Rav Shlomo Kluger zt”l writes in his commentary on the Siddur of Rav Yaakov Emden that saying out loud that all of Hashem’s ways are good is a segulah to transform bad situations into good. He discerns this from the pasuk in Tehillin (118:1-2) that says: “Praise to Hashem for He is good for his kindness is eternal. Yisroel shall now say, ‘For His kindness is eternal.’” This verse can be explained according to the Gemara (Brachos 33B) that says that a person is obligated to bless Hashem for the bad, just like one blesses Him for the good. This is because even things that we perceive to be bad are actually good. Everything Hashem does is good, even if it looks bad to us. If a person knows this and says that “He is good”, then it will be good for him. But if a person complains and says that things are bad, he can cause situations to really become bad. Thus, the pasuk is saying that Yisroel should say that Hashem’s kindness is eternal, and if one says this, then that is how it will be.
More in this printout
- A Tzadik Takes the Decree Onto HimselfRav Avrohom Yaakov of Sadiger explains how tzadikim accept the attribute of judgment upon themselves to transform it into mercy for the entire Jewish people.
- Trust in Hashem’s ChasadimThe Yesod Ha’avodah of Slonim explains how Hashem’s actions, even when appearing as judgment, are rooted in hidden kindness that eventually becomes revealed.
- Show Us Your KindnessRav Boruch of Mezhibozh explains the prayer for Hashem to reveal His kindness in a way that we can clearly perceive and understand as good.
- His Ways are HiddenA retelling of the classic story of Rav Yehoshua ben Levi and Eliyahu Hanavi, illustrating why Hashem's ways are hidden and how perceived bad events are often g
- He Hides His Face From Those Who Think They Can Help ThemselvesThe Ruzhiner Rebbe explains that Hashem hides His face when we rely on our own solutions, but reveals Himself when we place our complete trust in Him.
- Three Ways to Avoid DepressionThe Ben Ish Chai offers three practical methods to overcome depression by strengthening emunah, speaking with others, and observing Hashem's miraculous salvatio
- The Amount of Sadness is up To UsA powerful story about the Chidushei Harim's perspective on grief and how we choose our emotional response to Heavenly decrees during times of tragedy.
- Depression Comes From a Lack of EmunahThe Rebbe of Lechovitch explains how depression stems from the false belief that one's success is self-made rather than a gift from Hashem.
- There is No DarknessThe Kotzker Rebbe explains Tehillim 139:12, teaching that recognizing Hashem within perceived darkness removes the darkness entirely.
- The Only WorryRav Tzvi Hirsch of Ziditchoiv teaches that worry and depression are forbidden, suggesting the only valid concern is the reason for one's own anxiety.