PARSHAS Tazria-Metzora 5785
A Two Word Message
Rabbi Dovid Yachnes
Men's Programming
Have you ever walked away from a conversation and said to yourself “Wow! That was just amazing!” Maybe you felt empowered. Maybe energized. Maybe your heart felt a sense of calm. You know what I mean? Think back to one of those conversations. What about that interaction gave you those feelings? What made you feel so validated and alive all at the same time? What was it?
I believe the answer lies in two words. With these two words not only was that conversation almost magical but it is likely that solutions were created or problems were solved and clarity was obtained. When these two words are conveyed, everything feels better. These two words…”You Matter!”
When someone sends us that powerful message that we matter, we are jolted back to true reality. We are aligned with our authentic self. You know why? Because we do indeed matter! Sometimes in the distractions and challenges of our lives we forget that. When there is confusion, disappointment, and fear, we need to be reminded of that.
We need to know that no matter what is going on around us or what the circumstances of our lives are, we matter. We are valuable, we are special, we are unique. We have within us the ability to overcome and to thrive.
When someone listens to us, hears and feels our pain, and loves us through it, they remind us that we matter. And when they do, we are filled with strength, we are filled with energy, we can come up with solutions.
There is a beautiful prayer said every day that begins with the following words – “אֱלֹקי, נְשָׁמָה שֶׁנָּתַתָּ בִּי טְהוֹרָה הִיא – My God, the soul that you gave me is pure”. Embedded within each and every one of us is a divine and pure soul gifted to us by the Almighty. It is actually a piece of Himself. This is what we are made of and this is why we matter.
Imagine what we could do for someone else who might have forgotten this. In our conversations with them, let us be the one to remind them that they too matter! Let us give them the opportunity to walk away from that interaction feeling “amazing”, by conveying to them this very powerful two word message of…”you matter”!
Recent Articles
Parshas Bo -5786
Unity - The Path to Redemption
Everything was set to go. The 10 plagues in Egypt had brought the Egyptians to their knees. All was clear that the Jewish people were about to exit – forever. But then a Mitzvah – a commandment. Moshe tells the Jews in this week’s Torah portion that they must bring a sacrifice known as the…
READ MOREParshas Vaera – 5786
Hope as a Tool
In an article on Parshas Vaera, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb describes a conversation between friends, where they each shared what to them was the saddest pasuk (verse) in the whole Torah. While all of them were most definitely sad, I identified greatly with Rabbi Dr Weinreb’s choice, a pasuk from this week’s parsha. The…
READ MOREParshas Shemos 5786
The Attitude of Gratitude
This past week, I had to spend some time in the hospital with someone who had a minor health crisis. Boruch Hashem, all is good and they are on their way to recovery. While sitting in the hospital, I got to thinking about gratitude. It is easy to thank Hashem for our health when we…
READ MOREParshas Vayechi 5786
Eternal Giving
Parshas Vayechi opens with Yaakov Avinu nearing the end of his life. Yet, the Torah tells us “Vayechi Yaakov”, Yaakov lived. Rashi, the primary commentary on the Torah, famously points out that even after his passing, Yaakov is still considered alive. His life was not defined only by his physical state, but by the values…
READ MOREParshas Vayigash 5786
Sometimes the “Poison” is the Cure
Dear friends, This week I met a friend for coffee, and she shared an unbelievable story that not only inspired me but felt like living proof of a truth I’ve always known but rarely see so clearly. Her brother-in-law was diagnosed with a serious form of skin cancer on his shin. Surgery was scheduled immediately,…
READ MOREParshas Mikeitz/Chanukah 5786
Seeing with Clarity
This Chanukah carries conflicting emotions. Alongside the warmth of our Menorah with family and friends, many of us are carrying fear and pain due to the tragic events at Bondi Beach. The real question is: How do we make sure these moments don’t slip away from us so that weeks or months from now we…
READ MOREParshas Vayeishev/Chanukah 5786
The Power of Small Efforts
Do you feel overwhelmed because of the endless amount of effort you need to put forth to get something done? Perhaps it is a project that you are pursuing? Maybe it’s a relationship you are trying to repair? Does the destination of the Jewish journey and knowledge of Torah law and practices feel out of…
READ MOREParshas Toldos 5786
Our Lasting Legacy
The Torah tells us, “V’eileh toldos Yitzchak ben Avraham. Avraham holid es Yitzchak.” Translated as “These are the generations of Yitzchak, the son of Avraham. Avraham fathered Yitzchak.” On a simple level, it is describing a father and son. But Rashi, explained by the Sifsei Chachamim and the Gur Aryeh (commentators on the Torah) says…
READ MOREChayei Sara – 5786
I Hear The Train
This past Monday night I was preparing myself to embrace the “frigid” Orlando weather forecasted for the following morning. All of a sudden I heard a chime on my phone. I looked to see that on our family chat, my brother posted the following. “I hear the train.” These four words suddenly warmed my heart…
READ MOREParshas Vayeira 5786
My Everlasting Trip
This past week’s trip to Israel made a lasting impact on me. Traveling with women from Orlando, many of whom now feel like true sisters, and meeting incredible women from around the world created a bond that felt both immediate and enduring. We shared moments of laughter, inspiration, and deep connection, the kind that only…
READ MORE
Send your questions or comments to the author