Pushing Forward! - Mishpatim

Thank you for reading this Dvar Torah. Whether you read it in your inbox, on your table, or a website, please know that your support means a lot to me. I've had a busy week and don't have much to share, but it is worthwhile to express something.

This week's parsha, Mishpatim, contains a list of positive and negative commandments. Reading them made me reflect on my life's positive and negative moments. Just like the commandments, which add up to 613 and are the lifeblood of a Jewish person, life is a culmination of countless individual events that create a lifetime.

When I think about the individual good times, those moments of pure joy often stem from connections to good deeds. For example, when I pushed myself to attend Shul and had an uplifting prayer experience, or when I wore my Tallis and felt a hug from Hashem despite feeling like I was "doing it wrong." Don't get me wrong, these joyous moments didn't happen because I was naturally excited or inspired. They happened because I made the effort despite doubts and obstacles.

I've learned that there are days when I feel drained, but that's no excuse to give up. For example, writing a D'var Torah when I want to cancel it and sleep feels like a monumental victory. I hope this resonates with you, reminding you to keep pushing forward, find those moments of true happiness, and use them to motivate yourself to move forward even on tough days. But also understand that it's okay to accept that you are human and will fail sometimes. Keep up the great work!

Good Shabbos

All the best

Avroham Y Ross