Break the chains of self-doubt to achieve freedom

In last week’s Torah portion, we read the Ten Commandments. Those Big Ten have shaped all of human history. No one would question their relevance. We might debate where it is appropriate to post them, but no one doubts their far-reaching impact and modern day relevance. But, interestingly, as important as those are, the very next commandment seems irrelevant in today’s world.

“If you buy a Jewish slave, he shall work for six years; and in the seventh he shall go free…” (Ex. 21:2). We don’t have slavery in our civilized society. In fact, the Industrial Revolution made slavery pretty much obsolete around the world. So what message is the Torah trying to teach us 21st century Jews?

The Rabbis point out that the structure of the verse comes to teach that the master must push the Jewish slave out the door; you have to make him leave. This seems pretty ridiculous—who in his right mind would want to stay enslaved? But that’s not the way it works. Strangely enough, many slaves still want to stay with their masters. It was true 150 years ago in America, and it is true even today for those suffering from what has become known as the “Stockholm Syndrome.” The reason for this is that the longer a person is under the “rule” of someone or something else, the less belief she has that she can actually make it on her own.

One of the most debilitating aspects of any form of enslavement is that it robs a person of his selfworth and self-confidence. He becomes enslaved physically, emotionally and mentally. But the fact that Gd commands the Jewish slave to be set free in the seventh year reminds us of the incredible and powerful seed that Gd plants within all of us. It is the seed of self-confidence; the ability to know that you can indeed make it on your own. Mental slavery may have pushed that seed deep down inside you; self-doubt may have hidden it from view, but Torah teaches that it never dies, and that the light of Gd can cause it to germinate within you.

How many times do we need to hear this message before it sinks in? When will we have the faith to believe in ourselves? How many prods to progress, pushes to the front door, will it take for us to get real with ourselves and say we are through listening to the voices of doubt?

Doubt can’t pay the bills. Doubt can’t build your dreams. Faith in ourselves is where we have to start. We need to have faith in our dreams; faith that we have all the talent that we need to succeed. Dreams are inspired in us, implanted within us, because they are our destiny. If we allow ourselves to fall victim to the limiting voice of doubt, we are subjugating ourselves to mental slavery. Leaving the things we are to accomplish undone deprives the world of what we have to offer. We need to believe in ourselves. We need to silence the doubt by acting on faith to pursue our passions. We have a responsibility to ourselves and others to accomplish what was intended from the outset. We have a gift. We are a gift.

Remember: When you muster the strength to fight the inner voice that questions your ability to succeed, then the battle is already 99% won. When you commit yourself to being free, you just have to hand the ball over to Gd and He will give you everything you need to rise higher. All Jewish “slaves” are destined to be free. What’s holding you back? .