Temimus in One’s Thoughts
The Chida (Nachal Kedumim) says that 'ה עם תהיה תמים means we should be a tamim 'ה עם, in a place that only Hashem can see, which refers to being a tamim in one's thoughts.
This means to believe that Hashem gave you the life that is best for you. There are people who complain about different aspects of their lives and that they are lacking in certain areas (everyone can fill in the blanks on their own), but the obligation of temimus is to believe that Hashem gave you that which is best for you. Only Hashem knows what you truly need, which is what Hashem gave you. You should be happy with your portion because it was tailor prepared just for you.
Rashi, in this week's parashah on the words תהיה תמים writes, קבל עליך שיבוא מה כל בתמימות, "Accept whatever happens to you with [unadulterated] temimus." We trust that Hashem is leading us in the best way, and therefore, we accept wholeheartedly everything that occurs to us.
A similar lesson is found in the pasuk (Devarim 13:5) תיראו ואותו, "Fear Him." The Ibn Ezra writes, זה למה מלשאול תיראו ואותו, "Be afraid to ask, 'Why is it this way?'" We should be afraid to ask this question because we must be certain that it is all good.
We can compare it to when a father brings his child to the dentist. The child can be afraid, and he can wince from the pain. That is only natural. However, the child must believe that his father means his best. If he doubts that, the father has a right to be upset with his son. "Why don't you trust me? After all I've done for you, you should know that I only have your best interests in mind."
Similarly, when one goes through hard times, it is natural to wince from pain. The problem is when he says that it isn't good for him. Hashem can tell him, "I do so much for you. How can you doubt My love and concern for you?"
A few years ago, the daughter of Rebbe Yankele, zt”l (Pshevorsker Rebbe) was niftarah, r'l. The custom in Pshevorsk is to make a large tish on Shabbos Parah. That year, on parashas Parah (which was still in the middle of the shivah), the Rebbe conducted a tish, and at the tish, he told the following story:
A renowned rebbe was visiting a city, and the people there asked the rebbe to tell them Divrei Torah. The Rebbe replied that he only says Divrei Torah at his tish on Friday night.
So, Friday night, many people came to his tish to hear his divrei Torah. He requested that they bring him a chumash. He opened it up, turned the pages, closed the chumash, and said, "I don't have any questions." Usually, a Dvar Torah begins with a question. He had no questions, so he didn't need any answers.
Rebbe Yankele told this story, and then he asked, "The Rebbe promised that he would say Torah Friday night, but he didn't say any Divrei Torah at all! It must be that not to have any questions, that is in itself a shtik Torah." It is a lesson in temimus, in accepting Hashem's decree.
Rebbe Yankele was hinting to his chasidim that he also has no questions. He suffered a great blow, but one doesn't ask questions about Hashem. אלקיך 'ה עם תהיה תמים. Trust in Hashem that He is leading you in the best way.
There is a famous story of a student who once came to the Magid of Mezritz zt'l and asked him to explain the Gemara that one must praise Hashem joyously for the good and the bad. "How can one possibly praise Hashem for the bad?" he asked.
The Magid advised him to ask Rebbe Zusha.
When the student asked Rebbe Zusha the question, Rebbe Zusha replied, "I don't understand why the Rebbe sent you to me. I never had any bad in my life, so how can I know how to bless Hashem for the bad? I never had this test because Hashem has only given me goodness." This is the level of temimus that we strive to attain. We can daven for better, but simultaneously, we know that if Hashem doesn't grant us our requests, it is also good because Hashem leads us in the best way.
