Identical Twins: A Unique Phenomenon? 5 Points to Consider

Never Expires

Anyone who goes shopping must pay attention to the expiration dates of the products they purchase. Neglect can lead to throwing away food and losing money.

One day I was surprised to discover, upon casually looking at the label of the juice bottle I had just bought, that its expiration date was a year ago. And indeed—the taste was off and unpleasant... We threw away the entire crate of bottles, thank Hashem.

Then I thought: Among all existing drinks, there's one drink that has no expiration date, and you can drink it without worry.

What is that drink? Water!

Isn't it amazing that all drinks—juices, cola, alcohol, and more—have a limited shelf life, yet water, which is created without human intervention, never spoils?

(Photo: shutterstock)

Wait, you might ask, why does a water bottle have an expiration date? The reason is technical. It's the same machine that fills other drinks, so the date is automatically included in the manufacturing process. Secondly, companies want to protect themselves legally.

It's important to know that over time, tastes and smells can seep into the water through the bottle. This doesn’t spoil the water, but it can change the taste. Moreover, prolonged exposure to sunlight and extreme heat can cause the plastic bottle to release chemicals into the water—a toxic substance that, in small amounts, causes headaches, dizziness, and depression... The issue is with the bottle, not the water.

So who is the water producer that managed to create a unique drink, essential for the existence of the entire world, which never expires?

Everyone Knows the Truth!

We convince ourselves we're doing the right thing. We preach to ourselves that we don't really know the Torah is truth. We tell ourselves there are many problems with the ultra-Orthodox, and they are unfortunate... Day by day, we believe our stories more and more, convinced there's no reason to change.

But it's important to know that in the end, all this is only superficial. Inside, the truth is engraved in us, and no one can deny it. It just needs a small spark to illuminate the truth within us, and then it will burst forth.

Therefore, those who refuse to keep Shabbat, claiming it's not the truth, that they don’t believe in the Torah or that it's not what Hashem wants from us, will later come to Yom Kippur and observe it with the understanding that it is the truth.

Those who outwardly mock religion and the Torah—most will not forgo circumcising their son.

Those distant individuals, who lead a completely secular lifestyle—suddenly, in various circumstances, will turn to great rabbis for blessings and advice.

In the hospital, they suddenly mumble chapters of Psalms.

In times of trouble, suddenly people turn to Hashem, talk to Him, and pray wholeheartedly.

It happens differently for every person, but in the end, everyone is connected in some way.

It's essential to acknowledge that within every person lies the truth, and no one can deny it. Despite our outer shell and all the performances we put on, every person is a believer in essence. There are degrees of belief, and one can always reach higher, but even the most distant person is a believer.

With Hashem’s Help

I often hear people say "with Hashem's help" for everything. Is it really necessary to say it, and what does the expression mean?

The phrase requires explanation: Is Hashem helping me or am I helping Him? Do I do about 5% of the work and He does the rest, or vice versa? Is there any "division of labor" between us?

I heard a beautiful story that illustrates the point: Rabbi Cohen was marrying off his 13th and last son. During the "Sheva Brachot," the rabbi asked to say a few words to the public. The crowd was surprised, as it was known that Rabbi Cohen was not a man of words...

Thus the rabbi began and said: "Thank you all for coming. I just wanted to tell you one thing: I married off 13 children, thank Hashem and you should know: Hashem didn’t help me at all, in anything!

The crowd was shocked: how could the rabbi speak so boldly?

The rabbi continued: "Hashem didn't help me in anything, He did it all alone!"...

If we consider the depth of the matter, in reality—Hashem does everything, I don't really "help" Him, and He doesn’t help me. He does 100% of the work. So what does this expression mean?

I saw a nice explanation from Chabad emissary Rabbi Zalman Wischinski, and he explains: "'With Hashem’s help' has one very simple meaning. Hashem will help, of course He will help, He is always here to help. But, and this is crucial and important, He will only help. I must act and try, and He will help me, with Hashem's help.

'Open for Me an opening like a needle's eye, and I will open for you an opening like a hall,' our sages said (Midrash Rabbah, Song of Songs 5:3). The Creator says: I am willing to open a hall’s entrance for you, to help with everything, but it all depends on your effort. Even if it's small and narrow like the eye of a needle, do it, open the door, and I will be there and open it like a hall's entrance. This is the meaning of 'with Hashem’s help.'"

In simple words: when we encounter a certain difficulty, or face a particularly hard challenge, before we give up and say "Hashem will help," it is worth remembering that He will only help, and we must make an effort and take another step towards the goal, even a small step, like a needle's eye. And He will help and open it like a hall's entrance...

Twins

Twins, and especially identical twins, are a wonder of "nature." Admit it, you also pause every time you encounter such an identical duo.

Every birth is a wonder by itself, but the birth of twins is an enormous wonder. A double creation of the same person, a perfect duplication of organs: nose, eyes, lips, and more.

I thought to myself: Why are we so amazed by the double production line of identical twins, yet we're not equally amazed by the production line of billions of identical organs simultaneously?

The world’s population counts around 8 billion people. 8 billion hearts created and "installed" perfectly in bodies, 8 billion hearts existing right now—all from the same production line, the same structure, the same wondrous mechanism.

Think about all the brains created, kidneys, eyes, bones, ears... There is a "factory" here, producing the parts of the most remarkable machine in the world in unimaginable quantities. This isn’t a double quantity like twins, but the production of billions upon billions of organs beyond human comprehension.

Billion parts of the most complex creation in the world, all from the same production line! Where is this "factory"? Who is its CEO, architect, engineer, plumber, and electrician?

Why aren't we astonished by that? Why are there people not curious to know who it is? Anyone who looks at the wondrous phenomenon of creating these organs so perfectly will certainly be convinced of the existence of a creator and planner with tremendous powers...

"I Have Everything"

The Central Bureau of Statistics recently published the "Face of Israeli Society" report.

The report shows that the ultra-Orthodox earn less, live in crowded conditions, lack good physical amenities, and yet feel the least amount of stress and depression. Paradoxically, those living in poverty, neediness, and minimal living conditions were found to be the "happiest in the country."

After the data was published, questions arose—how can this be? It defies common sense! Logically, those living in wealth and affluence should be the happiest in the world!

How can this gap be explained? Very simply.

Let us recall Esau and Jacob, meeting after a 22-year separation. Jacob returns from Haran to his parents in Canaan, and Esau comes toward him with 400 men for war. They meet after Jacob sends Esau large gifts and appeases him, then Esau says to Jacob: Take your gifts, I am settled in life and have no need for them. He uses an expression of pride "I have plenty"—more than enough. Jacob pleads with Esau to take the offering prepared for him, but to convince him the gift doesn’t burden his pocket, Jacob uses the words: "For Hashem has favored me and I have everything"—all I need. Esau is appeased and "agrees" to take the doron.

Our sages noticed the difference in wording between Esau's and Jacob's remarks. Esau uses the expression "I have plenty," compared to Jacob who says "I have everything." Esau feels he has a lot, but not everything. He is always lacking and finds no satisfaction in his material accomplishments. Jacob, on the other hand, says "I have everything," I lack nothing.

This is the difference between a person with faith in the Creator of the world and one who lives only for himself. A person without faith feels a lack. When he doesn't get what he wants, he sinks into sadness and begins to complain. But when someone trusts the Creator, he knows: there is a Creator of the world who desires my good. Hashem is not limited, and His ability to give is boundless. Therefore, if the Creator did not give me what I want, there must be a reason. In His great wisdom, He knows exactly what is good for me, and that's exactly what He gives me. A person with such a mindset is the happiest, always feeling that he has everything.

This is the pinnacle of happiness, the highest place of joy one can reach. The essence of joy is internal personal completeness with the current state I am in, feeling satisfaction from what exists and also from what doesn’t.

True, the ultra-Orthodox earn less, but they have the true source of happiness—faith in the Creator. Faith, planted in the heart of every one of them. Ultimately—there is much to learn from it about the power of faith in the Creator of the world, which can work wonders—not only in the world to come, but also in this world—and grants happiness and joy to its possessor.