Destiny

Mr. Cohen gives $1 every week to a particular beggar in his town. One week he sees the beggar and gives him only 25 cents. The beggar is indignant and complains, “Why did you give me only 25 cents?” Mr. Cohen replies: “My business was bad last week.” The beggar responds: “So you had a bad week and I have to suffer?”
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It’s in the human psyche that only after we have “made it” somewhere in life do we begin to feel that we exist, that we are important. Only after we can stare at a plaque or a trophy, can we somewhat stop pinching ourselves with the question, “Do I really exist?”
Teenagers are encouraged to leave their past behind them and start life anew: “You can still make it in life” is the slogan of choice amongst coaches of the youth.
Of course, there is strong validity to that approach, for those who have suffered, their pride shattered, must take their minds off their past and look toward the future.
Yet at the same time, life will never truly begin anew, for people always carry with them all that has happened in their lives. They may disregard their past, but it doesn’t disappear. And for those that are fortunate, their baggage can even become a springboard for the growth they will experience.
A wise man once said that all that transpires during one’s youth was predestined by G-d to prepare for his destiny as a provider later on in life.
And yet, in reality, this is a hard concept for many to accept. Perhaps in hindsight, we gain the wisdom to learn from our past struggles, but as we actually experience those difficulties, it becomes easier to blame our teachers, parents, or anyone else for our pain, confusion, stress and frustration.
If we were to truly believe that all pain and struggles are stepping stones to better our character, that the tests of our youth were specifically designed by G-d to shape us into the unique individuals we are, how stress-free and relaxing our lives would be!
This message is transmitted through the division of portions in the Torah. The first volume, Genesis, concludes in middle of the story of the Jewish people’s descent to Egypt, at the point where they have just settled in the land.
The entire story of the birth of the Jewish nation, their slavery, hardships, faith, and ultimate freedom – all this is recounted in the second volume. Thus, the Book of Exodus, which celebrates the greatness of the Jewish people, begins with exile, the time of their servitude, degradation and pain.
The Torah is teaching us that greatness does not begin only once it has been attained; rather, it emerges when the journey towards it begins. Prestige is earned, not grabbed. And the birth of a leader is not the day of his inauguration, but the moment of his fiercest struggle.
Everyone has his or her destiny, a unique mission in this world. All that occurs to man is part of the Master Plan, the prologue to the story of his achievement, which turns him into the real Man of the Year.
He.
Me.
You.