We all have our problems, but we usually react to them quite differently. We all full of complaints towards the people or the situation that inflicted the pain upon us. And we even question Hashem's fairness, because we don't believe that we deserve to suffer.

The following unbelievable story about a woman who is a true believer in Hashem, can teach us a lot. It was told by Rabbi Zilberstein shlita in his book Aleynu Lishabeach.

It was the week before Pesach; the busiest time of the year for every religious woman. Getting all of the chometz out of the house and "bringing the Pesach in" is a very tedious job. One needs lots of things to make it happen, but most of all, a healthy body and mind.

This particular woman was working as hard as everyone else but suddenly she touched a very hot utensil with her bare hand which caused her tremendous pain. Within seconds her hand began to swell and she quickly realized that it would be useless until it healed. With just a few days until Pesach, she surely needed two functioning hands to get the job done properly. There are some of us who would have the audacity to complain to Hashem; either verbally or in their hearts: Here I am, working so hard to obey Your commandments and this is the way You treat me? By making me a cripple? By bringing pain to the very part of my body that is trying with all its might to satisfy You? Is this fair?

Sounds familiar?

The heroine of this story thought and acted entirely differently. She spoke in prayer to Hashem and said the following: "Dear G-d, I have no doubts of your judgments. If my hand is suffering, then no doubt this is what I deserve for some reason. I accept all pain You inflict upon me with love. However, I have a request. At this moment, I am trying to obey Your commandments and prepare my home for the Festival of Pesach which will begin in a few days. To do so, I need two functioning hands. Almighty G-d, I beg of You. Could You restore my hand now so that I may continue serving You, and, at a later date, punish me as I deserve to be punished?"

The woman's prayer is amazing, but the results are even more fantastic. No sooner had she finished her appeal, when, miraculously, the pain in her hand subsided. Indeed, she was able to complete all of her preparations for the holiday. The day before Pesach, as she was dumping out the garbage into the big bin in the courtyard, a cat jumped up and bit her hand and the pain returned once again; but this time, at a more convenient moment. And she accepted it with love.

Shema Yisrael Torah Network
info@shemayisrael.co.il
http://www.shemayisrael.co.il
Jerusalem, Israel
732-370-3344