A Gift in Disguise

                Although at times we need to endure suffering we must trust Hashem always as in בטחו בו בכל עת.[1] When one trusts in Hashem, he is able to bear suffering. This is how the Baal Shem Tov interprets אלופינו מסבלים[2] as one who trusts in the אלופו של עולם, master of the world, is able to tolerate suffering—מסובלים.  

Rashi teaches in regard to Tzaraas on a house, that the אמוריים, Amorites would hide treasures of gold in the walls of their houses. As a result of the Tzaraas, one would demolish the house and find these treasures.[3] The Piazetzna Rebbe[4] (1889-1943) wonders why the house is initially quarantined for seven days and only afterwards the stones containing the Tzaraas are removed?[5] Since the purpose is to get the treasure, once the Tzaraas is visible, it is known there is a treasure there?  He tells us this alludes to that everything Hashem does is good.[6] He writes in regard to his situation then, during the Holocaust, “Not only are we afflicted with physical pain but also with that which distances us from Hashem—no Cheder for children, no Yeshiva, no Beis Midrash to daven with a Tzibur, no Mikva and so on.” Just like the house is Tamai for seven days and then the treasure is revealed so too everything is for the best. Thus, by Tzaraas one says כנגע נראה לי,[7] something like an affliction has appeared to me, even if he knows it is certainly Tzaraas. R’ Chatzkel Levenstein writes the situations that gave him pain were the cause of goodness.[8]

                The Shomer Emunim[9] tells us if we realized what a kindness it is that Hashem sends us pain—יסורים—in this world, we would dance from Simcha. This can be compared to parents cleaning up after a child soiled himself. The child screams and cries. But if the child would know what the mother is doing he would kiss and hug her.

Suffering can be compared to one who is ill and takes bitter medicine as the medicine cures him. This pain that the doctor is putting the patient through, with the bitter medicine, is surely considered good since it gives the patient life. Likewise, suffering is to cleanse us from our sins in order to merit עולם הבא.[10]

A man who suffered numerous misfortunes in his life (childless for a number of years, after having a child the child got sick and died, etc.) came to the Pnei Menachem (1926-1996) for encouragement.[11] The Rebbe told him, “When I was very young, I went to the bank and saw someone give lots of money to the teller. I felt bad for this man because he was giving away an exorbitant amount of money. Another man came in and received money from the teller. I felt happy for him. When I got older, I realized the one giving money to the teller was better off since it was for investments whereas the one receiving money from the teller was for a withdrawal. Life is the same way as not everything that is taken from you is taken from you and not everything given to you is really given to you.”

We can use the suffering we endure to build us. “Don’t just go through things, grow through it.” Let us keep in mind, “When life gives you rocks, build bridges not walls.” We must utilize suffering so that we don’t fulfill the words לשוא הכיתי...לא לקחו, [12]in vain did I strike you since you didn’t accept rebuke. Likewise, it states על מה תכו עוד תוסיפו סרה, for what have you been smitten since you continue to act perversely.[13]

                The following is a poem that can help us in times of pain.

I asked for strength and g-d gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom and g-d gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity and g-d gave me brawn and brain to work. I asked for courage and g-d gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for love and g-d gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors and g-d gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted, I received everything I needed. My prayers were answered.

A group of women that were learning Nach came to the Pasuk מצרף ומטהר כסף,[14] smelting and purifying silver. The women wondered how this applied to Hashem? This question spurred one of the women to research the process of refining silver. She watched a silversmith at his work where he held a piece over the fire and let it heat up. He did this because in refining silver, one needs to hold the silver in middle of the fire where the flames are the hottest, in order to burn away all the impurities. The silversmith remarked he had to sit there the entire time it was being refined to watch it while it was in the fire since if the silver is left even for a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. Upon being asked how he knows when the silver is fully refined, he said when I see my image in it. So, if today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that you are in Hashem’s hands and that He has His eye on you. He will keep holding and watching you until he sees his image in you.