Several months ago, a couple in our community – Sarah and Steven* - were both given notice that the company they worked for would be terminating their positions in three months’ time. Understandably, they were devastated. Here they both felt secure in their jobs, and within an hour they found out they were both facing an uncertain future. In just three months their combined household income would plummet to zero. What a shock!
Being highly qualified for their respective positions, Sarah and Steven immediately began sending out their resumes. Unfortunately, because of the still-unstable economy, they found themselves turned away again and again. The pressure was mounting and they worried about how they would survive even a single month without any income.
They made phone call after phone call, sent out resumes galore and called on every connection they could possibly muster. They attended interviews and second interviews, but nothing materialized. They even considered temporarily changing careers as long as they could find some sort of work which would cover the basics.
As they struggled, Sarah confided in me late one night. “What’s going to be with us?” she g-chatted. “What does G-d want from me? Why is He putting me through this?” Then a couple of days later, Steven texted me, “I’m worried about Sarah. I think she’s losing her faith in G-d.”
Without minimizing their struggle, I continued to reassure them every time they texted, called and facebooked me that G-d loves them infinitely. I encouraged them to maintain faith and trust in His master plan, hard as it may be. I suggested they commit to doing an extra mitzvah and studying extra Torah, thereby creating a vessel for G-d’s blessing. Nevertheless, as the days and weeks flew by, and the dreaded day loomed ever-closer, Sarah’s belief in G-d continued to wane.
The day before their termination was set to go into effect, Steven received a phone call from one of the companies he had sent his resume to. They wanted to schedule an interview, something he had done dozens of time before with other firms. But this one was different. That very afternoon he was hired! Even more extraordinary, the following day Sarah was offered a job in another company, which she gladly accepted. Of course, they were thrilled.
When they shared their good news with me, I asked Sarah, “Well, do you believe in G-d now?” She smiled and nodded affirmatively, and I begged her, “Please, next time you’re struggling don’t lose hope and faith in G-d. He is always there for you and loves you unconditionally.”
We are headed into the festival of Sukkot, where we will eat all our meals and spend a significant amount of time in a temporary outdoor booth made of at least two full walls plus one handbredth of a a wall. Kabbalah explains that the Sukkah is like G-d’s embrace. The two full walls are His “arms,” the third wasll is like His “palm.” When we hug another person, we use both arms and one hand to pull him or her close. On Sukkot, G-d is embracing each and every one of us. What better time is there to return His embrace, bring Him into our lives and internalize His teachings? This Sukkot, as we sit inside the Sukkah, wrapped in G-d’s affection, let’s return the love.
A friend I grew up with, Simon*, is married with two children; a four-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter. Unfortunately, there have been some bumps in his relationship with his wife as of late.
With the end of summer, the High Holiday spirit takes over, and we find ourselves entering a different, more serious, frame of mind. It’s a time to make personal character improvements and up the ante on our religious observance. The impending Days of Awe motivate us to make changes both temporary and lasting.
I recently met with a lovely young couple, Max and Susan.* Not long ago Max marked his 30th birthday, and his wife worked extremely hard planning a celebration. She arranged for a private limousine ride with sushi and wine, after which they ate together at an upscale restaurant. To top the night off she had booked tickets to a romantic movie.