JEWISH HOME LA

Dear Readers,

“Our forefather Avraham was great.” “Sara Imeinu was a big tzaddeikes.” Do we tell ourselves and our children statements like this in order to lift us up? For many, it has the opposite effect. They were great, but we are not. What does their greatness have to do with us? It seems to spring from them fully formed from their youngest years.

However, we know that we contain many faults and shortcomings.

The Chassidic masters teach that, just as the body receives direction and energy from the brain and heart, there are neshama klaliyos, general souls, from which all other souls come. Thus the souls in separate people may influence one another in profound ways.

When we learn that Avraham Avinu saw Hashem, it is supposed to evoke within us a yearning to also see Hashem – even if not in the way Avraham did. We are still supposed to search and perhaps even request that G-d and G-dliness be tangible in our lives.

The culmination of this process is the ultimate revelation in the time of the future redemption – may it take place very soon.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Shabbos,

Shalom