By Mindy Rubenstein
Seventeen years ago, my husband and I, along with our two oldest kids—then just toddlers—attended our first Shabbat dinner with Chabad. That evening sparked the beginning of our journey toward becoming more religiously observant.
Growing up mostly secular, I had so much to learn about Judaism and wanted to do everything right away. But I’ve come to understand that true spiritual growth happens step by step, with patience and persistence.
In this week’s parsha, Vayetzei, Yaakov dreams of a ladder stretching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. Rashi explains that the angels represent our spiritual efforts—sometimes we rise, and other times we falter, but each step is part of the process. Growth doesn’t happen overnight; it’s the small, consistent steps that bring us closer to our higher purpose.
Living in Israel has deepened my understanding of this truth. As a new immigrant, I’ve faced moments of struggle and self-doubt, but I’ve also experienced renewed strength—from God, from the resilience of others here, and from the unity of the Jewish people worldwide.
This perspective inspires my work as a spiritual coach, where I guide women to navigate their own ladders—whether by connecting to their inner selves, embracing their unique paths, or uncovering their Godly purpose. True growth isn’t about leaps; it’s about taking steady steps and celebrating progress along the way.
May this Shabbat inspire us all to embrace the process, take steady steps on our journeys, and trust that even small efforts make a difference.
Shabbat Shalom, with love,
Mindy
Contact Mindy for a session to start living your Godly life, personally and professionally.
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