Reb Shmelke and his brother approached the famed Maggid of Mezritch with a question. “The Talmud teaches, “A person must bless G-d for all the evil as well as the good that happens.”
“Please explain what this means,” they petitioned.
The Maggid simply replied, “Go ask Reb Zushya. He will answer your question.”
Zushya was known as a wise, just man but one who lived in abject poverty and suffered from physical disabilities.
The two men went to the House of Study and found Reb Zushya sitting alone. Wearing rags, Shmelke asked him to explain why we are taught to thank G-d for the bad and good.
Zushya looked at them perplexed. “I am surprised that the rabbi sent you to me. I have never experienced anything bad in my lifetime.”
The two understood why they were sent to Zushya.
There are ample reasons to curse life’s many obstacles. We have many responsibilities. People who deceive and lie, manipulate and steal. We suffer insults and treacheries. People who are close to us and supposed to “have our backs” are nowhere to be seen when we need them most. With age, comes numerous physical and cognitive challenges. Death.
There are ample reasons to be full of gratitude. We have a roof over us and protective walls that shield us. Lots of food. More clothes hang in our closets than any of our ancestors could accumulate over a lifetime. Phones. Cars. Bank accounts. Central heat and air. A country that protects us. Doctors that attend to our ailments. Entertainment. Meaningful relationships. Travel. Longer life projections than ever.
When Jacob re-met his twin brother, Esau proclaimed that he was a very wealthy man. Jacob responded that he had “everything” (Beresheit 33). Is this true? Did Jacob really possess everything? Of course not. But in Jacob’s eyes, he wanted for nothing, so he was in fact immeasurably rich.
In the Mishna ,the rabbis define wealth by declaring that one who is satisfied with what they have is wealthy.
No amount of money or possessions will make us happy. One yardstick of wealth was recently described by seven fundamental measurements. They are friends, security, health, peace with nature and the world, pastimes, respect for others and a general positive outlook. Not a word about money, house, car, spouse….
In a far earlier version of the “glass being half full or empty,” rabbis long ago stated, “Do not look at the container but what is within.” (Avot 4) Joy comes from deep inside, not from any material gains. One wise man in our congregation once said to me, “You can be unhappy anywhere.” Joy is a choice.
Philosopher Horace Kallen wrote, “There are persons who shape their lives by the fear of death, and persons who shape their lives by the joy and satisfaction of life. The former live dying: the latter die living.
These are challenging times. Do the best you can to help those in need, particularly those suffering in Israel after the devastation by Hamas. And do good. Wherever and whenever you can. Then look at yourself and rejoice in the manifold wondrous things that you are and that are yours.
Harold Kushner paraphrased the book of Ecclesiastes when he posed, “I’m unhappy because I feel something is missing in my life.” What if nothing is missing? And everything is exactly as it is supposed to be?
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