- Wake up in the morning, resisting the desire to stay warm and sleep longer. The intention to rise for another day of serving Hashem is the purpose of your creation.(ShA 1- MB 1)
- When you learn Torah when it’s getting light and when it’s getting dark you fulfil what the Shla says – to connect day and night with Torah morning and evening. (MB2)
- Upon waking from the night’s sleep and you don’t want to sleep anymore, it’s best to wash neggel vasser while still reclining – second best to wash before walking 4 amos. At least to rely on those who hold that under one house is all the same 4 amos. Relieving yourself urgently takes precedence to neggel vasser. (MB2)
- If water is not available under one roof and there is no one to bring you some, run to get it instead of walking less than four amos at a time.(MB 2)
- To help your yiras shomayim you should imagine the 4-letter Name of Hashem with the nekkudos of yirah (יִ-הְוָה). (MB4)
- Learn about the 6 constant mitzvos. (BeH “hu”)
- When you wake up from your sleep, get going immediately to serve your creator but don’t hurt yourself by suddenly rising – Wait a bit. (Rama1 – MB8)
- Say “Modeh ani…” right away. Pause when saying “rabbo emunasecha”. You don’t need netillas yodayim for this. (MB8)
- You may learn Torah even if you do not have enough water to wash off the ruach ra’a. (MB2)
- Tefillos about the churban and the golus are readily accepted at the end of each third of the night. (ShA2)
- You should be upset and worried about the churban Bais Hamikdosh. There is a great maala to rise before chatzos and lament about it. From chatzos, begin learning Torah and ask Hashem for your needs at the end of the night.(ShA3 – MB9)
- Do not get up before morning if you know you have a weak constitution or that you are liable to fall asleep during daavening. Sleep as much as you need to.(MB 9)
- The Shela writes that at every meal remember the churban by saying (and thinking) Al Neharos Bovel – or Shir Hamaalos if it’s a day of no Tachanun. (MB11)
- It is better to say less with kavana than to say more without kavana. It is better for a ben-Torah to learn Torah than to recite the many supplications printed in the siddurim. (ShA4 – MB12)
- Set time for mussar every day. (MB12)
- Whoever says Ashray 3 times a day is guaranteed that he is a ben Olam Haboh – if he contemplates what he is saying. (MB13)
- A mourner should not recite the parshios of korbanos. (MB17)
- The parshios of Kior and of Terumas Hadeshen can be recited while still night, but the actual kobanos must wait until day.(ShA 6 – MB 17)
- It is best to recite the parshios of korbanos before daavening and in shul. Do not miss zman Krias Shema or even tefilla b’tzibor because of them.(BeH “u’parshas”)
- Our minhag is to mention the possuk of “V’shochat osso…” after saying the Parshas Hatomid to arouse the merit of Akeidas Yitzchok. (MB19, 20)
