Good morning Bitachon of the day ❤️
If each of us is completely unique, how can we compare ourselves to anyone else? As Einstein famously said, “If you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it’s foolish.” We cannot compare ourselves to someone else, as we are completely different people. If we genuinely understood this, we would never be jealous. Once we realize that everything in our life is exactly what we need to fulfill our unique potential, we’ll stop looking
around at what other people have and start utilizing what we have. To take it a step further, we can actually begin to be happy for other people’s success, as we will realize that we aren’t competing with each other.
The beauty lies in our differences; no two people are alike, and we should embrace our uniqueness. When we embrace our individuality, we allow our souls to express themselves authentically. This authenticity allows others to catch a glimpse of what makes us truly unique. When people see this, they're drawn to it and want to be a part of it. They feel they can learn from us because we possess something unique that they don't have.
Embracing our uniqueness allows us to see more clearly because we are less distracted by comparing ourselves to others, what they do, what they have, or how they live their lives. Instead, we focus on our own self-purpose and journey.
This is precisely what Rabbi Farhi did for our Upper East Side Sephardic Community. He arrived from London and created something truly remarkable in the city. Against all odds, he entered a synagogue that was falling apart and rebuilt it. He was steadfast in knowing his path. On his first Rosh Hashanah with us, my niece was in the hospital, and despite his presence be needed in the Shul, he made time to visit her during Mincha to blow the Shofar for my niece and stayed in the Hospital. I told him “You will be late for Shul?”
I was taken aback by his response and told him he didn't have to be at the synagogue with the community. His reply left me speechless: "That's where I belong right now, praying for Sophie and making sure she hears the shofar." Despite not knowing my sister-in-law or niece well, he felt compelled to be there. Rabbi Farhi listened to his inner voice and followed what he believed was the right thing to do.
Today, Rabbi Farhi gathers a multitude of people for his classes. During his Saturday sessions, he has over 300 attendees, many of whom are not religious and keep their phones on. Everyone has a thirst for learning from him. Rabbi Farhi fully embraces his uniqueness, and his magnetic presence draws everyone around him. There's a palpable sense of wanting more after each of his classes.
May Hashem guide us to find our purpose and uniqueness and share it around us Amen 🙏
Wishing you all a wonderful day ❤️