Tough Love
“Honored Rav,” a Jew from New Zealand addressed me, “a terrible thing happened to me, but because of it, I merited returning to my Father in Heaven.” He told his story:
“One night, I dreamed that a figure came to me and said, ‘I have come to inform you that your son died in his sleep! You have two options – either to continue sleeping, or to check up on him. But, no matter what you choose, his condition will not change.’ Then the figure disappeared.
“I awakened immediately and went to my son’s bed. I found him dead. After the initial shock, I understood that this was retribution for my misdeeds. Then and there, I resolved to do teshuvah and accept the yoke of Torah and mitzvot.”
I could not hold myself back from asking, “How did you feel upon revealing that the figure had spoken the truth and your son lay dead before you? Were you angry?”
“What would I have gained had I had grievances toward G-d? Hashem is the King of the universe. I cannot do a thing against His wishes!”
When I heard the words of this giant of the spirit, I felt greatly inspired. Often, when a Jew is hit with troubles, he is angry and rebellious toward Hashem. But this is the wrong reaction. Hashem expects him to become closer to Him and reinforce his mitzvah observance, not that he should rise up in grievance against Him. Anger toward Hashem distances a person from Him. It is the catalyst for him to receive more Heavenly signals in the form of suffering, until, finally, he understands that his Father is calling him back, and he does teshuvah.
Isn’t it a shame that some people just don’t “get the message” the first time? They need constant reminders to repent, in the form of painful incidents. Who in their right mind would choose a life of difficulties?
One can avoid these trials and tribulations if he would only repent after the first signal. After doing teshuvah, he is beloved by Hashem and draws an abundance of blessing upon himself.
