By Julia Loeb, WLCJ International President
Over Thanksgiving, I rewatched one of my favorite movies, The Princess Bride, an action-adventure rom-com that’s guaranteed to lift your spirits with its “happily ever after” ending and the power of “true love.” If you haven’t seen it yet, GO WATCH IT!
There’s a tragicomic moment in the film where our hero, Westley, wakes up to find himself strapped to a table in a torture chamber. He asks The Albino, played by Mel Smith, “Where am I?” The reply: “The pit of despair. Don’t even think about trying to escape.” Yet, as seasoned viewers of the rom-com genre, we know Westley will persevere, escape the pit, and rescue Buttercup, the heroine.
This week’s Torah portion, Vayeshev, offers another compelling story of resilience and triumph over adversity. Joseph’s journey begins with his brothers, consumed by jealousy, throwing him into a pit—a dark, empty place that epitomizes despair and hopelessness. He has no way to escape. Yet, Joseph doesn’t let his circumstances define him. Facing each challenge with courage and faith, he rises from the depths to become a powerful leader in Egypt, ultimately saving many lives. His story reminds us that even the darkest moments can lead to transformative growth and brighter futures.
I recently came across an old story about a pit. A farmer’s donkey fell into a well, and when the farmer couldn’t rescue it, he decided to fill the well and bury the donkey. As the dirt fell, the donkey shook it off and stepped up. With each shovelful, it climbed higher until it eventually emerged from the well. What was meant to bury the donkey became the very thing that saved it.
Many of us have faced times when balancing family responsibilities, work, and volunteer commitments felt overwhelming; moments when every challenge seemed like another shovelful of dirt. But like the donkey, we can learn to persevere, shake it off and step up, transforming obstacles into opportunities. With the support of family and friends, we often discover strength we didn’t know we had.
Life inevitably throws dirt our way, but the key to overcoming it lies in using it as a steppingstone rather than a burden. Every problem can become a step toward growth if we don’t give up.
As we approach Shabbat and the shortest day of the year next week, and we prepare for the light and joy of Chanukkah, let’s take a moment to reflect on the “pits” we’ve encountered in our lives. How have we responded to adversity? What lessons have we learned from our struggles? And how can we help others climb out of their own pits?
May we find strength in Westley’s and Joseph’s stories and inspiration in the humble donkey’s resilience. Let us shake off the dirt, step up, and trust that even in our darkest moments, brighter days are ahead.
Shabbat Shalom, Happy Chanukkah and Happy Secular New Year!
Julia Loeb
WLCJ International President
jloeb@wlcj.org
