It’s not only the “unusual events”— every story in our lives, every moment, every detail is Hashem Melech in action

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lul is the narrow bridge between the warmth of summer and the majesty of the Yamim Noraim — days that will shape not only our year, but our destiny. The Manchester Rosh Yeshivah would count each day of Elul like one who counts Sefirah — a personal countdown to Rosh Hashanah.

But what about those of us who are not on such an exalted level? When we stand in shul on Rosh Hashanah and declare “Hashem Melech,” will it just be words we say? Or will it come as recognition of a truth that awakens us and changes how we live, every single day?

Rav Dessler warns those who mouth the words “while their hearts remain distant” that they can only truly attain this recognition by making changes to their actions — “and if no action changes, then no real recognition ever happened.” But he assures us there is path to achieving this: “When one truly sees Hashem’s guiding Hand and internalizes it… then, inevitably, his actions change entirely — from one extreme to the other.”

Of course, it is one thing to understand this intellectually; it is another thing to internalize it emotionally. The Steipler Gaon explains this distinction with the example of Noach, who entered the Ark “because of the waters of the flood” (Bereishis 7:7). Despite Hashem’s warning, Noach hesitated until the rain actually began. His emunah, explains the Steipler, was sichlis, intellectual — but not chushis, an emotional, sensory conviction. And intellectual acknowledgment of Hashem’s Hand simply isn’t enough.

So too with us: If our emunah remains only in our minds and doesn’t penetrate our hearts, it won’t change our actions. Only when emunah is experienced emotionally does it transform us. This highlights the importance of staying open to the emotional events in our lives; Hashem is using them to awaken us.

When unusual, out-of-the-ordinary events break the pattern of “normal life,” says Rav Yehonasan Eibeschutz, it calls us to see Hashem’s Hand directly. It could be something joyous: an unexpected financial windfall, or a “chance” meeting that leads to a shidduch. Or it could be something painful: a broken engagement, an unexpected setback. Either way, these unusual experiences are golden opportunities granted by Hashem to vividly feel His presence.

Feeling the Grip

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach was once walking with a grieving man, holding his hand. “Do you feel my grip?” he asked.

“Yes,” said the man.

“But you don’t feel the watch on your wrist. Why ?” asked Rav Shlomo Zalman.

“I don’t know.”

“I’ll tell you why,” said Rav Shlomo Zalman. “You’ve gotten used to your watch, so you don’t feel it. But you notice my sudden grip of your hand.”

We may have grown so accustomed to Hashem’s blessings — family, health, parnassah — that we hardly notice them anymore. At times, He sends us unusual events — tightening His grip — to remind us that He’s with us every moment. Five true stories bring this point to life.

1

AFTER THE SEUDAH one winter Friday night, 19-year-old Shlomo settled on the sofa, which sat right next to some tall, mirrored closet doors that his parents had installed ten years before. Shlomo decided to get a Chumash for shnayim mikra, and went to the bookcase — and at that moment, the massive mirrors suddenly collapsed, crashing down right where his head had been. Hashem’s Hashgachah pratis had shielded him. Indeed, the Gemara promises long life to those who do shnayim mikra.

2

DURING WORLD WAR II, having traveled exhaustively from Arad, Romania, Rav Avrohom Lowy tried to escape Europe to Eretz Yisrael. He made it from Arad, Romania, all the way to the port of Istanbul. He paid the fare for a ship bound for British Mandate Palestine, but during a long wait to board, he fell asleep near the dock. He awoke to find his precious ticket to freedom had been stolen. Heartbroken, he watched the ship sail away, bearing with it all his hopes.

In an unexpected twist, though, the ship was torpedoed by the British, leaving no survivors. Only Rav Avrohom, left behind, was inexplicably spared. Hashgachah pratis had pulled Rav Avrohom’s salvation from the despair of his stolen ticket.

But not every story ends with a joyous salvation. Sometimes Hashem’s Presence is revealed in tragedy.

3

THE FAMED CITY of Brisk suffered two great fires — according to a well-known tradition, they were due to the grievance of the Bach, Rabbeinu Yoel Sirkis, the 12th Rav of Brisk. Both fires broke out on the same date, six years apart. Each blaze consumed half the city, beginning and ending at precisely the same spot, until the entire city was destroyed — except for the home of a known tzaddik. A resident recorded in a diary after the fire: “It is clearly the Finger of Hashem.”

4

ONCE, WHILE RUNNING to a call, a devoted Hatzalah member named Menachem was accidentally struck lightly by a Hatzalah car. An X-ray of his injury revealed a hidden early-stage malignancy. That “accident” was an unexpected catalyst for saving his life.

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FINALLY, there was Yocheved. At 32, she was told she had a dreadful disease. Shaken, she and her husband rushed to Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, who blessed her that all would be well. The very next day, a second opinion revealed the “diagnosis” was a total mistake.

Overjoyed, she returned to share the news with the Rosh Yeshivah, mentioning their planned summer trip to Eretz Yisrael. He urged her instead to move there for a year. Incredibly, within two weeks — while minding a business, with four children in tow — they did. But where would they find a large apartment on such short notice?

Yocheved’s sister Aliza in Jerusalem heard that the large new apartment next door was becoming available. She knew the owner, so she called.

“I was just about to call another family, my hand was literally on the phone,” said the owner. “Then your name flashed on my caller ID. If you vouch for your sister, the apartment is hers.”

Every Heartbeat

The Ramban teaches: “From open miracles, we learn to recognize the hidden ones.” Yes, the same Hashem Who split the sea and openly guides the course of history with breathtaking timing is the One Who grants us every breath, every detail, every heartbeat.

The truth is, it’s not only the “unusual events”— every story in our lives, every moment, every detail is Hashem Melech in action.

With the Rosh Hashanah shofar poised to pierce the air, we must ask ourselves: Will our call of “Hashem Melech” remain just words? Or will it awaken us to live with His Presence every day, to feel Him more deeply and sense His guiding Hand in our lives?

The same Melech Who saved Shlomo, protected Rav Avrohom Lowy, spared the tzaddik of Brisk, cared for Menachem, and placed Yocheved’s family in their apartment, is guiding our every step, with perfect loving care.

This Rosh Hashanah, let us not just declare “Hashem Melech.” Let us feel it, live it, and let it transform us.

And may that awakening be a zechus for blessing in our lives — and most of all, the Geulah Sheleimah we so deeply long for.

Rabbi Heshy Kleinman authored the Praying with Fire series, Yearning with Fire, The Power of Teshuvah, and Living with Hashgacha Pratis — all 5-minute-a-day lessons. He founded the V’Ani Tefillah Foundation, developing 5-minute daily programs, including Praying with Passion — for adults; and Tefillah Power — for schools, to deepen everyday awareness of Hashem.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1077)