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Parshas Vayechi - Today is the Cure for the Disease of Tomorrow

By BJLife/Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMC

Posted on 12/24/15

Parshas HaShavua Divrei Torah sponsored by
Dr. Shapsy Tajerstein, DPM - Podiatry Care.
(410) 788-6633

As Yosef brings his sons to Yaakov for a bracha, his father doesn’t “recognize” them and asks, "מי אלה" (Who are these?” - Bereishis 48, 8-9). Rashi explains that through his ruach hakadosh Yaakov isn’t looking at Menashe and Ephraim, but rather at their evil descendents, Yerovam, Achav and Yeyhu. Thus, the Divine Spirit leaves Yaakov and he is unable to give his grandsons a bracha.


Yosef responds, “They are my sons whom G-d has given me with this,” [בזה]. The Midrash tells us that Yosef shows Yaakov his kesuba, testifying that his two boys were born of a holy union and are therefore worthy of a bracha for today – irrespective of what will come in the future. The Shechina returns to Yaakov and the blessings ensue.


Derived from this episode is a poignant lesson for living, especially for trying to master goals such as changing unhealthy habits or beginning new behaviors – STAY IN THE DAY!


Many of us suffer from the disease of “tomorrow” – also known as the “Monday Morning Syndrome”: Tomorrow I’ll begin my diet. Tomorrow I’ll be more motivated. Monday I’ll start my exercise routine.


Why is it that so often our commitments on those tomorrows and Mondays last for barely a few hours, or at most a few days? Because in our mind, tomorrow doesn’t just mean tomorrow, it means the whole project or goal.


Our promise to ourselves to exercise ½ hour every day for the next month, or cut out chocolate until Pesach is doomed not as much by the objective, but by the longevity we assign to it. It’s too overwhelming to digest such quantitative change, so much so that it handicaps us from making any change at all.


What’s the solution? Today. “Today” is the cure for the disease of “tomorrow”. Staying in the day, approaching a goal one day at a time, completely shifts the focus.


Yaakov’s despair ended when he refocused on the immediate merit of Menashe and Ephraim. So too, if we want to merit the fruits of our efforts, we need to discipline ourselves to concentrate on fulfilling our commitments and making our changes just for today.


Leave the future in HaShem’s Hands - where it belongs anyway. We don’t have to muster the willpower to avoid chocolate for the next 90 days, only for the next 24 hours. That we can do. And if so, our despair will definitely turn to delight – and that is one of the greatest blessings. Good שבת.


 


Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMC is a Certified Nutrition, Wellness & Weight Management Consultant and Director of SOVEYA (Changing the Jewish World - One Pound at a Time). To contact Soveya: 443-501-3082, info@soveya.com or www.soveya.com