Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Jewish Thought
- G-d's leadership in the world
A. Yes, everything leads to a certain purpose; nothing happens for nothing. But, the path to the goal can be long, torturous, and painful, or it can be short and easy. Our Sages teach that the Redemption will either take place at its pre-set time (b'itah), or will be rushed up to an earlier date (achishena), depending on the spiritual state of the Nation of Israel. If rushed up, it will be a kindness on the part of G-d.
Of course, when G-d judges and activates His system of reward and punishment, we know that He is interacting with us, not necessarily in a kindly manner – but when we experience His providence as something positive, then this is a kindness. For instance, the horrific Shoah was no kindness, though it was part of the difficult process of rebuilding the nation and the establishment of the State of Israel – but the formation of the state itself was a great kindness, because we saw clearly G-d's miracles to this end.
As such, we pray that we merit to truly see and feel G-d's kindnesses that He performs for us.
A Natural Process is Preferable to Miracles
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 42-43
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 23 5775
Givers Keepers
Rabbi Yoel Gold | Sivan 30 5780
Bad Turns to Good Through Perspective
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 55 (p1)
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 22 5775
