Parshas Bishalach

"There's no good nosh (snack) here. Everything is healthy!!"
"We are all (a bit) overweight, and Mom says this is the only way it will change."

The Torah writes, when G-d took the Jews out of Egypt to Israel, He took them in a roundabout route, to avoid going by the Pilishtim, a very aggressive nation. The reason the Torah says is that "perhaps they ...will reconsider (their leaving Egypt) and return to Egypt." (Shemos 13:17) Rav Eliyahu Dessler says that the Torah is teaching us a lesson in avoiding sin. We should do things (even taking a circuitous path) to avoid falling back into our old ways!!

If we know our goals, let's take the appropriate measures.

Have a great Shabbos !!

Rabbi Chaim Flom

Dear Rabbi Flom,
I always thought that real teshuva is if you are back in the same spot and don't sin. Don't you HAVE TO go back?
Sincerely,
Mark

Dear Mark,
The Mesillas Yesharim says that a trick of the Yetzer Hora, is to get us into the battle. Even if we win, the Yetzer Hora still has a victory.
What Chazal are telling us is that I have to be strong enough to win the battle if I would be in that same situation, not that I should put myself in that situation.
Take care.
Rabbi Flom