Monday, April 22, 2013
The 48 ways to Acquire Torah: Being Content with One's Lot
11:36 AM | 
Posted by
Rabbi Chaim Coffman |
The next of the 48 ways to acquire Torah is being content with one's lot. This means that regardless of what may happen in our lives, our reaction will be controlled which will help deal with that particular situation. The reason is because if I possess this character trait, a person will realize that whatever they have or whatever comes their way will not affect them negatively.
This is easier said than done. When we see our neighbor's have nicer clothes, a fancier car, a higher position in their company...doesn't that make us want to scream out, "hey how come I don't have that or why am I not as successful as Mr. X?"
We all have to make the best effort we can whether we are trying to make a living, learning Torah or interacting with our kids. At the end of the day, though we are given what G-d deems best for us, be it our financial position or other things.
If we look at what we have and think of the positive things that go with that, then jealousy is something that doesn't even enter our vocabulary. G-d has given us the potential to deal with whatever we need to go through and we have to look at it as this is the best for me.
What is the point of getting upset or ranting or raving about what I don't have or how difficult life is? This will not help me, just the opposite, it will confuse me, irritate me and depress me. Appreciating what one has without looking at what they don't have gives a person a proper perspective of what they have.
We have goals, desires and aspirations to reach the highest levels in the physical and spiritual realms. Even if we don't reach them, we should still strive to maximize our potential. G-d knows what he is doing running the world and giving each person, family what He knows that they need even if we think we need more.
When we look at what others have (and maybe lack) compared to ourselves, we realize that we are happy with the trials and tribulations that G-d has given us and helped us to raise ourselves higher in spirituality.
It is hard, though not to look at what others have and not be jealous. The goal is to realize G-d gives us what we need and to internalize that message.
This is easier said than done. When we see our neighbor's have nicer clothes, a fancier car, a higher position in their company...doesn't that make us want to scream out, "hey how come I don't have that or why am I not as successful as Mr. X?"
We all have to make the best effort we can whether we are trying to make a living, learning Torah or interacting with our kids. At the end of the day, though we are given what G-d deems best for us, be it our financial position or other things.
If we look at what we have and think of the positive things that go with that, then jealousy is something that doesn't even enter our vocabulary. G-d has given us the potential to deal with whatever we need to go through and we have to look at it as this is the best for me.
What is the point of getting upset or ranting or raving about what I don't have or how difficult life is? This will not help me, just the opposite, it will confuse me, irritate me and depress me. Appreciating what one has without looking at what they don't have gives a person a proper perspective of what they have.
We have goals, desires and aspirations to reach the highest levels in the physical and spiritual realms. Even if we don't reach them, we should still strive to maximize our potential. G-d knows what he is doing running the world and giving each person, family what He knows that they need even if we think we need more.
When we look at what others have (and maybe lack) compared to ourselves, we realize that we are happy with the trials and tribulations that G-d has given us and helped us to raise ourselves higher in spirituality.
It is hard, though not to look at what others have and not be jealous. The goal is to realize G-d gives us what we need and to internalize that message.
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