Parshas Shemos

When Aaron came to greet his younger brother Moshe, he was not jealous of him. The Torah tells us that he was totally and completely happy for him in his heart.

How can we feel genuinely happy for others when they have more or become more than us? By internalizing that any good another person has will never take away from the good Hashem has planned for us. So if someone gets a better mark, a better job or position, has more or (what looks like) better children, or is more wealthy, remember that this is meant for them! We should continue to daven for our own needs and wants, but we can have an ayin tova, a good eye that fargins, by remembering this truth: someone else's good will never take away from whatever is destined for us.

May we be able to share in others' successes and accomplishments with true happiness in our hearts!

Parshas Vayechi

When Yaakov blessed his two grandsons, he put his right hand on his younger grandson, Efrayim and his left hand on the older one, Menashe. He did this because he foresaw that the descendants of Efrayim would be very great.

Sometimes in life, we feel small and unimportant. We see people who seem greater, more popular or more accomplished than us. We should remember that there is so much hidden potential in each of us and we never know who will ultimately achieve more. We shouldn't let feelings of inferiority bring us down, greatness is within our reach!

May we be able to quiet any inner voices that tell us we can't and find the strength to keep trying to accomplish our goals!

Parshas Vayigash

Yehudah stood up for his younger brother Binyomin when Yosef threatened to keep him in mitzrayim as his slave. He was the one who took responsibility to bring him back home to his father.

When we encounter someone who is in a vulnerable position, we should stand up for them and do whatever we can to help them. Whether it's in school or at work, at home or at shul, there are many people who need someone to stick up for them when they are being wronged. Sometimes it's a life situation and they need help. If we have the ability to make their burden lighter in any way, we should step up to the plate and take responsibility to do everything we can to help those who are struggling.

May we be able to notice those who need help, have the strength and resources to assist those who reach out to us and always be on the giving end!

Parshas Mikeitz

When Yosef was taken out of jail, the Torah says "they rushed him from the dungeon." Why the rush? After spending 12 years in prison, would a few minutes have made a difference? We see that when the time came for his yeshuah, it had to happen at the moment Hashem decided, without any delay.

Hashem has a plan for us and everything has a perfect timing. We might feel frustrated when we have to wait for things we hope for, but we need to hold on to and trust in Hashem. Every single thing we go through is calculated and for our ultimate benefit.

May we be able to remember and internalize this, so we have the inner strength to overcome any darkness we feel!