Emunah (eh-moo-na): A knowing, deep in the soul, that there is only one G‑d, that He is good, and that He loves you unconditionally.
Simchah (sim-kha): A mighty current of life-energy felt when contemplating emunah.
Bitachon (bi-ta-khon): A surge of invincible confidence that emerges when emunah is challenged by circumstance.
B"H
Thank you Ranbi Tzvi Freeman for sharing this teaching based from the teachings of the Rebbe of righteous memory with us.
I have one question, why add 'unconditional ' to the 'love' the Aibishter has for us? I have not heard the Rebbe say the wird "unconditional ". Of course not. It's the modern (since his passing) psycho babble term that people think adds some kind of intensity to the concept of love. It even gives carte blanche that we can do anything and people, specifically here the Aibishter, loves us no matter what we do. How can that be true? I think that it is also disingenuous to the Torah, which shows all kinds of examples of the Aibishter's reaction when the people Israel defied Him, took ideas into their own hands, complained when the Aibishter did not "appreciate" it, etc. Are those things not in essence "conditions"? Or are we looking at the underlying love for the people Israel as a "given" that transcends our behavior? He loves us though there are consequences?
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The Rebbe spoke in Yiddish, as did the Baal Shem Tov. The Baal Shem Tov compared the love to that of elderly parents towards an only child born to them in their elder years. That is certainly not a conditional love.
Torah and mitzvahs, their reward and punishment, are not conditions of love. G‑d loves the sinner just the same as the tzadik. Punishment is also a form of love, in some ways a deeper love than reward.
So, yes, there are consequences. Love has consequences.
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B’H This is a wonderful piece of information that explains the sensation I feel when I receive the joy of teshuvah from recognizing its HaShem’s love that brings me back to obedience in performance of mitzvah, study of Torah and prayer and charity. Shalom Elohim. Reply
Can you provide a source for this one? Reply
Where lays the source of our faith and belief when it is lacking? How can we find it in this place of doubt and deceit?
Not everyone has been raised to have true faith without having the right to ask questions that show that there is much lacking from our own religion's practice and full understanding. There is no certainty in wise sayings and writings, when so much disappointment for good progress exists and hope is lacking and retrograde steps are more common than good progress.
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David is right, where do we go from here? Reply
What is 'true faith'? Does anyone have it? Does having questions mean that faith is lacking somewhere? Jews question. It is encouraged. Rather to question in order to gain an understanding of the Aibishter than to not wuedtion with diubts tfat keep ys more dustant from the Holy One Blessed be He than He wants is to be.
Being raised in one way dues not limit us as adults from pursuing the kind of relationship with the Aibishter that we want to have. We have minds to use. We have hearts to connect. That goes beyond a couple of decades of learning as yourh.
Judaism is not a religion. It is a relationship with the Aibishter. Nowhere in Torah dies the Aibishter say "religion". It is a manmade construct that restricts more than it aids. It is for "getting" from the Aibishter. A seat in heaven, "salvation", virgins, nirvana, whatever. Jews, all people are encouraged, to give to Him instead. That is what we are here to do. Give. Be partners in the continuing creation. Improve this world.
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You go somewhere an ordinary place,a foodbank for someone who cannot get food.You ask a question ,someone needs a bath chair, you ask can you let me know.
Not the kind of question usually asked ,the answer is yes and i 'll bring it to you.
A life changing moment ,and a warm feeling G d has heard this woman's prayers and that fills her soul and yours.
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Through the Torah, the Zohar and the sages as Abraham, Moses, the Ari. Rabi Schneur Zalman of Liadi and others we know from G_d's thought of Creation that He has a goal and positive destiny for humanity.
Within our narrow frame of reference, the process may be turbulent and chaotic filled with heartbreaking lows and few exuberant highs as we experience many states to refine our nature.
Faith above our limited reasoning enables us to accept the process which leads to one harmonious interconnected union between us and G_d.
We can only accelerate the process by gripping onto bitachon and following the instructions from the holy books and sages.