Parshas Beshalach -- 9 Shevat, 5771 / January 14, 2011 -- Vol. 2, Issue 6
You’ll notice that A Shtikel Vort has a new look this week and will be experiencing some changes over the next few issues as we develop a new layout and design. Ever feel like you need a change? Often in life when a person is going through a tough time, feels down on his luck, or just feels as though they are stuck in a rut, they decide to change their look, by a new wardrobe, and for a lack of better words, ‘reinvent themselves’. Can a person change who they are just buy changing their outer garments? After all, don’t they say it is what’s on the inside, not the outside, that counts.
In this week’s Parsha, Beshalach, the Jewish people complete their journey out of Egypt and cross through the Yam Sof (the Reed Sea). We might think that the Jewish people would have discarded their clothing as soon as they left Egypt and then been so inundated with being free that they would relish in the fact that they now have the opportunity to wear what they want when they want without the Egyptians ruling over them watching their every move. However, while the Jewish people were traveling in the desert for 40 years, they did not have to change their clothes even once. Rather, the clothes stayed fresh and clean and even grew with them as they journeyed (Eikev 8:4).
I might think, a new shirt and I’m a new person. Different colour glasses, why no one would recognize me. But it’s only a matter of time before I’m me again, and really I was me all along, I just have less money in my pocket and a new shirt and glasses that I don’t even need. So why do we do it? Why do we gravitate towards physical change? Because it’s easy and when something is easy more often than not it’s short lived. Instead why not work on changing an attribute. Striving to live life with greater alacrity, to be more focused, or to have more empathy when dealing with family and friends. Though it takes greater effort to change these things, they produce a long lasting change which leaves us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
This is why the Jewish people were able to retain their garments and moreover their garments grew with them. Life is an inner struggle in which we are constantly striving to build on our faith and trust in G-d and in our observance of Torah and Mitzvot. We don’t need to change our physical appearance or purchase new items to change our outlook on life. The truth is, that change has to come from with in. When the origin of a transformation is merely external, the momentum and desire to change will dwindle and fade. However, when its source is internal the affects are long lasting and life changing.
So while the format and physical appearance of A Shtikel Vort will be going through some changes, don’t worry the content will remain the same!
In this week’s Parsha, Beshalach, the Jewish people complete their journey out of Egypt and cross through the Yam Sof (the Reed Sea). We might think that the Jewish people would have discarded their clothing as soon as they left Egypt and then been so inundated with being free that they would relish in the fact that they now have the opportunity to wear what they want when they want without the Egyptians ruling over them watching their every move. However, while the Jewish people were traveling in the desert for 40 years, they did not have to change their clothes even once. Rather, the clothes stayed fresh and clean and even grew with them as they journeyed (Eikev 8:4).
I might think, a new shirt and I’m a new person. Different colour glasses, why no one would recognize me. But it’s only a matter of time before I’m me again, and really I was me all along, I just have less money in my pocket and a new shirt and glasses that I don’t even need. So why do we do it? Why do we gravitate towards physical change? Because it’s easy and when something is easy more often than not it’s short lived. Instead why not work on changing an attribute. Striving to live life with greater alacrity, to be more focused, or to have more empathy when dealing with family and friends. Though it takes greater effort to change these things, they produce a long lasting change which leaves us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
This is why the Jewish people were able to retain their garments and moreover their garments grew with them. Life is an inner struggle in which we are constantly striving to build on our faith and trust in G-d and in our observance of Torah and Mitzvot. We don’t need to change our physical appearance or purchase new items to change our outlook on life. The truth is, that change has to come from with in. When the origin of a transformation is merely external, the momentum and desire to change will dwindle and fade. However, when its source is internal the affects are long lasting and life changing.
So while the format and physical appearance of A Shtikel Vort will be going through some changes, don’t worry the content will remain the same!
Parshas Beshalach: Behind Bars
Two weeks ago, a man was released after spending 31 one years in a United States prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Can you imagine, 31 years in a detention centre, surrounded by negativity, almost no contact with the outside world let alone family or friends all for a crime that you didn’t commit! It’s almost too much to bear just thinking about it. Yet, in many ways, this is our life. Not necessarily physically of course, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Why is it that we frequently attribute qualities and characteristics to ourselves that simply aren’t true? Often these false presumptions of ourselves are based on the opinion of teachers, friends, society, the media, and anyone else who feels the need to tell us who we are and who we should be. Please don’t misunderstand me. I believe it is important to have people in your life who can help direct you and give advice when it’s appropriate. But I’m talking about everything else. The suggestions that you didn’t ask for, the advice that is repetitively given, the not so subtle hint that you don’t really know what you’re doing and if you would just change this small thing about yourself you would be that much more successful.
People don’t realize the power behind their words and the weight that language carries. A criticism here and a quip there can leave a person feeling drained and hurt. When it happens too much, we begin to actually believe the words of others and become our own worst enemy. Thoughts start to race through our minds. Maybe I’m not that smart. Perhaps I should be a better parent. Maybe I am wasting my time applying for that job. Two maybes and a perhaps later and before long we find ourselves behind bars, living in a prison of false self-esteem and mistaken identity. And as we sit in our own despair the truth becomes more faded, our aspirations slowly fall away and our perception of reality tears in two.
This is what happened to the Jewish people when they were in Egypt. Years of slavery left the Jews confused with their true identities and potential. That is why when Moshe came to them and revealed that the time for the redemption was near, they could hardly believe it. When Moshe told them that it was time to pack up their belongings because they would be leaving soon how did they respond? “What, us? We’re going to leave Egypt? Naahhhh. We’re slaves we can’t be free men. Don’t you know we build pyramids for Pharaoh? Better to leave well enough alone then make our situation worse!”
It wasn’t until after several miracles and the 10 plagues that the Jew’s were on board with the plan. In fact G-d himself had to be the one to smite the Egyptian first born and take the Jewish people out of Egypt because if it was anything less than the Almighty Himself, the Jew’s may have not truly believed that they were about take the next step in fulfilling their destiny. It had become thoroughly ingrained in our psyches that we were slaves. It makes perfect sense that the first commandment is a constant reminder for us that "I am Hashem, your G-d, who has taken you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery." Hashem doesn’t want us to think even for a moment about reverting back to our self-destructive thoughts.
Mishlei 27:19 states, "As water mirrors the face to the face, so does the heart of man to man." The Alter Rebbe explains that this means that a person should endeavour to love his fellow abundantly, which will ensure that he in turn will reflect this love towards himself. It is okay to give a helpful suggestion to someone, and it is encouraged to motivate others to do their best but there is a way to do it. Don’t rebuke, gently suggest. Don’t condescend, but offer your expertise with sensitivity. Don’t judge, rather recognize that there are multiple paths to the same goal.
So, give someone a helping hand, compliment them on their abilities and commend them for who they are. Your words and actions can literally help liberate others. Let your positive side loose, you'll be surprised at how amazing being free feels!
Why is it that we frequently attribute qualities and characteristics to ourselves that simply aren’t true? Often these false presumptions of ourselves are based on the opinion of teachers, friends, society, the media, and anyone else who feels the need to tell us who we are and who we should be. Please don’t misunderstand me. I believe it is important to have people in your life who can help direct you and give advice when it’s appropriate. But I’m talking about everything else. The suggestions that you didn’t ask for, the advice that is repetitively given, the not so subtle hint that you don’t really know what you’re doing and if you would just change this small thing about yourself you would be that much more successful.
People don’t realize the power behind their words and the weight that language carries. A criticism here and a quip there can leave a person feeling drained and hurt. When it happens too much, we begin to actually believe the words of others and become our own worst enemy. Thoughts start to race through our minds. Maybe I’m not that smart. Perhaps I should be a better parent. Maybe I am wasting my time applying for that job. Two maybes and a perhaps later and before long we find ourselves behind bars, living in a prison of false self-esteem and mistaken identity. And as we sit in our own despair the truth becomes more faded, our aspirations slowly fall away and our perception of reality tears in two.
This is what happened to the Jewish people when they were in Egypt. Years of slavery left the Jews confused with their true identities and potential. That is why when Moshe came to them and revealed that the time for the redemption was near, they could hardly believe it. When Moshe told them that it was time to pack up their belongings because they would be leaving soon how did they respond? “What, us? We’re going to leave Egypt? Naahhhh. We’re slaves we can’t be free men. Don’t you know we build pyramids for Pharaoh? Better to leave well enough alone then make our situation worse!”
It wasn’t until after several miracles and the 10 plagues that the Jew’s were on board with the plan. In fact G-d himself had to be the one to smite the Egyptian first born and take the Jewish people out of Egypt because if it was anything less than the Almighty Himself, the Jew’s may have not truly believed that they were about take the next step in fulfilling their destiny. It had become thoroughly ingrained in our psyches that we were slaves. It makes perfect sense that the first commandment is a constant reminder for us that "I am Hashem, your G-d, who has taken you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery." Hashem doesn’t want us to think even for a moment about reverting back to our self-destructive thoughts.
Mishlei 27:19 states, "As water mirrors the face to the face, so does the heart of man to man." The Alter Rebbe explains that this means that a person should endeavour to love his fellow abundantly, which will ensure that he in turn will reflect this love towards himself. It is okay to give a helpful suggestion to someone, and it is encouraged to motivate others to do their best but there is a way to do it. Don’t rebuke, gently suggest. Don’t condescend, but offer your expertise with sensitivity. Don’t judge, rather recognize that there are multiple paths to the same goal.
So, give someone a helping hand, compliment them on their abilities and commend them for who they are. Your words and actions can literally help liberate others. Let your positive side loose, you'll be surprised at how amazing being free feels!
