“What we do know is that everything Hashem does is for the good. How is it good? That we cannot comprehend”

“…What is this that Hashem has done to us?” (Bereishis 42:28).

T

he above words have great meaning given the matzav today.  We must contemplate and accept that we don’t know, nor can we begin to understand Hashem’s ways. What we do know is that everything Hashem does is for the good. How is it good? That we cannot comprehend.

What’s certain is that the time has come to awaken ourselves from our slumber and repent. Each of us must work on ourselves. Regarding positive traits, we must reflect on our community as a whole, but when it comes to imperfections, we must look at ourselves — what can I improve upon, not, how does my neighbor need improvement? (Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl).

This morning, I missed a terrorist attack by 90 seconds. I had just made a left turn onto a four-lane highway when I abruptly noticed the traffic ahead of me wasn’t moving.

Oh no, I thought, frustrated. Now I’m going to be late for work.

Suddenly I froze. The next few seconds seemed suspended in a black vacuum. I don’t know if I heard screaming. Did I hear the gunshots?

But I knew I was in danger. And when the bus in front of me made a sudden U-turn, I shifted into reflex mode and followed him.

As I sped away against traffic, I heard sirens. Army jeeps, police vans, and ambulances were converging around me from all directions. I hit the gas, almost not caring if I collided into another vehicle. My whole self was focused on getting away — getting out of there — getting to safety — getting home.

The situation we’re in is terrible. On one hand, we see Hashem’s salvation, without which we wouldn’t be able to survive at all. On the other hand, we’re living in very difficult times — all 70 wolves are gathering together to publicly denounce this lone defenseless sheep. Who knows what the future will bring; we’re in great need of help from Above.

The way to merit Hashem’s help is to strengthen our Torah, ahavas Hashem, yiras Hashem, prayer, and chesed. Hashem deals with His children, “middah kneged middah — measure for measure.” When we strengthen our acts of chesed, Hashem will act with us using His attribute of chesed. If we try to judge others favorably, Hashem will do the same for us. When we bless other Jews, Hashem blesses us. We should therefore do our best to bless our fellow Jews, and at least try not to become angry with them.

Racing back in the direction I had just come from, I saw police cordoning off my own town. No entrance. What had happened? Every nerve was screaming, but I couldn’t go home. Where to go? Waze was urging me to make a U-turn, to go back into danger. I had no choice but to continue driving into… nowhere.

Together, we must believe with all our faith that whatever Hashem does, He does for the best. We may not see or understand this, but believe we must.

Arabs and suicide bombers — they are worth less than flies. “Ein od milvado — there is none beside Him.” When we understand this, we’ll merit a true revelation of ein od milvado. Hashem’s Kingdom will be revealed all over the universe, “… and the earth will be filled with knowledge of Hashem like water covering the sea bed” (Yeshayahu 11:9). Speedily in our day, Amen.

I didn’t realize I was crying, but there were tears on my face. I was all alone in Waze-knew-not-where, and I had no idea what had happened — if anyone had been hurt. I was so scared, shaking. Driving from the unknown into the unknown.

But suddenly, from the depths within me, Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman’s powerful lyrics surfaced, and I began singing into the silence of the car.

I believe in Hashem; I trust in Hashem.

The words spilled out of me, filling the car with the koach embedded in them, and I found myself calming.

The wickedness perpetuated behind me had no power over the direction in which I’m always headed — the belief I’m in His Hands. He’s holding me tight, so I’ll be all right; I believe and I trust in Hashem.

Note: The actual dvar Torah quoted above was written close to ten years ago. It is both chilling and empowering how the words are so relevant to our times.

 (Originally featured in Family First, Issue 872)