My dear friends, my beloved community,
As the shofar’s call draws nearer and the holy days of Rosh Hashanah approach, our souls begin to stir. It is a time for introspection, a time when we stand before the King of Kings and ask ourselves the most difficult questions. And perhaps the most universal question, one that whispers in the heart of every human being at some point in their lives, is this: Where is God when it hurts? Why do we face such difficult trials?
Many philosophies in the world offer simple answers. Some say there is a force of good and a force of evil, locked in a constant battle. Others suggest that our small mistakes simply accumulate until they create a catastrophe. But our holy Torah, through the profound wisdom of Kabbalah, offers a radically different and infinitely more comforting perspective.
Today, I want to share with you a secret from the great Kabbalist, the holy AriZal, a teaching that can transform the way you see your life’s greatest challenges.
The Secret of the Divine Light and the Shattering Vessel
Imagine you have a simple glass cup. Now, imagine trying to pour the light of the entire sun into that small cup. What would happen? The intensity, the power, the sheer energy would be too much. The cup would shatter into a million pieces.
The AriZal teaches that this is the relationship between us and the blessings of Hashem. Our soul, our life, is the “vessel.” The goodness, success, and divine light that God wants to bestow upon us is the immense, powerful light. God wants to give us everything, but sometimes, our vessel is simply not strong enough to contain the blessing He has waiting for us.
So, what happens in those moments that we perceive as darkness or suffering? It is not, God forbid, a punishment or abandonment. It is the opposite. It is a moment of divine compassion. Hashem, in His infinite wisdom, temporarily withdraws the light to prevent our vessel from shattering. He sees that the blessing about to come is so great that it would overwhelm us. He pulls back the light to give us a chance to strengthen ourselves, to rebuild our vessel, to expand its capacity.
Every difficulty, every challenge, every moment of confusion is a divine construction project on your soul. Hashem is making you stronger, bigger, and more resilient, so that when the light returns—and it always returns—you can hold a blessing far greater than the one you had before. The darkness is not the absence of God; it is the shadow of a much bigger blessing on its way.
Walking in the Footsteps of Abraham: The Ten Existential Trials
This isn’t just a mystical theory; it is the very foundation of our nation. Our father, Abraham Avinu, was tested with ten great trials. What was the nature of these trials? The Sages teach us that they were “existential.” An existential trial is one where you feel completely trapped. You try to go right, the door is locked. You try left, it’s blocked. You try to go back, you can’t. It feels like there is no way out.
This is a feeling we all know. It is the moment of greatest despair. But King David teaches us the secret in the Psalms: “Though a war should rise up against me, in this I trust.” In what does he trust? He trusts in the war itself! The very fact that Hashem has brought this challenge into your life is the ultimate proof that He has already given you the exact strength you need to overcome it. God never gives a test you cannot pass.
Your trial is not a sign of your weakness; it is a testament to your hidden strength.
From Loneliness to Oneness: Preparing Your Heart for Judgment
As we enter this holy season, we are called to do teshuvah (repentance). But what does this truly mean? It means actively working to strengthen our vessel. It is our way of telling Hashem, “I am ready for a greater light.”
One of the greatest afflictions of our generation is a profound sense of loneliness. But there is a crucial difference between feeling lonely and being alone. Loneliness is an inner emptiness that no amount of friends or distractions can fill. In fact, trying to fill that void with superficial things only leads to bigger problems.
Being alone, however, is the foundation of strength. It is the ability to stand centered with yourself and with God, knowing who you are and what you stand for. When you can be truly “alone” with God, you are never lonely. From that place of strength, you can build healthy friendships, a strong family, and a meaningful life. Your relationships will no longer be attempts to escape an inner void but expressions of a full and stable soul.
My friends, as we prepare to stand before the Almighty on Rosh Hashanah, let us not stand in fear of what has been. Let us stand in faith for what is to come. Let us look back at our challenges not as scars, but as the places where God was reinforcing our souls. Let us commit to strengthening our vessels through Torah, through acts of kindness, and through an unbreakable faith (emunah).
May the Holy One, blessed be He, see our efforts to repair and strengthen our vessels. May He see that we are ready, and may He inscribe us all in the Book of Life for a year of immense light, joy, health, and revealed goodness for ourselves, our families, and all of Am Yisrael.
Shana Tova, a good and sweet new year to you all.
