The Gemara (Makkos 10b) offers a striking insight into the compassion and guidance of Hashem. It discusses the case of a rotzei’ach b’shogeg—an accidental killer—who must flee to an Ir Miklat, a City of Refuge. The Torah commands, “You shall prepare the road” (Devarim 19:3). The Gemara explains that clear signs must be posted at every intersection so the individual can find his way without confusion.
From this, the Gemara derives a profound message, connecting it to the verse, “Hashem is good and upright; therefore, He guides sinners along the path” (Tehillim 25:8). Even someone who killed another, Hashem still helps him.
But the Gemara says even more. If Hashem provides direction to sinners, how much more so does He guide the righteous. We all receive signs, signals, and spiritual nudges throughout our lives; messages that help us stay or return to the proper path. Sometimes that signal might come in the form of a message, a comment from a friend, or even a moment of reflection. But the lesson is the same: “This is the way; follow it.”
The Chofetz Chaim was known for drawing spiritual lessons from the technology of his time, such as the telegraph and the telephone. In our era, we too can extract profound meaning from our tools, perhaps none more relatable than the GPS navigation system of Waze.
Waze tells you where to go, offers optimal routes, and gently recalculates when you take a wrong turn. And here’s the remarkable part: even when you completely ignore its instructions, it doesn’t get angry. It doesn’t shut off. It simply recalibrates. Again and again. It adjusts its plan based on your new location and circumstances, and it provides you with a new, updated route.
The patience is infinite. The guidance is constant. It never gives up. This, in essence, is the message of the Pasuk: Hashem, in His goodness and fairness, continues to guide even those who have strayed far.
There are moments when a person might feel: “Surely Hashem has given up on me. I've ignored too many opportunities. I've disregarded too many signs.” But the Torah tells us otherwise. Just like Waze doesn’t stop rerouting, Hashem doesn't stop offering us direction, encouragement and renewal.
And if we choose to say, with sincerity, “What was, was. From now on, I’m turning back toward the right path,” then, with Hashem’s help, we will one day hear that silent but powerful Bas Kol in our hearts: “You have reached your destination.”
