I write these words with a pained and trembling heart in the wake of the terrible tragedies that befell Am Yisrael in recent weeks. Pure neshamos, young and clean of sin or blemish, were taken from us.
And I am wondering: How can we strengthen ourselves? What can we hold onto in times of such pain, confusion, and helplessness?
In my thoughts emerges the sight of a special Yid whom I knew personally. This exalted person became gravely ill, and whenever his yissurim grew too difficult to bear he would remind himself, “L’haskilcha binah!” This was a wonder medication that soon brought his smile back to his face.
This medication is written in Tanya (Igeres Hakodesh, ch. 11). We will bring several excerpts from it, and this will be our medication as well – to strengthen ourselves, to be encouraged, and to hold on to emunah in the difficult situation in which we find ourselves today.
L’haskilcha binah means to totally ignore one’s desires in the face of whatever situation one is forced to bear, and regarding all matters of this world, one should have no preferences at all.
...Hashem yisbarach is the Source of life, goodness, and pleasure; He is the Eden that is beyond the World to Come. Since it is impossible to reach Him, it seems to us that there is evil or suffering, but in truth, no evil comes down from Above, and all is good. This is because it is impossible to gain any real knowledge of Hashem’s greatness and goodness.
And this emunah is the main goal for which a person was created – to believe that there is no place where Hashem is not present, and that [we walk] in the light of the Countenance of the living King. Therefore, we find strength and joy in His place, being that He is only good all the time.
With this faith, a person will be happy at all times and will live with true emunah in Hashem, infusing him with life and goodness every moment.
This is why wise men have dispelled feelings of sadness. Because of their strong faith, they never feel any suffering regarding any matters of this world – whatever the person receives is equally good to him.”
He adds:
The main reason man is placed in this world is for him to experience these tests, so that he will know what is really in his heart.
And he concludes:
And he should believe that in truth, man’s steps are pre-planned, and if so, all is essentially good, though he may not always be able to comprehend it. With this emunah, everything eventually becomes clear to him – that it is good.
Let us strengthen ourselves, and with Hashem’s help, may all of Am Yisrael see the hidden good in all the difficulties.
Gut Shabbat
Pinchas Shefer
