"Out of the depths, I cry to you," Kind David writes in Psalms. There's no call like the one from a broken heart, but is it worth the pain?
I know it's not what you want to hear, but the hurt and discomfort you feel are necessary to propel you forward. It would be nice to win the lottery, and you might think it would solve all of your problems, but the truth is you would only discover your level of strength and determination if G-d orchestrated events that pushed you to the limit.
This is highlighted so beautifully in this week's Torah portion, Vayeitzei. The torah tells us about Yaakov, our forefather's journey from Israel to his uncle Lavan's house, escaping the wrath of his evil twin Eisav. Yaakov paused to pray at Mt. Moriah, the future site of the Beit Hamikdash. In his prayer, he pleads with G-d to be with him on his journey and return him peacefully and successfully back to his parent's house once his mission is completed. Later on, he returns from Lavan's house to Israel with his wives and children and encounters Eisav's angel, with whom he wrestles for an entire night before he subdues him. Yakov always seems to be engaged in battle alone and far from home. Even his name symbolizes this perpetual struggle, Yakov from the Eikev, which means heel since he grabbed his brother's heel when he was born.
Yakov is the only one of the forefathers whose children all followed in his footsteps, carrying his legacy of faith in G-d forward. This is a direct result of Yaakov's facing his struggles often alone and developing a conviction in himself he never knew he had. This confidence and determination were passed to his children, who became the tribes of Israel, carrying this strength down to every one of us. Had Yaakov not experienced internal turmoil, anguish, and anxiety, he may have never learned what we now know: G-d is always with you, and you can channel that divine energy to overcome any obstacle in your path.
Today, we too carry this unlimited power, yet we hesitate to use it often content to float through life. It is Hashem's kindness that life struggles find us and compels us to reveal our ultimate strength, empowering us to actualize our full potential and fulfill our mission in this world, to bring Moshiach with peace and harmony for all.
Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Mendy Dubrowski
Mission: Embrace your struggles, face them enthusiastically, knowing this is making you stronger. Now, get it done!