Lomo ha’reiosa lo’am hazeh?
We ask Hashem for simchas hachayim in davening: “Sameiach nefesh avdecha” – Bring joy to the soul of your servant [Lift up our spirits.] We also ask in davening, “V’haseir mimenu yagon v’anocho” – Remove from us sorrow and sighing [Take away our suffering and pain.] However, we should know that a lot of our pain we bring on ourselves, by worrying about what the future will bring. When the truth is that we have the choice and control to spare ourselves of the pain that is caused by what we think about.
A clear proof that we have control to eliminate our worry and fear, is that we have a mitzvah not to tremble and fear during battle in war. The pasuk [Devarim 20,3] says, “Al yeirach levavchem” – Let your heart not be faint, do not be afraid...” The Rambam and the Smag count this as one of the 613 mitzvos. It is a known fact that any mitzvah given to us by Hashem also comes with our choice, whether to do it, or refrain from doing it. (Shmonah Prakim L'haRambam Perek Beis)
[Editor’s note: There is no “I was born like that. It’s not my fault.”]
It is incredible, imagine the horrific things you see in war and yet we have a mitzvah not to fear and weaken our hearts. What is one to do if his mind runs scared and is filled with worry by the scenes and real dangers lurking all about him?
[The first step is the knowledge that we can control our fear and worry. Based on the above, if even at war one has a mitzvah not to worry, so definitely we can control worrying about our health and business /parnasa and children. What we want to know is HOW!] To be continued.
Igros Kodesh Tzemach Tzedek. P19-24. A letter written by the 3rd Chabad Rebbe about the year 1829, to his mechutan. 24th of Teves 5,573 - 1813, Yom Hilula of the Alter Rebbe, the founder of Chabad.
