Raymond Beyda Online

Divrei Torah Archives

Click Here For Printer-Friendly Format

Don’t Look In The Mirror



		Sarah spent a lot of time every morning, getting dressed. Putting herself together was not an easy task. No, it was not because she wasn't attractive. She was really a nice looking girl. Well, that's what most people would say. But Sarah did not have a good self-image. Every time she looked in the mirror she subconsciously compared herself to so many of her friends and relations. She did not dress with confidence because she had no self-confidence. Her focus and main concern was that others would look at her and say, "What a great girl". Sarah confused looking good with being good. True there is an expression, "Clothes make the man", but appearance cannot replace performance. Just because a world admires a person for hitting a tennis ball doesn't mean he's performing a truly meaningful activity. Even success does not make you good. Only after you develop true values and strive to achieve moral courage do you at attain self-esteem. There is really nothing wrong with striving for fame or financial success. But don't mistake it for true inner worth. The Torah teaches us values and teaches us morals and success in actualizing those lessons is true achievement. Achievement in the realm of self-improvement can gain for you genuine self respect, and only then should you look in the mirror to see how good you look. CONSIDER THIS FOR A MINUTE. A person needs a good friend for three things: the learning of wisdom, constructive criticism, and sound advice. Rabenu Yonah, Pirke Avot, 1:6 This Email Message Has Been Dedicated: In Memory of Hacham Umkubal Abraham Boucai zt"l Grandfather of Ezra and Shifra Hanon WOULD YOU LIKE TO DEDICATE A MESSAGE IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE? REFUAH SHELEMA? Click Here to go to the 'Donations' area, or E-mail your dedication to RBEYDA2000@AOL.COM . You can Mail your check for: $101 - Shabbat And Holidays $52 - Weekdays Mail To: Raymond Beyda 408 Avenue O Brooklyn, NY 11230