Emunah is the Hebrew word for faith and it stands for trust and belief in G-d. Faith is a very personal thing, which means that everyone has their own version of Emunah. Regardless of how much or little you have, here are some tips on how to increase yours. In general, faith is our confidence in things we cannot see. It’s having trust that something is real even though we can’t see it or touch it. Faith isn’t just something we feel; it’s also something we do. When people think about Emunah, they often associate it with believing in G-d and trusting in His plan for us. All of those things are part of having Emunah – but there’s so much more to it than that!
Rabbi Samuel Waldman, who has extensive experience in religious education, shares more information about Emunah in this article. Find out what Emunah is, who has it, and how to develop your own Emunah so you can be happier and more meaningful in your daily life.
What is the Purpose of Emunah?
Rabbi Samuel Waldman taught at Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe Elementary school in Queens, NY for 11 years and in summer camps for years. He left his mark on hundreds of students over a 20-year period. Rabbi Waldman was once at Camp Torah Vodaas and Camp Dora Golding, where he inspired students to adopt Jewish values through his teachings and his Sefer.
So, he shares that the purpose of Emunah is to help us feel secure in our lives. It’s meant to be your go-to when times are tough and you feel like you are falling apart. It’s there when you need reassurance that everything is going to be okay even though it doesn’t appear that way. A person with faith in G-d and His plan for the world knows that everything happens for a reason and that there is a bigger picture that we cannot always see. So, even if things are going wrong, we can always be sure that it’s happening for a reason and that we are exactly where we need to be.
Why Is Having Emunah Important to Us?
Rabbi Waldman, who has thought students for over two decades about Emunah, indicates that having Emunah in G-d, His existence, and in what He does for us is important for a few reasons. Recently, he started a blog, called Wonders of Creation, where he explains more on this topic.
First, when we have Emunah, it makes us less dependent on other people. So, even if those around us are struggling, we know that we can pull ourselves up and get through anything because we have G-d and His strength.
Second, when we have Emunah, we are no longer relying on other things to make us happy. Instead of going to food, alcohol, or drugs when we feel sad, we can turn to G-d.
Third, Emunah means we can be positive influences in the world. So, instead of being negative towards others, we can bring them up with our positive thoughts and actions.
Tips to Build Your Emunah
In the course of his career as a rabbi and teacher, Samuel Waldman had been guiding young students on the path of building their Emunah. Here, he shares some tips to help you built your Emunah.
– Connect to G-d – When you are feeling overwhelmed or unsure of yourself, take some time to connect to G-d. Pray, meditate, go for a walk outside, or do whatever else you find helps you get in touch with your spirituality. The more you do this, the more you will feel like you can turn to G-d in any situation you are in.
– Find your shalom – Everyone finds their own peace in different ways. Some people find it through art, others through nature, and some through reading. Whatever it is that helps you find shalom and balance, stick with it. The more you do it, the easier it will become.
– Be kind to yourself – No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. Instead of beating yourself up when you make a mistake, forgive yourself and move on. When you are kind to yourself, it’s easier to be kind to others.
Conclusion
When we are able to find our Emunah, it can help us get through anything that comes our way. We are able to be kinder people, smarter learners, and stronger members of society when we have this kind of assurance that everything is going to be okay.