A new episode of the weekly lesson series by the Chief Rabbi of Dnipro, Shmuel Kaminezki, dedicated to the Torah portion “Shemot,” has been released on the “Menorah” YouTube channel. In this lesson, the rabbi delves into a profound and timely topic: how life’s trials, experienced in childhood, shape a person’s inner world and can become either a source of breaking or a foundation for future leadership.
The portion “Shemot” tells of the birth of the Jewish people as a nation, about slavery in Egypt, and the beginning of the journey of Moshe Rabbeinu – the man destined to become the greatest prophet and leader. His childhood was associated with loss, fear, and living under an assumed name in the house of an enemy. Using this example, Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki shows that Torah views trauma not as a verdict, but as a space for moral choice.
In his explanation, the rabbi draws parallels between stories from the Torah and the fates of people in our time. He references the example of Oprah Winfrey, emphasizing that external success and recognition cannot always heal inner pain if a person remains a prisoner of their past. In contrast, Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki speaks about Moshe Rabbeinu, whose early trials did not destroy his personality but tempered it and prepared him for the great mission of serving the people.
The lesson also includes examples from Jewish history, including the story of the fate of Rabbi Nachman Sudak, who survived KGB persecution and a forced escape, which became an important part of forming his character and spiritual strength. These stories help to understand that in the Jewish worldview, suffering in itself does not elevate a person, but it gives them the opportunity to turn pain into a source of responsibility, compassion, and leadership.
This episode is addressed to all who seek answers to questions about their own destiny, try to comprehend their experiences, and understand how the past can become a point of growth rather than an obstacle. The new lesson is now available on the “Menorah” YouTube channel and invites viewers to a thoughtful conversation about inner strength, choice, and a person’s true purpose.
