Tikkun Bayit
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Mission Statement: Creating connections for our community in order to support our members as they navigate these difficult economic times that creates feelings of isolation & anxiety.
THE AGADAH OF THE TALMUD\BRACHOS 5:b
Once, when Rabbi Chiya bar Aba was sick, Rabbi Yochanon healed him by "holding his hand." On another occasion, when Rabbi Yochanon took sick, Rabbi Chaninah healed him by "holding his hand." Their great Torah wisdom and holiness endowed these Rabbis with special powers.
It was asked, "If Rabbi Yochanon had the power to heal others, why didn't he heal himself when he was ill?" The sages answered, "A prisoner cannot free himself from prison!"
A prison is specially equipped with bars, high walls, and guards to prevent escape. If a great warrior is imprisoned, his inability to escape does not reflect weakness. Rather, his inability to escape is due to the external barriers that limit his movement.
So too, when a great tzaddik takes ill, his inner powers are not diminished. Rather, the external effects of his illness prevent him from exercising his inherent powers. Therefore, when Rabbi Yochanon was ill, he needed Rabbi Chaninah's assistance.
When we find ourselves in a tough spot, we sometimes feel that it is a sign of weakness to ask our friends for help. However, now we understand that our inability to save ourselves from a big problem does not reflect any weakness, whatsoever. Rather, the immensity of the challenge may simply be beyond the scope of our inherent ability, just as a prisoner must rely on friends outside the prison to win his release.
Therefore, it is good to ask for and accept help, when we are in need of assistance. When we receive the help we need and rightfully deserve, we will be free from the external constraints imposed upon us by the temporary state of affairs. We will return to a normalized situation, in which our natural talents and powers will operate at full strength - yielding much success, vitality, and happiness.
TODAY: When you are in a tight spot, ask a friend for some friendly assistance - and enjoy the daylight!
