Preparing for the Moment | Rabbi Avraham Elbaz

Don't let the moment define you, but rather you define the moment. The story is told about a Rebbe that in the middle of his class, ran frantically to the principal's office. He said: Can I use your phone? He said: Sure. He called home. The principal, unbeknownst to the Rebbe, was watching, and he saw that the Rebbe's face turned ashen gray. But then afterwards, he collected himself, and went back into the classroom, as if nothing happened. Later, the principal met the Rebbe and said, What happened? I saw something was going on in that phone call. He says: Yes. I just remembered in the middle of my class that my wife was Pesach cleaning, and I told my wife: All my old suits throw out. But then I remembered that I forgot to tell her to check the pockets, and in my pocket was a few thousand dollars that I was saving for a very long time, and I stashed it there. So I quickly called her and I asked her, Did you, by any chance, throw out the suit for Pesach? And she said: Yes. So the principal asked him, How is it possible that you composed yourself? That's terrible. The Rebbe said: You're right, but I've been preparing for this moment for years. I've been learning Mussar, improving myself, that if there is a Nisayon that I have to overcome, whether it's anger, whether it's a Midah, whether it's anything else, I am going to be in control. And here was my chance. I'm going to allow the moment to define me? No. I was Misgaber. I overcame. The moment of Yosef Hatzaddik, when he did not succumb to temptation, is expressed by one word, But notice, says R’ Melech Biderman, on the top of the word וימאן is the Shalsheles. Not only is it shaped in steps, but also it’s elevation of song, it goes higher and higher. Because he did not succumb to temptation, that moment actually he took advantage of, and it gave him the ability to succeed and be Matzliach and be Misgaber. And we know the rest of the story. That was the beginning of his viceroy reign on Mitzrayim. That's our Avoda. All of the preparation should be before, that when that opportunity comes, you're ready for it. So next time we are presented with any type of temptation, remember, Maybe this is the moment that will give you the ability to succeed.