We’ve all been there. Three weeks into January, those shiny New Year’s resolutions already gathering dust. The gym membership card untouched, the garage still cluttered, the late-night snacks still calling our names. And in those quiet moments of honesty, we face an uncomfortable truth: knowing what to change isn’t the same as changing.
Our most significant obstacle to transformation isn’t lack of knowledge—it’s our resistance. Like the ancient Exodus saga we read in Exodus 6:2-9:35, we often see the truth but can’t quite bring ourselves to act on it. Like Pharaoh, our hearts become hardened against change, even when we know it’s exactly what we need. Pharaoh knew that he could stop God from decimating his country by freeing the Children of Israel from their bondage, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Think about it. We’re masters at the game of self-deception. We congratulate ourselves for merely recognizing our flaws as if awareness alone deserves a medal. We mistake good intentions for actual progress. But real change? That’s a different story.
The secret to breaking free from the habits and fears that hold you back lies in moving beyond pure logic, which transcends reason. Stop trying to outsmart yourself. Instead, connect your desired change to something bigger than yourself. Make it about fulfilling your purpose, about becoming who you’re meant to be.
When you align your goals with your deepest values and highest vision for yourself, excuses lose their power. It’s no longer about willpower or logic but commitment to your destiny.
So next time you feel that pull toward change, don’t just make a mental note. Make a soul-deep commitment. Because when you’re answering the call of your highest self, no inner Pharaoh can stand in your way.
After all, true transformation isn’t just about changing what you do—it’s about becoming who you were always meant to be.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger, y@tasteoftorah.org
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