We all want to be blessed. Thank G-d many of us are blessed with revealed good.
How does one get blessings? How do you get good things in life?
For this, we can look at this week’s Torah portion.
The Torah repeatedly tells us that Joseph is successful. What made Joseph successful? His success is expressed because he viewed everything as an extension of G-d’s master plan.
When Joseph was sold into slavery, he viewed it as “G-d sent me here”. When put into jail on trumped up charges, he viewed it as an opportunity to help the downtrodden prisoners. When appointed as viceroy of the world superpower, it was a way to help save the country from hunger.
The Rebbe told Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks OB”M: "Nobody finds themselves in a situation; you put yourself in a situation. And if you put yourself in that situation, you can put yourself in another situation." Nothing "happens to you"; your successes and your challenges are an extension of G-d’s master plan.
I try to recognize that Hashem wants us to do our best in everything we do. I try to recognize that the definition of success is recognizing Hashem in everything. This also helps me to be humble and grateful for the many blessings G-d has bestowed upon me and thankful for the plan that G-d has put in place for me.
Have a good Shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman
P.S. Here is the full story from Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks talking about his meeting with the Rebbe.
I came to 770, and eventually the moment came when I was ushered into the Rebbe’s study. I asked him all my intellectual, philosophical questions; he gave intellectual, philosophical answers, and then he did what no one else had done. He did a role reversal, he started asking me questions. How many Jewish students ....Read More