Beit Midrash

  • Family and Society
To dedicate this lesson

Don’t Exaggerate!

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Rabbi Haggai Lundin

Shvat 5783
The third commandment in the Ten Commandments, which we will read this Shabbat is, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain". Beyond the simple understanding of saying God's names unnecessarily, there is a psychological position: do not "waste" our spiritual energy pointlessly. Hysterical people express themselves with exaggerated phrases such as "oh my God" when anything, no matter how trivial, goes wrong. This is a dramatization and exaggeration of life; as if everything has a tremendous meaning ("God"), much more than it really has.

The application of the third commandment today is to accurately relate to life’s events. I suggest writing a new glossary of concepts:

Rain in the Land of Israel is not a "storm" or "Hurricane Barbara" but winter weather; thank God.

Terrorist attacks are not "the end of the state" but painful events that challenge us to grow even more; may God help us.

Traffic jams are not a "holocaust" but a delay longer than planned for our trip; may we be led to peace.

A group of screaming people is not a "civil war" but a minority that should be related to accordingly; like dust in the wind.

Left-wing media do not "set the country's agenda", but rather a small, bitter group living in its own bubble; it will be completely replaced.

An earthquake in Turkey is not a "sign from heaven" of "Armageddon", but a natural disaster that God is giving us the wisdom to prepare for properly and minimize damage; Who performs the work of Creation.

Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, and you will see that life is much more beautiful.

The bad will pass.
The good will prevail.
With God's help.
את המידע הדפסתי באמצעות אתר yeshiva.org.il