It’s Not My Cup of Tea – or is it?!... (adapted from Rabbi L. Gurkow) 

Just before his passing, Jacob blesses his sons, the 12 tribes. Each son received a blessing consistent with his character of spiritual worship. Judah was blessed with leadership and strength, Issachar with diligence and scholarship, Zevulun with commercial success, etc.

Interestingly, after Jacob blessed each son individually, he repeated all the blessings in the presence of all his children. Why? What benefit could the others derive from blessings that did not address their own aspirations and strengths?

The answer to this question is a beautiful one; one that I feel can offer us guidance as the new (fiscal) year is upon us.

You see, Jacob wanted all his children to enjoy, engage in, and excel at, all areas of life - not only those consistent with their individual characters. He wanted them to engage in all mitzvahs, not only those within their natural comfort zones.

Jacob therefore offered individual blessings first, to inspire them towards those mitzvahs that were synonymous with their personalities. But then he granted them comprehensive blessings, to engender a genuine enthusiasm for all mitzvahs and spiritual pursuits, even those inconsistent with their personalities.

And this is a thought that we can take to heart as well. How often do we say that we are not comfortable with doing something in Judaism because "it's not our cup of tea"?

When this thought comes to mind, let us remember Jacob's blessing; the blessing that enabled his sons to transcend their limitations and enjoy all manner of spiritual worship. This blessing is a perpetual one and it endows us too with that wonderful ability.

All Jews, regardless of background and level of observance, are equal heirs to Jacob's blessing. No mitzvah is beyond our potential. Every mitzvah can be our "cup of tea."

So the next time someone tells you, "it's not my cup of tea," go out and brew another cup. Urge him or her to try it and say that it's a new flavor. Say that it's the flavor of our forefather Jacob.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Raleigh Resnick