Reb Yechezkel Abramsky, zt”l, was sent to a Siberian prison. One morning, he couldn’t bring himself to say Modeh Ani. He asked himself, “I can’t study Torah or perform mitzvos here. Why should I praise Hashem for returning my neshamah?” He felt that life didn’t have purpose if he couldn’t study Torah and perform mitzvos. Then, he caught his error: He could serve Hashem by believing in Hashem! That was a great avodah, as it meant not questioning Hashem’s ways and why he must suffer so much.
When he realized he could serve Hashem in this manner, he joyfully said Modeh Ani and thanked Hashem for another day of life — another day to serve Hashem with the one and only only thing he had left: his emunah.
Years later, Reb Yechezkel Abramsky related this episode to the Rayatz of Lubavitz, zt”l, who replied: “The entire Siberia was worthwhile so that you should say those words.”
