In this weeks Parsha we read about the laws of Tzaraat. Tzaraat (often mistranslated as “leprosy”) is a supra-natural plague, which can afflict people as well as garments or homes.
When describing the status of a Tzaraat affliction on one’s clothing, the Torah states “Im lo hafach hanegah es eino”, if it has not changed “eino”, then the garment is rendered impure. “Eino” literally means his eye, so the verse can be read as saying that the garment is deemed impure because the individual did not change his “eye”, in other words; his problems stem from his perspective.
Often it is not one’s circumstances that needs changing but rather how one chooses to see those circumstances.
With the above in mind, I share with you a post I shared a few years ago.
A Guide To Misery
It's not easy to be miserable. Hopefully this short guide will help:
1. Feel Entitled.
The universe owes you a better life. Expect attention and respect from others. Life owes you and you were put here to collect.
2. Focus on Problems.
Keep track and constantly review your problems. Remember you can't move on to anything unless everything is resolved.
3. Magnify.
Its difficult to be miserable when you keep things in perspective.
4. Be Ungrateful.
Discount all the good in your life as a given. Focus on all the ways life disappoints you. In time you'll even the see the bad in the good!
And don't forget, misery loves company, the more you share it with others the more you'll wind up having.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Benjy Silverman