| "The righteous person shall live by his faith." (Chavakuk 2:4)
The Prophet Chavakuk taught that the entirety of the 613 Mitzvos can be distilled into a single, foundational principle: Emunah (Faith). However, the Saba of Slabodka (Rav Nosson Zvi Finkel) explains that Emunah is not merely a cognitive belief or a set of rules; it is the very "oxygen" of the soul. Vibrant faith in HaShem is life itself. When we cultivate a sincere belief in
HaShem’s absolute goodness and His constant presence, we aren't just "surviving"—we are truly alive. This brand of faith infuses a person with a distinct type of happiness, a resilient optimism, and a tireless spiritual energy. Without Emunah, a person may be physically breathing, but through the lens of the Ohr HaZafon, it is only through faith that one truly lives.
The Moral: The Soul's Inherent Value
The pinnacle of faith is not only believing in HaShem "up there," but also trusting in what He put "down here"—within you. The greatest expression of Emunah is the unwavering trust that HaShem has granted every single human being a wise, eternal, and infinitely holy soul. We often focus on our flaws, but true faith requires us to believe in the "Divine spark" that HaShem deemed worthy of existence.
Today's Takeaway
Take a moment each day to internalize this reality: At every single second, HaShem is actively breathing a living soul into you—a soul that emanates directly from the highest heights of Gan Eden. * Practice: Close your eyes for a moment and sense that your vitality is not just biological, but a continuous gift from the Creator. - Result: When you realize your soul is a "piece" of the Divine, your self-worth ceases to depend on worldly success and begins to rest on your eternal, holy essence.
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Life Advice – עצת חיים
You are welcome to ask any question and receive a personal, private response from Rabbi Zvi Miller.
Please email: salantorg@gmail.com | 
