A prominent and wealthy man in the United States acquired a private jet—one of the most luxurious and advanced—for his frequent business trips across the globe. These jets are designed for businessmen and their entourages, including servants, advisors, lawyers, secretaries, and associates. Every detail of the jet’s interior is meticulously tailored to ensure a pleasant and comfortable journey.
During one routine flight, a rare and severe engine malfunction occurred. Within moments, the plane began to shake and sway like a leaf in the wind. The passengers were in grave danger and succumbed to overwhelming fear. Cries and screams of terror filled the aircraft as it tilted sharply to one side and began plunging downward.
The wealthy man prepared himself for the worst. At any moment, the plane was expected to crash and shatter into pieces, consumed by fire and smoke; may the Merciful One save us.
Suddenly, the man grasped the gravity of the situation. He was standing at the threshold of the final moments of his life! Only a few breaths remained... In that critical hour, he recalled the words of Chazal (Bereishis Rabbah 14:9): “For every breath a person takes, one must praise the Creator. Why? Because it says (Tehillim 150:6), כֹּל הּ-יָ תְּ הַ לֵּ ל הַ נְּ שָׁ מָ ה - Let every soul (נְּ שָׁ מָ ה) praise Hashem, which can be read as Let every breath (נשימה) praise Hashem.
Now, at the brink of his final breaths, the man fully grasped his obligation to thank the Creator, blessed be He. If one must praise for every breath, how much more so for the countless kindnesses and berachos that Hashem bestowed upon him throughout his life.
The man prayed and cried out from the depths of his heart. However, rather than wail in despair, as is the nature of most people standing at the gates of death, he broke into song and praise, expressing heartfelt gratitude to Hashem for all the kindness He had done for him. In true Jewish (Yehudi) fashion, he became a modeh (one who thanks). He passionately enumerated the many berachos he had received—health, family, a home, wealth, and all other physical, emotional, and spiritual gifts he had enjoyed from his earliest days until that moment. For each one, he sang praises and thanksgiving.
Finally, he concluded his prayer with a heartfelt plea, asking for salvation from his current predicament so he could continue to praise and thank Hashem in the future.
Miraculously, the plane suddenly stabilized. Its nose straightened, allowing the skilled pilot to guide it to an emergency landing. Against all odds, the aircraft landed safely.
The harrowing experience left an indelible impression on the wealthy man. In those minutes that felt like an eternity, he learned the true value of gratitude. From that moment, his perspective on life was transformed. He resolved to focus on the berachos Hashem had granted him. During every Shemoneh Esrei, he would not forget to thank and praise the Creator in detail for all the goodness he received between one tefillah and the next.
