Chazal (Avos 4:1) say, בחלקו השמח עשיר איזהו, "Who is happy? It is the person who is happy with his portion." The holy sefarim (Sfas Emes, Tiferes Shlomo [Ki Savo ושמחת ה"ד], and in Menuchah v'Kedushah [written by a student of Reb Chaim Vital, in the section Shaar HaTorah vol.2 23 quoting the Vilna Gaon zt'l]) say that also in ruchniyus matters one should be בחלקו שמח, happy with his portion. One should always strive for more, for better, but simultaneously, one should be happy with his accomplishments, with whatever good deeds he succeeds in doing.
More in this printout
- The Salvation is PreparedExplore how Hashem prepares salvation before a crisis even begins, drawing lessons from Hagar's well, the Akeidah ram, and the teachings of the Chidushei HaRim.
- MiraclesAn exploration of miracles and nature through the lens of Sarah's laughter, the Chofetz Chaim, and the Kedushas Levi, emphasizing emunah in Hashem's hashgachah.
- Recognizing the MiraclesThe Beis Aharon and Shem MiShmuel explain how recognizing everything as being from Hashem allows one to merit seeing wonders and avoid spiritual blindness.
- Holding onto Emunah and Passing TestsAn exploration of Avraham Avinu's ten tests, focusing on the Akeidah and the necessity of absolute emunah as explained by Reb Shimon Shwab and Reb Moshe Feinste
- Overcoming the Yetzer Hara as Modern Akeidas YitzchakThe Chozeh of Lublin and the Shlah Hakadosh explain how overcoming the yetzer hara and personal temptations serves as a modern-day form of Akeidas Yitzchak.
- How to Measure the Value of Avodas HashemLearn how the yetzer hara's opposition serves as a metric for a mitzvah's importance, with insights from Avraham Avinu, Rus, and the Imrei Emes.
- Hachnasas Orchim and the Reward of Gan EdenExplore how Avraham's hospitality, especially during his recovery from circumcision, serves as a merit for Gan Eden according to Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach.
- Do As Much as You CanA powerful lesson from the Chofetz Chaim on the value of every small spiritual achievement and why one should never adopt an all-or-nothing approach to Torah.
- Joy in Serving HashemExplore the profound importance of serving Hashem with joy, featuring insights from the Arizal, Rambam, and Chafetz Chaim on how simcha elevates our mitzvos.
- The Power of TefillahExplore the transformative power of crying out to Hashem as a child to a father, featuring stories of Reb Avrahamele and the Toldos Aharon Rebbe.