Understanding temptation
If someone gave you a dirty sock, would you be tempted to eat it? Of course not! Temptation doesn’t create desire, it just exposes the desires already in us. Temptation uncovers our desires so that we can tackle them head-on!
Think about all the different forms of temptation you've faced. What kind of desires did they expose in your life? Think of a situation that would be 'tempting' and tackle it! What should you do? What are your choices? Which choices are good, and which choices are bad? How do they affect everyone?
Hashem gave Adam and Chavah the ability to choose between right and wrong. Just as they were tempted by a serpent, so too will we face many temptations in our own lives. It is important to think before we act and make choices that align with what is right and good. Our choices have consequences, so it’s crucial to choose wisely.
Consequences of our actions
Look at the consequences of Adam and Eve’s disobedience and how it affected not only them but also future generations. How might your actions affect others?
For example, what if Benjamin tells Jacob that Mary doesn’t bathe? Whether it is true or not, Jacob might not want to be around Mary. Jacob also might tell others what he heard. Mary, who use to have many friends, now starts to lose friends. Mary starts to become sad, and because she is sad she is never in the mood to play with the remaining friends. She starts to do bad in school and she stops having joy in her life.
But what do you think what would happen if Benjamin told Jacob that Mary is the most amazing person he’s ever met? Who does that affect?
Hashem created the world with His words, showing us the incredible power of speech. We should appreciate the gift of speech and use it wisely to bring positivity and kindness into the world. Just like Benjamin can use words to bring sadness or joy to others, your words also can heal people or hurt people.
Look back at the previous question in "Understanding temptation". Did you think about everyone your actions affect?
In His image
Being created in the image of Hashem means that we have the ability to think, make choices, and act in a way that reflects Hashem’s love and kindness. We have the power to bring goodness into the world and make Hashem proud. This also means that everyone is in the image of Hashem in some way. We should try to see the good in people, try to see the Hashem in people. Give people the benefit of the doubt and treat everyone as members of your family.
Power of repentance
After Adam and Chavah sinned, Hashem gave them an opportunity to repent and seek forgiveness. When we make mistakes in our own lives, we can always turn back to Hashem, ask for forgiveness, and strive to do better. We can learn from our mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth and make ourselves better!
Take action today!
Say something nice about someone who isn’t in the room with you. Then, the next time you are about to say something negative about someone, say something nice instead. The next time you hear something bad about someone, try to think of something nice about them to say out loud. Soon you’ll see the world in a completely different way!
Sabbath Table Questions
1. Who created the world and everything in it?
2. Who tricked Adam and Chavah into eating from the forbidden tree of knowledge?
3. Who killed Havel?
4. Where was the garden that Adam lived in?
5. What day was Adam created?
6. Where did Kayin have to go to?
Table discussion: What day do you think angels were created and why? A. The fourth day with the stars in heaven B. The fifth day with the winged creatures of the sky C. The sixth day with the 'living beings' D. A different day
ANSWERS
1) Hashem 2) The serpent 3) Kayin 4) Eden 5) 6th day 6) Nod / Land of wandering
Comments