"The Toldot" (Rabbi Yaakov Yosef HaKohen of Polnoye) by nature had a quick temper. He sought counsel from Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk-Horodok (even though the latter was younger than he by 20 years, he admired his humility). He asked him what he could do to overcome his anger.
Rebbe Menachem Mendel didn't respond. It didn't take long, though, before the Toldot learned the answer.
The Toldot, together with a group of chasidim, was traveling on a wagon. A poor person stood by the road, and asked for a lift. The Toldot helped him aboard, but he explained to him that there wasn't much room. "If you want to ride with us, you will need to sit among the packages."
The man agreed. It was still better than walking.
The Toldot was concerned that the guest wasn't comfortable. As they were traveling, the Toldot turned to him and asked, "Are you alright? Are you comfortable?"
"Everything is fine," the man assured.
The Toldot was still concerned about the guest, so soon afterwards, he turned to the guest and asked, "Are you sure that you are comfortable?"
Once again, the guest told him that he felt fine.
When the Toldot inquired about his welfare a third time, the man replied, "We say, 'Ashrei ha'am shekachah lo'. This can be translated, 'Fortunate is the nation that whatever happens to it,' they say, 'Let it be that way.' No matter what happens, they say, 'let it be so. It is good the way it is.'"
The chassidim on board laughed when they heard the pauper's witty response, but the Toldot turned white. He realized that he had just received the answer to his dilemma. How can one overcome anger? By saying that the way things are, it is good that way. Perhaps someone said something that insults you, perhaps someone did something that upsets you, but you accept life as it comes. Fortunate is the nation that can do so.
With this perspective, the Toldot realized that he could overcome his negative trait of anger.
When the Toldot came to the Vitebsker another time, Rebbe Menachem Mendel remarked, "I sent you Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet) to answer your question."
Rebbe "Yankeleh" (Yaakov) of Pshevorsk was once walking with his gabbai (administrator) through a scenic park, and throughout their walk, the Rebbe was saying "Ashrei ha'am shekachah" - "fortunate is the nation who [knows that] whatever happens to him, “lo” - it is for his benefit."
The Rebbe repeated this thought many many times during their walk, as he sought to engrave on his heart and mind this fundamental lesson. To know, and to believe, and to trust, that whatever happens to a person, it was destined that way because this is best for him.
When they were ready to get back into the car to return home, the Rebbe asked the gabbai, "So now do you know the meaning of 'ashrei haam shekachah lo'?"
The gabbai replied, "Of course I know." ('How wouldn't I know,' the gabbai thought, 'after hearing it so many times.') "It means to know that G-d leads us in the very best way..." and then quickly repeated the Rebbe's lesson.
The Rebbe said, "No. You didn't understand. Ashrei ha'am shekachah lo means..." and the Rebbe repeated the idea once again. He could hear that the gabbai was just repeating his words, that he hadn't yet internalized the message.
We should also review this truth over and over again, until we know and believe and accept that every issue of our life is exactly the way that G-d wants it. Everything is part of the Divine Plan and has a purpose. When one believes this, he will remain calm and tranquil with everything that happens to him; he will always be happy with his lot, and then, he will also find grace before the Al-Mighty.
Reprinted from an email of Torah Wellsprings.
