"And this is what our rabbis of blessed memory have taught us. A person was created for the sole purpose of rejoicing in G-d and deriving pleasure from the splendor of His presence; for this is true joy and the greatest pleasure that can be found.
And the place of this joy is actually in the next world which was created for this specific purpose. But the only path in which we can reach this exalted place is this world.
In reference to this the sages have said, "This world is like a corridor to the world to come." (Pirkei Avot 4:21)
The means which lead a person to this goal are the mitzvot, which we have been commanded by G-d to follow. And the place to observe the mitzvot are only in this world."
"The constant pursuit of physical pleasure in which people are so involved is actually an attempt to dispel the sadness caused by their physical side".
Rav Aharon Kotler zt'l - (quoted in his son Rav Schneur's introduction to Mishnas Rav Aharon, Vol. I)
Adon Olam
"Adon olam asher malach Beterem kol yetzir nivra
Le'et nasa becheftzo kol Azai melech shemo nikra
Veacharei kichlot hakol Levado yimloch nora
Vehu haya vehu hoveh Vehu yihyeh betifara"...
"Master of the World who was king, before any form was created.
At the time when He made all through His will, then His name was called 'King'.
And after all is gone, He, the Awesome One, will reign alone.
And He was, and He is, and He will be in splendor.
And He is One, and there is no second, to compare to Him or be His equal.
Without beginning, without end, to Him is the power and rulership.
And He is my G-d and my living Redeemer, and the Rock of my fate in times of distress.
He is my banner and He is a refuge for me, my portion on the day I cry out, In His hand I entrust my spirit, when I sleep and when I wake.
And my soul shall remain with my body, HaShem is with me and I am not afraid."
* Observing reality, every rational being must conclude that he is watching the making of a supreme being which created the whole universe with plan and purpose.
* Next observation will be that the observer is gifted with a mind that is able to wonder what is the purpose of this creation.
* The next necessary thought would be that this supreme entity must have revealed His intention in creation, else He was executing some cruel practical joke with His creatures.
* Observing the fact that creation is full of infinite opportunities of joy for us, one must rule out such a possibility, and conclude that he was created by a benefactor that wishes his well being.
* The next step must be then to look for the revelation of the Creator's will.
* Empirical observation of human history shows that the only claim for absolute truth, i.e. what is the Creator's will, which is based on rational reasoning - is the Torah.
"Gd's purpose in creation was to bestow of His good to another... Since Gd desired to bestow good, a partial good would not be sufficient. The good that He bestows would have to be the ultimate good that His handiwork could accept. Gd alone, however, is the only true good, and therefore, His beneficent desire would not be satisfied unless it could bestow that very good, namely, the true perfection that exists in His intrinsic essence... His wisdom therefore decreed that the nature of this true benefaction be His giving created beings the opportunity to attach themselves to Him to the greatest possible degree"
1. I believe with perfect faith that G-d is the Creator and Ruler of all things. He alone has made, does make, and will make all things.
2. I believe with perfect faith that G-d is One. There is no unity that is in any way like His. He alone is our G-d He was, He is, and He will be.
3. I believe with perfect faith that G-d does not have a body. physical concepts do not apply to Him. There is nothing whatsoever that resembles Him at all.
4. I believe with perfect faith that G-d is first and last.
5. I believe with perfect faith that it is only proper to pray to G-d. One may not pray to anyone or anything else.
6. I believe with prefect faith that all the words of the prophets are true.
7. I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses is absolutely true. He was the chief of all prophets, both before and after Him.
8. I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that we now have is that which was given to Moses.
9. I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be changed, and that there will never be another given by G-d.
10. I believe with perfect faith that G-d knows all of man's deeds and thoughts. It is thus written (Psalm 33:15), "He has molded every heart together, He understands what each one does."
11. I believe with perfect faith tha G-d rewards those who keep His commandments, and punishes those who transgress Him.
12. I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah. How long it takes, I will await His coming every day.
13. I believe with perfect faith that the dead will be brought back to life when G-d wills it to happen.
