Your Opportunity to Shine

Living Emunah By Rabbi David Ashear

The Gemara in Masechet Berachot daf 20 says the earlier generations merited to have miracles done for them because of the great self-sacrifice which they put forth in their service to Hashem. The harder it is to do something, the more valuable it becomes. It says in Tehillim perek 44 כי עליך הורגנו כל היום - which Rabbi Yehuda HaChassid interpreted David HaMelech to be saying, we do the mitzvot even though at times we may suffer humiliation as a result, which is considered as if we are sacrificing our lives. And following that statement, David HaMelech then requested קומה עזרתה לנו – please arise Hashem and help us now. Because David HaMelech knows mesirut nefesh elicits extra help from Hashem. When it's hard for a person to do any type of avodat Hashem, he should look at it as a great opportunity to soar to spiritual heights and gain so much more than he would have had it been easy for him. There are times when people are very upset about what is happening in their lives, and they don't want to pick up a siddur and pray to Hashem. They must realize, at those times, they could accomplish the most with their tefilot because it's so hard to do. When someone who wants to turn away from Hashem overcomes his feelings and gets even closer to Him, that is mesirut nefesh on the highest level and that can produce miracles. Any mitzvah which requires a great deal of strength to accomplish becomes so much more valuable. I read a story in the Machon Shaar HaBitachon that was told by Rav Tzvi and this is what he said: Exactly three years ago, our life came to a standstill. My daughter, a young mother of three, was diagnosed with cancer and we went to war battling for her life. The entire family rallied to help and we, her parents, did everything we could possibly do. At one point, my wife traveled with my daughter to the U.S. for a surgery that could potentially save her life. The morning after they set out, I was sitting in shul when I heard a simple, hardworking man tell his friend how his feelings were so hurt the previous day when an acquaintance of his shamed him terribly. He was so hurt that he announced, "I will never forgive that man. Never!" I suddenly recalled the immense power of forgiveness, how people who forgive others are called beloved to Hashem. So I went over to that man and I said, "My daughter traveled yesterday to the United States for a surgery that we are hoping will save her life. You have power in your hands now, you could save her life. Please, please forgive that man. Please do it for my daughter." The man looked at me. "I hear what you're saying," he said, "it's a very painful situation, but what could I do? My feelings were hurt so terribly. It's impossible for me to forgive him. My heart is bleeding, please understand." "You don't have to forgive him on the spot," I told him, "I understand you went through a horrible experience. I can't even begin to place myself in your shoes. But please, I beg you to at least think about it. You now have a chance to save a young Jewish woman's life. Perhaps you could rethink it and let me know." Five minutes later, the man came back and said, "Okay, I decided I'm going to forgive him. He then called two other people over as witnesses and he said, "I forgive that person with all my heart and soul. In the merit of my forgiving, may this man's daughter become completely healed." He then said out her full Hebrew name and I thanked him profusely. The operation went better than expected. Baruch Hashem, my dear daughter was completely cured and a few months ago, against all of the doctors' predictions, she gave birth to healthy twins. הודו לה' כי טוב כי לעולם חסדו. When I told that man about what had transpired, he said to me, "I invested all of my emotional stamina to forgive that person and, believe me, even though it was so hard to do, it was well worth it. Look what I got in return." When something is very hard and requires a lot of mesirut nefesh , instead of turning the other way, we should view it as our opportunity to shine and earn unimaginable rewards.