| King David loved - with great intensity - the sweetness and pleasantness of Torah learning. In fact, he enjoyed learning Torah so much that even when he set out to attend to a personal task, he would invariably find that his "legs carried him to the Beis HaMidrash." The Torah was so sweet to him that he simply could not separate himself from its pleasure. The only way he could involve himself in a non-Torah activity was if he consciously forced himself to temporarily suspend his delight in Torah. A decision to engage in a spiritual activity does not usually suffice to fight against the whims of human nature. Rather, when a person's very nature is immersed in the joy of Torah, then everything that he does will be swept up in his passion for Torah. Take a few minutes to awaken your love for Torah before you learn - and then experience the sweetness of Torah study. (Based on Midrash Raba Bachukosai as explained by the Alter of Kelm, Rav Simchah Zissel Ziv)
Yochai was married for many years, yet his wife did not bear him children. He asked her to accept a divorce, so that he could marry a new wife who might bear him children. She begged him to let her try for one more year. Yochai agreed to her request. With a broken heart and countless tears she prayed for a miracle. One night, Yochai dreamt that he was in a forest of dry leafless trees. Each tree was watered with a cup of water and sprouted to life. Soon he came to his tree, which was next to a barrel of water. The barrel poured water on to the tree, and it blossomed with leaves and fruits. He related the dream to a sage and asked him its meaning. The sage told him that he would have a great son who would illuminate the world. Yochai asked why the other trees had a cup, while his tree had a barrel of water. The sage answered, "The barrel of water symbolizes the copious tears of your wife." Heartfelt prayer with many tears has the power to convert darkness to light, heal every illness, and transform hardship into joy. Pray to HaShem with all of your heart and soul, and trust in His infinite mercy and kindness to answer all of your prayers.
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