They Turn Their Eyes Toward Heaven
Rabi Chanan of Tzipori said in the name of Rabi Shmuel bar Nachman: For four reasons, Hashem made the earth get its moisture from above...so that all should turn their eyes upward. As it says (Iyov 5), “He brings rain upon the earth...to bring lowly ones up high.”
(Bereishis Rabbah, 13:9)
Each Person and His Goal
In Parshas Vayechi, Yaakov Avinu blesses his twelve sons. However, his three oldest sons, Reuvein, Shimon and Levi, receive not only brachos but also a hefty dose of harsh rebuke. Yaakov even curses Shimon and Levi’s propensity for anger.
The question arises whether this aroused jealousy among the Shevatim. Did Reuvein, Shimon and Levi envy their brothers, who received more generous brachos – especially Yehuda, who was chosen to be the progenitor of malchus, to the point that the name Yehudi has turned into a synonym for a Jew?
The truth is that Hakadosh Baruch Hu created a world filled with shades and contrasts: There are rich people and poor people, healthy people and sick people, wise people and those who are less wise, people who have the means to talk and the strong need to communicate, and others who prefer quiet and solitude. Each Shevet and each person was granted unique abilities, with a personal life-journey and a specific goal that he needs to fulfill. Each person comes to the world in order to fulfill his unique potential and to contribute his part. There are no two people who are completely identical, and no two have the same tafkid or the same journey in life.
Both both those who are considered “successful” and those who are considered less successful must work on their middos and strengthen their middah of bitachon. Those who are considered less successful need to internalize that their situation is also for the best and try to find the positive in everything that seems negative to them.
If they could change their perspective, they would very possibly discover that the difficulties they experience are a power that leads to their development and success. The plan that was set for them from on High is exactly in accordance with their needs and their middos, and it is specifically they who are most suited for this task. When a person recognizes this, he will grow and flourish until he attains great things.
