MidrESHET Hayil

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Parashat Yitro-Redefinition of Repetition

BS''D
Parashat Yitro-Redefinition of Repetition

I don't think there is one Jew in the world who has not heard of the Aseret HaDibrot, the Ten Commandments (I mean, teachnically we were all there when it was given the first time). Ask any of them and they will tell you something to the effect of it being a moral code which is the basis of the Torah we know.

Okay, so we'll take a crash course on these ten statements, memorize them all and we're good to go, perfect Jews, right?

Wrong.

Even the sage and scholar cannot be proficient in what the Aseret HaDibrot, and by extension, the entire Torah entails if they lack one thing: sensitivity. Without sensitivity, the Torah is powder in our hands; even if you collect grains and grains of information and mount them in your palm, it can all be blown away at once if there is no sensitivity acting as the liquid solution that will stick all the powder together.

Sounds nice but let's give concrete applications.

It is known that towards the end of his life, Yisshak Avinu lost his ability to see. Why is that? Say the Hakhamim that the smoke from the sacrifices that Esav and his wives brought to foreign gods affected Yisshak Avinu's eyes and caused him to lose his vision. This is a famous midrash. But wait a minute. Wasn't Rivka Imenu there as well? The smoke didn't reach her eyes?? Why is it that she didn't lose her vision?!

Sefer Hinukh LeBanim answers this question as a HALAKHA. We must understand, Yisshak Avinu was brought up in a completely Kadosh environment, he was sensitive to things like idol worship and therefore it affected him greatly when he was exposed to it to a point where he even lost his eyesight. However, Rivka Imenu grew up in a home with Lavan as father, understandably not as Kadosh an environment. Rivka Imenu was therefore more tolerant to this idol worship and lost that special sensitivity that Yisshak Avinu had, and thus the smoke did not affect her.

In Parashat Yitro, Yitro offers Moshe Rabbenu advice so great that he had the zekhut of having an entire Parasha named after him. What was his advice? Yitro notices that for every single little legal problem, all of Benei Yisrael continuously come to Moshe Rabbenu to seek his council, and this became somewhat overbearing. Yitro suggests to appoint a court for smaller issues, then a step up for larger appeals, and others higher until only the issues that were unable to be solved would reach Moshe Rabbenu himself. What Yitro saw was a tolerance on the part of Benei Yisrael to such quarrels. People would really bring their friends to court for such trivial things?? It was not fair for Moshe Rabbenu to have to deal with this every moment of the day. Had Benei Yisrael been more sensitive to each other, they would keep the missvot more perfectly and these issues wouldn't even exist in the first place.

Sometimes, we don't realize how tolerant we become to impure and profane things. We might see an ad with an undressed person in it and even though we know not to look, itdoesn't really bother us that it is there. Other times we brush off a sentence of lashon hara spoken. Sometimes it doesn't affect us so much if we missed minha that day. Why should it be this way? The first time something like this happens, we become really affected and try very hard to maintain our Kedusha despite what just happened and begin to do teshuva for it. The second time too, and maybe even the third time, but by the fourth time, and the fifth, and the fiftieth, we have already become too tolerant to such things and it doesn't even bother us anymore.

Just because something happens repetitively, it should not have to lose its effect. Rav Waus explains with such passion the phenomena of rain. Just for a second, pretend you have never seen rain before. Good. You look outside your window and all you see is literally millions and millions of little drops of water falling from the sky. What a wonder! Did you ever stop to think what an amazing event is taking place here? When it rains, not only do we ignore it, but we also complain about it! But just think about the beauty of what is happening. Just because we have seen rain so many times before, it shouldn't have to lose its charm. Likewise, says Rav Waus, as well as Rav Avigdor Miller zt''l, did you ever stop to consider the beauty of fruits? HaKadosh Barukh Hu could have created the world with dull, tasteless spheres hanging from trees for us to eat. But He didn't! HaShem made fresh, succulent and vibrant fruits for us to enjoy with fragrance and color! Don't you see the wonder in that? Just because we have eaten them so many times, it doesn't take away for one second the value of a beautiful fruit in our hands.

If we look at life and the missvot with fresh new eyes, we will acquire a hibba, love for doing them and we will have no problems keeping the missvot. But if it feels like a chore, then what is the point?

This is why the advice of Yitro is the prelude to the Aseret HaDibrot. If we become tolerant to negative influences, the Torah can easily slip through our fingers. When we develop a passion and sensitivity for what HaKadosh Barukh Hu in his Mercy teaches us in His Torah HaKedosha, the Missvot will solidify in our hands. Then we can be sure that not only will we keep the Missvot impeccably, but that they will come from our own initiative and we won't have to feel forced (I know, worst feeling). Not only that, we will never be susceptible to the negative influences around us either and we can live our lives in the highest levels of Kedusha!

Be'Ezrat HaShem Yitbarakh, may we all develop the sensitivity to realize the beauty of this world the more we experience it instead of become tolerant to its wonders. May we apply this sensitivity to the way we keep the missvot and further, to the way we treat the people around us (especially our family members whom we are so used to seeing but may sometimes forget to treat specially). In this zekhut, may we be zokhim to feel HaKadosh Barukh Hu with at least the same level of awe and love Benei Yisrael felt for Him at Matan Torah when we stood at Har Sinai.


Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom uMevorakh! Remember, just because Shabbat Kodesh comes every week, it does not for a second lose its Kedusha and inherent beauty!! Enjoy it like it's new!

Ariella Samimi


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Make Your Neshamah Fly!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Parashat Beshalah- At the Scene With a Tambourine?

BS''D
Parashat Beshalah- At the Scene With a Tambourine?

20. Miriam, the prophetess, Aharon's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women came out after her with tambourines and with dances.

כ. וַתִּקַּח מִרְיָם הַנְּבִיאָה אֲחוֹת אַהֲרֹן אֶת הַתֹּף בְּיָדָהּ וַתֵּצֶאןָ כָל הַנָּשִׁים אַחֲרֶיהָ בְּתֻפִּים וּבִמְחֹלֹת:
Ask yourself, if for any reason you were forced to leave your home, never to return, what would be the first thing you took with yourself? A Siddour? Food? A sentimental photograph? Your Blackberry? Surely you would take something of high value or use. 

This Shabbat is called Shabbat Shirah in honor of this week's Parashat Beshalah in which Shirat HaYam is beautifully relayed to us. As Benei Yisrael cross the Yam Souf in joy and elation, they dance and sing this very song exalting the name of HaShem. Moshe Rabbenu leads the men while Miriam HaNeviah leads the women with song and tambourine.

Just imagine to yourself this powerful and moving scene. Millions of Benei Yisrael are all standing together amidst an ocean's worth of water pillared high around them, singing and dancing their hearts out to HaKadosh Barukh Hu. Imagine actually being part of the biggest miracle that ever took place in the world. One would not be able to hold back from singing and dancing in both awe and appreciation. Just picture Moshe Rabbenu reciting each verse and all of Benei Yisrael responding in a unified, booming voice. Imagine Miriam HaNeviah followed by all of the women in Kelal Yisrael with such vigor and enthusiasm playing their tambourines.

Wait, What?

Hold on one second. Something is wrong with the picture here. WHERE IN THE WORLD DID MIRIAM AND ALL OF THE WOMEN OF KELAL YISRAEL JUST PULL TAMBOURINES OUT FROM?? They were slaves in Egypt! What does a slave need a tambourine for? The last thing I would consider taking with me after being freed from a 210 year bondage is a tambourine. Benei Yisrael didn't even have time to bring food; they took their dough with them as it was still in their kneading bowls! Who would even have it in their mind to bring such a trivial thing when they have a family to pack for, including all of their neighbors' gold and silver and get ready to enter the wilderness. A tambourine isn't going to ward off any desert snakes; maybe a spear would be more logical. So why did Miriam and the women of Kelal Yisrael even consider bringing musical instruments with them?

Rashi asks the same question. "Where did the tambourines come from? Why were they brought? The righteous women brought them from Egypt because they knew for sure that HaKadosh Barukh Hu would perform miracles in order to enable their escape, and songs and dances of praise would be their proper response." Look at the Emunah of these righteous women! These nashim sadkaniot were so confident that HaKadosh Barukh Hu would save them in the future that they prepared in advance tambourines and musical instruments so that they can truly praise Him from the bottom of their hearts. There was absolutely no doubt in their hearts that their salvation would come. In the middle of all their deep pain and suffering in Missrayim, these righteous women sat there and prepared tambourines to sing to HaKadosh Barukh Hu in praise and thanks. 

We must live our lives the same way. We must be so sure that Ribono Shel Olam will always send us a salvation to our suffering to the extent that even within our suffering we are preparing to praise HaShem for that moment when He saves us. Sometimes when we are so engrossed in our own anguish and affliction, we see no way out and begin to feel despondent. Has Ve'Shalom, it should never be this way! If from the beginning we believe that HaShem Yitbarakh will pull through for us and that he will catch us if we fall, we won't even have the suffering in the first place. It all depends on the level of our Emunah in HaShem. Habakouk tells us that the foundation of the entire Yahadout is וצדיק באמונתו יחיה; that a Sadik lives and endures only through his Emunah. It is easy to look back and have Emunah that HaKadosh Barukh Hu has answered our tefillot, but to live our lives knowing steadfast that HaShem will surely work every detail of our lives out for us ahead of time is truly of its own caliber. 

Be'Ezrat HaShem, may we all build our Emunah enough to the level where even amidst our hardships, we are able to prepare ourselves for the moment we can express praise and thanks, song and dance to Boreh Olam when He sends forth Yeshuot for us. May our lips always sing such songs and may our hearts always feel such levels of joy and devekut (connection) to HaShem Yitbarakh. May we always feel His presence in our lives on such a level and may we always have reason to sing and dance!

Shabbat Shalom uMevorakh! This Shabbat and every Shabbat Kodesh, Dance, Sing, Go Crazy for HaShem!!!
Ariellah Samimi

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www.flyingsoul-o.com 
Make Your Neshamah Fly!

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www.flyingsoul-o.com 
Make Your Neshamah Fly!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Parashat Bo- The Anatomy of an Egyptian King

BS''D

Parashat Bo- The Anatomy of an Egyptian King

1. HaShem said to Moshe: "Come to Paroh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, in order that I may place these signs of Mine in his midst,

א. וַיֹּאמֶר יְ־הֹוָ־ה אֶל מֹשֶׁה בֹּא אֶל פַּרְעֹה כִּי אֲנִי הִכְבַּדְתִּי אֶת לִבּוֹ וְאֶת לֵב עֲבָדָיו לְמַעַן שִׁתִי אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּה בְּקִרְבּוֹ:
2. and in order that you tell into the ears of your son and your son's son how I made a mockery of the Egyptians, and [that you tell of] My signs that I placed in them, and you will know that I am HaShem."

ב. וּלְמַעַן תְּסַפֵּר בְּאָזְנֵי בִנְךָ וּבֶן בִּנְךָ אֵת אֲשֶׁר הִתְעַלַּלְתִּי בְּמִצְרַיִם וְאֶת אֹתֹתַי אֲשֶׁר שַׂמְתִּי בָם וִידַעְתֶּם כִּי אֲנִי יְ־הֹוָ־ה:

Famously, before every single makah/plague, the Torah HaKedosha tells us that HaKadosh Barukh Hu hardened the heart of Paroh, refusing to free Benei Yisrael in order for Paroh to receive punishment for this. We learn this as 'VaYekhaved HaShem et lev Paroh'.

 If we are honest with ourselves, this doesn't seem fair! How could HaShem Yitbarakh possible hold Pharaoh accountable for a decision that was not even his? At His strictest, HaShem is still a GD of justice! How could an entire nation be destroyed out on the basis of a decision influenced by a force outside Paroh's control?

Look closely at the Torah's vernacular. The Torah specifically uses the word 'va'ye'kaved', meaning to make heavy and not 'va'ye'hazek', which means to make strong or tough, as used in other instances in the Torah. The pasuk can also be read a different way. Says Shemot Rabbah, instead of looking at it as HaShem making Paroh's heart heavy, let us consider the word kaved in its alternate translation: as 'liver'. HaShem metaphorically transforms Paroh's heart into his liver. This is why Paroh was deserving of a punishment; he brought it upon himself using his liver instead of his heart.

I realize this isn't a biology lesson, but a Devar Torah, so allow me to elaborate on why Paroh's organs are of such importance to us here.

The composite human spirit is divided among the various organs of a person. The lowest and most animalistic component of the human spirit is the nefesh, which is responsible for human drives and desiressuch as eating and reprodution. The nefesh is most heavily concentrated in the liver, and by extension, in the blood. As most of us nerds know, the liver is responsible for the breakdown and distribution of food in the blood as well as ridding the blood of all negative toxins.

The step above nefesh is the ruah, located in the mind. In Torah and Halakha, we refer to the mind as 'lev' which is more popularly known as the heart. Nevertheless, their function is the same: to make decisions. The lev is responsible for our deeds and actions. The Vilna Gaon explains that the heart is 'king' and rules over a person's decisions and desires.

Which one of ours is stronger? Do our minds guide us or our desires veer us away from the right decision? What happens sometimes is that the byproduct of our kaved, our liver, can overtake the function of our lev, our heart/mind. Sometimes, our desires are too strong and they cloud our intellectual judgment, disallowing us to make a logical and proper decision. Rabbi Label Lam brings the Sefer Heshbon HaNefesh, which writes 'The animal spirit has a short attention span. It observes the world with material eyes, seeing only that which is close, obvious, and immediate…The intellectual human spirit is in constant danger of itself being swallowed up by the desires of the animal spirit.' Paroh allowed his kaved/desires to reign when he was making his decision not to free Benei Yisrael instead of using his lev/mind to make this decision. 'Va'ye'kaved lev Paroh'; his heart acted as his liver-his intellect submitted to his desires. This is why he was deserving of such punishment, not once, but ten times.

In life, we must make sure that our intellect governs our actions and it is not our desires that direct them. Just like when a liver grows back when it is cut off, desires can keep coming back even when they are seemingly eradicated, and we must not fall victim to our temporary desires because they will continue to keep growing. The only thing we can do is widen our intellect and solidify it so that it will grow stronger than our desires and be able to take over and lead the way. Making decisions with our intellect will certainly yield more auspicious results. There is a reason why the heart lays over the liver in the human body.

Be'Ezrat HaShem Yitbarakh, may we all develop the proper koah and mindset in order to overcome our desires and realize that they are only momentary, in order to make proper decisions in life with our MINDS and LEVAVOT that will only allow us to become closer and closer to HaKadosh Barukh Hu.

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom uMevorakh! Make it special!
Ariella Samimi

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www.flyingsoul-o.com 
Make Your Neshamah Fly!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Parashat Va'Era- Understand That It Is HaShem's Hand

BS''D
**BH a girl's morning seminary is opening up soon in Great Neck, NY which will be offering college credits as well! We are featuring the most prominent Rabbanim, Morot and Mehankhim in the community, as well as exciting trips and events for the Talmidot. For more information please email midreshethayil@gmail.com. Todah Rabbah ve Kol Tuv!

Parashat Va'Era- Understand That It Is HaShem's Hand

15. So the sorcerers said to Paroh, "It is the finger of HaShem," but Paroh's heart remained steadfast, and he did not hearken to them, as HaShem had spoken.

טו. וַיֹּאמְרוּ הַחַרְטֻמִּים אֶל פַּרְעֹה אֶצְבַּע אֱ־לֹהִים הִואוַיֶּחֱזַק לֵב פַּרְעֹה וְלֹא שָׁמַע אֲלֵהֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר ה : '

Until this point, Paroh's magicians were able to replicate every single sign/miracle that Aharon HaKohen and Moshe Rabbenu executed in order to prove to Paroh that HaKadosh Barukh Hu is requesting of him to free Benei Yisrael from bondage. When Aharon and Moshe's staff turned into a serpent once it was thrown onto the ground, so did the staffs of the Egyptian sorcerers; it didn't phase Paroh. When the makot/plagues of dam (blood) and sefardea (frogs) fell upon the Egyptians, the Egyptian magicians were able to replicate these phenomena as well. Paroh was left unmoved. However, once the makah/plague of Kinim befell Egypt, the sorcerers were not able to replicate this and immediately declared 'This is the Hand of GD', 'Essba E-lokim Hea'. They realized that these were no longer natural occurrences happening that they were able to themselves control, but that there was a Divine Hand guiding all of these incidents.
According to the Kabbalah, there are ten 'Sefirot' which represent the lights of energy or characteristics which Ribono Shel Olam created in man and Creation. These characteristics make up the inner personality of each person. The Sefirot can be seen in the ten makot/plagues of Egypt in their 'negative' or corrupt form. Each of the ten makot/plagues directly corresponds to one of the Sefirot. The third plague of kinim (lice), is seen as a corruption of the Sefirah of Hod, which represents submission and devotion.
The eighth of the Sefirot, Hod, represents submission and devotion stemming from humility. Hod also means to praise; it is a certain acknowledgment and splendor, which allows the expression of appreciation and gratitude. When we are humble enough to understand that we have an ultimate Creator and Provider, we express much appreciation to Him and not only that, we can fully submit to Him knowing that He runs the world. Hod allows a person to continue on when faced with life's unexpected obstacles, knowing everything happens for a reason and according to HaShem's will. It is 'Essba E-lokim', HaShem's guiding Finger that runs our life.
How long will it take us until we realize HaShem's Hand? At what point do we pull back and submit ourselves completely to HaShem, declaring 'Essba E-lokim Hea'?

Paroh's magicians only submitted once they were unable to replicate the lice. According to them, anything past the point where one not capable of doing themselves, that is where HaKadosh Barukh Hu comes in, but until then, it is all the product of a human effort. This is wrong. No matter whether or not you are able to replicate Ma'aseh HaShem (something that HaShem does), it is always coming from Him. When you breathe, you think it is very much your own power that is doing this work, your lungs working hard at inhaling and exhaling, but this is an extension of divine Will that is allowing you to do so. We must see HaKadosh Barukh Hu in everything. Even in dust. Because the very dust which we thought was nothing turned into powerful lice. HaKadosh Barukh Hu controls everything, we must submit to Him and realize everything is His Essba.

Until how long do we keep pushing only to realize that its HaShem's will?? How many makot must we endure to finally realize that it is not in our control, something we can create or replicate but rather something greater than us in control and we must submit to Him? If we submit, we can see life from lifeless things….lice from dust. We can see things that we never thought would have potential to develop becoming powerful sources of life and growth. Our own selves first- if we think it is in our control, we will try and try to replicate to no avail. If we submit, even the parts of us we thought are dust and lay dormant will be infused with energy and vivacity…except instead of turning into lice, it will turn into LIFE.

Not only must we submit to HaShem Yitbarakh, but we must commit to this submission and carry this feeling through. How many times do we say 'Oh wow this is  certainly HaShem's doing!' submitting to Him completely but only feel it at the moment, and just like Paroh, we forget after time passes, when things begin to ease? When the plagues are difficult, Paroh recognizes HaKadosh Barukh Hu and agrees to free Benei Yisrael but after the plagues get better, he doesn't feel the presence of HaShem and again refuses to free them. HaKadosh Barukh Hu has to keep sending makot over and over again to remind him who really is King. Same with us. If we keep forgetting, has veShalom, HaShem may have to keep sending makot to remind us that He is everywhere and controls everything.

Be'Ezrat HaShem may we all develop the humility to acquire the attribute of Hod, allowing us to submit ourselves completely to HaShem Yitbarakh and recognize His Essba in everything we do. In this zekhut, may we all be saved from life's makot and only grow from our experiences.

Hodesh Tov veShabbat Shalom uMevorakh!

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Friday, January 4, 2013

Parashat Shemot- He Who Puts You To It Will Pull You Through It

BS''D
Parashat Shemot- He Who Puts You To It Will Pull You Through It

As children, we can recall a time we once fell during play and took a scrape to the knee. In tears we ran to our parents pointing to the site of affliction, hopeful of a cure to ease the pain, only to discover that the liquid in the brown bottle they said would make the pain go away actually burns more than the cut itself! Tears now amplified, we shriek 'Get it off, get it off!!! I thought you wanted to help me! WHY would you make it worse??', but a week later, knee is good as new.

And thus, for the first time, we learn the lesson that sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better.

In Parashat Shemot, Moshe Rabbenu and Aharon HaKohen approach Par'oh informing him that HaKadosh Barukh Hu instructs him to 'let my people go'. Par'oh refuses, saying, 'Who is G-d, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I know not G-d, nor will I let Israel go.' Not only does Par'oh refuse their demand, he increases the burden of labor on Benei Yisrael. When officers of Benei Yisrael complain to Moshe Rabbenu that his visit to Par'oh has only made things worse, he can bear it no longer. Just like with the hydrogen peroxide in the brown bottle, things were only getting worse, not better.

Observing this, Moshe Rabbenu asks Ribono Shel Olam 'Why have You done evil to this nation? Why have You sent me?! Since I came to speak to Par'oh in your name, he has done worse to this nation; and You have not saved Your people!'

Really?

HaKadosh Barukh Hu responds straight to Moshe Rabbenu,  'Now you shall see what I will do to Par'oh; for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.'
For things to move upwards, they have to start at a low point first; things get worse before they get better.
This is why the Pasouk states 'The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew' (1:12). Hidushei HaRim explains that Benei Yisrael felt most suffering and affliction when salvation began to draw near. The lower Benei Yisrael were driven, the higher levels they were able to reach. The more they suffered, the more momentum they gained towards attaining greatness. It was because of the hardships that they endured which offered them the resistance to keep having children, six at a time.  

The key to moments like these, when not only is hope lost, but things seem to even get worse is PERSEVERENCE. Right that moment where you feel you are about to break, that is when salvation is near; you just need to push that little extra bit, that extra bit that differentiates you from others, that bit that deems you deserving of salvation, that last bit that declares and strengthens your Emunah in HaKadosh Barukh Hu. DON'T GIVE UP.


When HaKadosh Barukh Hu reveals to Moshe Rabbenu of his task of speaking to Par'oh to free Benei Yisrael, Moshe Rabbenu brings up his speech impediment as a reason why he is not capable of this role. He begs and begs HaShem to give the job to somebody else, like his brother Aharon HaKohen, who did not have a stutter and who was more fond of public speaking.

HaShem says 'Who gave man a mouth, or who makes [one] dumb or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, HaShem? So now, go! I will be with your mouth, and I will instruct you what you shall speak. '

He Who puts you to it will surely pull you through it. Just like Moshe Rabbenu was put to the test of speaking to the most important figure in all the land despite his speech impediment, and HaShem pulled him through (it was indeed Moshe Rabbenu that ultimately led Benei Yisrael out of Misrayim), HaShem also guides us through the tests he puts us up to.  If HaShem puts you through a situation, He believes you can handle it…..and not only that, He believes you can grow from it. And if He puts you through a test, he gives you all the means of conquering it; the world is His. Whoever made the lock also made the key. HaShem knows and controls all systems in this world. He just wants you to grow. Proof?

Mario.

In the virtual world of Mario, the player must complete a certain level in order to advance to the next one. Before passing to the next level, at the very end of the current level, the player must prepare himself to defeat the largest challenge throughout the level. This challenge is known as Bowser and he is nearly impossible to beat. But still possible….

 The whole point of the Mario game is to advance from one level to the next. The makers of the game don't want you to be stuck on level one the entire time; they want you to keep moving up. As difficult as it is to defeat this huge monster, the makers of therefore had to design Bowser to be capable of being destroyed. You are able to destroy Bowser once you've been through the entire level over and over again to acquire the various hidden tools embedded in bricks- something that comes only with experience. And the only way to get to these tools is  by bashing our heads against the bricks for the coins, mushrooms and flying stars that hide inside. Once you were able to destroy Bowser at the end of the level, you were able to advance to the next one. The hardest part of the level is at the very end, just as you are about to advance forward to a more desirable level, reaching success.

Life is the same. It is designed for us to pass. We are given the tools to pass. The tools are acquired only through experience. And sometimes we have to bash our head against bricks to find those tools--it can be quite frustrating. But this only prepares us to get through what lies ahead of us. Our biggest and most difficult challenge appears right before success. Although the challenge seems impossible, if you beat it, you gain the rights to move on. If not, you continue to stay on the same level.....until you finally overcome it.

Believe me, HaShem knows our pain. He does not want to hurt us. HaShem Himself says in this Parashah 'I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cries at the hand of their oppressors, I know their pain...' Imagine how painful it is for a parent to apply hydrogen peroxide to their child's cut knowing it will cause them unease. But it must be done. This small amount of pain that has to be felt yields desirable and auspicious results.  If it does not kill you, it is making you stronger.

This is the lesson we learn from the burning bush….the bush standing before Moshe Rabbenu was burning, but it would not be consumed. In life, things may hurt so bad and burn deep inside us, but they should not and will not ever consume us. The understanding that HaKadosh Barukh Hu is our Parent that knows exactly what we need to move forward, and precisely how much we can endure, should lend us much comfort and strength as we face our struggles. 

Be'ezrat HaShem, may we all use the embers that burn within us not to destroy and consume worlds around us, but as a source of warmth and energy to keep moving forward. May we realize that any experience that feels like suffering is only the liquid in the brown bottle that will heal our wounds faster. In this zekhout, may we pass all our tests with flying colors and only grow from each and every one of them!
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom uMevorakh!
Ariellah Samimi

--
www.flyingsoul-o.com 
Make Your Neshamah Fly!