Page 4 - The Jewish Voice - April '20

Page 4, The Jewish Voice

From the Rabbis from page 3 to give yourself repeated exposure to this phrase and its how they planned, but happen it will, sooner or later, because
meaning as you begin your day, and let it transform your of the principle of reward and punishment.
gratitude means recognizing the good that is already yours. perception of the world. If a person decides to be a crook, eventually they will
If you are in quarantine but not sick — that is a blessing. If Paul Arberman is the spiritual leader at Temple Beth succeed. Of course there are consequences to these choices
you lost your job, but you still have your family and health, David in Palm Beach Gardens. as G-d delineates clearly in the Torah: “Look, I give you
you have something to be grateful for. If you can’t move this day good and bad, life and death….choose life.”
around except in a wheelchair, but your mind is as sharp as Destiny Is Entirely Our destinies are entirely in G-d’s hands and come to us
ever, you have something to be grateful for. as a result of our dedicated commitments confirmed through
That is not to say that we would wish for any of these in His Hands our choices. If a person is meant to live, no one can take
situations. It just affirms that we have no control over some it away. If a person is meant to make a certain amount of
events in life and other than to show gratitude. Of course By Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui money, it will come in one way or the other and no one can
there will be things you are still lacking, and in reaching for Rabbi Sholom Dovber stand in the way of that G-dly decision.
gratitude no one is saying you ought to put on rose-colored Schneerson (1860-1920), So in essence, when a person decides to murder, it’s their
glasses to obscure those shortcomings. the fifth Chabad leader, once decision that makes them a bad character. When a person
But most of us tend to focus so heavily on the asked his son Rabbi Yoseph decides to do good, it’s that decision that makes them a good
deficiencies in our lives that we barely perceive the good Yitzchok Schneerson (1880- character.
that counterbalances them. There is no limit to what we 1950) before he ascended “G-d brings good through good people, and bad through
don’t have, and if that is where we focus then our lives are to the leadership of the bad people.”
inevitably filled with endless dissatisfaction. Today we can Chabad movement as the When a person is lucky to actualize a good intention
be thankful for the tireless dedication of doctors, nurses, and sixth Chabad Leader, to by doing good, this is an extra merit G-d is rewarding the
health support staff. We can be thankful the government is travel to a certain place to person, that they were chosen to be G-d’s emissary for what
taking coronavirus seriously enough to put our health over help this Chassid who at the He intended for the person being helped, because of some
the economy. We can be thankful for friends and family who time was in a tight spot. reason G-d had in mind for some time already, for that
love us. We can be thankful that there are enough supplies When Rabbi Yoseph Yitzchok returned, he reported person.
and food for us to survive at home for a few weeks. back to his father and said, “I fulfilled all that you told me. When a person who has murderous intentions succeeds to
There is an individual in the Talmud whose name “I did the favor for that individual, in the most perfect way carry out their terrible plan, it’s a terrible decree up in Heaven
is Nachum Ish Gamzu. His name can be translated as possible.” that these bad people were chosen to carry out, because they
“comforted is the person who says ‘this too’ [is for the Rabbi Sholom Dovber retorted back to his son, “You are already had proven worthy for such a bad mission.
good].” No matter what terrible thing befell him in life — making a major mistake. You did a favor for yourself (by Our destinies are always entirely in the hands of a merciful
and the Talmud is graphic in listing his misfortunes — or helping that individual). The kindness to that person was G-d. Not in the hands of other people, ever. Sure, the harder
what uncertainty he had about what lay around the next done by G-d, and you were lucky to have the merit to be I work the luckier I get, but all according to G-d’s plan.
corner, Nachum Ish Gamzu always responded to life in the G-d’s emissary to fulfill this Divine providence.” “Everything is in the hands of G-d except for the fear of
same way: “Gam zu le’tovah,” he would say. “This too is We are being taught some amazing truths about the G-d.”
for the good.” Such was his sense of gratitude. world, about life, and how to view it correctly, and in It’s pretty simple. It’s all in His hands, based on how I
When you live charged with gratitude, you will give humility. behave. In the end, a person can try all he wants to unseat a
thanks for anything or anyone who has benefited you, In the end, no one has any jurisdiction over my life person running for a political position, a person can try all
whether they meant to or not. Imagine a prayer of thanks or over anyone’s life. What happens to any person, good he wants to steal another person’s livelihood. A person can
springing to your lips when the driver in the car next to you or bad, is entirely in the hands of G-d. As Maimonides try to help someone out of their difficulties, or help them
lets you merge without protest, or when the water flows explains: Everything in our lives is a direct consequence of become healthier. In the end, the one who has the last laugh
from the tap, or the food is adequate? our choices to do good or bad. When we choose to make the is all up to Him. And we influence Him through our prayers
Florida knows how to weather storms. Jewish people proper and right decisions, G-d sees to it that our intentions and good deeds.
know how to be thankful for the smallest things — because and efforts are rewarded by giving us the objective and aim Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui is spiritual leader of Chabad
we’ve gone through so many terrible times. Learn the of our choices. House Lubavitch of Palm Beach. Contact him at
phrase “Gam zu le’tovah.” This too is for the good. Repeat “In the way a person desires to go, he is led.” If a person Rabbi@chabadpalmbeach.org, 624-7004, or www.
it quietly, or aloud, or even chant it to yourself. Or you can remains dedicated to becoming a good and righteous person, chabadpalmbeach.org.
reprogram the screensaver on your computer. The point is they will eventually succeed. It may not happen when and

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