The Chai Times #45 // Blessing over suffering

Aug 12, 2022 9:42 pm

image


A man once came to Rabbi Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezheritch with a question: "The Talmud tells us that one is to 'bless G‑d for the bad just as he blesses Him for the good.'


"How is this humanly possible? Had our sages said that one must accept without complaint or bitterness whatever is ordained from Heaven - this I can understand. I can even accept that, ultimately, everything is for the good, and that we are to bless and thank G‑d also for the seemingly negative developments in our lives. But how can a human being possibly react to what he experiences as bad in exactly the same wayhe responds to the perceptibly good? How can a person be as grateful for his troubles as he is for his joys?"


Rabbi Dov Ber replied: "To find an answer to your question, you must go see my disciple, Reb Zusha of Anipoli. Only he can help you in this matter."


Reb Zusha received his guest warmly, and invited him to make himself at home.

The visitor decided to observe Reb Zusha's conduct before posing his question and before long concluded that his host truly exemplified the talmudic dictum which so puzzled him. He couldn't think of anyone who suffered more hardship in his life than did Reb Zusha. A frightful pauper, there was never enough to eat in Reb Zusha's home, and his family was beset with all sorts of afflictions and illnesses. Yet the man was forever good-humored and cheerful, and constantly expressing his gratitude to the Almighty for all His kindness.


But what was is his secret? How does he do it? The visitor finally decided to pose his question.


So one day, he said to his host: "I wish to ask you something. In fact, this is the purpose of my visit to you - our Rebbe advised me that you can provide me with the answer."


"What is your question?" asked Reb Zusha.


The visitor repeated what he had asked of the Maggid.


"You know," said Reb Zusha, "come to think of it, you raise a good point. But why did the Rebbe send you to me? How would I know? He should have sent you to someone who has experienced suffering…"


Shabbat Shalom!


Rabbi Mendy & Mussy


p.s. As always, we would love to chat with you over coffee or drinks, about Judaism, or just life - reply to this email.


image

🎥 Watch:

One and a Half Rabbis - What A Rabbi Gotta Do (Parody Video)


image


image


Buy yourself a letter in the Torah

You can have a part of history.


We are renewing a 38 year old Torah and bringing it to our shul.


A Torah of our own!


We will use it every Shabbat and on the holidays.


You can dedicate a portion of this Torah!


When you do you will get a beautiful certificate with your portion or letter described on it.


Donate here


image

📖 Read:

Thousands of Jewish texts and books have been printed for hundreds of years, but many have difficulty reading the ancient Hebrew text. A groundbreaking AI technology hopes to enable anyone who speaks Hebrew to be able to read and learn these valuable and important texts.

New AI technology hopes to make big changes about how we access Jewish texts

 

Jewish baseball fans know the names and achievements of Sandy Koufax and Hank Greenberg, along with their hallowed status in the greater American Jewish history books.

But they were far from the only Jewish ballplayers to make an impact on the game over the course of the 20th century


image


📅  Upcoming Events: 


The White Party - presented by Loewy Law Firm - August 25th -

2 tickets left in the first ticket tier


  • Open Bar
  • Full Delicious Buffet by Gail's Catering
  • GIF Photobooth
  • Suprises
  • Music


image


9/18: Mega Challah Bake

RSVP at challahatx.com


image


High Holidays

Rosh Hashana Services

Sunday-Tuesday, Sept 25-27


Rosh Hashana New Year's Dinner

Sunday, Sept 25

Reservations coming soon

 

Shofar in the Park

Monday, Sept 26 afternoon


Save dates for

Yom Kippur, October 4-5

Sukkot, October 9-16


Schedule of complete High Holiday services coming soon


image


🌱 Chai Society: 


Special thanks to our Chai Society members


Yankee Andrusierׁ • Carolina Bueno Marc Cooper Nate Firebaugh Paulina Flasch Matt Ford Sara Guccione Ari & Sandra Hoffman Michael Nadel Chaim & Amanda Pollak Daniel Speiss


Join the Chai Society here - make a monthly donation to make a difference.


Together, we’re High Energy!

image


image
Shabbat Va'etchanan
Light your candles at 7:57 pm
in Austin, TX

Follow us on social media: Twitter | FacebookInstagram


Support Chabad YJP's mission to build community and curate epic experiences for young Jews in Austin! Want to join a committee? Reply to this email.


yjpaustin.org/donate


image

Comments