried body that slowly decomposes over time until only dust is left—which is the exact stage we find ourselves in today. We are like "corpse dust." It is a remnant that still originates from a living body—it contains traces of DNA and RNA, meaning it isn't a mere rock or a plant—but it is the leftover remains of a human being. Ultimately, however, it can be reconstituted. When a person dies, medical records might list the cause of death as heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure, or brain failure. The vital organs simply shut down. But suppose the root cause of all that organ failure was Hepatitis B. If you ask the ICU doctors why the patient died, they will list the organs that failed. But if you want to know what actually killed him, you might find out that weeks prior, he was sitting at a fair and someone sneezed near a cherry, contaminating it. The man ate the cherry, caught the virus, and slowly deteriorated. If you say, "Come on, cherries don't kill people," it sounds extreme and far-fetched—unless you understand how microscopic bacteria and viruses work. The same principle applies to the death of a nation. The ultimate catalyst is rarely something open, obvious, or dramatic. The final outcome is clear, but Chazal (our Sages) wanted to unearth the microscopic root cause. For instance, the Gemara notes elsewhere that the land was lost because the people did not recite Birkat HaTorah (the blessing over the Torah) before studying. That seems like a minute detail. It wasn't the immediate cause of death, but it was the microscopic beginning. That initial lack of respect for the Torah was the contamination that eventually grew into total system failure. A Fruit Peel Without the Fruit What exactly is so deeply flawed about lip service that it could trigger such a catastrophic downfall? In Shaar Cheshbon HaNefesh , the Chovot HaLevavot provides a famous mashal (parable). He explains that a prayer without heart is like a fruit peel without the fruit, or a body without a soul. A body without a soul is a corpse; a fruit peel without the fruit is an empty facade. The Parable of the Empty Fruit Imagine a man who wants to honor the king. He prepares a lavish bowl filled with the most exotic fruits imaginable: out-of-season watermelons, mangoes, pineapples, dragon fruit, and lychees. The king is incredibly excited. But when he cuts into the watermelon, it's completely hollow. He cuts open the mango, and it's empty. They are nothing but empty shells without any substance. The Chovot HaLevavot says that this is exactly what happens when we pray without heart. It is a shell. Our bodies are there, our lips are moving, and our frames are swaying, but we are not actually there. We have checked out, we are thinking about something else, and our minds are somewhere else entirely. This hollow performance isn't limited to prayer; it shows up across a whole host of areas. The Beis Halevi and the Chovot HaLevavot both note that the same thing happens with bitachon (trust in God). You can easily sing songs about bitachon , but have absolutely nothing shifting inside your heart. God wants the heart— Rachmana liba ba'ei . An external shell without internal devotion is worthless. The Already-Ground Flour Rav Shlomo Wolbe explains this concept using a well-known Gemara. The Sages tell us that when the enemy breached the walls and destroyed the Temple, a heavenly echo ( Bat Kol ) rang out and said: Kimcha techina tachanta — "You have ground flour that was already ground." The voice was telling the invaders, "Do not think you are the ones who destroyed the Beit Hamikdash. It was already destroyed." What does it mean that it was already destroyed? It means the Beit Hamikdash had already become an empty shell. The Shechinah (Divine Presence) had already departed; the building was just an edifice without a soul. And why did the soul of the Temple leave? Because the Jewish people were living without heart and soul. The physical state of the Beit Hamikdash simply mirrored the spiritual state of the nation. Practical Takeaway Being involved in mitzvot without heart is a profound danger. The Chovot HaLevavot dedicated his entire masterpiece, Duties of the Heart , to this single premise: we cannot suffice with just doing things mechanically; we must put our hearts into them. As we approach Tisha B'Av, we will be focusing heavily on this topic. If we want to know how to heal the Churban , it is wonderful to say we want to be vigilant against heart attacks and organ failure. But real vigilance means making sure our "cherries" are clean before we eat them. We have to work on these microscopic, early root causes—beginning with moving past rote behaviors and bringing our hearts back to our service of God. Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/3b1da758-6598-46eb-b482-693db3cd86d9.mp3 The Connection Between Shabbat and the Beit HaMikdash Welcome to Embrace Shabbat. It is Erev Shabbat Chazon—the Shabbat where we are meant to reflect on the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) and its destruction. As we have mentioned in the past, the Gemara teaches: לא נחרבה ירושלים אלא בשביל שחללו את השבת "Jerusalem was destroyed only because of the desecration of Shabbat." There is a profound connection between the Beit HaMikdash and Chilul Shabbat (desecration of Shabbat). Conversely, there is an equally strong connection between honoring Shabbat and the ultimate rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash. We see this clearly in Lecha Dodi , where we sing: מקדש מלך עיר מלוכה (Sanctuary of the King, royal city) קומי צאי מתוך ההפכה (Arise, leave from the midst of the upheaval) רב לך שבת בעמק הבכא (Too long have you dwelt in the valley of tears) In the very next stanza, we sing: Hit'orari, hit'orari, ki va orech ("Awake, awake, for your light has come"). In the middle of accepting Shabbat upon ourselves, we seemingly go off on a tangent about rebuilding the Beit HaMikdash. But it is not a tangent at all; accepting Shabbat is intrinsically linked to the rebuilding of the Temple. Parallels of Holiness On this Shabbat leading into Tisha B'Av, let us focus on these connections. Our Shabbat rituals directly mirror the service of the Beit HaMikdash: Shabbat Candles: Symbolize the Western Wall of the Menorah. Two Loaves (Challah): Mirror the Lechem HaPanim (Showbread). Kiddush Wine: Mirrors the Nisuch HaYayin (Wine Libations). Zemirot (Songs): Mirror the songs sung by the Levi'im. Washing in Warm Water: The custom to wash hands and feet before Shabbat corresponds to the Kohanim, who had to wash their hands and feet before serving. The Hierarchy of Kedusha (Holiness) The Beit HaMikdash is the place where the Shechinah (Divine Presence) rests, and Shabbat is the time where the Shechinah rests. In a way, Shabbat holds a unique level of holiness. Jewish tradition outlines three dimensions of Kedusha : Holy People ( Am Yisrael ) Holy Times ( Shabbat/Chagim ) Holy Places ( Beit HaMikdash ) We determine priority by what happens during a conflict. If Shabbat conflicts with saving a Jewish life, saving the life trumps Shabbat. If building the Beit HaMikdash conflicts with Shabbat, we pause the construction because Shabbat takes precedence. The human being is the greatest vessel for the Shechinah—a walking Sefer Torah. Next comes holy time, which is spiritual and non-physical ( Mekadesh Yisrael ve'hazmanim ). Finally, there are holy places and items. Every Shabbat, we step into a sanctuary of time. Just as entering the Beit HaMikdash gave a person a tangible feeling of the Divine, entering Shabbat is entering a holy zone. Great individuals throughout history could actually feel the Neshamah Yeteirah (additional soul) enter them without ever looking at a clock. Avoiding "False Testimony" in Retzei Generally, we do not speak directly about the destruction or the comfort of the Temple on Shabbat, except for the prayer of Retzei in Birkat Hamazon . However, the Pele Yoetz writes that one must be exceedingly careful during the Shabbat meals to remember the Churban (destruction). When we sit at our beautiful tables, we must ask: What about God's table? Note on the Nine Days: The reason we abstain from meat and wine during the Nine Days is not standard mourning (as regular mourners are permitted meat and wine). Rather, it is because God's table is empty of sacrifices and libations. (Some Sephardic customs extend this through the tenth of Av because the Temple continued to burn into that day). The Pele Yoetz warns us against offering "false testimony" ( me'id edut sheker be'atzmo ). In Retzei , we say: אף על פי שאכלנו ושתינו חורבן ביתך הגדול והקדוש לא שכחנו "Even though we have eaten and drunk, we have not forgotten the destruction of Your great and holy House." If we say these words without a single thought about the Beit HaMikdash, we are speaking falsely. The Three Elements of Greatness and Holiness To ensure our words are true, let us dedicate this Shabbat to saying Retzei with deeper kavanah (intention). Notice how the phrase Gadol v'Kadosh (Great and Holy) appears three times in our liturgy, representing the three dimensions of holiness: Holy Time: HaShabbat HaGadol VeHaKadosh hazeh (This great and holy Shabbat). Holy Place: Churban beitcha ha'gadol v'ha'kadosh (The destruction of Your great and holy House). Holy People: Shmecha ha'gadol v'ha'kadosh aleinu karata (Your great and holy Name You have called upon us). On Shabbat, we honor the holiness of time and people, but we bemoan the lack of the holy place, asking God: V'hareinu benechamas Tziyon ("And show us the consolation of Zion"). Turning Rest into Consolation The Tiferet Shlomo (on Parashat Noach) points out a beautiful linguistic connection. The word for rest, מנוחה ( Menucha ), contains the exact same letters as the word for comfort, נחמה ( Nechama ). Through the Menucha of Shabbat, we bring about the Nechama —the comfort of the rebuilt Beit HaMikdash. Why do we ask for the rebuilding of the Temple specifically during Retzei ? The Tiferet Shlomo explains that because we taste a microcosm of the Divine Presence on Shabbat, we are moved to say: "Hashem, we have tasted this lower level of Your rest; please grant us the ultimate, full-fledged rest of the Geulah (Redemption) and Olam HaBa (the World to Come)." As the sages promise: "He who mourns over Jerusalem will merit to see its comfort." Let us leverage this Shabbat Chazon to shift our focus, pray Retzei with true intention, and merit to see the Beit HaMikdash rebuilt. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/0b330f88-0431-4467-b180-09e2d7d8ddde.mp3 The Daily Dose of Bitachon: Overcoming the Barriers to Tov Hashem Lakol Welcome to our daily dose of Bitachon. Today, we are discussing the impediments and barriers that prevent us from truly understanding the theme of the month of Av: Tov Hashem Lakol —God is good to all. Barrier #2: The Illusion of "Ownership" ( Hergel ) In the introduction to Shaar Habechina (The Gate of Reflection), the Chovos Halevavos explains the second major barrier to our appreciation of God's goodness. When we enter this world, we do not yet possess our full intellect. We grow up surrounded by God's constant benefits. Because we are so accustomed to them, they become regilos (habitual), viyiduos (known), and we view them: כאילו הן עצמיות להם — "As if they are our very essence, inseparable from us." We tell ourselves: "That is just who I am. My house, my hearing, my health—these are not extra gifts; they are my essence." As we grow older and our minds mature, we fail to appreciate these gifts because we are too used to them. We don't pay attention, and we don't say thank you because we view them as a given. We feel entitled. The Prophetic Warning of Hergel (Habit) The Chovos Halevavos brings a proof text from the prophet Hoshea: "And I accustomed Efrayim..." (Hoshea 11:3) While the Radak explains this as God gently training a child to walk step-by-step, followed by the tragedy of: "And they did not know that I healed them," The Chovos Halevavos reads tirgalti through the lens of hergel (habit). God is saying: "I did good for Efrayim, but they became so accustomed and used to it that they stopped recognizing Me." This is directly related to the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash ( churban ). In Parashas Va'eschanan , the Torah warns: "When you beget children and grandchildren, and you have grown old in the land (venoshantem ba'aretz)..." (Devarim 4:25) When you get "old" and settled in the land, everything becomes routine. You lose your freshness, you stop paying attention, and you take the goodness for granted. We don't see God because we are too "used to" our stomachs, our kidneys, and our eyes. The Kuzari's Rule of Appreciation: If you want to appreciate something, imagine life without it Think of a toothache or a bad knee. When it hurts, you would give anything to fix it. But when it works perfectly, do you ever stop to think about it? The Root of Exile: A Lack of Da'as (Contemplation) Yeshayah Hanavi (Isaiah) describes the spiritual decay that led to our exile ( galus ): "Woe to those who rise early in the morning to chase strong drink, who stay up late into the night inflamed by wine. They have lyres, harps, drums, flutes, and wine at their parties..." (Yeshayah 5:11-12) What was their actual sin? The prophet continues: "But they do not look into the deed of Hashem, and the work of His hands they do not see." Because they drowned themselves in physical distractions, they failed to look at creation. The consequence? "Therefore, My nation goes into exile for lack of knowledge (da'as)." Our exile came directly from a failure to contemplate God's creation. Kriyas Shema and the Destruction of Jerusalem In the Gemara ( Shabbos 119a ), Abaye states: "Jerusalem was destroyed only because they neglected the recitation of the morning and evening Kriyat Shema." Why is Kriyat Shema (and its accompanying blessings) the pivot point? Because Kriyas Shema is the designated time to look at God through the lens of creation. Rav Wolbe ( Alei Shur , Vol. 2, p. 59): We must train ourselves to look into Hashem's creations. This is the very purpose of Birchot Hashachar (the morning blessings), Pesukei Dezimra , and the blessings of Kriyat Shema (where we introduce the declaration of God's unity by praising Him as the Creator of light and darkness). The Chofetz Chaim ( Shmiras Halashon , Vol. 2, Ch. 2): It is fitting for a person to contemplate creation at least once a day. Because it is a constant mitzvah, we should set aside a specific time for it—ideally after prayers and before eating, treating it with the same urgency as any daily obligation. Rashi ( Shabbos 119a ): Commenting on the failure to look at creation, Rashi writes that they did not set their hearts "to unify His name over His creations." This is exactly what we do during Kriyas Shema when we declare Hashem Echad (God is One). The Sefer Barak Hashachar : What is the difference between Yabitu (looking) and Ra'u (seeing)? Yabitu means to look carefully. The deeper providence ( hashgacha ) of Hashem requires deep contemplation. Ra'u means to see. God's basic handiwork is obvious to anyone who simply opens their eyes. Reclaiming Our Perspective Why is this the foundation of everything? The Chovos Halevavos teaches that the foundation of our entire relationship with God is Sha'ar Habechina (Reflection). If I do not actively see how much God gives me, how can I feel any obligation to reciprocate? Why should I serve Him? If I take my house, my life, and my health for granted as "mine," then I feel no gratitude. This is why we are commanded to love God: "With all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your possessions (me'odecha)." Why must we love Him with our possessions? Because we identify so strongly with our money and our belongings that they become "us." We take it all for granted. We think, "Of course I have a house, lights, and a car. What, would God leave me without them?" "Celebrate Life!" In Megillas Eichah, it says: "Why should a living man complain? A man of sins?" (Eichah 3:39) The Gemara ( Kiddushin 80b ) explains: What are you complaining about? Adam chai —you are alive! Even with all your sins, God is keeping you alive. Celebrate life! The Schindler's List Analogy (from Rabbi Avigdor Miller zt"l): Imagine a man standing in a concentration camp line. Oscar Schindler comes over and says, "I can get you off this line and save your life. But there are conditions: You will live in a tiny, cramped apartment. Your children will have learning challenges. Your wife will occasionally be difficult." What would that man say? He would grab the pen and sign on the dotted line instantly! He would scream: "Life! I'm alive!" This is how we must look at our lives every single day. I know a man who, due to a severe kidney illness, was unable to relieve himself normally for a long time. When he was finally healed and could say the blessing of Asher Yatzar naturally, he was so overwhelmed with joy that he got into his car and drove eighty miles an hour down the avenue, thrilled to be alive. We should feel that exact thrill every day. Summary of the Hurdles To develop a true Tov Hashem Lakol attitude, we must overcome the major hurdles: Hurdle The Core Issue The Bitachon Remedy Hurdle #1 The desire for more (What we discussed yesterday). Focus on what you have, not what is missing. Hurdle #2 Taking what we have for granted (Viewing God's gifts as our natural essence). Use the "Rabbi Miller lens" to contemplate daily miracles (our eyes, kidneys, and breathing). Part of our spiritual work during these days of Av is to repair the source of our national ruin by looking at the world with fresh eyes, recognizing Hashem's handiwork, and choosing to live with deep, conscious gratitude. Have a wonderful, appreciative day! Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/1460238b-7c82-49d1-bc5d-c72113d3393f.mp3 Welcome to Daily Bitachon The theme of the month of Av is based on a Pasuk (verse) in Ashrei : "Tov Hashem Lakol" —God is good to everybody. This is a critical concept. The Gemara ( Yoma 9b ) teaches that the primary difference between the first Beis Hamikdash (Temple) and the second Beis Hamikdash came down to Bitachon (trust in God). A lack of Bitachon was a core reason behind the destruction. The Foundation of True Reliance In Chovos HaLevavos ( Sha'ar Bitachon ), the author explains that to truly rely on someone, you must know that they possess ultimate, unceasing generosity and kindness—regardless of whether you are deserving or undeserving. No human fits this description. That quality belongs solely to Hakadosh Baruch Hu , God's generosity is all-inclusive, and His kindness surrounds all. The proof? "Tov Hashem Lakol." Furthermore, in Sha'ar HaBechina , the Chovos HaLevavos emphasizes that God's kindness includes everybody . "Everyone" doesn't mean "most"—it means every single creation. You can take that Pasuk to the bank. Yet, rabim k'ivrim me-hakirun —most people are blind to this reality. Even if they do realize it, mavin godel tovatan , they fail to grasp how immense it is. They don't truly delve into it ( ve'einam maskilim ) for three main reasons. Barrier #1: The Cycle of Desires and Arrogance What is the first major barrier that stops us from appreciating these three words, "God is good to all"? We are entirely consumed by worldly pleasures, personal desires, and a hyper-focus on what we lack. Instead of seeing what we do have, we are totally absorbed in the massive hope of fulfilling what we don't have. The Endless Chase: Whatever a person reaches, they immediately want the next level. The wonderful gifts they already possess become small and limited in their eyes. The Comparison Trap: A person begins to think that anything someone else possesses was somehow taken away from them. The underlying spiritual cause of this is sobering. Tehillim 10:4 states: "Rasha (the wicked one), kegovah apo (because of his arrogance), bal yidrosh (he is not searching for God)... God is not on his mind." Our innate arrogance makes us feel entitled to everything. When we feel entitled to everything, anything we lack feels like a deprivation. We look at others and think, "I was supposed to have that." Meanwhile, the staggering miracles we already possess are brushed aside: A beating heart? Meh. Working knees? Okay. Fully functioning kidneys? So does everybody else. On the black market, the organs inside your body right now would cost a fortune—yet we take them for granted. Rabbi Addis once noted that when you go grocery shopping on an empty stomach, you buy everything in sight because you feel empty inside. You think you need a lot to be happy. But once you eat just a little bit, you are satiated. The problem is we don't even focus on the "little bit" we already have. We adopt the attitude of Esav, who demanded, "Pour it down my throat." We search for treasures on the other side of the world when they are sitting right in our own homes. Two Lessons on Perspective 1. The Treasure Under the Sink There is a famous story about a poor man living in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) who dreams of a pot of gold buried under a specific bridge in Vienna. He scrapes together his last coins and travels all the way to Vienna. As he paces back and forth by the bridge, a local guard stops him and asks what he's doing. The man confesses his dream. The guard laughs and says, "You Jews and your silly dreams! I had a dream last night that there was a pot of gold buried under the kitchen sink at Alfandari 18 in Yerushalayim. Do you think I'm going to travel all that way?" The man freezes. Alfandari 18 was his own address. He immediately travels back home, digs under his sink, and finds the treasure. The Message: People think they have to go to Vienna to find fulfillment, but the pot of gold is already inside their own home. 2. Rabbi Akiva and the Gift of Straw The Gemara ( Masechet Nedarim 50 ) tells of Rabbi Akiva and his wife, the daughter of Kalba Savua. Her father disowned her and cut off her inheritance for marrying Akiva. They were so poor they slept on a floor covered in straw. Every morning, Rabbi Akiva would gently pick the straw out of her hair and say with hope, "One day, I am going to give you a golden tiara." One day, there is a knock on the door. It is Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet) disguised as a regular beggar. He says, "Do you have any spare straw? My wife just gave birth, and I have absolutely nothing to put her on." They gladly gave him some of their straw. Afterward, Rabbi Akiva turned to his wife and said, "Look at that—that person doesn't even have straw, and we do." The Insight: Eliyahu HaNavi came down from heaven. Why didn't he just give them a gold coin instead of taking their straw? Because Eliyahu HaNavi was giving them something far more valuable than gold: a lesson in attitude. If he had given them gold, they simply would have wanted more gold. By showing them someone who lacked even the bare minimum, he taught them to appreciate the wealth they already had. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/a67fb4f9-841a-4460-80ec-484e25100b78.mp3 Welcome to the Daily Dose of Bitachon. As we prepare for the month of Av— Erev Rosh Chodesh Av ( ערב ראש חודש אב )—we carry with us the concept we introduced back at the beginning of Tammuz: that each of the twelve months of the year corresponds to a unique spiritual force. Today, we will explore this deeply through the lens of the Sefer Yetzirah , an ancient Kabbalistic text attributed by many to Avraham Avinu, which outlines how the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet serve as the spiritual building blocks of reality. The division of these twenty-two letters is beautifully elegant. First, the Sefer Yetzirah points to the three "Mother" letters ( Imahot ): Aleph ( א ), Mem ( מ ), and Shin ( ש ). These represent the foundational elements of physical matter itself. Aleph stands for Avir (air), Mem stands for Mayim (water), and because the Aleph is already claimed, Shin stands for Esh (fire). Next are the seven "double" letters, known by the acronym Beged Kaporet ( בגד כפרת ): Bet, Gimmel, Dalet, Chaf, Peh, Reish, and Tav. In the Zohar, these are identified as the letters that can receive a dagesh (the internal emphasis dot). While our grammatical tradition generally does not place a dagesh in the letter Reish, Kabbalistically it is included. These seven double letters correspond to dimensions of time and space, such as the seven days of the week, the seven classical planets, and the seven spiritual gateways of the soul. Subtracting these ten letters—the three Mothers of matter and the seven Doubles of time—leaves us with the twelve "Simple" letters. These twelve remaining letters correspond directly to the twelve months of the year, creating a cosmic map where each month is animated by its own letter. Our Rabbis reveal an incredible connection here: these twelve simple letters correspond sequentially to the verses of Ashrei (Psalm 145), aligning the spiritual theme of each month with the corresponding verse. We begin with the letter Heh ( ה ), which corresponds to Nissan . The verse for Heh is Hadar kevod hodacha... ("the glory of your honor, and the words of your wonders, I will speak about"). As Rabbeinu Bachya notes in the name of Rabbeinu Chananel, this refers directly to the wonders of Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus), the central theme of Nissan. Following this is the letter Vav ( ו ) for Iyar . The Vav represents Vav Hachibur —the connecting "and"—which serves as the bridge linking the physical redemption of Nissan to the spiritual giving of the Torah in Sivan. Sivan is represented by the letter Zayin ( ז ), corresponding to the verse Zecher rav tuvcha yabiu... ("they shall utter the memory of Your great goodness"). In Jewish tradition, "good" ( Tov ) refers directly to the Torah, as we say, "I have given you a good acquisition, do not forsake My Torah." Then we reach the chidush , the deep spiritual renewal of our current season. The letter Chet ( ח ) belongs to Tammuz , which matches the verse Chanun verachum Hashem... ("Gracious and merciful is Hashem, slow to anger and great in kindness"). This is immediately followed by the letter Tet ( ט ) for Av , matching the verse Tov Hashem lakol... ("Hashem is good to all, and His mercy is upon all His works"). At first glance, one would think that Tov Hashem lakol —expressing God's absolute goodness—is the very last verse you would associate with the painful month of Av. Yet, this is a profound mystery. The letter Tet has a numerical value of nine, rooting the solemn Nine Days of mourning right here in its essence. This teaches us that everything happening in Galut (exile) is ultimately for our own good, whether we can perceive it or not. This is why Midrash Eicha (Lamentations) begins with a "good word" or a positive note; because at the core of Av's darkness lies the ultimate truth of Tov Hashem lakol . There is an incredible warning and opportunity hidden in this sequence. If you take the letter of Tammuz, Chet ( ח ), and place it next to the letter of Av, Tet ( ט ), they spell the word Chet ( חטא - sin) . These two months are historically prone to spiritual stumbling and tragedy. However, the spiritual work of this time is to take that very vulnerability and turn it around into a source of holiness. Moving past the summer, the letter Yud ( י ) corresponds to Elul . Our Sages teach that the letter Yud symbolizes pure thought. While this world ( Olam Hazeh ) was created with the letter Heh, the World to Come ( Olam Haba ) was created with a Yud. Elul is the month of deep contemplation, planning, and mental preparation for the year to come. Tishrei is represented by the letter Lamed ( ל ), matching the verse Lehodia livnei ha'adam... ("To make known to the sons of man His mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of His kingdom"). This theme of Malchut (Kingship) is the very spiritual essence of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Next is Cheshvan , represented by the letter Nun ( נ ). Remarkably, there is no verse starting with the letter Nun in Ashrei. King David omitted the Nun from the psalm because Nun represents Nofel (falling), and he did not want to evoke the painful verse from Amos, "Fallen ( Nafla ), she shall not rise again, the virgin of Israel." This directly mirrors Cheshvan, a month with no holidays where we experience a spiritual "fall" or quiet period after the heights of Tishrei. But we are not left in the fall. Teves is represented by the letter Samech ( ס ), matching the verse Somech Hashem lechol hanoflim... ("Hashem supports all who fall"). The Samech of Teves immediately follows and lifts up the fallen Nun of Cheshvan. The letter Ayin ( ע ) belongs to Kislev , the month of Chanukah, representing holy sight and the miracles we hold on display ( See Imrei Noam on Chanuka). Shevat is represented by the letter Tzadi ( צ ), corresponding to Tzaddik Hashem bechol drachav... ("Righteous is Hashem in all His ways"). Because Shevat is the time of Tu B'Shevat when we eat of the new fruits of the trees, it embodies the verse, "The righteous ( Tzaddik ) eats to satisfy his soul." Finally, the letter Kuf ( ק ) corresponds to Adar , aligning with the verse Karov Hashem lechol kor'av... ("Hashem is close to all who call upon Him in truth"). This is the ultimate message of Purim and Megillat Esther—that even when God seems completely hidden, He is intimately close to those who call out to Him with sincerity. This brings us back to our focus today. As we enter the month of Av, our main goal is to attune ourselves to this spiritual rhythm. By recognizing the hidden goodness ( Tov ) buried within the heavy days ahead, we can find the strength to transform these moments of vulnerability into a deep, lasting closeness to Hashem. We will continue to build on this, B'ezrat Hashem . Have a beautiful and meaningful day! Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/05fb3122-3b2c-4918-919e-ab19cf9ff3e0.mp3 Daily Bitachon: Framing Eicha and the Secrets of Ashrei As we get closer to Tisha B'Av, we want to share some insights on Megillat Eicha . The Concept of a Petichta (The Opening) Midrash Eicha starts with a section called Petichta deHakimei , which means "introductory teachings of the wise men." We find a similar concept in the Talmud ( Megillah 10b ), where a long list of Chachamim (scholars) introduce the Megillah using this exact term. What is the deeper meaning of an "opening"? The Or Gedalyahu (Purim, p. 86) explains that a Petichta acts like a mafteach (a key) . It is designed to unlock the inner secrets of the text so we don't lose the forest for the trees. It anchors us to the underlying message of the book. Beginning and Ending with Goodness In Sefer Kad HaKemach (Gezel, Unit 2), Rabbeinu Bechaye discusses the famous rabbinic dictum: לעולם יתחיל אדם בדבר טוב ויסיים בדבר טוב "A person should always begin and end with something good." He explains that "good" ( tov ) refers directly to God. We can see this as we say every day in the Amidah and Ashrei: " הטוב שמך ולך נאה להודות " (The Good is Your Name, and to You it is fitting to give thanks). " טוב ה׳ לכל " ( Tov Hashem lakol – God is good to all). A name represents the essence of a thing, meaning God's absolute essence is goodness. This is a foundational theme of the Nine Days—a topic we will delve into further. Rabbeinu Bechaye and the Nefesh HaChaim explain that the ultimate expression of God's name in this world is the Torah. When the verse says, " כי שם ה׳ אקרא " ("When I call out the name of Hashem"), it refers to the Torah, which is is the names of G-d and I must gibe greatness to his name this is the source for birkat hatorah, when we learn Torah, mention his name we give Him greatness by blessing him.. In fact, the Ramban writes in his introduction to Bereishit that the entire Torah is comprised of interwoven names of God. Therefore, every Petichta begins with a Torah verse because it contains fundamental holiness—the dvar tov (good thing) that reframes our perspective before we experience the grief of Eicha. Reframing Exile: The Daughter of Waves In the Midrash , Rabbi Abba bar Kahana quotes a verse from Yeshayahu: " צהלי קולך בת גלים " ("Raise your voice, daughter of the waves"). The Midrash explains that "daughter of the waves" (or "daughter of exiles") refers to the Jewish nation. We are the children of exiles: Avraham experienced exile and famine ( "Vayehi ra'av ba'aretz" ). Yitzchak experienced exile and famine, moving to Avimelech in Gerar. Yaakov fled his home to Padan Aram. The message here is not to despair . The pain of exile is not a historic coincidence; it was built into the blueprint of creation. Rav Wolbe noted that the very opening lines of the Torah— " והארץ היתה תהו ובהו וחשך על פני תהום " —allude to the four exiles: Tohu (Chaos): Babylonia (Bavel) Vohu (Void): Persia and Media (Paras u'Madai) Choshech (Darkness): Greece (Yavan) Tehom (The Depths): Rome/Edom (our current, seemingly endless exile) Immediately following this, the Torah states, "And the spirit of God hovered over the water," which refers to the spirit of Mashiach. Why Must We Suffer? If exile is built into creation, why is it necessary? The Maharal ( Netzach Yisrael , Ch. 15) explains that this world is not our true home . As the Mishnah in Pirkei Avot teaches, this world is merely an anteroom ( prozdor ) to the World to Come. The fact that we are constantly uprooted and persecuted is a reminder that we don't inherently belong in this physical domain; we belong in a higher, spiritual realm. Our painful exile is the difficult path toward ultimate greatness. We wear the title Bat Golim (Daughter of Exiles) with pride. It is a symbol of our cosmic displacement and a reminder that our true place is in the World to Come. We must not lose faith in the face of antisemitism or tragedy. It is painful, but it is a process built for our ultimate growth. The Father's Perspective: A Mashal from the Chasam Sofer In Berachot 3a , Rabbi Yose enters a ruin in Jerusalem to pray, and Eliyahu HaNavi waits for him outside. When Rabbi Yose finishes, Eliyahu asks him what he heard inside the ruin. Rabbi Yose responds that he heard a heavenly echo ( Bat Kol ) groaning like a dove, saying: "Woe to the children, that because of their sins I destroyed My house, burned My sanctuary, and exiled them among the nations." Eliyahu informs him that this occurs three times every single day. Furthermore, whenever the Jewish people enter a synagogue and declare " אמן יהא שמיה רבא " (Amen, may His great name be blessed), God shakes His head and says: "Fortunate is the King who is praised in His house! What is there for a Father who exiled His children? And woe to the children who were exiled from their Father's table." The Chasam Sofer makes a brilliant textual analysis here. Notice the phrasing: "Woe to the children" is stated, but when referring to God, it uses the milder phrase "What is there for a Father..." rather than "Woe to the Father." Why does God not groan for Himself in the same way? The Mashal (Parable) Imagine a man whose wife is in labor with their firstborn son. He is thrilled, anticipating the Brit Milah and the Pidyon Haben. Right now, his wife is screaming in agonizing pain. The husband feels her pain acutely, but he isn't despairing. Why? Because he can see the bigger picture. He visualizes the joy of the upcoming celebrations and the beautiful life ahead. We are currently experiencing Chevlei Mashiach —the birth pangs of the Messianic era. Like childbirth, the pain intensifies right before the ultimate joy. The Chasam Sofer explains that God is like that expectant father. He feels our pain, but He does not groan for Himself because He sees the staggering spiritual heights we are climbing. He sees the light we generate by pushing against the tide of exile. Stay tuned tomorrow as we discuss why the response of "Amen Yehei Shmei Raba" is so deeply moving to the Almighty. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/7a5e6c67-77ea-4006-b8eb-e2b7a37262f3.mp3 The Root Cause of the Churban: Disgracing Torah Scholars To truly understand the events of the Churban Beis HaMikdash (destruction of the Temple), we must always look back to its root causes so we can fix them. The Gemara ( Maseches Shabbos 119b ) teaches: אמר רב יהודה לא חרבה ירושלים אלא בשביל שביזו בה תלמידי חכמים Rav Yehuda said: Jerusalem was only destroyed because they disgraced Torah scholars. Rav Yehuda brings a prooftext from Divrei HaYamim Bais (36:16) : : (טז) וַיִּהְיוּ מַלְעִיבִים בְּמַלְאֲכֵי הָאֱלֹקים וּבוֹזִים דְּבָרָיו וּמִתַּעְתְּעִים בִּנְבִאָיו עַד עֲלוֹת חֲמַת ה' בְּעַמּוֹ עַד לְאֵין מַרְפֵּא: "They constantly insulted the messengers of God and scorned His words and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of Hashem rose up against His people beyond remedy." This refers specifically to how King Yehoyakim refused to humble himself before the prophet Yirmeyah (Jeremiah) and disgraced him instead. The Metzudos notes that the word מִתַּעְתְּעִים metateim (scoffed/stray) comes from the root to'eh (to stray). The people claimed that the prophets were the ones who had gone astray, saying: "We know what we're doing; they are the ones who are off." Halachic Severity and the Removal of Free Will The Rambam ( Hilchos Talmud Torah 6:11 ) codifies this not as mere inspiration ( mussar ), but as definitive halacha : It is a monumental sin to disgrace or hate talmidei chachamim (Torah scholars). He cites the Gemara in Shabbos that Jerusalem was destroyed for this reason. He links this to the verse in the Torah: "Im Bechukosai Timasu" ( "If you disgrace My statutes" ), explaining that this means Melamdei Chukasai Timasu —despising those who teach Torah. The Rambam warns: וכל המבזה את החכמים אין לו חלק לעולם הבא Whoever disgraces Torah scholars has no portion in the World to Come, and is included among those of whom it is said, "They disgraced the word of God." Furthermore, in Hilchos Teshuva (6:3) , the Rambam addresses the phrase ein marpei ("beyond remedy"). We know from the story of Pharaoh that a person can commit sins so severe that God removes their free will as a punishment. The Rambam explains that those who disgrace talmidei chachamim face this exact reality: God prevents them from having the ability to do teshuva (repentance). The Parable of the Traveling Doctor Why is this sin considered so severe that it leaves a person "beyond remedy"? The rabbis offer a powerful mashal (parable): A traveling doctor arrived in a town with a caravan full of specialized medical tools. A local man desperately wanted to heal his sick son but lacked the money to pay. Desperate, the man ambushed the doctor's caravan on the side of the road and stole his baggage. Sorting through the stolen goods, the man found a bag full of complex medical instruments. Seeing no material value in them, he threw them away. Later, the man brought his sick son to the doctor and begged, "Please, save my son!" The doctor replied, "I want to help you, but someone just stole all of my medical utensils. Without them, I cannot heal him." The Nimshal (The Lesson) The talmidei chachamim are the spiritual doctors of our generation. When people disgrace them, the public stops listening to them. By destroying the scholars' credibility, the people effectively "throw away the doctor's tools." When someone's soul becomes spiritually ill, the doctor no longer has the tools to heal them. The Rambam ( Hilchos Deos 2:1 ) expands on this spiritual illness. Just as a physically sick person might taste something bitter and think it is sweet, spiritually sick people desire paths that are harmful and hate the path of righteousness. As the prophet Yeshayahu warns: "Woe to those who say of good it is bad, and bad it is good... who make sweetness into bitterness." What is the cure? ילכו אצל חכמים שהן רופאי הנפשות They must go to the sages, who are the healers of the soul, and they will heal their illness by teaching them the correct path. Torah as the Only Antidote In Mesillat Yesharim (Chapter 5) , Ramchal references the famous Gemara in Kiddushin 30b : "I created the Evil Inclination (Yetzer Hara), and I created the Torah as its antidote." If God explicitly states that the Torah is the only antidote to this spiritual poison, it is impossible to overcome the yetzer hara by any other means. Ramchal compares this to a patient who ignores a specialist's prescription to try their own remedies; the patient will ultimately perish. God knows the exact molecular makeup of the poison He created, and He holds the only antidote. This aligns with the famous Midrash: "Would that they had deserted Me, but kept My Torah! For the light within it would have returned them to the proper path." The Slippery Slope of Lashon Hara How does a person decline to the point of treating scholars this way? The Rambam ( Hilchos Tum'at Tzara'at 16:10 ) outlines the psychological progression of lashon hara (evil speech): It begins with indulging in empty, frivolous nonsense ( sichah batelah ). This leads to speaking disparagingly of the righteous ( tzaddikim ). Once comfortable mocking the righteous, they begin speaking against the prophets. Ultimately, it leads to speaking against God Himself. Rabbeinu Yonah ( Sha'arei Teshuva, Sha'ar 2:11 ) quotes Mishlei (17:10-11) regarding one who refuses to humble himself before those who rebuke him. The verse states that an cruel angel ( malach achzari ) will be sent against him. The word malach simply means messenger. Rabbeinu Yonah explains that a talmid chacham is a messenger of God sent to give gentle mussar (correction). Middah k'neged middah (measure for measure), God says: "I sent you a gentle messenger to guide you, and you ignored him. Therefore, I will send you a harsh messenger (tragedy or judgment) that you will be unable to ignore." Conclusion: A Reminder for the Summer The Pele Yoetz asks why we rarely hear public sermons about the severity of disgracing scholars. He explains that rabbis often avoid the topic because they worry people will cynically think, "The rabbi just wants honor for himself, so he's delivering a speech about it." But the truth must be spoken. This issue is highly relevant, especially during the summer months when people sit around relaxing. Discussing rabbis—what they said, what they did—is often treated as light entertainment. It isn't just innocent fun; it is the yetzer hara targeting our spiritual defenses. Do rabbis make mistakes? Of course they do; everyone makes mistakes. But if you systematically disgrace a rabbi, what will happen when he isn't making a mistake, and you desperately need his guidance? Enjoy the summer, but be smart. Protect the spiritual doctors who hold the tools to heal us. Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/19973399-dc2a-4863-875f-7806e2943a61.mp3 From Jealousy to Trust: Healing the Inner Self Through Bitachon I. The Internal Pulse: Sinat Chinam and the Tenth Commandment Yesterday, we discussed a profound shift in the spiritual anatomy of generations: while the generations of old may have stumbled in external actions while remaining internally pure, later generations present the inverse challenge—the external actions may appear intact, but the interior life is compromised. The Vilna Gaon illuminates this internal illness by connecting sinat chinam (baseless hatred) directly to a profound lack of bitachon (trust in Hashem). In his view, baseless hatred, jealousy, and animosity are not isolated character flaws; they are the direct symptoms of a fractured relationship with the Divine. To evaluate one's spiritual standing, a person must take their spiritual "pulse"—what we can call the "Anochi Pulse." How vibrant is your connection to "Anochi Hashem Elokecha" (I am the Lord your God)? The Vilna Gaon reveals that the ultimate diagnostic tool for the first commandment is actually the tenth: "Lo Tachmod" (Do not covet). If a person is truly anchored in the reality of Anochi , they cannot covet what belongs to another. The Vilna Gaon asserts that all sin stems from the trait of coveting, demonstrating how the final commandment encapsulates all ten. The Geography of the Soul: From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur Parenthetically, this conceptual framework aligns perfectly with the Ten Days of Repentance ( Aseret Yemei Teshuva ), which correspond to the Ten Commandments: The First Day (Rosh Hashanah) corresponds to Anochi Hashem Elokecha —establishing Hashem's ultimate sovereignty. The Tenth Day (Yom Kippur) corresponds to Lo Tachmod —because coveting what belongs to another is the ultimate antithesis of the kapparah (atonement) of Yom Kippur, which demands absolute spiritual purity and self-containment. The Farmer and the Princess: The Ibn Ezra's Perspective The Ibn Ezra ( Shemot 20:14) addresses a famous psychological dilemma: How can the Torah command a person not to desire something beautiful or valuable that belongs to someone else? If I see it and I like it, how can I simply turn off my desire? He offers a powerful mashal (parable): A rational, simple farmer who sees a royal princess feels no practical desire to marry her. Why? Because he knows it is an absolute impossibility. To genuinely desire her would be as absurd as wishing he could grow wings and fly. The Ibn Ezra explains that a thinking person must apply this exact logic to reality: the spouse, the wealth, or the success that another person possesses is determined solely by Hashem. It is not a function of human wisdom or strategy. Therefore, another person's divinely decreed portion is even more removed from you than the princess is from the farmer. When one realizes that what they do not have is simply not intended for them by God, all sinat chinam dissolves, replaced by a profound reliance on the Creator. II. The Practical Antidote: Recording Hashgacha Pratis Recognizing Hashem's direct, divine intervention ( hashgacha pratis ) requires deliberate cultivation. We find a consistent, powerful historical directive emphasizing the practical tracking of these moments: The Gedolim's Directive (1984): On the 24th of Av, 5744 ( תשמ"ד ), Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky signed a historic public letter addressed to the Jewish people worldwide. They emphasized the vital importance of instilling a visceral belief in Divine Providence—particularly within children. Their practical advice? Carry a small notebook or pamphlet and write down daily stories of hashgacha pratis . This simple discipline systematically dismantles the illusion of "coincidence," refutes the god of nature, and silences the ego's claim of "my power and the might of my hand." By fortifying this foundational trait, one strengthens the baseline for all 613 mitzvot, fulfilling the verse: "Tzaddik be'emunato yichyeh" (The righteous shall live by his faith). The Chasam Sofer's Landmark: In his Drasha HaShabbat Shuva , the Chasam Sofer outlines a sacred obligation for those entering their later years (reaching major landmarks like 60, 70, or 80). He advises pulling one's children and grandchildren around the table to recount the personal miracles experienced throughout a lifetime, passing down a legacy of lived emunah. Moshe Rabbeinu's Travel Diary: The Ohr HaChaim ( Bamidbar 32:2) provides a stunning insight into Parshat Masei , which is always read during this summer season. He notes that the meticulous recording of the journeys began as Moshe Rabbeinu's personal diary ( שתחיל משה לכתוב בפנקסו ). Moshe carried a pamphlet, documenting the miracles of each journey day by day. At the end of forty years, Hashem commanded that this personal journal be integrated eternally into the Torah. We are, in essence, reading Moshe's personal notebook of gratitude. III. Spark vs. Straw: Navigating the End of Days When confronting overwhelming external challenges, the Torah offers a profound framework for perspective. In Bereishit (37:1), Rashi describes Yaakov Avinu looking out at the vast, intimidating expansion of Esav's chieftains and wondering, How can I possibly manage or overcome all of this? Rashi provides the mashal of a blacksmith watching a massive caravan of camels arrive in the marketplace, completely overloaded with giant bundles of flax. The blacksmith wonders, Where will all this flax fit? A wise onlooker responds: "One single spark from your bellows can burn the entirety of it down." So too, Yaakov is the blacksmith. The Prophet Ovadiah ( Ovadyah 1:18) declares: "And the house of Yaakov shall be a fire, and the house of Yosef a flame, and the house of Esav for straw..." ( והיה בית יעקב אש ובית יוסף להבה ובית עשו לקש ) Rav Avraham Shor ( Shurot ) deepens this connection beautifully: קש (Straw): Represents Kina ק נאה (jealousy) and Sina ש נאה (hatred)—the exact interior traits defining Esav and the root of our current exile. אש (Fire): Represents א בינו ש בשמים ( Avinu Shebashamayim —Our Father in Heaven). Our entire job in the face of consuming negativity is to remember that we possess the fire of Avinu Shebashamayim . The Prophecy of Sotah The contemporary relevance of this message is explicitly mapped out at the conclusion of Tractate Sotah (9:15), describing the landscape of the generation preceding the arrival of Mashiach. The Mishna warns of a dramatic societal breakdown: truth will be hidden, audacity ( chutzpah ) will reach new heights, and those who fear sin or dedicate themselves to Torah scholarship will be utterly despised. Yet, after detailing each devastating step of this decline, the Mishna concludes with the exact same repeating refrain, which serves as our ultimate directive: "Upon whom can we rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven." ( על מי יש לנו להישען? על אבינו שבשמים ) Conclusion: The Healing of Av As everything around us appears to intensify, the spiritual task becomes singularly focused. The very name of the month we find ourselves in— אב (Av) —serves as an acronym for א מונה ו ב טחון ( Emunah and Bitachon ). The ultimate rectification for the historic and internal wounds of this season is to pivot away from the exhausting, jealous pursuit of what is not ours, and to lean entirely into the absolute reality of Avinu Shebashamayim . By taking our Lo Tachmod pulse and actively chronicling Hashem's daily intervention in our lives, we transform internal illness into absolute, unshakeable spiritual health. Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/237cef7a-612c-4323-9ce0-ceab1dbe55ec.mp3 The Four Kingdoms and the Root of the Churban We are currently in the Three Weeks, reflecting on the Churban Beit HaMikdash (the destruction of the Holy Temple). To truly understand our work during this period, we must ask: What was the root cause of the Churban ? How did it happen? Most of us are familiar with the Four Galiyot (Exiles): Bavel (Babylonia) Madai (Medes/Persians) Yavan (Greece) Edom (The current, final exile) The Imagery of the Non-Kosher Animals In Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 13:5), the Sages explain that the four animals possessing only one kosher sign correspond directly to these four empires: The Camel (Gamal): Represents Bavel . It chews its cud (internal sign) but does not have split hooves. The Rabbit (Arnevet): Represents Yavan . It is called gera because it "drags" ( garar ) another kingdom after it. The Badger (Shafan): Represents Madai . It similarly drags another kingdom. The Pig (Chazir): Represents Edom . והוא גרה לא יגר – "But he does not chew his cud." (Leviticus 11:7) The pig only has the external sign (split hooves) but lacks the internal sign. It is called Chazir because in the end, it will return ( lehachzir ) the kingdom to its rightful place by bringing Mashiach, as it says: "And saviors shall ascend Mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau, and the kingdom shall be Hashem's" (Ovadia 1:21). External vs. Internal Sins Why are the first three animals listed in one verse, while Edom is placed in a verse by itself? The Midrash explains: שקולה כנגד שלשתן — Edom weighs as much as the other three combined. This weight directly parallels the Three Cardinal Sins vs. the singular sin of the final exile: Empire Corresponding Cardinal Sin Historical Context / Manifestation Bavel Avodah Zarah (Idolatry) Bowing down to Nebuchadnezzar's statue. Yavan Giluy Arayot (Adultery/Immorality) The decree that a bride must first visit the Greek governor. Paras/Madai Shefichut Damim (Murder) Haman's decree lehashmid laharog (to destroy and kill). Edom Sinat Chinam (Baseless Hatred) Weighs against all three; characterizes our current exile. The Modern Geopolitical Parallel Historically and culturally, these traits persist: Bavel is rooted in the Middle East/Arab world, where the camel remains a cultural symbol. Edom is rooted in Western culture, heavily associated with the pig (e.g., dietary staples like bacon and ham). Interestingly, the pig represents the ultimate spiritual barrier in Eastern theology as well, where rumors even exist of military deterrents using pigskin. The Core Difference: The First Temple fell to the Babylonians (the camels), while the Second Temple fell to Rome/Western Culture (the pigs). The Verdict of the Gemara: Open vs. Hidden The Gemara ( Masechet Yoma ) records a profound insight from Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Elazar: The Early Generations (First Temple): Nitgala avonam, nitgala kitzam — Their sins were out in the open (idolatry, murder, immorality), so the end of their exile was openly revealed (70 years). The Later Generations (Second Temple): Lo nitgala avonam, lo nitgala kitzam — Their sins were hidden, so the end of their exile remains hidden. This is the distinction between Chitzoniyut (externals) and Pnimiyut (internals). A Medical Analogy: A person can have severe psoriasis. It looks terrible and is externally unappealing, but it isn't life-threatening. Another person can look perfectly healthy, doing push-ups and glowing on the outside, but suffers from a hidden, internal ailment that is fatal. The Vilna Gaon on the Power of Heart The Vilna Gaon (Gra) explains that the First Temple generation committed severe, open sins, תלו בטחונם בהשם — but they still relied on God. Their actions were terrible, but their hearts remained fundamentally connected through faith. They possessed Bitachon (trust in God). Conversely, the Second Temple generation looked structurally and behaviorally righteous on the outside—they learned Torah and performed deeds of kindness—but רחמנא ליבא בעי ( Hashem wants the heart ), and their hearts were corrupt. Bitachon: The Core of the Torah What do the kosher signs actually teach us? The Vilna Gaon notes: Chewing the Cud ( Ma'aleh Gera ): Represents Histapkut (contentment). It is the trait of being happy with what one has, constantly chewing and appreciating the same spark of life. Split Hooves: Represents a non-predatory nature. Kosher animals do not have claws to attack or tear others apart. Therefore, the ultimate sign of Kashrut is a sign of Emunah (faith). The Vilna Gaon writes in his commentary on Mishlei (22:19): עיקר נתינת התורה לישראל, כדי שישימו בטחונם בהשם "The primary reason the Torah was given to Israel was so that they would place their trust in Hashem." Bitachon is the Klal —the all-inclusive principle behind every single commandment. We eat kosher to remember God provides our food. We check for shatnez to remember God provides our clothing. The Ra'avad (quoted by Rav Yerucham Levovitz) notes that marital laws ( Taharat HaMishpacha ) remind a person that God granted them their spouse. The entire theme of the Torah is realizing that everything comes from God, and we must rely entirely on Him. The Ultimate Punchline Why was the Second Temple destroyed if the people were learning Torah and doing acts of kindness? It was destroyed because of Sinat Chinam (baseless hatred) and Mechoser Bitachon (a lack of trust in God). How are the two connected? כל השנאה והקנאה ממנו — All hatred and jealousy stem directly from a lack of Bitachon. If you truly realize that Hashem is in total control of the universe, and that no one can touch what is designated for you, you cannot harbor jealousy. If you lack Bitachon , you view others as obstacles to your success, which breeds hatred. The work of the Three Weeks is to shift from the external mask of righteousness to the internal reality of perfect trust in God, thereby curing the baseless hatred that keeps us in exile. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/3681b010-8a3c-45cb-8224-43f448759b9a.mp3 Overcoming Improper Humility: The Power of Our Generation Introduction: The Mandate of Yirmiyahu In the opening prophecy of Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah), God speaks to him and reveals his lifelong mission: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you." Yirmiyahu responds out of a sense of inadequacy: "Hashem, I do not know how to speak, for I am just a lad (ki naar anochi)." But Hashem immediately corrects him: "Do not say, 'I am a lad.' For wherever I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them..." While the core of Yirmiyahu's book is the message he delivers to the Jewish people, this introductory dialogue is vital for us to read and internalize. Rabbi Adler explains that the first step to greatness is knowing who you are. By showing Yirmiyahu that he was appointed over nations to uproot, destroy, build, and plant, Hashem was uprooting his improper humility . He wanted him to realize his immense power to impact the entire world. Rabbi Yochanan of Lubavitch noted: How many great people fell simply because they never heard or accepted the message of "Don't say I am a lad"? You Are the Center of Your World In Mesillat Yesharim (Chapter 19), regarding the concept of mourning for Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), the Ramchal addresses a common internal barrier. A person might say to themselves: "Who am I? Am I important enough to pray for Yerushalayim? Will my prayers really cause the exiles to gather and salvation to sprout?" The answer is found in the Mishnah ( Sanhedrin 38a): Man was created alone so that every individual must say, "The world was created for me." In your specific world, you are the only one who can offer that unique prayer. Regardless of whether the prayer is immediately answered, the sheer pleasure it gives the Almighty to see His children asking after His home is invaluable. When a request cannot be granted for reasons beyond our understanding, Hashem is still deeply comforted by our effort. Conversely, the prophet Yeshayahu (59:16) laments a lack of this self-awareness: "God sees there is nobody out there... God is stunned that there is no one pushing (ein mafgia)." There is no one stepping up to help. As Pirkei Avot (2:16) reminds us: "It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task, but you are not a free man to desist from it entirely." The Source of Joy in Avodat Hashem The Baal Shem Tov Al HaTorah (Parashat Noach) explains that improper humility distances a person from serving Hashem. When an individual views themselves as low and insignificant, they cease to believe that their prayers or their Torah learning can impact the higher worlds, or that the angels themselves are sustained by their service. If a person truly believed in their spiritual impact, they would serve Hashem with immense joy and awe ( b'simcha u've'yira ). The root cause of failing to serve Hashem with happiness ( tachat asher lo avadta... b'simcha ) is the toxic belief that your actions don't accomplish anything. As all roads lead to the same destination, the Nefesh HaChaim (Sha'ar 1) reinterprets the famous Mishnah in Pirkei Avot , "Da mah l'ma'lah mimcha" (Know what is above you), to mean: Know that what is happening Up Above is directly dependent on you . The Mashal of the Control Tower: Imagine a man sitting in front of a high-tech nuclear control panel, looking at the buttons and whispering, "Who am I? I am nobody." The response to him is: You might be ordinary, but look at where you are sitting. You are at the control tower, and your smallest movement impacts the entire world. The Mashal of the Thief and the Screw: A thief tried breaking into a house but couldn't get through the doors or windows. He climbed onto the roof, but still found no entry. Unwilling to leave empty-handed, he noticed the tip of a large screw protruding from the roof. He decided to unscrew it. Suddenly, there was a massive crash inside. He didn't realize that single screw was holding up the grand chandelier. The Nimshal: In this world, we see what look like small, insignificant "screws"—a minor mitzvah, a short prayer. We think, what's the big deal if I turn it or leave it? We fail to realize what is connected to the other end in the upper worlds. This echoes the advice given by the Kaminetz Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yitzchak Scheiner, to a Bar Mitzvah boy: "Before you are thirteen, you throw rocks at the ceiling like a child. After your Bar Mitzvah, your words and actions are blocks—some are blocks that build, and some are blocks that break. You must realize your power." The Premium Value of a Lowly Generation In She'elot U'teshuvot Yabia Omer (Vol. 4, Orach Chaim 13), Hacham Ovadia Yosef discusses whether it is proper to omit Tachanun (supplicatory prayers) for a siyum (completion of a Torah tractate) celebrated by working men or casual learners. One might argue that because they aren't elite scholars, and they may not retain everything in depth, the celebration shouldn't warrant skipping these prayers. Hacham Ovadia strongly rules that it absolutely does warrant it. We must lift the banner of Torah and accord tremendous respect to these individuals. Why? Because of the unique value of Torah study in our specific generation. He quotes Rav Chaim Vital, in the name of the AriZal, who revealed a profound spiritual principle: The greatness of a soul's impact does not depend entirely on the magnitude of the deed itself; it depends heavily on the generation in which it is performed. A small deed in a dark, spiritually challenging generation weighs as much as multiple major mitzvot in previous, spiritually pure generations. If that was true in Safed 400 years ago, imagine the value of our actions today. Supply, Demand, and Heavenly Assistance The Lev Eliyahu (quoting Rav Yisrael Salanter) notes that in a generation where negative forces are rampant, anyone who makes the effort to do teshuva (repentance) receives an extraordinary, disproportionate amount of siyata d'shmaya (Heavenly assistance), holiness, and purity. God always keeps the spiritual scales balanced. The Chofetz Chaim's Baker Mashal: Before World War I, a baker complained to the Chofetz Chaim that business was brutal because customers were picky, demanding, and full of complaints. After the war broke out, the baker reported that business was booming. Why? Because there was a shortage of bread. People happily grabbed whatever they could get. The Chofetz Chaim explained that the same applies to our service of Hashem. In the golden days of old, Heaven checked our service with a fine-tooth comb—how soft was it, how good did it smell? Today, during a spiritual famine, Heaven lovingly accepts anything we can offer. Standing Tall in the Darkness of the Three Weeks Rabbi Moshe Vachfogel ( Daas Torah , Parashat Shelach) writes a staggering thought: In our dark generation, as lowly as we may feel, we are considered tzaddikim gemurim (completely righteous). He questions: Is it a small thing for a young man to travel across oceans, leaving modern comforts, to sit and toil in a yeshiva? A student today who works tirelessly to comprehend the Torah of previous generations—even if he struggles to fully grasp it—may very well be greater in the eyes of Heaven than the historical author whose book he is holding. One groan, one sigh of spiritual yearning in our generation shatters the heavens. One reason for this superiority is motivation. In previous eras, a Torah scholar was met with immense societal respect and prestige. Today, a Ben Torah often faces misunderstanding, apathy, or outright insults from the outside world, yet he pushes forward anyway. Application to the Three Weeks This is the ultimate perspective we need during the Three Weeks of mourning for the Temple: We look at historical accounts of how previous generations wept for the Churban (destruction), and we feel like absolute zeros. We can barely squeeze out a tear. But consider the context: They lived through poverty, crusades, and pogroms. Their physical lives were miserable, making it easier to cry for a missing redemption. We, however, are sitting in the absolute lap of luxury in the middle of the summer. The fact that we willingly pull ourselves away from our comforts, even for a moment, to think about the Churban and feel a sense of loss— that is an unbelievably great achievement. Do not let the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) use the words of the Sages— "When will my deeds reach the deeds of my forefathers?" —as a tactic to make you give up. In our generation, Emunah (faith) is our true greatness. As the verse says, "Lehagid baboker chasdecha, v'emunatecha baleilot" (To tell of Your kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness in the nights). Previous generations lived in the "morning"—the light was on, and clarity was accessible. Our job is to survive and shine in the "night." By strengthening our Emunah in the darkness, we achieve ultimate greatness. Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon https://learntorah.com/content/61f3bebb-1b21-470a-831e-76e00ea51411.mp3 Shabbat: The Root of Exile and the Key to Redemption As we find ourselves in the Three Weeks, mourning the Churban Beit HaMikdash (Destruction of the Temple), we can find a profound connection between this period of exile and the holiness of Shabbat. The Gemara ( Masechet Shabbat 118b ) states a radical concept: If the Jewish people had fully kept the very first Shabbat, no nation would have ever been able to gain control over them. The Apparent Contradiction The Gemara derives this from the text in Shemot. Right after the Jewish people desecrated Shabbat by trying to collect the Manna ( Shemot 16:27 ), the Torah states, "Vayavo Amalek" —Amalek came and attacked ( Shemot 17:8 ). However, there is a textual problem. These two events do not happen right next to each other. In between the desecration of Shabbat and the arrival of Amalek, the Torah records the episode of Massah U-Merivah , where the people openly doubted God, asking: " היש ה' בקרבנו אם אין " ( "Is God among us or not?" ). We traditionally learn that Amalek attacks precisely when our faith wavers and we ask "Where is God?" If their lack of faith caused the attack, why does the Gemara blame it on the desecration of Shabbat? To use an analogy: If someone drinks Alka-Seltzer, then drinks cyanide, and dies—you cannot claim the Alka-Seltzer killed them. The cyanide did. Resolution: Shabbat Filters Our Emunah Rav Matityahu Salomon answers this using a passage from Yechezkel (20:12-13) . The prophet describes how God took the nation out of Egypt, gave them commandments, and they rebelled. Yechezkel highlights one specific sin: " ושבתותי חללו מאד " ( "And My Sabbaths they greatly desecrated" ), noting that this is why God initially wanted to destroy them in the desert. We usually associate the threat of destruction in the desert with the Sin of the Spies ( Meraglim ). Why does Yechezkel point to Shabbat? The Root and the Symptom: If not for the initial breakdown in Shmirat Shabbat (Shabbat observance), the Jewish people would never have developed doubts in their Emunah (faith). The only reason they asked "Is God among us?" at Massah U-Merivah, and the only reason they faltered during the Sin of the Spies, was because the spiritual shield of their Shabbat had been compromised. (Note: This identical insight was published 300 years ago by Rav Moshe Frankfurt in his Sefer Mincha Gedola). The Path to Geulah (Redemption) Just as Shabbat neglect is the root of exile, proper Shabbat observance is the fast track to the Geulah . The Gemara famously notes that if Israel keeps just two Shabbatot properly, they will be immediately redeemed. But how is it practically possible to get the entire global Jewish population to keep Shabbat perfectly all at once? 1. The Power of a Single Community Rav Matityahu Salomon ( Matnat Chaim, p. 205 ) quotes the Zohar Chadash (Parshat Noach) , which resolves this exact logistical question: If even one single synagogue or community sincerely returns to God and elevates their Shabbat together, the entire global exile will be gathered back in their merit. The responsibility doesn't fall on those who do not yet know the beauty of Shabbat; it falls on us—those who do know—to uplift our own observance. 2. The Anatomy of "Two Shabbats" The Sefer Apiryon (quoting Rav Teitelbaum , the Yismach Moshe , 1758–1841) takes this a step further. He explains that we technically only need to keep one Shabbat flawlessly—but a flawless Shabbat requires a specific framework: [Shabbat 1: The Source] ──> [6 Holy Weekdays] ──> [Shabbat 2: The Destination] To truly rest on the seventh day, the preceding six days of work must be infused with the holiness of the Shabbat that came before them. Therefore, to experience one perfectly integrated holy week, you naturally need to experience two Shabbatot —one to fuel the week, and one to conclude it. 3. Overriding the Laws of Nature A final, mind-boggling piece of this puzzle is found in Gemara Niddah 13b , which states that Mashiach cannot come until all destined souls ( Neshamot ) are born into the world. Tosafot poses a challenge: If keeping two Shabbatot can bring Mashiach instantly, what happens to the remaining unborn souls? Tosafot answers: The spiritual power of keeping two Shabbatot is so immense that God will alter the laws of nature. Much like the miraculous births in Egypt, mothers will instantly and safely give birth to multiple children at once, rapidly bringing all remaining souls into the world to clear the path for Mashiach. Conclusion Shabbat holds the ultimate spiritual leverage. When neglected, it weakens our foundational faith and leaves us vulnerable to exile. But when cherished and elevated—even by just one dedicated community—Shabbat possesses the supernatural power to alter reality, repair our Emunah , and bring the ultimate Geulah today. Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:01:11 GMT Rabbi David Sutton Rabbi David Sutton No Learn Bitachon daily Learn Bitachon daily with Rabbi David Sutton Daily, Bitachon