Living Emunah By Rabbi David Ashear

Struggles That Count: Finding Strength in Doing What's Right


Listen Later

The struggles we face in trying to keep the Torah and mitzvot are incredibly precious to Hashem. In fact, they are the very reason we were placed in this world. When we have to struggle to do what's right, the mitzvah we perform becomes infinitely more meaningful. At times, we might wonder, "Doesn't Hashem want me to do this? So why is it so hard?" The answer is that of courseHashem wants us to do His will, and He often makes it challenging so that we can earn even greater reward through our effort. These difficulties are not obstacles; they are expressions of Hashem's love. When we view our tests this way, it becomes easier to rise above them. One woman, who had grown tremendously along with her husband and children, was preparing for her firstborn son's bar mitzvah. The family she is raising looks very different from the families she and her husband came from. She always tries to please everyone, so the pressure of making the event work for all sides weighed heavily on her. She prayed to Hashem to give her the strength to do what she knew was right — and to do it with joy. That morning, her young daughter had a school play. Her role was to be a bat kol , a heavenly voice, and she repeated the same phrase over and over: Stay strong. It's just a test. Do what's right. Hashem will be proud of you. Sitting in the audience, the woman was moved to tears. Those words felt like they were coming directly from Hashem. They gave her the strength and clarity she needed, and that night she celebrated the bar mitzvah in the way she believed would truly make Hashem proud. When a person sacrifices so much to fulfill a mitzvah, then when something unpredictable happens, Hashem often sends hidden help to ensure they succeed. A rabbi in Israel gives a daily Daf Yomi class with nearly 30 participants. He is extremely careful never to miss a session — they learn even during the most challenging times of the year. When he travels, he always arranges a substitute well in advance. Recently, on Shabbat Parashiyot Tazria/Metzora, he had to be out of town for a simchah and arranged a replacement. On Sunday morning, he asked the substitute how the class went. The man admitted — to the rabbi's shock — that he had prepared but completely forgot to show up. Worried, the rabbi asked one of the regular participants what happened. The man said they waited a long time for the replacement, and then a rabbi who teaches alef-bet in the local yeshiva walked in. They joked, "Here's the rabbi who'll give today's daf!" The alef-bet teacher asked which daf they were up to, and they told him: the first page of Masechet Shevuot. He sat down and proceeded to teach the entire daf — completely by heart. The group was astonished. The teacher explained that this was the only daf in all of Shas he had memorized — he had reviewed it 30 times. Out of more than 2,700 pages, this was the only one he could have taught without preparation. The Rabbi who leads this daff shiur is so careful to never miss. When an unexpected obstacle arose Hashem gave heavenly assistance. He prepared the perfect substitute in advance, ensuring the shiur would not be missed. Another woman had taken on the commitment of reciting Nishmat for 40 days, always at the same time so she wouldn't forget. One day, she had time off and went on a family trip. Before leaving, she grabbed a siddur — just in case someone might need it to say Birkat Hamazon . Later, when her alarm reminded her to say Nishmat , she panicked — she didn't have the specific booklet she usually used to say Nishmat with. Then she remembered: she had brought the siddur. It became clear that Hashem had orchestrated her grabbing that siddur so she wouldn't miss a day of her commitment. The challenges we face in doing mitzvot are meant to elevate us. And sometimes, when the situation is beyond our control, Hashem sends His help — if we've done our best to uphold our part. When we show dedication and care, Hashem responds in kind, guiding and supporting us in ways we might never expect.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Living Emunah By Rabbi David AshearBy Rabbi David Ashear

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

94 ratings


More shows like Living Emunah By Rabbi David Ashear

View all
All Classes by Rabbi YY Jacobson

All Classes

369 Listeners

The Israel Guys by The Israel Guys

The Israel Guys

292 Listeners

Jewish Stories to Inspire: Motivational & Spiritual Stories Based on the Torah's Ethics, Values and Wisdom by Stories to Inspire

Jewish Stories to Inspire: Motivational & Spiritual Stories Based on the Torah's Ethics, Values and Wisdom

184 Listeners

The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast by Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz

The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast

231 Listeners

Living with Emunah by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg

Living with Emunah

92 Listeners

Meaningful People by Meaningful Minute

Meaningful People

1,967 Listeners

From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein by Rivkah and Eda

From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein

250 Listeners

18Forty Podcast by 18Forty

18Forty Podcast

650 Listeners

Call Me Back - with Dan Senor by Ark Media

Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

3,045 Listeners

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing by The Times of Israel

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

1,052 Listeners

Kosher Money by Living Lchaim

Kosher Money

820 Listeners

History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast by JLE

History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

217 Listeners

Gedale Fenster - Podcast by Gedale Fenster - Podcast

Gedale Fenster - Podcast

377 Listeners

Inspiration for the Nation with Yaakov Langer by Living Lchaim

Inspiration for the Nation with Yaakov Langer

1,079 Listeners

Stories Of Hope With Tzipora Grodko by Meaningful Minute

Stories Of Hope With Tzipora Grodko

284 Listeners