Shalom, friends,
This week at Shuva Israel, we wanted to delve into a topic that affects so many of us: jealousy. It’s an emotion that can easily creep into our hearts and minds, creating turmoil and unease. We’ve been reflecting on how this pervasive feeling can be understood and how we can overcome it.
At its core, jealousy is a signal—a sign that we may not be fully trusting in Hashem. As our beloved Rabbi Pinto shared this week in his teaching, “When a person feels jealous of someone, it is already a sign of a lack of faith. If you had faith, you wouldn’t be jealous. Why are you jealous? Because you think they took something from you or that you don’t have enough. The moment you think someone else has taken what’s yours or that you’re lacking, that’s a lack of faith.”
It’s easy to get caught in the trap of comparing ourselves to others, isn’t it? We look at their lives, their possessions, their accomplishments and we start to feel a sense of lack within ourselves. We find ourselves battling inner demons, leaving us feeling insecure and unbalanced. These battles, as Rabbi Pinto described it, can lead to the destruction of our inner world.
But friends, we want you to know that there is a path to freedom. There is a way to break the bonds of jealousy and step into a place of peace and contentment.
That way, is through emuna, true faith and unwavering trust in Hashem. When we learn to leave everything in Hashem’s hands, acting with genuine faith, we free ourselves from the pain. As our rabbi has taught us, real faith is more than just words—it’s about letting go of ego and self-centered thinking, and surrendering to the Divine will.
This is not an easy journey, we recognize. But it’s a transformative one. It’s a journey that will lead to inner peace and a deeper relationship with Hashem. This week, let’s challenge ourselves to look inward and release the grip of jealousy. Let’s embrace a life of faith, knowing that everything comes from Hashem.
We at Shuva Israel are here to support you on this path.
With much love and blessings,
The Shuva Israel Team