The Essence of Emunah Is Knowing that Every Event Is Designed for Growth
The Purpose of Yom Tov
Sometimes, if we delve right into the particulars of the Yom Tov at hand, we may miss the foundation of what a Yom Tov is all about in the first place. Therefore, as we prepare for the Yom Tov of Chanukah, it is important to study and examine the very idea of a Yom Tov, so we can better appreciate the essence of the particular Yom Tov that is before us.
The Ramban in Parashas Bo teaches us that we’re enjoined to do many things as a מצרים ליציאת זכר, commemorating the Exodus from Mitzrayim. The reason for this, he says, is that when the concept of avodah zarah descended to the world—in the days of Enosh—the minds of people began to become distorted. Some of the people began to deny the very existence of a Creator, while others denied the fact that He knows everything. Yet others acknowledged the existence of a Creator, and even that He knows everything that happens—but they denied that He supervises and orchestrates everything that happens in the world. They didn’t believe that everything that happens is with a precise cheshbon, and that every event is calculated, middah k’neged middah.
Miracles Banish Heresy
Says the Ramban that when the Ribbono shel Olam desires someone, and He performs great miracles for that person in supernatural ways, contrary to the order of nature, this banishes all thoughts of kefirah and heresy in the world—because this illustrates clearly that there is a Master of the World Who renews the world and orchestrates all the events in the world, knows everything, and can do everything.
The Ramban cites the pesukim regarding the Makkos in Mitzrayim in which we learn הארץ בקרב ה' אני כי תדע למען, in order that you should know that I am Hashem in the midst of the land... in order that you should know that there is no One like Me in all the land—because clear and open miracles banish and dispel all kefirah and denial of Hashem. They point to and prove the creation of the world, the ability of Hashem, His control of everything, and that no one can stop him. If so, the miracles and wonders are the greatest testimony for belief in Hashem and in His Torah.
Yamim Tovim Cement the Foundations of Emunah
However, adds the Ramban, “The Ribbono shel Olam doesn’t simply perform nature-altering wonders every day for just any person who struggles with his emunah, and for this reason, He has commanded us to constantly remember and commemorate the miracles of Yetzias Mitzrayim, and perform mitzvos that will keep those events in our consciousness, so we will always remember that He conducts the world with a perfect and precise hashgachah.
The institutions of the Yamim Tovim are part of this—and their purpose is likewise to remind us regularly that the Ribbono shel Olam runs every detail in the world, and there should be no opportunity for deniers to deny our belief.
Reminding Ourselves
When we learn such important and foundational words in the Ramban, there’s a danger that we will point the finger at others... that they shouldn’t deny Hashem’s control of the world—as though the purpose of our performing these mitzvos is that someone else should remember these foundations. When they will see how we celebrate our Yamim Tovim of Pesach, Sukkos, etc., it will convince them of the truth.
But the truth is that the real avodah of a Yid is to remember that the Ribbono shel Olam is speaking to him, not to someone else. He wants every Yid—yes, even the one who performs all the mitzvos with great fervor—to strengthen his own emunah and become fortified for life’s challenges, spiritual and material.
How much more blissful and illuminated will be a Yid’s Olam HaBa—as well as his Olam HaZeh—when he lives constantly with the firm belief that the Ribbono shel Olam runs everything. Not simply to say, “Yes, I believe that Hashem runs the world,” but to internalize that Hashem’s hashgachah over the world is perfect and precise. He understands that when the Ribbono shel Olam smooths out the way for him, it’s a smile from above, and when things aren’t going as planned, he reflects on what he may need to rectify—for this too is a smile from Above, designed to get us moving in the right direction.
Emunah Illuminates
When a Yid reflects upon his emunah in Hashem, and he reiterates it again and again—it illuminates his entire life! For if we do not live with this belief, we may remain in a spiritual slumber. Yes, he may believe in Hashem and the He exists in the world. But how does this connect with his daily life? When he endures the inevitable challenges, does he apply this belief? Does he think about what the challenges are meant to teach him, and that they can actually elevate him?!
Yissurim are never meant to drag person down, robbing us of our serenity and calm so we daven and learn less than before; they’re meant solely to elicit a deeper aspect of our nefesh and to reveal it so that we grow from the experience. The Ribbono shel Olam wants us to learn something from the saga that we’re now experiencing. Every person has aspects of his avodah in which the Ribbono shel Olam is more particular and stringent with him—for he has reached a stage where he can be spoken to with more clarity in this area.
Why Hashem Is Stricter with Tzaddikim
Let us explain this a bit deeper: Some may ask—although they may be ashamed to—if Hashem is stricter with tzaddikim... perhaps it’s better not to be a tzaddik.... A tzaddik may be punished for things that ordinary people may not be. How is this fair?
But the answer is—to the contrary: The greatest gift and the greatest reward for a person is when the Ribbono shel Olam sees that he’s growing and he’s successful in a certain area and he’s assisted from Above to grow even higher.
Because You Have Potential
This can be likened a great and celebrated violinist who meets an amateur violin player who exhibits great potential.... He simply has tremendous innate talent. The great violinist thinks that this person can become a world-class player if he were only to pursue it properly. So, he approaches the young man and tells him: “Don’t be insulted, but as I watch you play, I can’t help myself.... If you’ll only release your hold on the instrument, the sound will be heard much clearer and brighter. Let me show you....”
If he’s not very intelligent, the young man will say, “Do you really need to correct me?! There are people all around us who don’t know how to play at all! Some people play, but it grates so much on the ears... it’s impossible to stand there! Why do you choose to correct me of all people.”
But a wise person understands that it’s precisely because of his ability and talent that the expert is even bothering with him at all. You’ve come so far... if you’ll only improve a little bit, you can express the most beautiful sound.
Reminders of Your Capabilities
The same takes place when the Ribbono shel Olam sees that a person is doing well, but it’s a shame, because he can do so much better. And so, He will send the person a message here and there. What are these messages? A method of communication with a person. Hashem is giving you the time of day, and He wants to improve you. If you’re already serving the Ribbono shel Olam, let’s take it all the way.
Sometimes, a person isn’t prepared to take it this spirit, and he doesn’t appreciate it. He received a small rebuke, but he wasn’t prepared for it, and he takes it the wrong way. This person must remember that it’s the Ribbono shel Olam talking to him, after all. He’s being enabled to improve himself, to wake up from his slumber, and to recognize the areas that require repair.
Calling to Us
This is the true meaning of emunah in the hashgachah of Hashem, and a belief in reward and punishment. One who believes in Hashem believes that every event and happening is a reminder that the Ribbono shel Olam wants you learn something. This is what the Gemara says (Berachos 5a): a person who sees that suffering and challenges come his way must search and examine his ways for where he has erred. The mefarshim explain that we’re meant to look for a middah k’negged middah, something reminiscent of the challenge—because we’re meant to search for the underlying message in the yissurim.
So, when the Ramban speaks about those who need to improve their emunah, he’s referring to each of us! We’re the people who need to strengthen our emunah. There are those who believe that the Ribbono shel Olam knows everything, but they deny His hashgachah—believing that humans are like the fish in the water whom Hashem doesn’t oversee with the measures of sechar and onesh, reward and punishment.
The Ramban is referring to each of us. We all need chizuk to understand that there’s no such thing as coincidence. Nothing happens by happenstance. There’s a precise cheshbon for why things happen, and there’s a perfect mehalech of ועונש שכר. We must simply open our hearts to feel it: “Ah, here I was lacking yiras Shamayim... of course this happened. Here I lacked humility... of course I was given this challenge.”
If we have proper emunah, we understand that the Ribbono shel Olam is always and constantly speaking to us.
Chanukah Illuminates the Darkness
Chanukah Speaks to Us in Our Current Situation
Concludes the Ramban: For this reason, the Ribbono shel Olam created the concept of Yamim Tovim—the purpose of which is to attain clarity in our emunah.
One may think: Can Yamim Tovim really bring us emunah?! Emunah is a topic that we cover in shiurim, or when we learn Ramban. How does Chanukah bring us emunah? Chanukah is something else... let’s focus on the Chazal’s on Chanukah....
This is a mistake—because Chanukah is precisely meant to illuminate our hearts with emunah. The Ribbono shel Olam wants us to translate the message of Chanukah into our current life situation, every year, when this Yom Tov comes around—and we should recognize that Chanukah speaks to everything that we’re currently experiencing. This is our inner connection with the Yom Tov; to make it relevant to what we’re living through right now. Essentially, the Yom Tov holds revelations that are unique to you—the way the Ribbono shel Olam is speaking to you in the matzav that you’re currently going through.
Chanukah in the Hospital
Sometimes, a Yid is compelled to celebrate the Yom Tov in less-than-ideal surroundings.... Maybe he’s in the hospital, and unable to celebrate and rejoice with his wife and children and grandchildren as he does every year.
He may feel that it’s unfortunate and regrettable that it’s happening this way. But this is what Hashem wanted. We must bow our heads and accept it. Be’ezras Hashem, next year things will be back to normal, but this year will be a diminished Chanukah. He reflects on the way tzaddikim accepted their misfortunes, and he accepts that this is the way Hashem wanted it for him this year... a Chanukah of המוחין קטנות, a strained Yom Tov on a lower level than usual.
Chanukah Shows Us That Hashem Desires Our Avodah
While this may be the most basic attitude that a Yid must have under such circumstances, it’s a great shame... especially on Chanukah. On this Yom Tov, we celebrate the victory over the kelipah of Yavan. The Yidden weren’t ehrlich, and this allowed for the kelipah of Yavan to take over. And since the Yidden were themselves implicated in the kelipah, it was able to dominate in the Beis HaMikdash and defile all the oil.
But the Chashmonaim exhibited great mesirus nefesh, and they served Hashem and davened to Him until He performed miracles for them—including the materialization of the one pure jug of oil which burned for eight days. Hashem performed these miracles only to show how important the avodah of the Yiddishe kinder is to Him... it’s so sweet to Him! Proof of this is that I will perform supernatural miracles to enable your avodah... I desire your avodas Hashem.
The Pain of Their Penetration
When we think about it, it was a terrible bizayon and embarrassment when the Yevanim were able to penetrate the Beis HaMikdash. Here stands the home of Hashem, and the Yidden are meant to be on the highest of levels as they experience השכינה השראת in their midst... and they’re unable to perform the avodah due to the Yevanim—and there’s a terrible confusion of light and darkness.
In our unfortunate galus, we’re used to designating certain times as “weaker days,” and then we know that there are special and “holy days.” But here, the Yevanim defiled and denigrated the holy of holies—the Beis HaMikdash itself! It’s the most terrible thing that could have happened when they were able to enter the Beis HaMikdash and defile everything in sight. It was extremely painful!
Light Amid Darkness
In recent years, we have sadly experienced this phenomenon, for example with the horrific events of Shemini Atzeres 5785, or with Meron 5784, or all the Yamim Tovim in the corona era that we were forced to celebrate with a veil and a cloud of loneliness and sadness. These days are simply not meant to be this way....
But here lies a major yesod. Precisely in the deep darkness of the gezeirah of Yavan—that’s when the חנוכה נס occurred. Because, as said, the Yom Tov has something to teach us in the very dark situation that we’re now enduring—regardless of its nature. Yom Tov reminds us of the miracles and wonders, and of the detailed and precise hashgachah of Hashem on His creations. This is the most important illumination and chizuk for our current situation!
When If Not Now? Who If Not You?
Back to our friend who spends Chanukah in the hospital. This is his nisayon... he doesn’t even know if he’ll be able to light the חנוכה נר. He feels that he can’t properly celebrate the Yom Tov. But the truth is that he—more than anyone—can celebrate this Yom Tov! This Yom Tov is an ohr in which the Ribbono shel Olam says, “I am right there with you in your unideal situation... טפחים מעשרה למטה. You can illuminate and light up your situation and your entire surroundings!
Wherever, and in whichever situation, a Yid finds himself, this Yom Tov can remind him that there’s a G-d in the world who conducts all his affairs for the good, He erases my aveiros, and He enables me to acquire a stronger emunah. To the contrary—this Yom Tov is the greatest chizuk that illuminates the darkest and most difficult situations.
Lighting the Light of Emunah in the Deepest Depths
The Child Who Disrupts Chanukah
Sometimes, parents struggle with a problematic child...and the saga is ongoing, with no end in sight—he’s constantly causing aggravation and problems. As the child grows, so do the surrounding issues and problems, and his parents walk around with sadness and disappointment and pain. When Yom Tov comes, the father dreams that it will bring some reprieve... maybe the joy of Yom Tov will numb the pain and distract the child... but it doesn’t work this way. The child stands at the menorah, and clumsily spills the oil, making a mess all over... and this takes away from the elevated aura of the Yom Tov, just as this child manages to disturb every weekly Shabbos seudah.
The Name of the Pain
Many of us would make a grave mistake in such an instance, and we must remember the truth regarding this. A person can mamash lose the very yesodos of his Yiddishkeit all because he wanted to be in the proper spirit of Chanukah! He allows this saga to steal the geshmak of his Yom Tov—when the precise opposite should be the case!
We’re accustomed to designating “labels” for our sources of pain according to the way they manifest themselves. When a person is in the hospital, we call it “illness,” and when people struggle with nachas from their children, we call it ".בנים" גידול צער When it’s financial strain, we call it “parnassah struggles,” and so on and so forth, depending on the challenge... shidduchim, waiting for children, etc.
If we insist on labeling our tzaros according to their superficial manifestation, we won’t see the connection to the Yom Tov of light (except if someone tells this person that the sefarim tell us that Chanukah holds a segulah for children, then he’ll understand the connection between his tzarah and the Yom Tov; we can give tzedakah and have in mind those struggling as they await children).
Yom Tov Is Made to Alleviate Suffering
But it’s a shame to approach it this way... because we may miss the essence of the Yom Tov. Do you know why this Yom Tov was given?! The Ramban tells us that the Yom Tov was given to us, in our very situation that we’re now experiencing!—to illuminate the places in our hearts and minds that still suffer from darkness in emunah... the emunah hasn’t permeated that area yet, and this is why you feel so much pain.
If you will attribute a superficial label to your tzarah, you will never find a connection to the Yom Tov, and a way for the Yom Tov to illuminate your situation—unless someone finds you an out-of-the-way segulah to get rid of the problem...
Of course, a person can and should have kavannah as he davens ויהיה ...זרעי וזרע זרעי before he lights the menorah, and of course, we know the Chazal that one who is meticulous with the נירות will have children who are talmidei chachomim. But the problem is what when we approach all this with a superficial attitude, we’ll never appreciate how the Yom Tov can illuminate our lives, and this problem too, will only prolong the pain.
The Problem Is Not “A Difficult Child”
We look at our problems superficially, and then we search for chizuk to that problem in our conception—while the Ribbono shel Olam wants us to heal on a deep level, the true inner pain in our hearts.
That is, when a person struggles with a difficult child, the true name of his problem isn’t “a difficult child.” For what exactly hurts this person? The lack of Torah in the world?! The pain of the Shechinah that has one less servant in the world?! What exactly is so painful about this?
The Deep Inner Pain
If we study it closely, we will see that the real pain is constructed of a number of factors and sources of pain. First, it’s terribly embarrassing for parents to have such a child, and this is difficult to bear. The judgment that he feels from others who look at him as though he doesn’t know how to raise his child doesn’t help either. Second, the problems that this child causes robs him of his serenity and calm, and clutters his heart and mind. Third, it is very painful for a person when his deepest wish is withheld from him—whether this desire is spiritual or material.
And then there’s the big one—guilt. This person feels that he’s somehow at fault, and there’s nothing he can do about it. This tears him up on the inside, because he feels that he may have caused this pain to himself with his own two hands, which is its own kind of pain.
Emunah Addresses Our Ailments
We’re talking here about the deepest kind of emotional pain that a person can experience. But all this pain has an answer. The Torah and emunah can illuminate this deep pain too!
The answer is that a person must understand what kind of kirvas Elokim this situation can bring him. It is an opportunity to practice not thinking about what others think of him... not to devote our lives to being concerned about pleasing others and looking good in their eyes.
This Yid elevates his feelings and emotions so that every time he thinks about “what does that other person think” he counters that with a thought of “I thank You, Ribbono shel Olam for helping me. I refuse to live superficially. I refuse to exhaust myself trying to convince others that I do know how to raise my children. No! I accept everything You do with me, and it doesn’t matter to me what others think.”
Appreciating the Light
This is a difficult avodah, and it’s not easy. But once we have worked on ourselves, we feel liberated and light. We no longer “work for others.” This person becomes joyful, because he feels close and connected with the Ribbono shel Olam. He doesn’t draw his satisfaction and happiness from those around him, but from the Ribbono shel Olam Himself!
This is what it means to illuminate his personal darkness! This person has kindled the light in the darkest recesses of his soul.
This Yom Tov enables us to learn the truth—no matter how difficult our situation. If we’re stuck treating our problems with a superficial label and approach, we will never find the answer. But we find it when we comprehend and appreciate that there’s a deeper darkness that can and must be illuminated with the light of Torah and emunah.
Even when a person has feelings of guilt about something that he has brought upon himself, the Torah says that the Ribbono shel Olam loves him in such a state as well! Even when Yidden sin, the Ribbono shel Olam never stops loving them. The Ribbono shel Olam puts away
