Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
Gal Cohen, a social skills counselor, wrote the following in the context of this week's Torah portion:
"'Are you okay? You look a little stressed.'
'Do you have a Bar Mitzvah on Shabbat? If it will help, I can bake you a cake.'
'Wow. That new dress really looks great on you!'
'Are you worried because you didn't make it to work yesterday? That's okay, I'm sure everything is fine.'
Have you ever heard questions or words of reassurance like these? None of them need to be spoken, but all of them demonstrate a caring heart. They also show a capacity to look "beyond" mere words and therefore exude a special kind of charm. It's really about expanding the mind and stepping into the other person's shoes so as to appreciate what they need even if they don't say exactly what it is. Social sensitivity like this is a "muscle" that can always be strengthened, at every age and at every stage of life.
In this week's Torah portion, Rivkah is not obliged to bring water to Eliezer's camels. Eliezer only asks to quench his own thirst, but Rivah sees beyond the simple meaning of his words. 'And she said: "I will draw water for your camels too." Rivkah reads between the lines and hears in Eliezer's words an opportunity for kindness that exceeds expectations."
Who wouldn't want a friend, a husband, or a wife with Rivkah's sensitivity? We are privileged to have her for a matriarch. Rivkah Imeinu, our mother Rivkah. Everyone is invited to stop for a moment and think about how they can continue in Rivkah's path.
