WATCH: Rabbi Yosef Farhi explains how to find meaning when faced with painful situations

Sometimes life feels like a string of bad breaks, like nothing’s going your way. But Jewish tradition teaches us there’s often a spark of good buried in the toughest moments, if we know where to look.

Take the story of a man plagued by tzaraat, a biblical affliction often linked to speaking ill of others. He thought his life was falling apart, his house literally crumbling, until he discovered something extraordinary that turned his misfortune into a blessing.

Picture this: a man’s home is struck with tzaraat, a condition requiring priests to inspect and, if needed, tear down the walls. He’s devastated, thinking he’s cursed with bad luck. Why me? he wonders, as the priests declare his house must be dismantled.

But when they break open the walls, they find treasure, gold and valuables hidden inside, stashed long ago by the Canaanites who once lived there. These ancient residents, fearing the arriving Israelites, hid their riches in the walls, hoping to reclaim them later. Instead, this man, punished for his harmful words, stumbles upon a fortune. What seemed like a disaster became a windfall.

This story, drawn from Jewish teachings, isn’t just about a lucky break. It’s a lesson in perspective. The man’s misfortune came from his own flaws, speaking lashon hara, or harmful gossip, which led to his tzaraat. Yet, even in his lowest moment, there was good waiting to be uncovered. The treasure wasn’t just gold; it was a chance to see life differently, to realize that even pain can hold purpose.

Think about how we often view our struggles. It’s easy to see things as all good or all bad, like a switch flipped to “great” or “awful.” We cheer the early bird’s success but forget the early worm’s peril. Every situation, no matter how bright or bleak, has layers. The best moments have flaws, and the worst hide opportunities. This man’s story shows us that even when life feels like it’s crumbling, there might be treasure in the wreckage.

Why did this man have to endure tzaraat to find his fortune? The sages suggest it was to teach him (and us) about mindset. His tendency to speak ill reflected a habit of seeing the negative, of judging harshly. The ordeal forced him to confront his weakness, and the treasure was a reward for learning to look deeper.

Jewish history is full of such lessons. When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the Canaanites’ fear led them to hide their wealth, never imagining it would one day enrich the very people they fled. Centuries later, a man’s moment of despair uncovered that legacy. It’s a powerful metaphor for our lives: what looks like loss today might be the foundation for tomorrow’s gain.

For us, this story hits home. We all face moments when life feels unfair: maybe a job falls through, a relationship falters, or we’re wrestling with our own shortcomings. It’s tempting to call it bad luck and give up. But what if we looked closer? A rejection might open a new door. A mistake might teach a vital lesson. Even our weaknesses, like the man’s sharp tongue, can lead to growth if we face them head-on.

The lesson here isn’t to ignore pain or pretend everything’s fine. It’s about choosing to search for the good, even when it’s buried deep. Like the man who found treasure in his broken walls, we can find strength in our struggles. Maybe your “bad day” is hiding a chance to rebuild stronger. Maybe your flaw holds the key to discovering your resilience. As Jewish wisdom teaches, every challenge holds a spark of light: our job is to find it and let it shine.