* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
A teenage girl stopped me at a gas station this week to take a selfie.
I’m already used to teenagers distorting their faces when they pose for photos to make themselves look ugly. This trend stems from a lack of self-esteem and body image issues. One girl gave me a depressing explanation: “Before other people can laugh at me on social media, I laugh at myself first.”
But this girl at the gas station showed me something new. When she took the selfie, she positioned me in the center of the photo and placed herself almost entirely outside the picture! I moved over a bit to make more room for her but she adamantly refused to stand closer to me. The only thing that could be seen on her phone screen was her ear and part of her eye. It was obvious that she was ashamed of herself. Sadly, this is not her issue alone but a common struggle for many people today, especially for the younger generation.
It's vital to remember that each one of us is created in the image of God. God loves us and needs us in this world— we have an important place and a unique mission. We are desired and beloved.
In this week’s parasha we read the famous verse: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This fundamental mitzvah is based on the premise that before we can love others, we need to love ourselves.
