This past Friday I texted a member of our shul who is also a dear friend of mine, inviting him to attend services on Shabbos. I even added an extra lure of our delicious Persian kiddush. Two minutes later I received a very sharp response, "No thank you. I am never coming back to shul and please don't invite me again." Slightly bewildered, I wondered if perhaps I had offended him or hurt his feelings. After all, I'm no stranger to hostile comments and unfriendly behavior, because as a Chabad rabbi I often encounter Upper East Siders who claim to manage quite well with no rabbi. The text message reminded me of several similar experiences, particularly one that occurred three years ago, as I moved to the neighborhood, when a woman pointedly told me, "Rabbi, I've lived here way longer than you. Not only do you move across the street from me and start inviting me and my friends to all your parties, but you then have the audacity to charge me $18 to join the Purim bash!
A second text message suddenly interrupted my "reminiscing". "And you should know Rabbi" my friend wrote, "It's got nothing to do with you. You are a good man, this is between me and G-d." I must admit I breathed a sigh of relief – at least it had nothing to with me. So he has an issue with G-d? G-d can handle it! I replied to him immediately. "G-d loves you!"
Interestingly enough, this guy was the second person who had told me that same week they would not be returning to shul on account of their disappointment in G-d. Each one felt that G-d was not paying attention to their personal issues, their pain and suffering and thus found it pointless to bother praying in shul each week...
This past Sunday we celebrated Lag Ba'omer, the anniversary of the death of the great sage, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. One of the Rabbi's students once left the academy and returned a wealthy man. His former friends, seeing the man's success, grew very envious. Here they were studying Torah day and night and they are poverty stricken and their friend who left the academy became a wealthy man. Rabbi Shimon led his disciples to a valley and commanded it “Valley Valley, fill yourself with golden coins” The valley filled with golden coins and he turned to his pupils and told them, "Each of you may take what he wishes. But know that whatever you take now will be deducted form your portion in the world to come." Upon hearing this, each student turned his back on the gold and walked away.
Many times we look to our friends who seem to have it all, while we struggle in every area. Just today one of my dear congregants was complaining to me –actually shouting -- how life is so unfair. But from the story of Rabbi Shimon we can be rest assured that nothing we go through or do is unaccounted for. The world we inhabit is alma deshikra -- a world of concealment and deception. Only one thing is for certain and it's written in this week's parsha of Bechukotai. "im bechukotai teleichu, venatati gishmaeichem be'itam". G-d promises to reward those who perform good deeds. Often the reward is not granted immediately, and sometimes it may even take years, perhaps even in the world to come, but G-d never forgets, He never remains in debt. Every move we make, every challenge that is thrown our way serves a purpose and has meaning. G-d is standing in the wings of the stage, monitoring our performance and rewarding us in turn.
May we all see only revealed good in our lives now and always...
Should my friend stop coming to shul? Of course not! G-d is there listening to his prayers. Sometimes we do not understand his answer. But He loves us dearly as if we were His only child!
Falcon wrote...