Parshas Kedoshim

There are many mitzvos in this week's parsha. One of them is the commandment not to take revenge. When someone does something that causes us pain, we are told to refrain from hurting them back. 

When we go through physical, emotional or financial pain in our lives and we know exactly who caused it, it's easy to blame and want to hurt back. If we remind ourselves that no one can cause us any pain unless Hashem allows it, we can stop ourselves from wanting to get back at them. Each person is a messenger from Hashem and for reasons we may not understand, we were supposed to go through this exact experience. 

May we be able to strengthen our belief in Hashem so we can overcome our desire for revenge!

Parshas Beshalach

When the sea split, Bnei Yisroel didn't go across the sea to get to the other side, they went into the Yam Suf and then came out on the exact same side that they went in. Even though that seems pointless, they gained so much from the process of seeing the miracles and experiencing the unity of the nation being saved together.

Whether the waters of our lives are stormy or calm, there IS a purpose to every step we take. It's through the challenges that we become greater people. We may feel like we're going to end up exactly where we started, but at the end, the process called life makes us into stronger, more sensitive, more giving and more growing people.

May we be able to stay strong while we go through life's challenges and use our experiences to help other people!

Parshas Bo

One of the last makkos was that of darkness. When the darkness was so heavy and so thick, the mitzriyim couldn't even move. They became paralyzed. 

When a person is going through a dark time in their life, they can become paralyzed. They can't think clearly and the small things become overwhelming for them. We should try to be the light for them, to illuminate their path by listening to them when they need to talk and by helping in whatever way we can. We should try to by being a good support for them on an emotional and physical level whenever we can.

May we be able to use our capabilities to bring light into the lives of those who are going through hardships and may we always be on the giving end!

Tefillah - When Your Situation Doesn't Change

From the comments on my last post, I can see that people get frustrated when they daven and daven for something and then things don’t change or become better.
I wanted to just point out to all of you that we are in this world to change ourselves and to become better, not to change the situation we find ourselves in. Hashem, who knows what’s best for each individual, put you in a specific situation that is best for your growth. You can change yourself when you go through something hard, or you can let yourself fall - but remember that the choice is yours.
When you daven for something and you see that your situation isn’t improving, keep in mind that the purpose of the challenge is to change who you are, work on yourself and improve your middos.

Hashem loves you and knows what’s best for you. When you start to feel down about the things you davened for and didn’t get the answer you wanted, remind yourself of all the times you davened for something and it did work out! That will help and encourage you to continue, not to give up and you will know that each tefillah is powerful and will do something.

You asked Hashem for a parking spot and found one right away. You davened for hatzlacha on your test and you did well. You needed that phone call to work out well and it did (that’s for you! I know you’re reading this!). That sick person did get better. The surgery went well. You were going shopping and found what you wanted/needed quickly and it was a good price too! Supper came out better than you expected. Your siblings were nice to you when you had a hard day. You hear some good news. Someone does something to brighten your day and make you feel better.

Also, remind yourself that Hashem gave you so much good – and there are so many things you have that you didn’t even daven for and never asked for!

You are healthy. You can see, walk and talk. You have a great personality/sense of humor and people enjoy spending time with you. You woke up refreshed, energized and in a good mood. And there are so many other things you have that you never even davened for, Hashem just gave them to you.

All of these “small things” are reminders from Hashem that He loves you and wants you to continue to connect to Him. Even when you don’t see an immediate answer to the things you daven and beg for, remind yourself of the times that Hashem answered you for the things you davened for – and the things you didn’t even ask for!

Remember - you are in this world to become a better person. Remind yourself constantly that your purpose is not to change your circumstances, but to change yourself. You are put into the family, neighborhood, school, work environment that is best for your spiritual growth. It is up to you to use the situation you are in to become closer to Hashem and to become a better person. And when you get frustrated that your situation isn’t changing, that you are davening for things and you aren’t getting what you want, remind yourself of the times that Hashem answered other tefillos and when He gave you things you didn’t even ask for! And that you are here to change yourself, not your situation!