In this week’s parshah, VaYishlach, Yaakov prays to Hashem, saying:
“Katonti mi’kol ha’chasadim u’m’ikol ha’emes asher asisa es avdecha – I am unworthy of all the kindness and truth that You have done for Your servant.”
Yaakov, despite all his accomplishments and blessings, approaches Hashem with profound humility and gratitude. He recognizes that everything he has achieved is a gift from above, not merely his own doing. This humility not only defines Yaakov’s relationship with Hashem but also sets a precedent for how we should relate to others.
When we adopt this attitude of humility and gratitude, it allows us to truly see the value in others. Instead of focusing on our own achievements or struggles, we become more attuned to lifting others up – seeing their potential, validating their efforts, and celebrating their victories.
This can be further connected to Yaakov’s interaction with Eisav in the same parshah. When Yaakov meets Eisav, he bows seven times and refers to himself as Eisav’s servant. On the surface, this could seem like mere strategy; but on a deeper level, Yaakov demonstrates respect and a willingness to uplift Eisav’s dignity despite their complicated history. By showing humility and respect, Yaakov defuses potential conflict and transforms a moment of tension into one of reconciliation.
We learn from Yaakov that true greatness comes not from elevating ourselves but from uplifting others. When we approach people with humility, gratitude, and a desire to affirm their worth, we create opportunities for peace, connection, and shared growth.
List of People Who Need a r’fuah sh’leimah (a complete recovery)
Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.
Yitzchak Shlomo ben Gittel
Yosef Chaim ben Ilana
Arkady Avraham ben Mazal
Chaim Shaul ben Esther
Yaakov Yisrael ben Chanah
Yosef Chaim ben Larrisa
Shmuel Nechemiah ben Hinda
Menachem ben Miriam
Yosef Yechiel Ben-Tzion ben Rivkah Beila
Binyamin Yehudah ben Leah
Chaim Mordechai ben Sarah Ita
Shlomo Aharon Nachman ben Malkah
Pesach Yosef ben Hinda
Esther Hadassah bas Devorah
Mitali Naomi bas Gilah Farcha
Chayah Sarah Leah bas Brachah
Heleni Orna bas Chein Chanah
Esther Brachah bas Chayah
Sima Frieda bas Chayah Rachel
Miriam bas Basya
Gila Raizel bas Gittel
Sally bas Rozy
Rachel bas Leah
Anna bas Roza
Chayah bas Regina
Angela bas Sarah
Rivkah Hila Hodayah bas Rachel
Ariellah bas Hila
Leah bas Esther
Amar Tamar bas Sarah
Chanah bas Miriam Perel
Israeli Soldiers (Please recite Psalms 25, 26, 46, 83, 142.)
Yehoshua ben Aliza Esther
Menachem ben Aliza Esther
Gavriel Efraim ben Chanah Yafah
Netanel Akiva ben Chanah Yafah
Yonatan Ezra ben Chanah Yafah
Chaim Aba Menachem ben Naomi Beila
Daniel Moshe ben Devorah
Gavriel Yehudah ben Yaakov
Shmuel ben Aharon
Moshe ben Shoshanah Esther
Yehoshua ben Tzvi
Dvir Moshe ben Dinah
Oriel ben Dinah
Dor ben Zehavah
Daniel ben Rachel
Shalev David ben Revital Renanah
Daniel ben Orli
Tal ben Ilana Ilanit
Mordechai Daniel ben Leah Rachel
Yotam ben Efrat Michal
Michael ben Naomi Sarah
Moshe Eliyahu ben Dinah Yehudis
Yosef ben Shlomis
Yosef ben Sarit
Yosef Daniel ben Anat
Yosef Chaim ben Hadassah
Ron ben Ahuvah
To add names of individuals who need a r’fuah sh’leimah to next week’s T’hilim column, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and complete the Google form.
