Friday, December 02, 2011

CLD #444


For the Refua Shlema of Mordechai Tzvi ben Sara & Binyamin ben Blanka.
This Shabbat’s Parasha is VaYetzeh, speaking about Yaakov’s full journey from home (after last week’s Bechora story with Esav wanting to kill him) to find a wife by his uncle’s home, Lavan HaRasha.
Before Yaakov even meets his actual family and his future wife (wives in reality), he stumbles upon a couple of sheepherders who are waiting for the entire town’s group of sheepherders to move the boulder on top of the well in order to water their sheep.
Yaakov Avinu tells them (Bereshit 29:7-10): the day is young! Go do your duties in this world: it is not the time for the sheep to go back to their owners, water them and go do your job!
Besides for the fact that the Torah teaches us endless Mussar (rebuke, ethics, morals about our job as Ovdei Hashem in this world and how we should not waste any of our time by bumming or sitting around or even doing things that seem progressive but they are really destructive like going clubbing and arranging useless and inconvenient events) we learn here how inspiring Yaakov was, always looking out for the better of society.
What do the sheepherders answer? We cannot succeed in this task until all of the sheepherders arrive to take off the boulder on top of the well, because we are not capable without everyone. The next psukim continue to say how Yaakov had the strength to do the task of all the sheepherders and move over the well to water all of the sheep intended ALONE.

WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US?!
The Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) tells us everyday, every minute, that we are NOT CAPABLE of Succeeding spiritually, physically, academically, financially, etc. He wants us to fall, he wants us to bum around, he wants us to “chill,” he wants us to FAIL at what we need to do in this life. What does Yaakov Avinu show the sheepherders, it is not up to MY FRIENDS or my COLLEAGUES or anyone around me, its ALL UP TO ME! Pirkei Avot teaches: Im En Ani Li Mi Li?! If I am not for me, who will be for me. This shows us our own spiritual and physical power is so much more than we think.

What makes the Gdolei HaDor (the Huge Rabbis of our generation) Gdolei HaDor? They looked at the Yetzer Hara in the face and said: I will do what I can, and I will push till I can no longer push. AND I WILL SUCCEED. When one is with Hashem, depending on Him and realizing He is with me ALL THE TIME, no matter what (after all, He created me and everyone/thing in this world), this person will not fail. We need to pray to Hashem and say: Help me fight off my Yetzer Hara. I WANT to keep Shabbat, I WANT to keep Kosher, I WANT to get closer to You, just help me actually do the actions!

B’H we should all realize our innate Ratzon (will) to get closer to Hashem has been inscribed in our blood since Day 1. One of the foundations is Shabbat Kodesh. To Keep Shabbat is stating: I am with Hashem, I am part of Hashem’s team.

Begin with Shabbat and see the results for yourself. Its all up to YOU!
SHABBAT SHALOM!

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