What's Good About Being Vulnerable?

As always your clases are so inspiring. I loved the story about the scared boy and the Shma. It reminded me of when my son had surgery when he was 7, and it was time to remove the stitches, he was very afraid. It got to a point where he was so scared I thought he would faint. However, at that moment, he recited the Shma and it was as if he got his strenght and his soul back. I think we all should be as children and remember in our darkess hour, Hshem is there. Reply

Pinechas Being abused most of my life. I remember when someone said to me once that I was vulnerable. I could not understand what this person meant. To-day with your teaching I realized what the meaning of this being means. It seems to me that those who hurt me enjoy their taunting me. I was always kind of rebellious in my mind. Thinking why have I been treated like that. I always thought that I was a human being like anybody else. The pain of not knowing what to do to defend myself, it always felt that they were stronger than me. My siblings for one. I have found the strength at my age to say "non of you have any power over me." I had to opt to separate myself from those who abused me. Running away from them is what is keeping me alive. To hear in your teaching today that Hashem, blessed be He, created the weak, as the strong with a purpose, gives me some comfort. I do not consider myself weak in their sense. I am a woman with the strength of a man, Hashem whispered to me once in prayer. Thanks Reply

Thank you.
The class is excellent.
I will g-d willing use this as a strong base of my Torah class this week.
Shabat Shalom! Reply

vulnerability To have a good relationship, to connect with others and especially with a loved one requires the ability to be vulnerable, to express one's authentic self, feelings, thoughts, etc. This doesn't mean we should express our vulnerability with everyone or at any time. Boundaries are important too, we need to discriminate, not bare our feelings in a" jungle," for example. Reply

beautiful!!! Thank you for the inspiration in this dark world!!! :) You're great! Reply

fear When in elementary school I was very a fearful child and used to get sick everyday before going to school. I went to a religious school and learned about God His love for us and if we prayed to Him he would hear us because He was always so close. Like the little boy in your story I prayed everyday but especially every time I was scared. It brought me closer to God. So the presence of fear has the capacity to help us search for God. Our lives always leave us vulnerable. But our faith and understanding that God is there as the ultimate power to help us is the most powerfully comforting knowledge we as humans can possess. Reply

This lecture Chana you are wonderful. I truly learn so much each time I watch and listen to your videos. You present the information so that someone can understand it. I have shared many of your video sessions with friends of mine. Thank you so much. Reply

Hierarchy vs. bullying I loved this class, but I think that a distinction between the hierarchies in human life, the cycles of greatness and smallness which are experienced should be made with the acceptance or "benefits" of suffering bullying or abuse. The former may help us grow, the latter isn't good for the spiritual welfare of either the victim or the perpetrator. Reply