Meaning of Trust - The Value of Spiritual Joy

[barbara1]

I just want to thank Hashem and then Rebbetzin Heller (everything comes FROM Hashem but THROUGH people!) for giving me the words to help my daughter when she returned from her friends' brother's funeral yesterday.  I had just finished listening to the shiur when she walked into the house in tears.   Her friend's brother was one of the soldiers killed in Gaza the other day.    Yes, the world is full of all kinds of challenges , terrible illnesses, Kassams and Katyushot......but we choose whether to fill up the empty space inside ourselves (put there by Hashem at the time of creation) with either  doubt, or with  trust in Hashem.

[Hadassa1]

As Rebbetzin Heller expressed, doing good things results in spiritual pleasure. If we really sensed the spiritual delight in doing good things, the quality of our kindnesses would be much greater. Our pleasure in doing Chesed would be so apparent that the recipient would not feel guilty or indebted to our deed. Our attitude shift would also include a desire to pursue opportunities rather than wait for opportunities to present themselves.

[Liora1]

As Rebbetzin Heller expressed, doing good things results in spiritual pleasure. If we really sensed the spiritual delight in doing good things, the quality of our kindnesses would be much greater. Our pleasure in doing Chesed would be so apparent that the recipient would not feel guilty or indebted to our deed. Our attitude shift would also include a desire to pursue opportunities rather than wait for opportunities to present themselves.

Hadassa, you mentioned that "if we really sensed the spiritual delight in doing good things, the quality of our kindnesses would be much greater." I have always had difficulty w/ doing Chessed  b/c it s not something which comes as a natural trait. I don't have the nature to go out into the community looking to do Chessed.  Therefore, I wonder if someone has an inherent trait to do Chessed or any other middah, will the quality of their kindness be greater and be felt more by themselves?

[Lyndsay]

In response to what you both wrote, I think that doing chesed may be different for different people.  In one of Rebbetzin Heller's past shiurim, she mentioned that we are only required to give what we can.  I think part of it is learning what each one of our strengths are and trying to actualize those strengths to help others.  It may not be going out into the community for everyone, for some it could be doing chesed for their family, or helping their neighbour in a difficult situation.  I don't think that we can expect the same type of chesed from everyone.  But I think that we all have to strive to do our part and then Hashem will help us feel that pleasure.

As Rebbetzin Heller expressed, doing good things results in spiritual pleasure. If we really sensed the spiritual delight in doing good things, the quality of our kindnesses would be much greater. Our pleasure in doing Chesed would be so apparent that the recipient would not feel guilty or indebted to our deed. Our attitude shift would also include a desire to pursue opportunities rather than wait for opportunities to present themselves.

Hadassa, you mentioned that "if we really sensed the spiritual delight in doing good things, the quality of our kindnesses would be much greater." I have always had difficulty w/ doing Chessed  b/c it s not something which comes as a natural trait. I don't have the nature to go out into the community looking to do Chessed.  Therefore, I wonder if someone has an inherent trait to do Chessed or any other middah, will the quality of their kindness be greater and be felt more by themselves?

[miriam4]

It gets easier to do chesed with someone once you start. Rav Dessler explains that that's because when you give to someone, you identify with them, they become part of you. Once they're part of the "greater self" it's so much easier to give.

[melinda]

The great pleasure I get from learning that if we look for hashems kindness around us we have nothing to fear. By doing this alone it strengthens our bitachon. I am so amazed at how such a simple idea can change the way I look at hardship and dissapointment both past and present. To also become more aware of the ego that rules us in this life and gives us material pleasure when what hashem and our souls truly want is spiritual pleasure is such an awe inspiring development. This has been most helpful. Thanks Rebetzin.

[barbara1]

The Rebbetzin taught us that when you do a mitzvah, you should feel joy because you are a servant of Hashem.   I took that idea and tried to apply it this week whenever I could remember.    All the "unimportant tasks" I do each day for my family, suddenly became incredibly important.   I tried to put all my heart into all of these activities.     I felt so much more connected to Hashem.    Especially when someone tried to cut me in line in the supermarket and I stayed calm and forgiving.

[Liora1]

I was thinking this week about how I could connect more w/ Hashem by focusing on one mitzvah as Reb. Heller mentioned in the shiur regarding netilas yadiiyim. And then I read an article about a woman who decided to focus on  bracha achrona. Snce I always seem to say these brachot quickly, I thought this was a good idea and I hope to work on this this wk.