Sometimes people make mistakes. They might seem wild or unpredictable.
Like Esau in this week’s Torah portion, these people might look like they're going the wrong way.
The story of Esau and Jacob is amazing. Most people think Esau was just a "bad son," but Isaac saw something different. He wanted to give Esau a special blessing - not because Esau was perfect, but because he saw Esau’s hidden potential and believed he could change and use his strong energy for good things.
The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, taught us to look at every person with love and hope. When someone is struggling, maybe with addiction or making bad choices, we shouldn't judge them.
Instead, we should see the pure soul inside them.
How often does someone come to their Rabbi, feeling terrible about past mistakes. saying I am not a good Jew. The Rabbi should looked at them with such kindness and said, "There is no such thing as a bad Jew, only a Jew who hasn't yet discovered their true self."
Just like Isaac saw Esau’s special energy, we can see the good in people who are struggling. Maybe we can help guide them, like Jacob helped transform Esau. But even if we can't, remember this: Every person has a holy spark inside them.
When seeing someone making mistakes, don't push them away. Look at them with love. See their potential. Believe they can change.
Have a good Shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman