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Some Soupnuts for Thoughts

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Blame! Blame! Blame! How easy it is to fall into this trap.  Eisaav serves as the archetype of the human tendency to escape taking responsibility for one's actions;   How often do we justify and rationalize our failings by blaming others?  Rabbi Henach Leibowitz, ztzal, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim, based this insight on Breshit ch. 25 vs, 34.  Only after Yaakov gave Eisav bread,soup and drink, and Eisav was no longer faint with hunger, "Eisav rose, went and scorned the birthright"  Rashi explains that he didn't want the chores of the eldest. ie. priesthood, sacrifices, tasks and responsibilities of serving Hashem. 

But what brought him to scorn the birthright precisely after the soup?

After Eisav had satiated his hunger, he returned to his senses and understood the ramifications of his silly business deal.  Suddenly, what had meant nothing to him, meant everything.  The spotlight on him, Eisav could have won the show by doing a dramatic about turn and sincerely doing Tshuva , admitting his error.  He could salvage what he had left and got his life back on the track.  Instead, when realizing his mistake, he rampaged against his brother.  Consumed with negativity, he painted for himself a progressively sour future.

Negativity and blame destroys oneself.  Having the right positive attitude envelops one and energetically propels one forward in life.  It gives us the strength to overcome hurdles and grow.

So next time that you feel you are drowning in the soup of life, restrain yourself from pointing a finger at that other person.  Take a deep breath, and instead of being reactive, let the proactive leader in yourself help you to swim to the "side of the bowl"  and come out on top!

 

 

 

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