“And Hashem gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians and they granted their request so they emptied Egypt.”

(Shemos 12:36).

It does not say “and Hashem gave favor to the people” but rather “the people favor.” In other words He illuminated and beautified the people’s natural grace. The secret spark of light buried deep inside them shone out; the grace inherent in them was revealed to the Egyptians.” (Sifsei Tzaddik Rav Pinchas Menachem Elazar of Piltz)

The pasuk says “Counsel is like deep water in the heart of man …” (Mishlei 20:5) for wisdom is implanted in man’s nature and consciousness like water deeply rooted in the heart of the earth. “… and the man of understanding will draw them forth” — a deep and intelligent person will exert himself to explore his inner wisdom reveal it and ultimately extract it from his heart and show it to others just as one draws water out of the bowels of the earth. (Maayanei Hachayim Rav Chaim Ephraim Zeichik) $c$

Countless people occupy only the “ground floor” of their lives. They stay where they were born and never move up. Their house is a one-floor dwelling.

Oh yes they have dreams aspirations emotions and things they love. An Old English style kitchen white cane garden furniture a trip abroad. They dream of a good chassan for their daughter and hope their son is accepted to a good yeshivah. They have ambitions to be more successful to do more; they also like pasta with salmon in Asian sauce restaurant-style.

But philosophical thoughts deep discussions questions about the purpose of life are not for them. No. They left that all behind when they graduated high school and they’re happy not to have to go there again. Their lives are full enough as it is with extra hours at work and a mortgage to pay.

If one day these people decide to kick open the back door of their “home” they’ll be surprised to discover a flight of stairs that had always been there. When they start climbing the staircase they’ll begin to discover how many stories their home has. They’ll look around in wonder at its spacious rooms and the luminous blinding light of the sun and stars. They’ll discover so many layers in the depths of their souls that can be explored each day anew.

These people — in essence very simple who didn’t do that well in school and were never fond of scholarly discourses — discover that their souls can also soar to great heights. Their hearts shelter treasures of inner contemplation and self-discovery. They too have the ability to come closer to Hashem and add colorful hues and layers to their very simple lives regardless of the children’s homework that needs doing and the geraniums that need watering. All of a sudden they feel their feelings grow and their thoughts expand. Yes their thoughts not those of the rav at the lectern on Shabbos.

$c$“One must explore and break one’s heart and draw the hidden light of his soul out of its concealment for this light is not apparent and it does not shine illuminating and emphasizing the beauty of his soul. It does not show all the nations of the world its grace light and glory. And just as Hashem will make His judgment and He will surely judge a person who does not banish the bad from his nature or recognize it in order to uproot it so too He will judge man for the inherent good that remained hidden within him; for the concealed light that was not unveiled and brought into the world; for the secret powers that were entrusted to him in order to reveal them open them up and incorporate them from theory into practice.” (Ma’ayanei Hachayim) $c$

Every morning Hashem asks me: Where are you? Where are the treasures I instilled within you the talents and abilities I granted you? Where is the lofty tower that is and always has been within you? Were you wise enough to ascend its stairs and collect the diamonds strewn around you?

And every morning I ask Hashem for the strength to unlock this awesome power concealed within me.

If one day these people decide to kick open the back door of their “home” they’ll be surprised to discover a flight of stairs that had always been there