Ever wish men could understand how hard life can get for us women?!
Join Leah with Guest Speaker Rabbi David Bassous as they uncover some of the challenges us women are faced with. If you want some tools for succeeding rather than surviving, or merely some good old validation, tune in and learn how to juggle all those balls you’re holding.
Points To Ponder:
- It’s harder to be a Jewish woman today more than ever before- they are pulled in so many directions. It’s a challenge to balance everything, especially with today’s media issues and lack of marriage direction.
- Hashem gave women extra bina yeseira, they can think outside the box a bit. They’re also blessed with the trait of chesed, which is a huge component of her day-to-day life with her family.
- Women have an ability and a responsibility to improve and change themselves, when they do, others treat them differently. For example, if women treat others with respect, they’ll be treated with more respect.
Viewer Questions:
What are some practical tools us women can use to succeed rather than survive?
Firstly, to strengthen your roots- this is Emunah – Hashem is with us, build on this belief. Secondly, is to know that prayers are effective- if we bring Hashem into our life, He will be in our life. Third is common sense.
How does a person grow their own common sense?
Having a sense of boundaries and practicing tapping into our own common sense before asking others. Sometimes we need to talk to ourselves; build our self-esteem and believe Hashem gave us the ability to make decisions. Also, look at role models from the Torah and learn from how they behaved.
Rina: I know it’s hard to be a woman; thank you for the acknowledgement! I wish I could get that from my husband who makes so many demands of me. How can I get him to understand?
Kindly explain how hard it is to deal with all the areas of your life. Be open about how you’re coping and what you need help with. Men don’t see things in the same way as women and they might not realize how much their wife is doing. You can tell a story or roleplay a typical situation of your life to help him understand rather than a direct confrontation. Complaining and lecturing won’t help.
Chana: You spoke about bina-yeseira but I feel so overwhelmed with life that I often don’t act from this place. I snap and then regret things I say. How can I tap into this bina-yeseira more?
Emunah gives us patience. Step back and ask yourself, “What is the best way to react?” The word savlanut (patience) comes from the word savul– bolder. Someone with a weight on her back slows down and doesn’t react straight away.
Sarelli: Can the Rov tell me, as a woman, what does Hashem want from me the most?
Remember that this life is temporary and our goal is to get to the next destination. Try to leave as many good ripple effects as possible in this world. When we become better people, those around us are also impacted.
Malky: For some reason, I find it easy to judge others well but I find it much harder to do this with my husband. I love him but I just find it hard to judge him in the same kind way that I judge others. Why is this and what can I do?
The closer you are with someone, the more they get on your nerves. Try to give each other space, throw yourself into your hobbies and constantly work on middos.
Chaya Rivka: As a woman, is it better to read self-help books to improve my character as opposed to halacha?
It’s a combination- it’s all about balance. Look at your weakness, is it halacha or middos, so work on that. Use your self-esteem from your strengths to build up your weak points.
Try This At Home:
Work on your Emunah so that you’re rock solid to keep juggling all the balls of your life.
