Trust In Hashem!

Trust In Hashem!

Story told by a man which is most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life.

He had been on a long flight. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: “Fasten your seat belts.”

Then, after a while, a calm voice said, “We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.”

As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, “We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us.”

And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The man confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, “As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.

The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book.

Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid.”

The man could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid. The sweet child replied,

“Sir, my Dad is the pilot and he is taking me home.”

When you are sure of yourself, your confident level is steady and you are never shaky you do the things calmly and successfully. Hashem is our father. He is in the pilots seat. He is in charge and knows "exactly" where to go, what buttons to push. Etc. sometimes it looks bad and scary and people are frightened out of their wits but like the little girls faith she knows she'll be allright because dad is in charge! Hashem has a plan and we don't know who what when and where but that's Hashems department not ours. We as His children need just to trust that He knows what he's doing. 

Trust Hashem.  

Once we put our faith in Hashem, the pilot, we can sit back and feel relaxed and be stress free! What a wonderful feeling to be free of worry and know that our father, Hashem will take us where we need to be.

Who Is In Charge?

At least this lady recognizes who is in charge...

It's Thursday afternoon, and I'm preparing for Shabbos like every other week. But... this Thursday is different.

I usually have my Erev-Shabbos schedule down pat. I'm a very structured person and I like things to be just so.

This Thursday, though, my husband did the Shabbos shopping bein hasedarim because I am afraid of the Arab workers in Hachi Kedai.

This Thursday, my Chessed girl called to cancel because her seminary is in lockdown.

This Thursday, I am cooking for just us because my brother-in-law's Yeshiva is having a mandatory in-Shabbos as a result of the current situation.

This Thursday, I am not concerned about scheduling my baby's nap early enough so we can get to the park before bedtime, because all we mothers feel that the park is too exposed for our comfort.

I haven't gone out in a few days- I have been postponing all my errands.

I feel trapped; cooped up. And scared.

Everything is different.

Or is it?

I am reminded of another Thursday afternoon, two years ago. That Thursday, we were snowed in.

My husband did the shopping because I was afraid of the unsalted streets.

My Chessed girl cancelled because she could not get from her neighborhood to mine.

I cooked for just us because no guests were willing to brave the treacherous roads.

I made no plans to go to the park because the park was lost beneath a sea of white.

And I did not even attempt to run errands.

I felt cooped up just the same. But not scared.

And all those similarities got me thinking.

Weather is beyond my control, as are terrorists. And just like Hashem will decide without my help when there will be storm and when will be sun, so too He decides when and where the knife will pierce. Which plans will be thwarted and which evil intentions averted.

If He is not stopping those knives, there is a reason.

And if that knife is meant to pierce, the safety of my walls is no safety at all.

So the only thing we CAN control is how we respond to the message Hashem is sending us with such force. Paralyzing fear (my reaction till now) is understandable, but doesn't accomplish much. Instead, I am using this extended time indoors with my children to get to know them better, to play with them more. I am learning to feel proud of living here in fear- of staying in Eretz Yisrael when it's not comfortable. I am learning to value our emunas chachamim when I send my husband to kollel without too much fear because R' Chaim said talmidei chachamim will be protected. And I am learning to surrender control to Hashem.

It's a pretty important lesson. From the storms of anger, terrorism and snow, I learned my place.

Let us pray that Hashem now begins to show His ultimate control by bringing absolute Shalom and eternal peace to Klal Yisrael!

Great Training! Inspirational Article

Inspiration Daily "Training Ground" LISTEN Transcript:     In this week's Parsha the Ribono Shel Olam commands Avraham Avinu "Lech lecha". Rashi says, "go for your own good and your own pleasure". There is a beautiful thought from the Beis Yisroel. But before we get to it, there is a story with Rav Nachum of Chreynoble.     Rav Nachum was one time inexplicably placed in prison. He was taken and thrown into prison. He didn't know what he did wrong and he had no idea how long he was going to be there. An Eliyahu Hanavi type figure came to visit him in prison. Someone he never saw before and someone he would probably never see afterwards. He asks him, "Why am I here? What am I doing here?" And he said, "Rav nachum I want you to know, you are destined to become someone who will be great in the area of redeeming and helping prisoners, and those held captive. In order for you to fully appreciate what those individuals are going through, you must first experience what it is like to be a prisoner. And after that, only after that will you be able to really help those people as much as possible. Tomorrow you will be freed", and indeed he was.     Says the Beis Yisroel a beautiful thought. The Ribono Shel Olam told Avraham Avinu, "Go. Go on the way". Where? When? How? The Ribono Shel Olam didn't tell him. Why? Because Avraham Avinu, you are destined to be great in many areas but in one area specifically, hachnasas orchim. In order for you to fully appreciate what it means to host a guest, you have to know what it is to be a guest. You have to know what it means to be lost on the road, to be without food, without drink, to be desperate for a place to sleep and somewhere to eat. So the Ribono Shel Olam says first go and be a guest, be lost on the road, go and wander. Ill show you where to go, but you will have to have trust and faith in me. Once you know what it is to be a guest, then you will be able to host guests and help others.     This is a very practical application for each and every one of us. The Ribono Shel Olam knows that we each have greatness within us. But in order for us to maximize that greatness, we must first go through certain specific challenges that will help us overcome. The satan knows we can be great, and therefore, those challenges come in ways that make it seem like we are overwhelmed. But if we stop for a moment and realize that this is just the training ground, then when the true ability that we have within us is revealed we will be able to help those because we have walked through it ourselves.     If you are faced with a certain challenge; whether it's in learning, davening, being sensitive, lashon harsh, hosting people, whatever that challenge may be know that it's because Hakadosh Baruch Hu knows how great you can be in that area. He needs you to first go through the training to get there. Good luck on your training mission. Have a great day and a great rest of your week.

.

Moms

One day Thomas Edison came home and gave a paper to his mother. He told her, “My teacher gave this paper to me and told me to only give it to my mother.”

His mother’s eyes were tearful as she read the letter out loud to her child: Your son is a genius. This school is too small for him and doesn’t have enough good teachers for training him. Please teach him yourself.
After many, many years, after Edison’s mother died and he was now one of the greatest inventors of the century, one day he was looking through old family things. Suddenly he saw a folded paper in the corner of a drawer in a desk. He took it and opened it up.
On the paper was written: Your son is addled [mentally ill]. We won’t let him come to school any more.
Edison cried for hours and then he wrote in his diary: “Thomas Alva Edison was an addled child that, by a hero mother, became the genius of the century.”

Never Give up. Be confident. Remember –  (be it life, sports, career or any competition) – any battle is won twice – FIRST IN YOUR HEAD…….

Inspiration From The Rebbe

The Rebbes Uplifting Message 

Watch Now

http://youtu.be/jGLM4tHAlTs

Incredible Boat Rescue By Israelis

http://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.israel21c.org%2Fisraelis-rescue-syrian-iraqi-refugees-after-boat-capsizes%2F&h=lAQHtB5Ef&enc=AZNl6oKEedo0jdNrqPJVD3qGtntZ088s-9NcFYLxu9KkEYV3apAwz05b6umC3lfXmfIu6QY5QOyapRiRu43GHPTIEpPyrq8K4hMGfHxzsFv4U5U8seTKM8Yl2daqDhBxiGjfKlDTwiam4-Qox91AIqvPjOV8H4pbpLr98ZBWJgJ8BQ&s=1

Positively Good

Beautiful story about a Positive Attitude. 

A famous writer was in his study. He picked up his pen and began writing:

**  Last year, my gall bladder was removed.  I was stuck in bed due to this surgery for a long time.

**  The same year I reached the age of 60 and had to give up my favorite job. I had spent 30 years of my life with this publishing company.

**  The same year I experienced the death of my father.

**  In the same year my son failed in his medical exam because he had a car accident. He had to stay in the hospital with a cast on his leg for several days.

**  And the destruction of the car was a second loss.

At the end he wrote:  Alas! It was such bad year!!

When the writer's wife entered the room, she found her husband looking sad and lost in his thoughts.  From behind his back she read what was written on his paper.  She left the room silently and came back shortly with another paper on which she had written her summary of the year and placed it beside her husband's writing.

When the writer saw her paper, he read:

**  Last year I finally got rid of my gall bladder which had given me many years of pain.

**  I turned 60 with sound health and retired from my job. Now I can utilize my time to write better and with more focus and peace.

**  The same year my father, at the age of 95 without depending on anyone and without any critical conditions, met his Creator.

**  The same year, God blessed my son with life.  My car was destroyed, but my son was alive and without permanent disability.

At the end she wrote:  This year was an immense blessing and it passed well!!

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful but gratitude that makes us happy! There is always, always always so much to be grateful for!

Attitude is everything

Connected To Above

Thought of the day.........

 Rabbi Meir of Premishlan lived at the foot of a very steep hill. 

Each day, even in the ice of winter, he would hike over the hill to immerse and purify himself in a stream on the other side. 

The people who knew of this considered this quite wondrous; they could only walk around the hill as they were scared of falling on the ice.

 One day, a few young men  followed the Rebbi up the hilltop as he effortlessly ascended the hill once again. 

All of them fell down and were badly hurt. 

What was Rabbi Meir's secret? 

"When you are connected to above, he explained,

 You do not fall down."

(Bringing Heaven down to Earth page 129)

Whats Really Important In A Shidduch!

A man came to ask s Rabbi about boy in the yeshivah for his daughter who had reached marriageable age. He arrived at the yeshivah and entered the rosh yeshivah’s home during the break between learning sessions.

R’ Shmuel greeted him cordially and asked why he had come. He explained to the rosh yeshivah that he was inquiring about a particular boy. R’ Shmuel told him to ask him what was on his mind.
The man had many questions. First, he wanted to know how many hours a day the bachur learned. Was he punctual in arriving to seder and did he spend his time diligently? Did he come to davening on time and did he actively participate in the shiur? Did he ask relevant questions and understand the answers?
R’ Shmuel knew the boy well and was able to answer every question satisfactorily. After receiving a favorable report in regard to his questions, the man thanked R’ Shmuel for his time and got up to leave. At this point, R’ Shmuel, in his gentle and noble way, turned to the father and said, “You’ve asked me a number of questions. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions, too?” Of course, the man agreed.
R’ Shmuel looked at the man and said, “It seems to me that you are inquiring about the boy for your daughter and you seem happy with the report I gave you. You obviously think that all your daughter needs to know is whether he comes on time and if he is a lamdan.” The man nodded his head in agreement.
“But did it ever occur to you,” asked R’ Shmuel, “that your daughter might want to know if this boy is a mentsch? If he is a ba’al chessed?”
R’ Shmuel continued, “It would seem fitting that you should ask me: How often does he brush his teeth? How does he behave in the company of others? Does he arrive first in the dining room and take the biggest portion, or does he linger after Minchah for a few minutes to learn more and then eat whatever portion is left when he gets to the dining room?”
The man started to interject, but R’ Shmuel continued speaking. “I’m sure your daughter would be curious to know what he does when the pitcher on the table is empty. Does he wait for someone else to fill it up or does he run to fill it himself? Does he ever go into the kitchen to thank the staff for preparing the food? Does he eat the food even if he doesn’t care for it, or does he just go to the nearby kiosk to buy something he likes?
“You came to the conclusion that he is a masmid; did you ask what he does when he finishes learning late at night and his roommates are sleeping? Does he take off his shoes and tiptoe in so as not to wake them, or does he walk in noisily? Does he make his bed and keep his things neat? Does he think about others and want to do chessed for them, or does he just think about himself?” R’ Shmuel concluded, “I think that you need to check these things out. If he arrives home in the afternoon and does not like the food your daughter worked hard to prepare, will his face reflect obvious dissatisfaction? Will your daughter then be happy that her father checked this boy out with the rosh yeshivah who told him that he knows every Ketzosand Rabi Akiva Eiger? Will she say, ‘It’s true that he has no manners and no social skills, but I respect him anyway because he knows the sugya of the bees and the mustard in Bava Basra’?”
The man hung his head in shame, realizing his oversight. He understood R’ Shmuel’s message and now knew the proper approach to finding a shidduch for a bas Yisrael. It is important for a bachur to be diligent, but one must also remember that nothing in this world, and certainly no marriage, can exist without chessed.

Chazal tell us that Noach used a “secret weapon” with which he was able to rebuild the world after the destruction of the Flood: Olam chessed yibaneh—“the world will be built upon kindness” (Tehillim 89:3).
Rav Mordechai Gifter zt”l explains that Noach was locked inside a floating ark for 120 days with nothing to do butchessed for his family and for the animals. This was all for the sole purpose of entrenching the ideal of chessed into his very being so that when it would be time to come out and start the world over again, he would do so with the attribute of kindness. This was, and continues to be, the only way the world can exist.

I Am A Jew!

Incredible video

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1275973062428390&id=100000471269080