Page 4 - The Jewish Voice - July '21

Page 4, The Jewish Voice

From the Rabbis from page 3

The Bitter Shell Before the a trick of yours to disrupt my life and disturb my service the puffed-up ego that is always trying to project itself,
superficially and deceptively. “I need this, I want this, I
of God! For even if I have truly committed a sin of great
Inner Juice proportion, at this moment it is more important to God made myself, I am attracted and drawn by that, this will
that I serve him in joy.” make me (my body immediate gratification) feel good.”
By Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui Once, a student came to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Like the flesh of the olive, which is bitter, and from
The Baal Shem Tov Schneerson seeking advice on how to address the the realm of negativity, all these drives of the body
taught that worry and uninvited, extraneous thoughts that annoyed him. The ultimately thrust a person toward the undesirable and
sadness are the root of rabbi said he should serve God in joy. He explained, the unhappy. However, when the olive is crushed and we
all negativity in life. One “A person’s soul is always seeking expression through draw the deep-rooted good from inside, when a person
cannot serve God properly enjoyment and pleasure. If it does not find this satisfaction subdues and crushes his impulses, this draws out the oil
without joy. The voice of and joy in the positive and spiritual service of God, which that represents the deep good, the wisdom, the light, and
the evil inclination inside is best for the person, it will always seek it elsewhere, the Godly strength in each and every person.
everyone tries to persuade since life can never accept a vacuum.” We would all like to have an easy, enjoyable life.
the person to be sad for A blessing exists in every situation, however negative There is a rule in the Bible that says only those who sow
having failed at even the it appears. Noticing and celebrating this good becomes in tears will reap in joy. To reach joy most expressively
most insignificant thing, the impetus for greater growth. and enjoyably, one has to welcome the challenges and
exaggerating and magnifying the issue as if it were a Life is compared to bitter olives. It is true that inside difficulties God places in his way.
glaring transgression. the olive there is oil that is used for warmth and light; By embracing daily challenges with the trust that all is
A person must give this little evil voice inside a frank however, we first encounter the bitterness of the outside. for the good, we generate the joy necessary to deal with the
and candid retort, says the Baal Shem Tov. “This is just Oil, when extracted from the olive, rises to the top and issues in the most potent fashion. Overcoming our battles
always retains its unique characteristics, even when in the brings out the oil — deeper and greater wisdom, the light
company of other liquids. Oil will always remain separate and true joy — that comes only as a result of succeeding
and distinguished. over the difficulty and reaching the hidden good that God
Our sages tell us this metaphor teaches a very planted inside, waiting for us to discover it.
important lesson. Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui is spiritual leader of Chabad
Everyone has a bitter side and, deep down inside, House Lubavitch of Palm Beach. Contact him at
a spark of light. The bitter represents the temptations, Rabbi@chabadpalmbeach.org, 624-7004, or www.
distractions, and challenges of the body — the shell, chabadpalmbeach.org.

fabrikant

since 1895

SELL YOUR DIAMONDS,

LUXURY WATCHES,

AND SIGNED JEWELRY.

5 GENERATIONS OF EXCELLENCE

www.Fabrikant.com

CONTACT US TODAY

for a FREE ESTIMATE

Fabrikant, New York Fabrikant, Florida Fabrikant, Connecticut
New York, NY 10036 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 Westport, CT 06880
Phone: 917-470-9098, 917-470-9198 Phone: 561-232-2082 Phone: 917-470-9098, 917-470-9198