Book Description

Rediscovering Emuna is a tapestry of true-to-life stories, timeless Torah wisdom, and the lived experiences of a people who have survived exile, war, and personal struggle. Through chapters that feel like windows into both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of Jewish life, the book shows how emunah-faith in Hashem-becomes not only a belief but a lifeline.

From the quiet power of forgiveness to the courage of soldiers in battle, from the challenges of illness and poverty to the triumph of compassion and humility, each story reflects a different facet of what it means to live with faith. Whether it is the rabbi who teaches patience through an encounter with a thief, the soldier who clutches his Tehillim in the trenches, or the widow who shares her last piece of bread, every account demonstrates how emunah is not abstract-it is practical, demanding, and sustaining.

The book is structured as a collection of parables and narratives, each highlighting a specific middah (character trait) or test of faith. Hebrew terms are woven throughout with English explanations, grounding the stories in Torah while making them accessible to all readers. The Table of Contents alone reflects the journey: temptation, honesty, humility, gratitude, compassion, exile, livelihood, danger, war, and ultimately, the enduring power of belief that binds the Jewish people together.

But Rediscovering Emuna is more than a storybook. It is a guide for families, students, and seekers who long to bring faith back to their Shabbat tables, classrooms, and personal lives. It invites readers to see in their own struggles a reflection of generations past-and to find in Hashem's presence the same quiet strength that sustained Avraham on Har Hamoria, that held Am Yisrael in the desert, and that still holds every Jew today.

Written with warmth, honesty, and deep reverence for Chazal, Rabbi Dovied Zwi van der Velde draws from his own journey and the collective memory of Klal Yisrael. His voice is gentle yet unwavering: he speaks not to lecture, but to encourage; not to overwhelm, but to uplift.

Whether you are lighting one more candle, speaking one truer word, or making one softer invitation, this book reminds you that emunah begins with the smallest of steps-and that every step toward Hashem is a step toward peace.

For Whom This Book is Written:

• For parents and children who want to rediscover the beauty of faith together.
• For those facing hardship, illness, or uncertainty, who seek strength in the words of Tehillim and the stories of our people.
• For teachers, rabbis, and community leaders who want relatable narratives to inspire hearts.
• For every Jew-whether in the beis midrash, the workplace, or the battlefield-who longs to feel that Hashem is with them, always.

1. Rediscovering Emuna is not just a sefer to read. It is a companion to walk with you through life's valleys and peaks, reminding you that even in the darkest moments, faith can light the way home.