2 Adar II, 5774 (3/4/14) – Sukkah#29 {Eliezer}

Braisa: Once it starts raining enough to ruin a porridge-like mix, you are not chayiv (obligated) to be outside in the sukkah anymore. You can finish your meal inside. Even if it stops raining, you are not required to go back outside (same laws as sleeping in the sukkah).

E’s lesson#1: G-d never burdens you with more than you are capable of handling. If it is raining (when it is too hard to do something), get out of the Sukkah. If you cannot physically escape your situation, have comfort in knowing that everything Hashem does is somehow for the best. And remember, if you are now faced with a seemingly unbearable test, it is not (by definition) beyond your means to accomplish it and ultimately succeed (with Hashem’s help).

Rav says: There are four things that cause a man to lose his wealth, and the worst is being arrogant/haughty (Ga’ayva), which is equal in intensity to all other three things combined.

E’s Lesson#2, Based on teachings of R’ Tatz: Moshe Rabbeinu became the most humble person to ever live. He minimized himself to the point that Moshe was able to then be filled with G-d and elevate his physical body to unimaginable spiritual realms (unthinkable even to himself). Instead of selfishly wanting everything for ourselves, if we are able to push down our finite physical wants/desires, we are then able to connect and become flooded with the spiritual infinite. Then, ironically, we end up gaining so much more than we ever could have if we attempted to selfishly gain it all in the first place.

E’s Lesson#3: People unfortunately think many times that their income is based on THEIR efforts. “I must work an extra 10 hours this week to get the money we need.” But if that man was arrogant, it says straight out here that he will LOSE it. A person might even “get” it, but Hashem will take it away just as quickly. The Cover of TIME Magazine yesterday 3/3/14 reads: “WHO REALLY DECIDES WHICH FLIGHTS GET CANCELLED.”  If by now we do not recognize the REAL answer to that question, we are all in trouble. See behind the Mask. It’s Adar.