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We live our identity. We live our musts, our standards. Through our identity, we define our non-negotiable standards, the things that we absolutely must do. Everyone has things that they want to do: We want to learn more Torah, have a deeper connection with Hashem, develop better midos, build better relationships, create financial success, and have healthier bodies. However, we don’t get what we want, we get what we need. We need to eat, we need to breathe, and until we need all these things that we want, they’re going to remain on our wish list forever. The only way to change something from a want to a need is to change our identity. Only by raising our standards, and creating a growth-oriented identity, can we shift our life towards greatness.

Marking the Completion of the 2^nd Machzor of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and the Beginning of the Third Machzor

“What better eis ratzon, what more opportune time can we find to go to the Chofetz Chaim’s kever to daven? Now, we are on the cusp of completing the entire Mishnah Berurah in the Dirshu Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program. This is the second seven-year cycle of the Mishnah Berurah completed by Dirshu. We are also completing the mussar component of the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program where all the Chofetz Chaim’s sefarim on mussar have been learned, including Chofetz Chaim, Shemiras Halashon, Ahavas Chessed, Chovas Hashemirah, Zechor L’Miriam, Sefas Tamim and so many more. What better time to daven, thanking him for the zechus of learning his seforim and even more importantly begging that, in his zechus, hundreds of thousands more Yidden shall merit undertake to learn Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and Mussar daily thereby bringing Hashem into their lives, every day at every hour?!”

Sefer Hagibborim with Names of Each Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Learner, and Family to be Placed by Kever of Chofetz Chaim

When a large contingent of Gedolei Yisrael comes together from throughout the world to undertake a chizuk journey on behalf of Klal Yisrael it is a major event, a major breakthrough! Those familiar with the full, overwhelming schedules of our Gedolim, whether they are Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbanim, Dayanim or Mashgichim, know that every day is full to the utmost, with learning, teaching, imparting chizuk, attending simchos, and the list goes on.

Fear immobilizes us, paralyzes us, and stops us from achieving our greatness. Yet, on the other side of every fear is the person we want to become. For the past few weeks, I’ve been forced to overcome many of the fears that come with being a new parent, such as endless diaper changes, sleepless nights, and worry if I’m taking proper care of our little angel. The ideas in this article came to life and helped me turn the challenges of parenthood into beautiful moments of growth, so I’m really looking forward to sharing them with you.

There were once two boys who went ice-skating on a frozen lake in their neighborhood. As they were enjoying themselves, the ice suddenly cracked, and one of the boys fell through into the icy water. His friend started frantically reaching for him, but he was too late, and the boy got swept underneath the ice. Desperate to save his friend, this scrawny boy quickly looked around, saw a tree in the distance, and rushed over to try to pull off a branch. After tugging for a few seconds, he managed to crack off a huge branch, and he then quickly ran back to his friend.  He smashed and thrashed at the thick ice until it finally cracked, allowing him to grab onto his friend. He dragged him back to the shore just as the ambulance arrived, and miraculously, they were able to resuscitate him.

Chanukah

There was once a public debate between a rabbi and an astrophysicist regarding the nature of our universe. The astrophysicist, representing the atheist perspective, confidently approached the podium and began addressing the audience: “I don’t know much about Judaism, but I believe I can sum it up in a few words: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” With that, he went on to detail how physicists could now adequately explain the nature of our universe, without the need for religion. When he finished his speech, it was the rabbi’s turn to address the audience and represent the religious approach. With a sparkle in his eye, he turned to the crowd, and said: “I don’t know much about astrophysics, but I believe I can sum it up in a few words: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.” With that, he went on to deliver the rest of his speech.