Thursday, December 31, 2015

Unbreakable

In this week's parsha, Shemos, we read about the burning bush. "The bush was on fire but the bush was not being consumed."

What is the meaning of this symbolism? What can we take from this to help us in our lives?

For the Jewish people in Egypt, the bondage had reached an all time low. Pharaoh inflicted with a skin ailment, was told by his doctors that to cure it, he needs to bathe in the blood of Jewish children. This was the blow that broke the Jewish people.

Until this point there was the hope, the understanding that as difficult as things are, there is a purpose to the suffering and soon will be an end to the bondage. But with their children being murdered, all hope of a future is gone.

Yet the Jewish people did not despair, when they had nothing left they remembered that a Jew always has Hashem and they cried out to Hashem with all their hearts. Hashem then heard their cries.

This is when Hashem shows Moshe the burning bush and this is the start of the redemption.

The bush burns but it is not consumed. This is the Jewish people. When there seems to be no fuel left we remember that we have Hashem and burn bright and strong and we are not consumed. This is what kick starts our redemption.

At times, life is so difficult, we can see no hope, but there is no reason to despair, rather it is time to shine brighter than ever and cry out to Hashem from a place far deeper than what we ever imagined, from the inner fire that can never be extinguished. And then Hashem gives us true redemption.

I am amazed every day by my wife Dina, I don't know what keeps her going. The struggle to take care of the family and being there for me. It used to be burning the wick at both ends, but now there is no more fuse. I always wonder how she does it, but now I think she is the real thing, a Jewish mother, unbreakable and with an open connection to Hashem.

I think we have already suffered enough, Hashem please send Moshiach.

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful words, we can all become consumed by our circumstances but you show us that we can not be destroyed by them. You and your amazing wife are a shining example to us all.

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  2. God requires the prayers of the righteous.

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  3. A pleasure to read this in Israel and send good wishes and prayers to you and your family!

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  4. One quote Dr Charles Stanley, pastor Atlanta GA, has said many times is that "problems are inevitable, but discouragement is a choice!"
    Choose faith and hope, always.
    Blessings to you and yours

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  5. Your title "Unbrakable", also brings to mind the true story/movie "Unbroken" Survival, Resilence, Redemption-the unbelievable true story of Louis Zamperini. What a beautiful testimony he has! What a beautiful man he was.
    Being of our Olympians- who became a POW for years, then found the only way to freedom was forgiveness.
    When you forgive, you are giving YOURSELF a gift. You are setting yourself FREE.

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