Schmooze 'n News:
----------------------------
For more information about any of our classes and programs, please call
215-752-5032, or visit us at
http://www.bensalemoutreach.org
Forward this message to a friend
|
|
|
Welcome to the Kollel Connection.
This week we read Parshas Bo. In the parsha, we learn of the last of the ten plagues that befell the Egyptians. There are many lessons to be learned from the plagues that came upon Pharaoh. One of them, is from the fact that Pharaoh was not moved by the plagues when they hurt the people of Egypt. It was only when he himself was hurt by them, that he suddenly proclaimed, "Hashem is righteous, and me and my people are wicked!" The idea we see from here, is the lack of feeling that by nature we have for the pain of others, and how we must try to overcome that and to feel their pain as if it is our own.
The story is told of a great rabbi who went collecting to raise money for people to buy wood to be able to heat themselves in the winter. He came to the house of a wealthy person, who was known to be very stingy. He knocked on the door, and asked the man to come outside. The man asked the Rabbi if instead he could come inside to speak, but the Rabbi insisted that they speak outdoors. The Rabbi began talking about various things, while the man continued to be very cold. He again asked the Rabbi if they could continue the conversation inside. Finally, as the man began to shiver, the Rabbi asked him if he could help with a generous donation for the poor people to stay warm. The man agreed, and then the Rabbi went inside. When they sat down, the man asked, "Why couldn’t we have sat down inside to begin with". The Rabbi explained, "If I would have asked you to help while we were comfortable and warm in the house, you would have not really felt the pain of the poor people, and would have not given so much. Now that we ourselves were out in the cold, you yourself felt their pain, and you were inclined to help them much more".
This lesson from the ten plagues, is that we always must try to feel the pain of others, and try to understand it, so we can really help them.
Please enjoy this link from the Travelling Chassidim with a short message on the Torah Portion:
https://youtu.be/Zv-qF0p_L1I
Wishing you and your family a Great Shabbos!!!!
Rabbi Moshe Travitsky
To sponsor an issue of the Kollel Connection, please email BJOC@bensalemoutreach.org
Sponsorships are only $36 a week.
|
|