JEWISH HOME LA

Dear readers,

Why is it that we have this almost hypnotic urge to look at the news? Bad news, terrible news, kvetchy news and even fake news. Almost anything becomes interesting as long as it’s not part of our lives. We can be blessed with health, a kind heart, good friends, a spouse, children, yet we don’t have the same natural thrill reflecting on these like when we read about someone else.

We can probably blame it on that age-old adversary, the yetzer hara. This yetzer hara is a genius in knowing exactly where to put up a fight. He knows full well that each one of us knows what’s right and what’s wrong in our lives, what needs improvement and what’s needs strengthening. So, he came up with a simple solution: get us to focus on everyone else’s lives. Chaim should be learning more, Velvel should be more of a mentch, and Bracha should stop being late!

The reality is the opposite. The only thing that matters is what’s happening in our lives. And in our lives, everything matters. If we shared a kind word with someone. If we didn’t have the last word in a disagreement. If we understood what we learned a bit better. Each and every thought, speech, or deed means everything to our Father in heaven and indeed changes the world for good.

This is easier said than felt, but the joy of Sukkos allows us to rise above some of the nitty-gritty and leap into a world of clarity, truth and eternal messages.

May the joy of Sukkos carry us until the truest joy mankind has known; when our Creator will remove His mask, revealing the strings behind the puppets, bringing all existence into harmony.

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos and a most joyful z’man simchaseinu!

Shalom