Dear Leaders,
From our inbox: I have a dream!...that the weekly study group packet is front and center on the website, easily seen and accessible when opening the home page. Is it possible to do this as it is such an important initiative this year? It's fantastic, we are loving it.
I am thrilled to hear that you love this initiative! These packets will be on our homepage, but you can also subscribe to TheJewishWoman and get them delivered every Sunday to your inbox: www.chabad.org/TJWlist
This week, we continue on to the second book of the Torah, the Book of Exodus. Stay with us and we hope, G‑d willing, to finish studying all five books of the Torah!
In this study packet we examine the topic of despair. Despair sets in when our situation seems hopeless; we feel desperate and don’t see any way out. What we are not taking into account in such moments is that G‑d is running our world and He has a master plan for us, that will ultimately be good.
This week we read a personal story about how the Rebbe infused hope and meaning into a teenager who despaired of his father ever recovering. Even after his father passed away, the boy took the Rebbe’s message to heart and it invigorated him in his darkest hours. We also learn courage from a young girl in Egypt, Miriam, Moses’ sister, who refused to give in to despair despite the terrible bleakness of her situation.
How about you? Have you had a time in your life when it would have been natural to let the feelings of despair overtake you? How did you rebel against despair and instead infuse meaning and purpose into your situation? Please share with us! We can become strengthened from each other’s life lessons.
Wishing you a week of joy and hope.
Chana Weisberg,
Editor, TJW
