ADVICE FOR AN INTROVERT

Dear Family,

I hope that everyone is well and having a wonderful Yom Tov!

Mazal Tov to Batsheva on her upcoming birthday next week. Wishing you a year of much success, and to overcome all obstacles with much joy and growth!

I heard an interesting shiur from Rabbi Shais Taub, on a letter that the Rebbe had written to an EXTREME INTROVERT, which I found teaches important lessons, and which I wanted to share. I will summarise the letter , and am also attaching the full original letter and the shiur, for those who have the time to explore the matter further.

<https://collive.com/letter-30-advice-for-an-extreme-introvert/>; https://collive.com/letter-30-advice-for-an-extreme-introvert/

The woman who wrote to the Rebbe, seems to have been in a situation where she was sitting at home, and contemplating and debating on whether to go out and take a job, where it would involve being in the company of others.

The key point that the Rebbe made, was that EVERY PERSON, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, IS SOCIAL BY NATURE, ALTHOUGH OBVIOUSLY NOT TO THE SAME DEGREE. The Rebbe strengthens this by saying that he has observed this in reality.

If one acts contrary to this natural instinct, it will obviously cause complications....

And even although an introvert nature would be unwilling to participate in social activity, the Rebbe advises, that one has to go against this impulse, and force oneself to jump into these situations.

And "I strongly hope that within a short time, you will no longer need to be compelled, and you will see the importance and tremendous benefit of the matter, also for the other members of the group.

I saw also a connection here to this week's Sedra, Shemini, where the deaths occurred of Aharon's two sons, Nadav and Avihu.

On the one hand Rashi mentions that Hashem became sanctified through their deaths (10:3), but on the other hand the Baal Haturim explains that they were aiming at high spiritual levels, and in the process they were isolating themselves from the world (in summary)

Wishing everyone a Gut Moed and Gut Yom Tov, and especially, with company!