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Book Excerpt from Learn the Secret

Learn the Secret: Discovering Hashem's constant presence in our lives By Rabbi Moshe Goldberger "The Jewish God is one and there is no other." Learn how to use this Jewish fundamental to transform your everyday life in this down-to-earth handbook on G-d's oneness. Buy Learn the Secret at a special online price at www.targum.com

Vayishlach

Two Reasons for Fear

Yaakov was exceedingly afraid and distressed. (Bereishis 32:8)

Why was Yaakov afraid, instead of trusting in Hashem, who would only cause things to happen to him for his benefit? Since everything is in Hashem’s hands, why should anyone ever be afraid?
The answer is that Hashem desires that we should be fearful when we see danger confronting us for two reasons:

• To impel us to pray to Him for help and thereby remind ourselves that He alone is the Master of our lives.
• To force us to take action (hishtadlus) to rescue ourselves in order to continue living and serving Hashem (Rav Miller, The Beginning, p. 489).

Obstacles

The stone which the builders rejected has become the leading cornerstone. This is from Hashem; it is marvelous in our eyes. (Tehillim 118:23)

The difficulties, obstacles, and challenges in our lives and throughout our history are not accidents. Hashem causes them in order to help us understand that He alone is guiding world history.

Yosef’s life was filled with obstacles, time and again, as he was being positioned by Hashem, the Great Builder, to a position of unique prominence.

Yehudah and Tamar were confronted with major obstacles which they overcame as Hashem brought about the House of David.

David’s life was also a series of dangers, but Hashem continually rescued him from peril. Through these model stories recorded in Tanach, we are taught to gain an awareness of Hashem’s hand in all of life’s events.

Many troubles may befall a righteous person, but Hashem rescues him from all of them. (Tehillim 34:20)

Hashem is prompting us to gain more awareness of “ein od milvado,” which is our purpose in life.

Mikeitz

With Hashem’s Help

Pharaoh said to Yosef, “Since Hashem has informed you of all this, there is none as understanding and as wise as you.” (Bereishis 41:39)

How did Yosef merit such great praise in the holy Torah?

We see earlier that “Hashem was with Yosef and he was prosperous” (ibid. 39:2).

The only way to prosper is through Hashem’s will.

Similarly, “His master saw that Hashem was with him and that all he did Hashem caused to prosper…” (ibid., 3). Rashi explains how even Yosef’s non-Jewish master, Potifar, was able to see that Hashem was with Yosef: “The name of Hashem was frequent in his mouth.” He would always say, “with Hashem’s help,” “if Hashem wills it,” “blessed is Hashem,” “may His Name be praised.”

We see later that when Pharaoh said, “I see you know how to interpret dreams,” he said, “Biladai - it is not me, it is from Hashem” (ibid. 41:16).

Yosef utilized every circumstance correctly. He made the best of every day, every step of theway. He did everything with diligence, energy, and loyalty. His foremost focus in everything he did was “There is nothing else besides Hashem.” This was his method of achieving success.

Buy Learn the Secret at a special online price at www.targum.com