One of the ways to acquire Torah is to help your friend bear his burden of troubles, i.e., to help your friend when he has a problem.
There are two aspects that lead to the fulfillment of helping your friend bear the burden of his troubles: (1) to take specific actions that will help him bear the burden; (2) to think and contemplate the difficult situation that your friend is enduring. Reflecting on your friend’s hardship is not a well-known element of helping others. However, it is the primary vehicle that spurs a person into action to help others carry their load.
For instance, Moses was brought up as a prince in Pharaoh’s palace. He could have easily lived a life of power and prestige for the rest of his life. Nevertheless, he knew that he came from Jewish parents - and that the Egyptians had enslaved the Children of Israel. He felt an affinity and compassion towards his people and "went out to see their burdens."
That is, he did not suffice himself just to empathize with his people. Rather, he went to see their sufferings, i.e., he went physically to see with eyes and commiserate with his heart. In this way, by looking upon their affliction he sensitized himself to their pains. He concentrated and continuously remembered them until their troubles were etched in his very soul. He persisted in this reflection until he felt as if he himself was suffering with them. As a result, his noble heart opened with compassion and care for his beloved people. At that moment, he was ready to fight for his people - to liberate them from slavery and lead them to freedom.
To perform an act of kindness means to give something needed to someone else. Whereas to help your friend carry his burden means to literally ’to give your heart to him’. That is, to feel his pain as your own and to help him with your full heart and soul. May we reflect on the hardships of our friends and be inspired to help them shoulder their load. In turn, HaShem will bless with us with wisdom, kindness, and peace. [Based on the writings of the Saba M’Kelm]
TODAY: Reflect upon the difficulty that a loved one is enduring and do something to help them.
Important Numbers
