Emuna Hour

Anxiety and even panic often occur when a surprise trouble or challenge hits the unsuspecting victim. Unfortunately, most people are unprepared when life's unpleasant surprises ambush them. Some rise to the occasion, but many others crack under the pressure or fall into despair. We don't want that to happen. In that respect, this lesson is a life-saver, literally.

No one on earth, no matter how it might seem otherwise, has a trouble-free life. Therefore, bitachon - the firm trust in the Almighty - is a priceless spiritual asset. A person's level of true bitachon is gauged under fire, when he or she is bombarded with troubles. Trying times put a person's bitachon to the test, as the Torah itself testifies: "In your distress, when all these troubles befall you" (Deuteronomy 4:30). Here's what happens when a person has strong trust in Hashem...

This week's Emuna Hour begins with explaining the meaning of genuine trust in the Almighty. The second half shows where we see the current war prophesied in this week's Torah portion. Again, it's the war against darkness that attempts to extinguish the light.

King David had arms of steel but that's not how he won wars. His prayers were words of steel, stronger than bunker busters. Not only that; his prophetic message in Psalm 83 shows exactly what's happening in Israel's war against Hamas this very moment.

People ask, how can such a war be for the best? Why would Hashem put us through so much pain? The answer, as we are about to learn, syncs perfectly with the 1st Principle of Emuna. Warning - this shiur is not for the faint-hearted. It contains graphic descriptions of the unprecedented massacre and a savage enemy. It also contains the time-tested key to prevailing over a vicious enemy. Wherever you are, you can expedite the victory and the destruction of evil.

Most people dread the thought of Yom Kippur and fasting for 25 hours. That is bodily-oriented dread. As far as the soul is concerned, it's the happiest day of the year. Let's connect to our souls and find out why.

Chutzpa is the Hebrew word for audacity. When we activate our chutzpa in the right place, we gird ourselves in strength and are able to take a bold stand against evil. On the other hand, chutzpa in the wrong place sends a person into a self-destruct mode. Today's lesson on Chapter Four of Orchus Tzaddikim - Ways of the Righteous - teaches us to differentiate between "holy chutzpa" and the unholy type.

Would you do whatever you want behind closed doors if you knew that no one would see you or catch you in the act? Would you allow your spouse to see your computer's or smartphone's surfing history? There's a healthy type of shame that indicates to emuna and spiritual intelligence. This is the subject of today's lesson on the "Gate of Shame", the third chapter of the classic "Ways of the Righteous."

Humility is a wonderful trait, the opposite of arrogance. One who attains humility saves himself untold grief and circumvents many of evil's ensnarement. The Almighty cherishes every morsel of effort that a person invests in seeking humility, as we learn in today's lesson on the classic book of ethics, "Ways of the Righteous."

Arrogance is the first "gate," or chapter, of the classic ethics book "Ways of the Righteous," which we learn in today's lesson. The author addresses this character trait first because it's the root of many additional character flaws. In fact, it's the most damaging of negative character traits. Learning how to avoid it is therefore the foundation of character refinement.

"The Ways of the Righteous" is one of Judaim's prime guidebooks to character refinement and improvement. We humans have the bodies of mammals but the souls of angels. The more we strive to refine character, the more our souls can channel our bodies in the upright path. This wonderful book teaches how to do just that. Today's lesson introduces us to the art and challenge of improving our character.

A Noahide's prayers are not written in any prayer book. They are written on the walls of the Noahide heart.