Beha’aloscha 5782 – Excuses: Their Meaning & True Source

The Bottom Line

When we complain about the challenges and hardships in our life, not only are we distancing ourselves from the thing (or a person) that we complain about, but inevitably, we show a lack of commitment and simchah. We also underscore an inner, perhaps subconscious, desire to free ourselves of mitzvos and distance ourselves from Hashem, r”l. Challenges and ordeals are designed to be a source of personal growth and to direct a person towards olam haba – our ultimate, eternal destination. This coming week, I will reflect on the lessons of the מתאוננים , and when someone points out something wrong in my behavior, middos, or dress code, instead of complaining, I will quietly say, “Hashem, I acknowledge that this is my challenge, an ‘ouch’ moment, that’s coming directly from You. Give me the wisdom to understand what it is that I have to correct, and give me the koach to rise to the occasion and overcome it.”