Shavuatov 💗
It is not uncommon to project our own shortcomings onto others, and then blame them for what we lack. Ironically, this is the one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the all important trait of bitachon.
If you go to a holy place, it is relatively easy to connect to Hashem and remain connected. The yetzer hara is still with you, but if you are out of your element and have a more difficult time causing you to sin in any serious way. But should you then enter an unholy environment, it is a completely different story. It will be much harder for you to connect to Hashem. The yetzer hara will use the non spiritual environment to constantly pull you in a non spiritual direction, eventually causing you to sin.
This might not worry you very much if you do not feel that you need Hashem’s help. You might notice your drop in behavior and feel somewhat uneasy about it, but you will not feel in danger because of it. You might even cut yourself some slack and rationalize your behavior.
But if you generally trie to do the right thing and yet finds yourself in a potentially compromising situation, you have to know that this is only a test. The situation may seem impossible and failure may seem inevitable. But Hashem would not have put you in such a situation if there weren’t a way for you to succeed.
One of my daughter took a gap year,
and the program she chose, was very informative and interesting, Exploring the Jewish heritage in European locales not typically visited during our vacations. Her only concern was that it lacked a strong religious component.
The program had a diverse mix of teenagers, many of whom were unfamiliar with the Jewish religion.
They were all similar to how I grew up. She felt like the only religious one. I reassured her that Hashem placed her there for a reason. In response, she deepened her learning and prayer, fostering a connection to Hashem. The diverse group exposed her to various levels of faith, and amidst the challenges, she became a source of inspiration. Some peers, influenced by her faith, attempted to observe Shabbat for the first time. Despite the difficulty, her strong will to be closer to Hashem shone through, impacting those around her without even
realizing it.
By elevating your Bitachon and Emunah to a certain level, you empower those around you, even in challenging situations. Your strength resonates, allowing your surroundings to sense your authenticity, regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in.
May we all attain a deep connection with Hashem and raise awareness among those around us. Amen. 🙏
Wish you a very blessed week 💗