Reflections - Torah.org

All In The Game

Joseph, a friend of mine, has had a streak of bad luck lately. Besides the fact that business has not been up to par, his car was stolen and his daughter fell off her bicycle and fractured her arm. Need I say more? While sharing a little break over a cup of coffee, Joe popped the inevitable question: "Why me?" he inquired.

It is a question that Moshe Rabenu asked his teacher, G-d, but to which he received no clear explanation. G-d replied: "It is My business not yours." What this means is that there is a reason for everything that happens but human beings are incapable of comprehending it. It is senseless to ask why and even more futile to try and figure out the answer to that timeworn, universal question about the human condition. Our attitude must be to accept the will of our Creator wholeheartedly whether or not we understand His strategy.

Isn't it funny that when a problem hits a person asks: "Why me" but when good fortune arrives no one inquires: "Why me?" If one does not question why good things happen then one should not query as to the reason for a disaster either.

In the book of Job, the main character was blessed with all the good that this world has to offer. Satan was given permission to test Job's faith by destroying his financial empire, killing his children, and afflicting Job with painful physical maladies. When Job's wife started to complain Job replied: "Shall we accept only the good from G-d and not the bad?"

Time spent complaining is time wasted. Time spent thanking is productive. One who wants to be happy should see all that happens as part of a plan invoked by a benevolent Creator who only does good for the human being. When a problem hits - keep moving forward in the knowledge that it must be for the best and "this too shall pass". "I don't have to understand it to accept it" -- is an attitude that will carry you through the hard times -- and it will help you enjoy the good times.

DID YOU KNOW THAT

Women are required to recite the "Morning Blessings' -- "Birkhot Ha-Shahar". These blessings are not considered blessing contingent upon time from which women are exempt.

The only blessing that women do not say is "That He did not create me as a woman". Instead females should say "That He created me according to His will" without saying "Shem u-malkhoot" -- G-d's name.

[Source: Yalkut Yosef, volume 1, p. 52:6]

CONSIDER THIS FOR A MINUTE

In the same manner as one blesses for the good one should bless for the bad.

Gemara Berakhot 48b