Friday, February 01, 2013

CLD #805



The Orhot Tzadikkim brings down in the Sha’ar of Ratzon (the chapter on will) the verse from Sefer Misheli (Proverbs) that Shelomo HaMelech (King Solomon) wrote. Shelomo wrote in Chapter 12 Verse 15: “Ve’Shomeah Le’Etzah Hacham,he who listens to advice is a wise man. Orhot Tzadikkim explains that the verse is not only saying that the person’s ear hears the advice but rather the individual hears and wants to do whatever the advice said to do. The pasuk is promoting ACTION and not only listening. The entire Torah can be accomplished through the middah of ratzon (the characteristic trait of longing and desire) and also all of the blessings and admonitions.

What does this have to do with our Parasha, Parashat Yitro? The first words of Parashat Yitro include “VaYishma Yitro Kohen Midyan Hoten Moshe,” Now Moshe’s father in law, Yitro, the chieftan of Midian, heard all that G-d had done… What is so special about Yitro? The Torah proves that he HEARD (according to Rashi) about the Battle with Amalek and the great miracle when the Red Sea split! But according to commentary on the Torah from last Parasha, when Am Yisrael saw the sea split ALL THE WATERS ACROSS THE GLOBE SPLIT AS WELL!

So why is it so special that the Torah testifies about Yitro’s hearing capabilities. Yitro wasn’t anyone so different then other people in Midian or other Egyptians or Europeans or Jews?! The answer is in the secret behind the word heard. Yitro actually took what he saw TO ACTION. Everyday in our lives we experience endless situations, issues, controversies that force us to make decisions or just makes us take a moment to think about G-d and spirituality (and where we fall in all of it). Yitro was the individual in society today who reads the news about Israel and says: “Wow! Look how many miracles Hashem does for the people of Israel and the Jews across the world! Look how beautiful that flower is and how Hashem supports the growth for that plant. Now I am going to learn from this to live a life with Hashem and not just let it pass.” Yitro cared about his spirituality.

How much do we care (talking to myself)? How much do we actually say “No” to the evil inclination and stand strong against all our incorrect desires for drugs, alcohol, temptations, lust, overeating, etc.? Shabbat is great because we have extra spiritual strength to say “No” and use our spiritual engines to stay kadosh (holy)!

SHABBAT SHALOM!
Judaism=Think.
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