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!

Parshas Vayeishev

After the brothers sold Yosef to the mitzriyim, they dipped his coat into blood and told their father Yaakov that Yosef was killed by a wild animal. For the next 22 years, Yaakov mourned his son. He could not be consoled because his son was really alive all along.

We don't like to think about death while we are alive in this world because it makes us feel vulnerable and we have to take a good look at where we are holding in our life, our accomplishments and our spiritual level. But it's helpful to think about once in a while and to ask ourselves, "Are we maximizing our time while we're here?" 
"Are we developing our character or only spending time on things that are fleeting?"
"What will people remember about us once we're gone?" 

May we be zoche to live long,  happy and productive lives and utilize these questions to move higher and become better!

Parshas Vayishlach

After Yakov fought the Malach of Eisav, he asked him, "What is your name?" The response of the malach was, "Why are you asking for my name?"

This is the essence of the yetzer hara. He tries to disguise himself so we don't realize we are doing the wrong thing. Things become unclear when we are fighting the yetzer hara and don't realize it's him. Things like, "I'm saying this for to'eles" or "I'm going online for a good reason" (and end up wasting so much time) are ways the yetzer hara traps us. Any time we are tricked into thinking were doing something good but the loss outweighs the gain, we should realize it's time to back down.

May we be able to be vigilant, on guard and aware of these tricks so we can come out winning the battle against the Sar shel Eisav, the yetzer hara!

Parshas Vayeitzei

Vayeitzei
Rashi tells us that the reason the passuk says Yaakov left is because when a tzaddik leaves a place, it makes an impression. People feel a loss; they gained a lot from his presence and now that he is no longer there, it affects them.

We should think about our presence and how it affects others. Are we pleasant to be around? What happens when we leave-our homes, offices, schools or any place where we are surrounded by others? Do people silently think "good riddance" or do they feel like they gained something by spending time in our presence? Do we leave a lasting impression on those who we come in contact with? We can-by complimenting them, by listening in a real way and by creating lasting connections.

May we be able to interact with those around us in a meaningful way so that when we part, people feel the difference and want to emulate our actions!

Parshas Toldos

When Eisav came in from the field tired and hungry, he agreed to sell the bechorah in exchange for lentil soup. He gave up something eternal and got something fleeting instead.

When we are tired, hungry or stressed, we don't have the clarity to make good decisions. We might say or do things we will later regret. It takes a lot of work to be able to maintain an inner sense of calm but when we can do that, we will be in complete control of ourselves and our reactions. We will be able to respond to people with calm logic instead of reacting with emotional intensity. 

May we be able to pay attention to our inner selves and regulate our emotions in a healthy way so we can deal with all situations calmly and with clarity!

Parshas Chaya Sara

Avraham sent his servant Eliezer to find a wife for his son Yitzchok. Eliezer looked for one quality in the girl in question. She must be a baalas chessed, someone who notices what someone else needs and offers to go above and beyond-in this case by giving water to Eliezer and his camels.

We see that the most important part of a person is their character, their middos and the way they care for others. Not looks, not money, not talents-but what the person does with the gifts they were given. We should reflect on our own selves and make sure we are using whatever qualities we have to make a difference in the lives of others.

May we be able to appreciate the things that really matter in others and keep using our talents and gifts to help other people!

Shabbos-Never Forget

This poem was written by a friend, B.K. I'm posting it here with her permission. 

Shabbos
A time of peace
Quality time 
With family
Togetherness
Calmness
Was destroyed 
This week.

A time that was a celebration 
To bring forth
A new Jewish child
Ended in destruction. 

Bloody mass destruction.
Parents
Siblings
Children
Their lives
Were overturned
This shabbos.

This shabbos
Will go down
In Jewish history
We can’t forget
We must not forget
The people that were 
Taken from us.

What message
Are we supposed to take
What are we really
Supposed to be mourning
While crying in grief
For the families

If you heard about this,
God specifically wanted you
To hear.
There is a reason.
A change
An action
That you need to take.

Think about it.
Don’t think
About the questions
We cannot understand
Think about the reason
For why you were meant
To hear about this.

Change.
Do it now.
And don’t ever
Forget
About this shabbos.