"Enough, Yael, Don't Get Upset, We're Almost Done". 5 Parables for Thought

"Conversation of the Soul" with the Creator of the World

Me: Hashem, may I ask you a question?

Hashem: Certainly!

Me: Promise you won’t get angry?

Hashem: Don’t be afraid.

Me: Why did you let so many things happen to me today?

Hashem: What do you mean?

Me: Well, it started with me not waking up on time.

Hashem: Yes...

Me: My car wouldn’t start because the battery died, and I needed someone to help with cables.

Hashem: Okay...

Me: At lunch, I received the wrong dish, and by the time they corrected it, I had to leave without eating.

Hashem: Go on...

Me: When leaving the office, my phone fell and broke while I was trying to answer it.

Hashem: What else?

Me: Additionally, when I got home, all I wanted was to relax with the new foot massager I bought, only to find it came without a power cord!

Hashem: I see.

Me: Nothing worked out for me today. Just troubles! Why did you do this, Hashem?

Hashem: I will explain, my dear child.

The angel of death paid a visit to your bed this morning, and I had to send my angels to fight him off, so I let you sleep through it.

I didn't let your car start because at the time you would have left, there was a drunk driver on your route, and he would have hit you.

The restaurant worker who prepared your meal was sick, and if you had caught it, you would have been very ill and lost the workdays you needed.

The person you were going to speak with on the phone was going to lie about everything you said and cause you much harm, so I preferred you didn’t answer.

Oh, and about the massager... The specific one you bought had an internal defect. If you had connected it, it would have shorted the entire house, putting you at great risk of electrocution.

Me: Wow, I didn’t think of all these things. I’m sorry for doubting you and complaining without thinking there might be a reason for everything... Thank you, Hashem, for protecting and saving me today from all the bad things that could have happened.

Hashem: It’s okay, there’s nothing to apologize for or thank me for. What’s important is that you learned I love you and protect you. Now you know I do nothing without a reason and I have my ways of carrying out my plans... for your benefit!

Friends, conversations like these happen with the Creator every day, except we can't hear "His side" of the conversation. With a little patience and faith, we’ll understand that even when it seems like He’s ignoring us, He listens intently, and eventually, His ways will become clear to us. Remember, everything that happens, happens for the good, even if it seems otherwise!

(Photo: shutterstock)

"What You Don't Buy Down Here, You Can't Buy Up There"...

A poor beggar, living in dire poverty, heard a rumor about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn a substantial sum in the USA.

The beggar saved penny after penny, eventually scratching together enough money to purchase a round-trip ticket to America and still have enough left for his stay there for a few days. The big day arrived, and the beggar, on his first flight ever, climbed the steps into the aircraft. He entered and settled into the first seat he came upon, thinking a plane was similar to a bus, unaware he was sitting in first class.

Once he settled into his seat, he sighed with relief. Never had he experienced such comfort, not on any seat or couch he had ever sat on. He slowly began familiarizing himself with all the luxurious amenities installed for the benefit of first-class travelers. From the special air conditioning, the unique tunes played through tailored headphones, adjustable seats and armrests – everything was new and dreamlike.

His pleasure reached its peak during the lunch service. The steaming food aromas made him feel intoxicated; he had never tasted a meal like this before. No sooner had he received his dish than his head and body were buried in his plate.

When the flight attendant kindly asked to see his ticket, his shock was great when she informed him his seat was actually at the back of the plane, in the standard section. Our friend didn’t lose his cool. Under no circumstances was he willing to forgo such a unique experience. He decided that all the money he had saved for his travels could be spent to continue this special flight.

He turned to the attendant and said, "I understand that flying in this section costs three thousand dollars. Here are an additional two thousand, in addition to the one thousand I already paid, and I ask you to let me continue my flight in this section." So the flight attendant replied, "I'm sorry, but what you don’t buy down here, you can’t buy up there...".

Gentlemen! Here, down in this world, we have the power to accumulate mitzvot and good deeds, an extra minute of Torah study, moments of thought, faith, wonderful deeds of overcoming desires. Always remember: What you don't buy down here – cannot be purchased up there...".

As long as the soul is inside the body, it can strengthen itself, rise up, repair itself, and receive reward. Once a person leaves this world (and we all will), arriving in the world of truth, they will want to repair, change, but they will no longer have the opportunity, and it’s a shame...

Yael

A man walked through a supermarket behind a mother and a three-year-old girl, who sat in the shopping cart.

When they passed by the cookie aisle, the girl asked for cookies, and the mother said, "No!"

The girl started whining and screaming, causing a scene, but the mother kept her calm and said gently: "Okay, Yael, we only have half an aisle of cookies left, we’ll be done soon, don’t get upset, just a little bit more".

They finished that aisle and moved on. Within minutes, they reached the candy-filled shelves. The girl began shouting and demanding candy.

The mother refused to buy her any. The girl started stomping her feet, acting out, but the mother stayed composed: "Enough, Yael, enough, don’t get upset. We don't have much left. Two more aisles, and we finish the shopping. Be patient, just a bit more".

When they reached the cash register to pay for the groceries, the girl’s eyes caught the colorful gum, and she vehemently demanded a piece.

When her mother said no, the girl had a loud tantrum of tears and screaming, and the mother spoke in a calm and quiet voice: "Yael, don’t get upset. We’re almost done here. Five minutes and we’ll be outside, then we’ll drive home, and you can take the nap you need so much".

The mother finished paying and exited the supermarket to her car. The man who walked behind them and witnessed everything followed her out, caught up with her halfway to the car, and said, "Excuse me, ma’am, I couldn’t help but notice how you kept your cool. I must compliment you on how you handled little Yael."

The mother gave him a smiling look and said, "The little one’s name is Tammy. I’m Yael"...

One of the hardest traits to fix, compared to other traits, is anger. Anger disturbs thinking and judgment, leading to loss of self-control and potentially difficult and harmful actions that are not desired.

However, one who genuinely wishes to change from a grumpy and angry person to someone calm and peaceful, knowing it requires mental effort and practical training (like Yael in the story), can certainly change their behavior patterns, becoming a calm, peaceful, and happier individual, welcomed by acquaintances who will delight in their company. Above all, this will result in a better, more refined person.

(Photo: shutterstock)

Life is Too Short to Dwell on the Small Stuff

When I was a child, I remember my mom liked to bake buns from time to time.

One evening I remember particularly well, when she made buns. It was after a long, hard day at work for her, and the buns she made were forgotten in the oven and got a little burnt.

That evening, my mom placed a plate of burnt buns in front of my dad and a cup of tea next to it.

I think my dad didn’t notice the burnt buns. He smiled at my mom, looked at me, and asked how my day at school was. I don’t remember what I said to him that evening, but I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the buns.

I will never forget what he replied: "My dear wife, I love burnt buns...".

Later that night, when I went to give my dad a "goodnight" kiss, I asked him if he really liked burnt buns.

He wrapped me in his arms and said: "Life is too short to dwell on the small stuff... your mom had a long, hard day at work, she is really tired, and yet she put in the effort, stood on her feet, and baked. Besides, a burnt bun never hurt anyone!...".

Friends, love those who are positive towards you, even if you think they make mistakes. We must remind ourselves that life is too short to spend it on arguments and anger. We need to rejoice and enjoy every moment of these lives. Remember, peace and harmony are worth so much more...

Fixing the World

A scientist was sitting and working when suddenly his 7-year-old son approached him, eager to help with his work.

The scientist, annoyed by the interruption, tried to ask his son to go elsewhere, but seeing that wasn’t happening, he sought something to occupy the child. He tore a page from a booklet featuring a map of the world segmented into countries. With quick scissor cuts, he sliced the sheet into uneven pieces and handed it to the child with a roll of tape.

"Once you finish taping back the map of the world," the father told his son, "come and show me." The father returned to his drafts, assuming he would have a few hours of quiet. But twenty minutes later, the child arrived: "Dad, I finished"...

At first, the scientist didn’t believe it: "It’s not possible for a seven-year-old to assemble a map he’s never seen before." But he set aside his notes and approached his son, sure he would see a mess of a job.

To his surprise, the map was perfect, and all the pieces were in place.

"How did you do it?" asked the scientist to his son, "you don't know the map of the world." The son nodded. "So, how did you manage to assemble it accurately and in such a short time?"

"Dad", the boy replied, "I didn't know how the world looked, but when you tore the page from the booklet, I saw that on the back was the shape of the human body. I know where the hands and legs, facial features, and core of the body belong. I decided to flip all the parts and assemble the human figure that I recognize."

"Once I managed to fix the person, flipping the glued paper showed me I had managed to fix the world"...

If you wish to fix the world, society, the family, your spouse, the kids, start by fixing yourself. Work on your character, learn how to respect others, increase your love for Israel, ensure you are well-regarded by others. By being the best version of yourself, you will set a beautiful example for your family. In turn, your family will influence the city, then the city will impact the country, and thus the country will be a role model for the whole world...".