We don't need a hard Torah portion to remind us that the world is filled with darkness.

What we do need a hard Torah portion for is to remind us that despite the darkness there is light hidden therein.

The Torah portion is often called the "Rebuke" to demonstrate G-d's way of waking us up to bettering ourselves. If we get the message on our own the Torah seems to be saying things will be good, and if not then we have something coming.

A dose of that is good but it also sets the stage for a very transactional relationship with G-d and perhaps a vengeful and punishing G-d.

I prefer to see it as the Chasidic Masters articulate it; our capacity for receiving an abundance of good is too great and so it arrives in packages that seem limited and limiting. For example; rain is a blessing, but an abundance of rain is a flood - not a blessing. So the restraint on the rain is what allows the rain to manifest for us in a blessed manner.

A parent loves a child and so the parent disciplines the child, sometimes by holding back, sometimes by doing something that the child may not experience as loving.

But herein is the key, the sooner the child learns, the sooner the love can be shown openly. Or in other words, when we expand our capacity we can expand our receiving of blessings.

It is fair to say that our People have experienced G-d's limiting power for too long. October 7th took it over the top. Our capacity has now shifted. We are ready and able to receive G-d's abundant blessing, no limitations.

So let's tell G-d together - BRING IT ON!

Good Shabbos!