* Our Avodah on Tisha B'av is not to be sad, but rather to mourn. To mourn is to express to Hashem how much we miss Him. Cover
* It can be hard to connect to tefillah in a deep and passionate way, but with the right perspectives on what davening is really all about, we can all climb the ladder of closeness to Hashem. Page 2
* Still water freezes, running water doesn't. The Baal Shem Tov taught us that the way to keep our neshama warm is to constantly run from one mitzvah to the next. Page 3
*Chicken soup is the only liquid we drink with our head tilted down. It teaches us that we can find closeness and connection down here in this world and elevate the mundane - one spoon at a time! Back page

• We climb the ladder of closeness to Hashem by thinking and internalizing the following thoughts in the following order:

Absolute commitment > Love, awe, and attachment > Deep yearning and passion > self nullification  

• To ride on the Back of the Wagon of the Baal Shem Tov is to internalize that throughout the ups and downs and twists and turns on the road of life - everything is an opportunity to get closer to Hashem.

• As a young boy, Rav Yisroel of Ruzhin refused to play a game that gave over the message that you cannot undo a mistake. A Yid always has another chance!

• Shabbos isn't just special in contrast to the other days of the week; it is inherently holy. It guides us to recognize the unique sanctity and strengths within our own souls, rather than measuring ourselves by comparing ourselves to others.

• Wait a second… Hashem… you came to visit me just to show how much you love me?! You're not here to punish me?? Cover

• When we don't feel a warm connection during davening, the formula is simple: push yourself to “grab what you can,” then celebrate every little success! Page 2

• One way of building your private and personal relationship with Hashem is by doing a Mitzvah and not telling anyone about it. Page 3

• Shabbos reminds us that no matter the upheaval and the distance traveled during the six days of the week, a Yid can never disconnect; we are always and forever stamped with our identity. Back page

• Wait a second… Hashem… you came to visit me just to show how much you love me?! You're not here to punish me?? Cover

• When we don't feel a warm connection during davening, the formula is simple: push yourself to “grab what you can,” then celebrate every little success! Page 2

• One way of building your private and personal relationship with Hashem is by doing a Mitzvah and not telling anyone about it. Page 3

• Shabbos reminds us that no matter the upheaval and the distance traveled during the six days of the week, a Yid can never disconnect; we are always and forever stamped with our identity. Back page

• • • Pause for a moment before you daven to determine the best way for you to daven today, with today's thoughts, distractions, and feelings. Don't be thrown off if yesterday’s way, which perhaps you really enjoyed, is not the best for today.

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    • Rav Tzadok Hakohen of Lublin avoided honor, minimized his speech and maximized Torah study. He didn't leave over children, but his seforim are his legacy, having authored 26 seforim on a huge range of topics.

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    • Every Yid has the neshama of a Torah scholar. If the neshama is concealed because of a lack of a Torah education, all you need to do is peel off those layers to reveal the Torah scholar within!

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    • Every Shabbos we return to the same time and place: we return to stand before the presence of Hashem, and we return to the time of the moment before the world was created.

• • • • Your Emunah Response Time (ERT) is the time it takes from when a challenge arises until you bring Hashem into the picture. Being mindful of your ERT is the first step towards improving it!  

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      • Modeh Ani is an encounter with our core identity as a Yid, when we remind ourselves that the prince and princess will always retain their place as children of the King, even if they act out of line.

      • When we feel regret over the spiritual mistakes that we make, we should be proud of that regret and understand that because we feel bad about it, we've already done a large part of our teshuva.

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      • Shabbos is when life “comes to life”. Shabbos is life when it vibrates with vitality, excitement, and energy. Such moments, even when they take place during the week, are Shabbos moments.

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    • Rav Tzadok Hakohen of Lublin avoided honor, minimized his speech and maximized Torah study. He didn't leave over children, but his seforim are his legacy, having authored 26 seforim on a huge range of topics.

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    • Every Yid has the neshama of a Torah scholar. If the neshama is concealed because of a lack of a Torah education, all you need to do is peel off those layers to reveal the Torah scholar within!

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    • Every Shabbos we return to the same time and place: we return to stand before the presence of Hashem, and we return to the time of the moment before the world was created.