Trust in Hashem and Watch What Happens

What causes people who observe commandments to be more satisfied with their lives, according to statistics? We will continue to explain.

For the previous installment, the fifth reason: Special strength for coping

The Sixth Reason: A Life Without Disappointment

A person who follows the path of Torah and mitzvot trusts in their Creator to do what is best for them. Even if they put in effort and have a strong desire to achieve specific life goals, they are not disappointed if their aspirations remain unfulfilled, because they know it does not depend on them but on Hashem. If their effort did not lead to obtaining their desire, it is a sign that it is not right for them, or not the right time for it. Hashem, who foresees the future, takes care of all their needs and guides them on the right path.

Such a person does not despair or fall into sadness about life circumstances, for they know everything is for the best, and there is a guiding hand from above for every event.

This perspective extends to even the smallest matters in life. If they miss the bus by a second, they do not get upset or angry. As our Sages taught us (Talmud Bavli, Berachot 60a; Shulchan Aruch, Siman Reish-Lamed, Seif 5): "A person should always be accustomed to saying, 'All that Hashem does, He does for good.'" The famous story of Nachum Ish Gamzu also illustrates this, for he would always say about any event in his life, "This too is for the best."

In the Talmud (Bavli, Berachot 60a), there is a notable description of Rabbi Akiva. He used to say about everything in his life, "All that Hashem does, He does for good." The story is told that when he was traveling and reached a village, he knocked on doors looking for a place to sleep for the night. However, every door was shut in his face, and nobody welcomed him into their home.

Despite the rejection, Rabbi Akiva did not waver in his faith and trust in Hashem- he believed that all that Hashem does is ultimately for the good. He decided to spend the night in the wilderness near the edge of the village, accompanied by a rooster to wake him at dawn, a donkey to carry him, and a candle to provide light for his studies.

As he settled to rest and lit the candle to learn, a gust of wind suddenly extinguished the candle's flame. Rabbi Akiva held fast to his unwavering faith, saying that all that Hashem does is for the good.

While lying in the dark, a cat quietly approached and devoured the rooster. Even with this unfortunate series of events, Rabbi Akiva reiterated that all that Hashem does is for the good.

Shortly thereafter, a chilling roar pierced the night as a prowling lion attacked the donkey. Rabbi Akiva remained steadfast, again saying that all that Hashem does is for the good.

Then Rabbi Akiva heard the sounds of combat, and it turned out that a band of robbers had attacked the village, capturing its inhabitants to sell as slaves.

Rabbi Akiva turned to those around him and said, "Do you see, all that Hashem does is for the good. If the villagers had given me shelter, I would have been captured by the thieves. If the candle had remained lit, or the rooster crowed, or the donkey brayed, they would have exposed me to the robbers."

This story of Rabbi Akiva serves as an eternal reminder of the steadfast faith that even in the face of seemingly disheartening events or disappointments, all actions by Hashem ultimately result in good.

With this approach, the life of the person who follows the path of Torah and mitzvot becomes happier and more joyful.

A person who thinks that success in life depends solely on their personal efforts, when their heart's desires are not fulfilled as they wish, feels disappointment, falls into despair and sadness, and leads a bitter existence.

In the next installment, the seventh and last reason: A life without anger and anxiety.