Hi,

Just something I came across today which I thought was really relevant for us here on this forum and for every other Jew in the world. The Chovas HaTalmidim (the Rebbe of Piaseczna Z'TL) states the following as part of his conversation with his imaginary student:

"I know very well that if you were aware of the purity of heart and mind that you have when you learn Torah, or of the degree of Hashem's closeness to you - that He figuratively sits across from you and learns Torah with you; if you would feel deep down that when you make a request on your own behalf...be it for financial assistance or anything else, you are pleading as a son before his father; if you would know that God answers you as a loving father answers and responds to his beloved son, then every fibre of your being would resonate and your joy would reach the depths of your soul. But because you dont feel these things, and you regard yourself as just another child, no different than others, you dont find happiness in those things that you have a right to be happy about. Whats more this lack of happiness diminishes your desire to learn Hashems Torah, and prevents you from being able to hear his message."

Very beautiful. With all the outer noise of city life, small children (BH), yelling men and their sarcastic egos, etc,. Sometimes all I can do is just sit and relax and try to think good thoughts (because there is MUCH to be grateful for!)...

So I was ecstatic when I came across a letter from the lubavitcher Rebbe M.M. Schnersohn which was also written to a bochur who was 'stressed out'..

In the letter the Rebbe writes that: "keeping your mind filled with Torah thoughts will help you. You should be 'osek' in Torah. But by 'osek' in Torah, I don't only mean learning from a sefer. Even relaxing and meditating on Hashem's kindness with you in your life is also considered being 'osek' in Torah...

Of course I love to learn.. But with all the INNER noise inside me, the best Hashem is gonna get sometimes is my good thoughts about Him and how wonderful He is for Me, and the entire world. :-)