Mastering Tough Times

It is no secret that we are going through a very difficult time. To help us navigate its path, we must bear in mind the wise words of a leader who guided our generation, Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l. A student once visited gadol hador’s home to discuss tzarot (pain) in his life. His parnassah (finances) was mediocre at best, his health was deteriorating, and his children were mischievous. The rebbe listened to the man’s woes and when he concluded, Rav Shach called on his loving wife to bring in a bowl of honey. Immediately, the rav begins to lift the spoon of honey and fling it back into the bowl. Repeatedly the great rabbi continues these motions until the visitor becomes beyond curious, more accurately described as agitated and fidgety, and begs his teacher, “Rebbi, why are you doing this; why do you keep playing with the bowl of honey?”

Rav Shach in his great astounding wisdom retorts, “Despite the honey being so sweet, it is derived from a bee which stings and hurts.” How awesome is this comparison! “So too in life, no matter how much pain and tzarot a person experiences, this is only the sting,” continued Rav Shach. “The outcome of the painful situation will be matok midvash, sweeter than honey,” concluded the analogy.

Although we are currently going through a tough time, once we overcome its hardships, we will be able to look back and see the sweetness and the fruits of our labor. Furthermore, the Skulener Rebbe explains that in baruch she’omar, we say ברוך גוזר ומקים; “Blessed is He who decrees and fulfills.” The Rebbe questions, “Why would we need to praise Hashem for making a decree and then fulfill his words?” Obviously, our Creator is going to keep his word. The Rebbe elucidated, “The word ‘ומקים’ (fulfills) is meant for us, not Hashem. When Hakodesh Boruch Hu makes a decree on Klal Yisrael, we must remember that He has given us the tools to fulfill His declaration before He has even given it.”

When Hashem gives us a nisayon (a test), we must also remember that He knows that we already have the strength to push forward. So, when we recite, ברוך גוזר ומקים, we are actually blessing Hashem for giving us the kochot (strength), patience, and capabilities to overcome any pain.

By Rabbi Yaakov Rahimi