The Right Perspective on Life Events: Coincidence or Reminder?

One must be as wise in spiritual matters as a merchant in business affairs. Every simple merchant prefers to invest a little, possibly losing a little, to earn a lot, as it is better to lose a little now than to lose a lot later on.

The same applies to suffering—an astute person sees an impending misfortune and conceals himself. This implies that when he sees misfortune, he escapes for his 'soul' and repents, rather than attributing it to coincidence, Heaven forbid, so he won't need another, usually harsher, 'reminder'.

What Has Hashem Done to Me?

A remarkable story is told about the great Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer, of blessed memory (as brought in the book "Et Mil'chemah"). It involves Rabbi David Oyerbach, of blessed memory, who had the merit to serve Rabbi Isser Zalman. The incident was as follows: Rabbi Isser Zalman was walking home from the yeshiva accompanied by Rabbi David Oyerbach, as previously mentioned. Upon arriving at his home, it was customary for the rebbetzin to prepare a glass of milk on the stove for Rabbi Isser Zalman, which was an essential need for his health. She instructed him to watch and remember to remove the cooking utensil from the fire in a few minutes. However, Rabbi Isser Zalman, being deeply immersed in the holy Torah, forgot about the milk, and due to overcooking, it boiled over and spilled entirely. As soon as Rabbi Isser Zalman remembered the milk, he trembled with fear and said to Rabbi David, "What has Hashem done to me? What sin have I committed today that I am being punished immediately on the spot from Heaven?" He began to search and contemplate his ways until he recalled the possibility of his oversight. There was a Yemenite Jew sitting at the exit of the "Etz Chaim" yeshiva, and every day the Rabbi would pass by and give him a penny. Apparently, the Rabbi thought, "Today, I didn't pay attention to that Jew and passed by without giving him the penny." He estimated that the value of the spilled milk was equivalent to the penny he did not give, and thus he was punished measure for measure. He immediately instructed Rabbi David to run and give the Jew the penny he had not given. When Rabbi David returned and told Rabbi Isser Zalman that the Jew had been found and received the penny, the Rabbi was immediately relieved and was calm again. Such was the story.

Let us contemplate this story and learn how a great person approaches life's situations, where no other consideration exists but the account of reward and punishment. If he suffers loss, even minor as equivalent to a penny, he does not attribute it to coincidence, but immediately corrects the fault.

"But We Are Guilty"

This is along the lines of what the tribes did in the Parashat Miketz, where they were accused, "You are spies; you came to see the land's nakedness." Their first response was not how to be freed from the accusation of the stranger, nor how to evade and escape the danger, as they were known to be mighty warriors capable of such actions, as stated in Parashat Vayigash. Instead, they immediately said (Genesis 42:21), "But we are guilty." In such a situation, no advice or escape can remove the guilt from them. At that time, all their calculations focused on how to correct their deeds and what acceptance of the heavenly kingdom is required for them to amend the sin. We must learn from them how great people relate to every action and incident, and the approach to a situation where they are demanded from Heaven for a reason, and immediately think about what we are being demanded. Until here.

Once, the grandfather from Kelm was overtaken by severe leg pain and sought to understand why this trouble came upon him. Finally, he searched and found that he once shortened his slow walk into the sukkah and did not walk with promptness. (The Great Lights)

The article is taken from the book "Living with Faith". To purchase Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Lugasi's book, click here.