Healthy Contributions

A team, a society, a world is healthy when each member says, “If I don’t add in my two bits, the whole system will fail.”

Not just any two bits, but the two bits that belong to you alone.

No one is here just because everyone else is here. No system can function from the top down alone.

Because each of us—and everything that was created—has a spark of the Divine. So that each of us is all of us.

« Previous

Learning Freedom

Natural Desire

By Tzvi Freeman

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.

Browse Book

Be Within Stay Above »

By Tzvi Freeman

In this Book

Join the Discussion

Sort By:

NewestOldest

17 Comments

John C Fernandez Orlando February 1, 2024

We are all part of something much greater than ourselves. We were each created with a purpose. We are each required to always uphold two rules, while carrying out our purpose in life and all things related. We are to love our great Creator first and above all. Then to love those around us. It may seem difficult to understand the things taking place all around us, this world becoming a dark place. . But I take solace in going to back the fundamentals, directly to the Torah, and the prophets. I think of the Tenakh as "the manual". In its pages, many answers. This world continues to allow itself to be robbed and beaten. There's a word we don't hear much anymore, sin. Regardless, it still carries a price. Our G-D is unchanging, nor can 10kX10k men twist his arm into foing do. It's long overdue we as a people got our act together. Everyone trying to force the pieces of their lives to fit somehow. Oh.that he would open our eyes to his truth again. Reply

Avishai Barbourville, KY January 28, 2024

We need to realize the actuality of some facts which are not easily perceived, but are when one gets the focus just right.
For example, the word is not the thing. People might think such a thing too simple to bother with. So the word car is not an actual car, so what? Well, “what actually IS, is everything, yet we ignore the fact that all we can do with it is observe it. Our whole world is merely our sensory report, what the eyes see, the ears hear, nose smells and tongue tastes. That is our limit. So…
Is there an actual limit to actuality? How could we know? The whole “universe” or even “universes” exist in the Divine Mind, and the Divine Mind exists in the Divine Self. We exist in the Divine Mind. He does all the “thinking”, everywhere, always. So the best thing we can do is be quiet and listen.
The lineup is like this: The One Self (aka G-d); the One Mind (aka Souls); the physical Universe(s).
Reply

Brenda Toronto, Canada March 7, 2016

System Contributions We are all connected globally within one system.

Our corrupted connections are causing all our systems (Financial, government, education, economic etc.) to break down.

A system is only as strong as it's weakest link. A healthy system(all of us) needs to be balanced by the correct give and take of the individual (each of us).

People have to be educated to work towards a healthy system Reply

Karin Kruger Oklahoma City, OK/USA March 7, 2016

"Two bits" explanation - Kameo & Karin The simple definition of "two bits" is 25 cents. The expanded version is 1) the value of a quarter of a dollar or 2) something of small worth or importance.

If one doesn't know a colloquialism based on the American money system, it would make it very difficult to understand this DD - even with Rabbi Freeman's explanation posted on 1-18-09.

I hope this helps and will add meaning to this DD. Reply

Yohanan Orlando March 7, 2016

We must constantly remind ourselves that within the uniqueness that exist in each one of us, as individuals we bring to the table of mankind the gifts that each one of us possess. Holding these gifts, we are commissioned to share them, to give if them. None is too small to deem unneeded, none too great to keep to ourselves. Our greatest satisfaction the positive difference we make in the lives of those we touch when we give of our gifts. Reply

Alice Sood Torrance March 7, 2016

Powerful words: "each of us is all of us" ...so true..well conveyed ..great reminders..and so appropriate in these times. Reply

kameo January 19, 2009

source Thanks a lot! Mr. Tvi Freeman!,
it is a beutiful synopsis (what this is i have to look up) it is really something to keep and hold in the mind! Reply

kameo January 19, 2009

My two "bits" this has been a good lesson for me, although how i choose to understand it, cause not only enemies but also friends can harm your bits by unawareness, stupidness or carelessness. Reply

Tzvi Freeman Thornhill, Ontario January 18, 2009

source This is a synopsis of an idea the Rebbe expressed in a letter to an Israeli sociologist who had written on kibbutz (communal) society. The Rebbe discussed how a community is there for the sake of the individual's growth, not the other way around. And he also made this point that the community benefits from the unique and particular contributions of each individual--as I tried to express here Reply

Anonymous January 18, 2009

The quote says "For ach thing has a spark of the Divine......"
When I read this and take it seriously, to heart, I understand that all human beings are connected and if this could be brought toto everyday awareness, if we each can acknowledge the Divine in each other, then there can be no killing of another human being. that is justifiable. The statement about Divine Spark appears to be a 'Universal tTuth' not separate as only intended to be applicable to 'us' and 'not them.' How could it be that the the Divine could approve of the killing of itself? If each person is contained within a spark of the Divine ...we are not, in truth, divided by geography or culture or personal belief. We are all One. Perhaps everyone's two bits is to put down weapons and begin to contribute in a way that acknowledges the Divine Spark in each of us. Reply

Matla Rochel Milford January 28, 2024

in response to Anonymous:

Killing is different than murder. Killing is justified in some circumstances, ie self defense. Some people have let their divinity become overtaken by evil and we must go to war. If it wasn’t so, then there wouldn’t be wars in the Torah. Reply

kameo January 18, 2009

to Max I think Max the emphasis belongs on the words just and only, if you put the emphasis there then it makes sense,
but i still can not get the meaning of a bit! Reply

karin post January 18, 2009

p.s. and what is the meaning of a bit, a quater of a pound, I agree with Max, can not get it! Reply

karin post January 18, 2009

two bits sorry no joking but really i do not get the two bits why not 1 or 3 why 2, must have a significant meaning!
Can anyone help out? Reply

kameo January 18, 2009

two bits Max, are you also from Holland? Reply

Max January 18, 2009

Sorry I can't get "Nothing can be allowed to just serve another. Nothing can function only according to instructions. "
Thanks Reply

kameo January 18, 2009

two bits Why 2 bits? is the meaning of a bit a distance?
sorry am dutch Reply

More in this section

Join the Discussion