Understanding Self-Worth: Rabbi Abraham J. Twersky's Insights on Arachin and the Tochecha

0:01 There are hardly any diseases more debilitating than a poor self-image, a lack of self-confidence. The great Rabbi Abraham J Tversky told us that, barring any real, significant mental illnesses, most mental challenges, it all comes back to a lack of sufficient and positive self-esteem. And in light of that, the following kutzker. The idea is so easy to comprehend Because this week is the tochecha, the admonitions, the curses that say for every Jewish person if you should be schleppy, lazy and unenthusiastic about your obligations to serve Hashem, well then, god forbid, bad things may happen.

0:52 But if we do the right thing in Bechukos Ha'itei Lechu, where Amal Ba'Tayrah joyously skipping towards our obligations, then Hashem blesses us with all of the good, all of the joy, merriment, peace, harmony and matrimony known to mankind. However, we know that the finesse and the nuance that the Torah places towards the juxtaposition of passages also teaches us certain lessons of passages also teaches us certain lessons. Meaning what a parasha and an idea is placed next to those interplaying with each other also holds a lesson right there in the middle. And well, there's an easy juxtaposition between im b'chakosai teyleichu, the good, and then the opposite, and God forbid, bad.

1:41 But what follows immediately after the admonitions, after the tochecha? I bet you guessed it, erechen, this odd case where somebody promises to donate a certain amount of money to the Beis Hamikdash, but he promised that he would give the amount of money that that person that he's pointing at is worth. Maybe a hundred bucks. If it's a male, maybe a hundred bucks or some other prices. If it's a female, maybe a hundred bucks or some other prices. If it's a female, how old are they? How capable are they? That price that they are worth, that they would be sold for, that's how much I'm pledging. That interesting case is placed right next to the Tochacha. Why, says the Kotzker? Because after the intense rebuke, after the tochecha, a mensch could feel depressed.

2:26 It could feel like what hope is there? It could feel like I'm not sufficient. But, says Erechan, says the Torah, you should know that even in the worst of times, even if you aren't fulfilling your obligations and maybe you aren't exactly a Moshe Rabbeinu level Jew if somebody should swear, make a vow for the price of you, they donate your worth, no matter what you are. If you're a human, you already have a certain value to you. There is inherent Eirich, an inherent evaluation that is worth significant sums, and if somebody should pledge your worth, it has real monetary currency.

3:07 The self-esteem of a man should never dip because there is inborn, unrevocable, irrevocable value Eirachim, to each living human Jewish person. Remember this on a time when you are feeling a bit slouched, and remember your Erech and your significance. Remember your confidence, remember what you are worth and always hold your hand up high, remembering to keep your self-confidence top-notch. Thanks for watching.