Feeling Unlucky? Here's How to Unblock Your Potential

There are times in life when we yearn for something and it doesn't happen. We feel like our luck is blocked, that something is stuck. We want to build a home, but the right match doesn't come. We desire children, but there are delays. There are challenges even with the children we have. Health isn't in great shape, and livelihood is unstable. In such a situation, when we need salvation, we crave a message from Hashem that will give us strength. While it's not possible to receive a phone call from the heavens, the Creator speaks to us and delivers messages through the holy Torah.

The Torah is not a history book recounting events that occurred at the dawn of the Jewish nation. Rather, it is a living book that speaks to us. Hashem communicates with each and every one of us through the Torah. In Parashat Lech Lecha, we receive a message every time the thought enters our minds that our luck is blocked. What's happening there?

In Parashat Lech Lecha, Abraham Avinu tells Hashem he has not been fortunate with children, and his servant Eliezer will be his heir. Abraham, who was an astronomer and knowledgeable in astrology, foresaw that he would not have children based on his stars. Naturally, he would not be able to have children. So Hashem told him, "And He took him outside and said, 'Look now at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.'" (Genesis 15:5).
Rabbenu Bechaye explains this verse: "And our sages of blessed memory interpreted 'He took him outside' – saying, 'Leave your astrology.' Looking at the sky implies looking from above to below... And our sages said He lifted him above the stars and constellations, and the stars and signs became a footstool, proving there is no fate for Israel as they are above them."

Hashem is telling him to leave his astrology, through which he saw he would have no son (Rashi), lifting him beyond the rule of the stars, showing him that Israel has no fate, as it is also stated in the Talmud, "Master of the Universe, I looked into my astrology, and I am not destined to have a son. He said to him, 'Leave your astrology, for there is no fate for Israel.'" (Tractate Shabbat, page 156a).

What is Hashem essentially saying to Abraham Avinu, and in a broader sense, what is He saying to each of us?

When Hashem promised Abraham Avinu offspring, He revealed to him that he and his offspring would operate above the stars, above nature and the laws of nature. Malbim explains: "He revealed to him that he and his descendants are not governed by the arrangement of stars and constellations. Even though these systems dominate world events, he is guided beyond the management of this world and is not subjected to fate."

Every person is born under a certain star, which influences different areas of our lives. But here comes the great 'but': A Jew can choose to live on a life path that is above the stars, above nature.

How does one rise to leadership that is above nature? When we act beyond our nature, then measure for measure, Hashem will lead us in a way that transcends nature. That is, all the commandments of the Torah are spiritual actions above the nature of man, such as charity, observing kashrut, observing Shabbat, selflessness for others, character development, and other commandments. This is because man's nature pulls him to do whatever pleases him, and when a person overcomes their nature, they ascend to a supernatural state. Therefore, when a person strengthens and elevates their spiritual level, they ascend to a supernatural leadership.

Spiritual actions of strengthening, repentance, prayer, commandments, and good deeds take us from the path of nature under the dominion of the stars and lead us to divine leadership that is above the natural reality. Then we can annul decrees against us and merit salvations beyond nature.

How can we change what has been decreed upon us? Rabbi Zamir Cohen in a brief and inspiring clip: