There is an incredible lesson that the Bais Halevi teaches us both in his Sefer on Chumash and in his powerful sefer The Bais Halevi on Bitachon which is a must for every Jew to learn each day. The life lesson is taught right in the beginning of this week's parsha. After two years of Yosef in jail Pharoh is dreaming about cows. The question asks the Bais Halevi is what caused what to happen? Meaning was it that because Pharoh had a dream and they needed an interpreter which ended up being Yosef therefore Pharoh dreaming was the cause of Yosef to eventually come out of jail? Or maybe we got it wrong; really Yosef’s time in jail was up and since he needs to get out of jail, then Pharoh is suddenly dreaming.
The second interpretation is correct. Many times in life, we will confuse the cause and the effect. What the Bais Halevi calls the סיבה and the .מסובב The deeper we appreciate and internalize this concept, the more we will be attuned to Hashem true hashgacha in the world. This is not just a nice vort (a thought); rather, it should change our reactions to many things that happen to us, both privately and globally as a nation.
Recently I was having a discussion with a wise lady – my wife. We were discussing the topic of tefillah when a person finds themselves in a tzarah. On the one hand, we can say that Hashem does everything for the best, then why should I even pray for the circumstances change? On the other hand, the change that a person goes through when praying and doing teshuva is really the cause for us to grow. It's part of the “good” that Hashem is giving us, because ultimately the main goal on a personal and national level is to grow and become better people and closer to Hashem.
The recent tragedies of the war, beginning with Oct. 7 and until this moment, on the one hand are heartbreaking, and we need to call out and beg Hashem for redemption and miracles to save us from our enemies. On the other hand, it's also an opportunity both individually and nationally to grow and return to Hashem. The stories of not yet religious Jews that were saved from the horrors and their decisions to not ignore the calling for teshuva and heartwarming and hopefully should inspire all of us to more growth, each on their level.
May the days of Mashiach be ushered in bimhera beyameinu.
by Rabbi Daniel Coren
