Iran’s Attack on Israel
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GOOD MORNING! I had the good fortune to learn from the words and deeds of a great philosopher, Rabbi Noah Weinberg, head of Aish HaTorah. Whatever wisdom I am able to impart to you is wisdom that I have imbibed from Rabbi Weinberg and from the wellsprings of wisdom, the Torah.
Q & A:Â HOW DO WE STRENGTHEN OUR USE OF FREE WILL?
Free Will means that one has the ability to make moral choices to accept the pain of doing the right thing -- to grow, to make the world a better place -- rather than to seek comfort. We are easily confused unless we have clear definitions and stated goals. Once a person knows that free will is about moral choices and not choosing the color of the socks you want to wear, then there is a beginning.
To strengthen the use of one's free will, it is important to focus on 5 points:
Likewise, don't be a slave to a past decision; just because you once thought that you couldn't do something, it doesn't mean that the decision still applies. Start each day anew. Constantly reevaluate where you are in life in order to be sure that what you chose then is what you would still choose now. Make sure it's you who are guiding your decisions, not your decisions that are guiding you.
The ultimate form of living is eternity, that is, life without any semblance of death. Therefore, attaching yourself to G-d is attaching to the highest and purest form of life itself: eternity. That is the ultimate use of our free will. That's what G-d means when He says in our Torah, "Choose life." Make your will His will. If you do, you'll be a little less than G-d Himself. Partners in changing the world.
Torah
Portion of the Week
Vayetzei
This week we have the trials and tribulations of Jacob living with and working for his father-in-law, Laban. Jacob agreed to work as a shepherd 7 years for Rachel only to have Laban switch daughters on him at the marriage ceremony. (This is why we have the "bedekin," the lifting of the veil, at traditional weddings -- to ensure one is marrying the right bride.)
As Jacob tries to build his equity, Laban changes their agreement time after time. After 20 years, the Almighty tells Jacob the time has come to return to the land of Canaan. Jacob and his household secretly leave only to be pursued by Laban who has claims to put forth. The story ends with peace and blessings between Jacob and Laban.
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Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
The Torah states, "And Jacob worked for Rachel for seven years; and it was in his eyes as a few days in his love for her." When someone loves another even a short time apart can seem like an eternity. How is it possible that the time appeared to be a short time for Jacob?
In his classic commentary, the Malbim gives two answers:
The Alschich gives another approach: The seven years seemed like a few days in Jacob's eyes AFTER he was married to Rachel. (This is the order of the words and events in the Torah.) His love and his happiness overshadowed and all but erased the pain of the seven years of work.
Our lessons: Clarify whether it's a burning heart or heartburn -- are you in love or are you infatuated? Secondly, if you have a difficult situation -- like difficulty in finding a spouse -- know that your trials and tribulations will seem insignificant in light of your happiness. Therefore, don't suffer so much now; rather anticipate your future joy.
