There is a story in Chumash regarding Bilaam and his donkey.  Bilaam was a powerful “mage” who was able to destroy people by cursing them.  On Bilaam’s way to curse the Jewish people, Hashem caused Bilaam’s donkey to speak to him after an angel that he didn’t see was sent to stop him.  The Chofetz Chaim gives an interesting explanation as to why Hashem chose this fashion to show Bilaam the error of his ways.  Bilaam, who had a very powerful gift of speech, needed to be shown that all his “power” came from Hashem.  Even a lowly donkey who normally cannot speak can do so if Hashem wills it.  Let us realize that all our capabilities come from Hashem and may we use them properly to fulfill His will.

There is a posuk in tehillim that states: “to tell over Your kindness in the mornings, and Your faithfulness in the nights”.  The reference to “mornings” refers to the time of Moshiach, when all of Hashem’s benevolent actions over the millennia will become clear and illuminating to us.  The “nights” refer to time periods when G-d’s presence is not clearly visible, such as our present situation in golus, when a high level of faith is required to believe that Hashem is being faithful to His chosen people. May the morning dawn early in our lifetime, bringing an end to the long night, so that the Shachina can once again show us the way.

When Noach wanted to check if the flood waters had receded from the earth he sent a dove to check out the situation.  The dove after circling for a bit returned unsuccesfully with no info for Noach to leave.  He stretched out his hand to accept the bird back into the ark and treated him like royalty for accepting the mission.  We can learn a lesson from this, not everything in life turns out how we would like, but when someone does something for us even if they fail miserably or even if it is their own fault, we must still treat them with the proper respect and appreciation due one who has done a favor for us.

The Sefat Emeth say, even though the Children of Israel refused to listen, “for impatience of spirit and for cruel bondage” Exodus 6:9),  Hashem commanded Moshe and Aaron to continue speaking to them. For the words of Hashem must of necessity leave a profound impression; they may not take effect all at once, but eventually they must accomplish their purpose, for holy words can never be lost on man. Whether it be with our daily mailer or a speech by a Rabbi on Shabbat, taking the time to listen or learn will always leave an impression,  hopefully sooner than later.

When dealing kindly with a person in life, one cannot know whether it was truly kindness, for many times that which one thinks is an act of mercy and kindness results in harm. But the mercy one shows to the dead is always true mercy becuase this is loving-kindness which the dead truly require and it therefore cannot possibly result in harm or evil.  May we take the proper steps to think through and insure that our acts of kindness are true and good.

“And Moshe said…’I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue.’ “( Exodus 4:10 ) The Ran explains that Moshe was created a stammerer to make it known that the influence he wielded and the fact that he gave the Law to the Jewish people were not due to any talent of his but only to the spirit of prophetic vision with which he was endowed, for “the Shechina spoke from within his throat.” May we all realize the source of our talents and abilities and take the appropriate steps towards expressing our gratitude.

“And (Jacob) said to him: ‘go now, see whether it is well with thy brothers…” (Genisis 37:14) . Jacob told Joseph to go and behold the integrity of his brother, “Consider their virtues rather than their shortcomings,” Jacob said to his son, “and thou wilt avoid strife and contention with them.” Let everyone see the virtues of his fellow-men and not their faults.

Author: Simcha Bunim of Przysucha

“And let us arise and go up to Beth El, and i will make an altar there to G-d…”(Genisis 35:3). This call follows the command to “put away the strange gods that are among you.” And the Talmud (Sabbath 105) states : What is a strange god which is inside the body of man? The evil inclination.” This teaches us that we must cleanse ourselves of the evil inclination before performing a positive commandment. It is only after we have removed the idols from our midst that we can build an altar and offer up sacrifices to the One G-D.

Author: Tifereth Shlomo

“And he believed in the Lord, and he counted it to Him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6) Abraham believed in Hashem and counted it to Him (G-D) for his righteousness. Abraham regarded his very belief in the Hashem as a favor bestowed upon him by Hashem in His righteousness, giving him even more cause to believe in Him.

Author: Kol Omer Kro

“And He (G-D) brought him(Abraham) outside, and said: ‘Look now toward heaven and count the stars…so shall thy seed be.’”(Genisis 15:5) Seen from the earth ,the stars look like tiny specks. Yet they are worlds in themselves, some even larger than our own earth.  So, too, are the Jewish people. they may appear small and insignificant on earth , but in the sight of heaven they are great indeed and are considered as the pillar of all creations.

Author: Baal Shem Tov