In Rav Miller's dvar Torah Parshas Ki Sisa 4 - Two Forms of Kindliness, the rav emphasizes the need to get back to basics.
When you daven, really think about what you're saying.
At least a little tiny bit. If you're in a minyan, then you need to keep up with the congregation. But try at least a little to put extra thought into whatever you can.
For example, when you see Hashem's 4-letter Name, you should think (page 6):
When you daven, really think about what you're saying.
At least a little tiny bit. If you're in a minyan, then you need to keep up with the congregation. But try at least a little to put extra thought into whatever you can.
For example, when you see Hashem's 4-letter Name, you should think (page 6):
Everything that ever existed, everything that exists now and anything that will ever exist; it’s only because Hashem wills it to exist.
Yud kei vuv kei means that everything is under the control of Hakadosh Baruch Hu; He has all the wires in his hand and He’s pulling all the wires all the time.
Bitter Challenge in This World Provides Opportunity
Rav Miller presents an interesting perspective on Mankind's banishment from Gan Eden:
It was to perfect our souls via appreciation of Hashem amid distractions.
In Gan Eden, it was easy to enjoy Hashem's world; everything was perfect.
The world of Gan Eden was delightful, Adam & Chava didn't need any other pleasure—not even music.
Rav Miller describes them as "dancing with happiness" as they ate the delicious fruit.
But outside of Eden, feeling happy & secure are extreme challenges for most people.
And that very challenge provides us with the opportunity for greatness.
Divine punishments are actually opportunities—even when they don't look or feel that way at all.
Even when you fail, and fall, and stumble again and again and again, that's part of the whole challenge: Will you get back up again?
The people who become great get up again.
It was to perfect our souls via appreciation of Hashem amid distractions.
In Gan Eden, it was easy to enjoy Hashem's world; everything was perfect.
The world of Gan Eden was delightful, Adam & Chava didn't need any other pleasure—not even music.
Rav Miller describes them as "dancing with happiness" as they ate the delicious fruit.
But outside of Eden, feeling happy & secure are extreme challenges for most people.
And that very challenge provides us with the opportunity for greatness.
Divine punishments are actually opportunities—even when they don't look or feel that way at all.
Even when you fail, and fall, and stumble again and again and again, that's part of the whole challenge: Will you get back up again?
The people who become great get up again.
How Lack Invites Hashem into Your Life
On page 10-11, Rav Miller points out how wealthy people often turn less to Hashem than poor people.
Why?
Because a wealthy person feels secure in his own power. He feels he owes his success to himself. He feels confident in his assets, his money & documents in bank vaults, and his own acumen.
Self-made successes worked hard to get there and very much feel like taking a lot of credit for themselves.
Those born with a silver spoon in their mouth learned to trust in that silver spoon always being there. Either someone (or a trustfund or estate) will always take care of them, or they'll learn how to run the business themselves from their parents.
But a person without that kind of security is more likely to find himself turning to Hashem in desperation.
Throughout the rest of the dvar Torah, Rav Miller offers examples of people for whom an illness or a bad financial turn ended up saving them.
He also describes how a toothache & dental procedure can be used to increase one's closeness to Hashem.
Why?
Because a wealthy person feels secure in his own power. He feels he owes his success to himself. He feels confident in his assets, his money & documents in bank vaults, and his own acumen.
Self-made successes worked hard to get there and very much feel like taking a lot of credit for themselves.
Those born with a silver spoon in their mouth learned to trust in that silver spoon always being there. Either someone (or a trustfund or estate) will always take care of them, or they'll learn how to run the business themselves from their parents.
But a person without that kind of security is more likely to find himself turning to Hashem in desperation.
Throughout the rest of the dvar Torah, Rav Miller offers examples of people for whom an illness or a bad financial turn ended up saving them.
He also describes how a toothache & dental procedure can be used to increase one's closeness to Hashem.
The Most Beneficial Response to Life in the Pits
Many times, a crushing nisayon humbles a person.
Hashem cannot stand to be around a prideful person.
But to a humble person? Hashem can rush right in and cuddle up.
I've personally seen this, that due to a struggle, a formerly overconfident & strong-willed person becomes humbler, gentler, & more compassionate.
But sometimes they revert back to how they were once the nisayon ends.
Or they rise up and become even harder & more judgemental in the effort to make themselves feel better.
In the secular self-help world, people are often encouraged to become more gaavadik & self-centered in the face of a nisayon, so it's hard to combat that.
Yes, there's also stuff about using one's nisayon to help or understand others. But not always and it's comes amid the focus on oneself, encouraging a person to be prideful & "strong."
(Not strong in a Torah way, which gathers strength from Hashem, but a strong ego, etc.)
But Judaism says no, the healthiest response is beautiful humility & friendship with Hashem.
Hashem cannot stand to be around a prideful person.
But to a humble person? Hashem can rush right in and cuddle up.
I've personally seen this, that due to a struggle, a formerly overconfident & strong-willed person becomes humbler, gentler, & more compassionate.
But sometimes they revert back to how they were once the nisayon ends.
Or they rise up and become even harder & more judgemental in the effort to make themselves feel better.
In the secular self-help world, people are often encouraged to become more gaavadik & self-centered in the face of a nisayon, so it's hard to combat that.
Yes, there's also stuff about using one's nisayon to help or understand others. But not always and it's comes amid the focus on oneself, encouraging a person to be prideful & "strong."
(Not strong in a Torah way, which gathers strength from Hashem, but a strong ego, etc.)
But Judaism says no, the healthiest response is beautiful humility & friendship with Hashem.
Credit for quotes & material goes to Toras Avigdor.
And don't forget to check out the Practical Tip on page 17, plus the Q&A on the last page!
And don't forget to check out the Practical Tip on page 17, plus the Q&A on the last page!
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