There was a maggid shiur who taught in a yeshiva. He would be asked to give a speech to women from time to time, and it was always packed. His speeches became very popular.
Later, he was offered the opportunity to teach at a girls’ seminary.
He went to Rav Matisyahu Salomon shlita to discuss if he should take the job. “Some people are telling me that if I take the job, people will think I can only teach in a seminary and not in a yeshiva, and it will hurt my job opportunities.”
Rav Matisyahu said, “Is this the only thing people are thinking about? What is the purpose of a shteller (a job)? Why does someone want a position? If Hashem gives a person the ability and talents to teach, reach, and inspire other Yidden, then a person shouldn’t make personal calculations about this type of job or that one. A person is meant to use all the abilities Hashem gave him.”
That’s the lesson! In other words, one is supposed to ask, “What does Hashem want from me?” and stop listening to what everyone else has to say. One should ask a wise rabbi before making a big move.
One should do what’s best for oneself, and how one can help others.
This connects to Purim:
Mordechai took a job, working for Achashverosh, and helped save Klal Yisroel.
Chazal says that some weren’t happy with Mordechai because he didn’t have as much time to sit and learn Torah as before. Mordechai knew that learning is important and still tried to learn as much as possible, but he still took the job because he knew he was the only one who could do it; he had the skills, so that’s what Hashem wanted.
A person is meant to use all the abilities Hashem gave him.
There will always be people who are not happy with you, but one can’t stop their life mission because of others’ feelings.
10 fun facts:
- You can’t count your hair.
- You can’t put soap in your eyes.
- You can’t breathe through your nose if you stick out your tongue.
- You just tried it.
- You looked funny doing it.
- You skipped the 6th fact.
- You just checked for it.
- You realize that you fell for it.
- Share it with a friend (or an enemy; just kidding, love all good Jewish people, don’t have any enemies).
That’s the lesson! It’s so easy to trick your mind; so watch what you read, see, and hear. Chazal says that if one does a sin again and again, he will get used to it and will think nothing is wrong with it.
If one can get used to a bad thing, one can also get used to doing a good thing.
Many times, people don’t want to learn, daven, or do certain mitzvos, it’s too hard. But Chazal has already taught us the secret; it’s only at the beginning, but it becomes easier.
This connects to Purim:
Haman was so used to getting honor from everyone that when one person, Mordechai, didn’t bow down, he said all that he owned was worth zero because one person didn’t give him honor.
One can get used to having too much.
Chazal has already taught us that one should be happy with what one has. One should get used to always being happy with what they have now; they will be happier now and live a happier life.
Use what Hashem gave you!
