Shavuatov Bitachon of the day ❤️
Why do we feel so compelled to speak negatively about others?
Why is it such a struggle to avoid negative speech?
When you put someone down, you may appear to have achieved success, but you have gained nothing. You are left only with a fleeting, false sense of ego, pervasive disconnect, and the resulting lack of personal growth.
Speech is powerful. It’s a tool of connection, communication, and expression. You can tell a lot about someone by listening to what they talk about. Speech can be used to tear people apart, destroy relationships, and pass the time, but that is not the path to greatness. We can use speech to bridge the walls between us, to discuss the loftiest ideas and ideals of life, and to gain a higher sense of clarity and connection with both the people around us and our inner selves. When we speak, we share our souls with the universe, we express what we value, and in doing so, we also tell the world, “This is how I use my gift of speech.” May we be inspired to harness the full potential of our ability to speak and use speech in order to build genuine connection, understanding, and oneness.
My boys wanted to go to the Nova exhibition, so I took them again. Seeing it a second time, I noticed different details, and observed how each of my boys interpreted it uniquely. Both were emotionally disturbed and struggled to understand how someone could be so cruel in today's world and why the whole world seems against us. The speeches they heard and the videos they saw made them uncomfortable and really think about the circumstances. It wasn't the teachers, videos, or what someone said; it was the survivors telling their stories that had the most impact.
The survivors were outside, talking to people and crying, yet they still felt strong, repeatedly expressing their hope to be happy and dancing again. One survivor repeated that sentiment over and over.
Seeing it a second time, I had tears in my eyes, especially because I saw my kids cry. It felt like our souls were connected through the survivors' experiences, understanding how they must have felt in those moments, and appreciating how lucky they are to be alive to tell their stories.
What struck me this time was the survivors' pain for those they left behind and the hostages taken. They feel as if they are one, talking as if their own family members were taken, even if they never met each other. They feel united.
One of the videos I missed the first time was about a survivor who hid in a bomb shelter with 25 others, packed like sardines. After hearing the Arabs nearby, one person asked her to say "Shema." She had never said Shema before and didn't know how, but she repeated it the word “Shema” alone over and over. She was the only one to survive when the Arabs threw a bomb inside, killing everyone else.
Their speeches taught us about love for one another and the connection they all shared at the festival. Despite there being over 3,500 people, it felt like they were all connected and friends. It's all about how you express yourself and how you want others to perceive it. When used well, speech can be life-changing and incredibly powerful.
May we all use our speech to connect with one another and draw closer to Hashem. Amen. 🙏
Wishing you a wonderful day ❤️