Sometimes in life, things may happen to a person which he/she wasn’t expecting. Instead of getting angry and becoming sad, it’s important for one to remember that things can always be worse, and that everything that occurs is for the good.
The following vignette brings out this point beautifully:
Horav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, zt”l, arrived in Yerushalayim circa 1873. Shortly after his arrival, he went to visit the Kosel. He was accompanied by another Jew. Rav Yosef Chaim’s reputation preceded him, and he was already known as one of the leaders of the Old Yishuv. An Arab storekeeper noticed the distinguished Rav and decided to do what he did best. He threw a rotten orange at the Rav. At the time, the Rav was far from fluent in Arabic, so he replied in Yiddish, “Ah sheinah dank; Thank you!” The Arab recognized the Jew who was accompanying Rav Yosef Chaim, so, with his signature temerity, he asked angrily if the Rav had cursed him. “No, he did not.” “So, what did he say?” the Arab asked. The Jew smiled when he replied, “He said, ‘Thank you’ in Yiddish.” The Arab was now thoroughly confused; why would the Rav thank him for throwing a rotten orange at him? Rav Yosef Chaim explained, “I thanked you for not throwing a stone at me.” The Rav’s response was the precursor for an adjusted attitude by the Arab and his cohorts towards the new Rav.
Things happen in life – not always to our liking. People act in a manner which, in our mind, we consider inconsiderate – or even hurtful. From the above vignette, we derive that it could always have been worse. So, if it ever happens that one gets into a fight, let’s say a husband and wife, and the wife throws a rotten orange at her husband, it’s important to remember that things could be worse. Just for starters, one must be grateful that he has a wife. So, move on, stay happy, and iy’H everything will blow over.
