Dear Chevreh,
I just have to share some of these incredible posts from our forum since after Yom-Tov.
There's so many valiant battles going on there, so much inspiration, Teshuvah and Ahavas Yisrael!
(Scroll down to read them all)
Hi All,
I posted last week regarding the change this year in how I feel. In previous years the feeling of Prikas Ol were very empowering at this time of year and the ensuing Yom Tov of Succos/Shmini Atzeres/Simchas Torah had little or no impression on me.
This year has been AMAZING! I feel so different. I have been looking forward to shaking my arba minim each morning and wrapping myself up in my tallis for Hoisha'anos. It never used to be that way - NEVER!
Also, for the first time this year, I have reached the target of Shmini Atzeres without missing a minyan, staying clean and pure since well before Rosh Hashana......
As a direct result of my hard work (my G-d it's been tough) I have utilised the free offer of 'koroiv H-shem le'koire'ov' and I've found that my closeness to H-shem has brought me closer to my dear wife which has reaped the obvoius benefits.
With the greatest start of a year for me ever, I now feel stronger that ever before to battle the winter. I know it'll be tough and not always upbeat but that's no excuse for not trying.
I can tell you that Simchas Torah this year was like Yom Kippur. It was a Simchas Torah like never before. I held that beautiful Sefer Torah so tight and danced with my eyes closed and went round and round the Bimah in my own thoughts. Yes, we dance with the sefer torah in recognition of finishing the whole Sefer torah and we are besimcha because 'asher bochar banu mikol ha'amim'. But, my thoughts during the hakafos were somewhat different....
I was thinking, 'Please dear most compassionate Hashem, help me throughout the cold and unforgiving winter. Help me have the strength to continue my recent Aliyah. Help me have the chutzpah to tell people posing as the Y'H to disappear. Help me serve You with a clean heart. Help me be a frum yid and act like one ALWAYS. Help me benefit from your beautiful umbrella called yiddishkeit and be sheltered from the dark and uncertain world out there'.
I cried and sang and clutched that Sefer Torah so tightly - I didn't want to give it back to the gabbai! People asked if I was ok. I said 'yeah! I'm just tired, been up with the kids etc'.....!
I daven and hope that the recent powerful days assist me in my fight to get through the winter sin-free and that the tefillos that have been said with such kavonoh are listened to by Hashem and that He helps me prevail the greatest battles of all.
Finally, I hope all you dear contributers have the strength the continue the fight/struggle throughout these next few days and months and in the zechus of helping each other we should all be zocheh to have a 'gut vinter', a year full with the most beautiful simchos in all our families, a year full of nachas from our most precious beautiful children, a year full of hatzlacha in being able to provide for our families during these financially testing times and a year that we can capitalize on the opportunities to draw closer to Hashem and ready ourselves for the greatest day of all - the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu Bimheirah Beyomeinu - Amen
I love being Jewish. I love the fact that this site exists and I love each and everyone of the contributors for their wise advice and caring words of support.
With much love,
Menachem
I believe that right at this moment, if you look up into heaven, very high up, and then look even higher, above the clouds, you will surely see the malachim, srafim, and oifanei hakodesh (angels) dancing together with the Ribbono Shel Olam at your success in avoidas Hashem. You are bringing constant glory to the heavens and to Hashem and to all yidden in the world and have already contributed to the hastening of Meshiach.
Thank you everyone for inspiring me to be clean (bli ayin horah and bisiyata dshmaya) for my longest stretch in many many years.
You guys give me incredible chizuk and inspiration to fight this war with all my koichos.
Thanks and continued hatzlaacha
Chasdei Avos