Last night we got the bad news. Our close family friend will be battling cancer again, for the third time in ten years. I sat alone on the sofa -- praying, meditating. Why, God? Why?
After a good hug and a good cry, what can I do to keep the thoughts at bay? Thoughts that tear away at the curtain of faith, that yell questions out into the darkness of a deadly disease.
Sometimes when you ask God a question, He gives you an answer. I got my answer a few hours later. A teacher of mine told an incredible, true story that spoke directly to my conflict.
A Talis in Auschwitz
Rabbi Meisels was a bastion of faith and strength in the torment of the Nazi concentration camps. When he was summoned for transport to Auschwitz, he took only one possession: his prayer shawl. This particular talis had been passed down to him and carried a great deal of sentimental and spiritual value. He held on to the talis as a symbol of God's protection during the war, and he resolved never to let the Nazis take it away.
When he and his family reached Auschwitz, they were stripped of their every earthly possession. The talis was torn away from him to become part of the Nazi treasure trove. Yet Rabbi Meisels would not give up his precious talis so easily.
As he sorted through the piles, he came across his special prayer shawl.
He asked to be given work in the warehouses, sorting out the confiscated goods. Sure enough, as he sorted through the piles, he came across his special prayer shawl. Overjoyed, he now needed to figure out how to smuggle it out from the warehouse. An item of such a large size would not be easy to conceal.
It took a lot of planning and daring, but finally, Rabbi Meisels managed to cut down the large prayer shawl and make it into a pair of tzitzis [fringes worn on a four-cornered garment] which he could wear underneath his inmate uniform. He wore his tzitzis faithfully every day, despite the threat of certain death were he to be discovered.
One fateful day, his worst fear came true.
After the inmates showered, a Russian kapo who worked under the Nazis noticed that Rabbi Meisel's uniform seemed bulkier than usual. He pulled up the hapless rabbi's shirt and discovered the contraband -- the tzitzis! Enraged, he began beating and cursing the Jew, demanding to know what it was that the inmate was wearing.
Rabbi Meisels managed to stammer, "A Gutt-kleid -- a Godly garment."
This admission brought the kapo to an even greater fury. He dragged the Jew to his bunker and proceeded to pummel him relentlessly.
"You pig!" he screamed. "You have the audacity to tell me that you're wearing a Godly garment? Where is your God in this world? What has He done for you, leaving you at the mercy of this death and destruction? How dare you tell me there is a God!"
The kapo fell silent for a moment, and then he made the Jew this offer. "I am giving you one chance. If you can prove to me that God exists, despite this hell we are experiencing, then I will let you go. But if not, I will finish you off right here and now."
Rabbi Meisels was at a loss for words. How could he possibly respond?
He prayed silently for divine guidance, and then he said, "I will tell you a parable. Once there was a master surgeon who could perform miraculous surgeries that would cure people of the most difficult ailments. One day, a woman with a dreadful disease came to him, and he agreed to perform surgery on her. In the operating room with the surgeon was a shoemaker, who observed the surgeon's every move. The shoemaker watched as the surgeon made incisions into perfectly healthy-looking skin, inflicting -- to his mind -- terrible damage on the patient. It's absurd to cut into healthy tissue! he thought. I only cut into damaged leather when I need to repair it!
"'What a foolish, inept surgeon!' was the shoemaker's ultimate conclusion.
"In this world, we are like that foolish shoemaker," Rabbi Meisels concluded. "We haven't even the slightest inkling of the ways in which God runs the world. Sometimes we see Him cutting into 'healthy tissue,' so to speak, and we are aghast. But He is a Master, and He knows infinitely more than we could possibly know.
Seeking all the Answers
"My great-grandfather," Rabbi Meisels continued, "lived to an extremely old age. When he was asked how he merited such long life, he had a very simple answer. All his life, my great-grandfather told us, he never questioned God. Even when things seemed very difficult to understand, he made a point of never questioning God in his heart or mind.
"'Why don't you question God?' we once asked him. The reason he gave was very simple. He didn't want God to tell him, 'You want to know the answers? Come up to the heavens and everything will be clear to you!' He wasn't interested in leaving this world prematurely, just to find out a few answers, no matter how burning the questions were! It was enough for him to believe that God has the answers, and he was content to find out the hidden secrets after 120 years!'"
Rabbi Meisels turned to the kapo. "I think you are also hoping to get out of this war alive and make a new life for yourself without the Nazis on top of you. I suggest you take my great-grandfather's advice and hold back on questioning God. You don't want Him to summon you up early, just to give you the answers you seek."
We can't answer everything in this world, but there is a Master Surgeon and He knows what He is doing.
The story rankles many, but to me it's a source of a comfort. We can't answer everything in this world, but there is a Master Surgeon and He knows what He is doing. I don't understand, but He does.
Perhaps our preoccupation with asking "why" is an attempt at gaining control. If I could understand the "why," then maybe I can affect the "what." The fallacy is that we think we are the ones running the world, not God. The fact is I am powerless over my friend's cancer, just as I am not in control of virtually everything else in the world. I can ask questions about God and the way He runs this world from today till tomorrow, and I am still just as powerless -- and just as confused.
There is one true power that God has given me and all mankind -- the power of prayer. For every experience a person undergoes, God creates two possible scenarios. The first case is what will happen if prayer is not offered; the second case is what will happen if prayer does take place. This profound insight can be a great source of comfort to us as we navigate the uncertainties of life. Even though we are not in control, we can do our little part to arouse God's mercy through heartfelt prayer.
Willy the Nazi
The story of Rabbi Meisels and his precious talis did not end with the clever answer he gave to the kapo. The second part of the story is even more remarkable, and if I hadn't heard it from a very reliable source, I might have even doubted its accuracy.
As the Allied forces advanced, the Nazis forced their Jewish prisoners on death marches and moved them around to different locations. Rabbi Meisels found himself being led to a cattle car which would transport him to another camp. As he was about to reach the train, a Nazi by the name of Willy suddenly grabbed him, searched him, and found his precious tzitzis. With great relish, the Nazi tore the tzitzis in half and threw them into a fire, destroying them forever.
Rabbi Meisels was utterly crushed. He had looked to the tzitzis as a reminder of God's protection, and now -- so close to being liberated -- they were taken from him and destroyed. Rabbi Meisel's son, who had also endured the concentration camps, tried to comfort his father but to no avail. The two were shoved onto a cattle car, packed tightly together with their fellow Jews, while their Nazi guards --Willy among them -- sprawled out on the opposite side of the car.
Overcome with exhaustion and sadness, Rabbi Meisels laid his head on his son's shoulder to sleep a little bit. Suddenly his son felt extremely ill and weak, and he was unable to bear the weight of his father's head.
"I'm sorry," he told his father, "but I can't have you place your head on my shoulder. It's just too painful for me."
Rabbi Meisels was taken aback by his son's uncharacteristic reluctance, but what could he say? He placed his head on the shoulder of the man to his right, while his son rested his head on the shoulder of the man to his left, leaving a space between them.
At that moment, a huge explosion was heard right outside the cattle car and a piece of shrapnel flew through the wall of the train. It went right through the space between the heads of Rabbi Meisels and his son, and headed straight for Willy -- the guard who had destroyed the tzitzis-- cutting off both his hands.
Rabbi Meisels recounts that the Nazi guards themselves taunted Willy saying, "So you're going to destroy the Jew's tzitzis, Willy? Look what happened to you because of it!"
Sometimes God's ways are hidden; sometimes they are revealed. But they are always just and good. I don't want to live in the question any more. I want to live in the answer. The answer is trust and prayer. I can trust that God is loving, compassionate, and all-powerful, and that He can heal my friend -- indeed, bring any kind of salvation -- in the blink of an eye. I can pray, and remind myself that prayer has an inestimably powerful impact.
I am the shoemaker; He is the Master Surgeon.
(69) Faith W., February 19, 2019 5:06 AM
No Answer for The Why
I am almost 68 yrs old, old enough, you’d think,to to have accepted the “Why”. But, I’m sorry - I will never understand or accept the reason “Why” my Father was murdered in 1966 when I was just shy of my 15th Birthday! I was brought up in a fairly religious Jewish family; everything changed that day - Everything!!!
(68) Anonymous, February 8, 2014 8:07 PM
Bitachon (trust)
Thank you , this essay was very helpful.
I too do not want to " live in the question any more" as the author says, I want to live in the answer, and trust.
(67) czar, July 10, 2012 12:33 AM
Bad things happen to know HIM?
I am a gentile, but since as a child i always ask many whys about Him, and always questions Him why things happen. In the process, i believe He answers me through experiences. I found out that most of the times, the reasons behind events are very hard to accept especially when we use man's logic and reasoning. I learned man cannot accept things because he always think of himself firs,t especially when it hurts him, like sudden death, sickness, and calamities. I don't know how to pray but i pray He gives me wisdom to know Him; He answers my prayers - in different ways - but almost in very hurtful ways. I asked why He has to hurt me to know HIM, "He said, look at Israel - its history and stories." I looked, "It is sweet and sour (relationship with Him)." To question Him, "One must be ready to go through "unpleasant experiences" because it makes one think and ask more whys. Not on pleasant ways, because we only say thank you, and more thank yous."
(66) Anonymous, February 3, 2012 11:38 PM
A very beautiful article. Thank you.
(65) Anonymous, September 23, 2011 3:06 AM
It makes since to me.
Yes God can most defantly answer our questions before we die. I do not see that as being the point of the story though. For me it is this though God can answer us, do we truly want the answer in which we seek? Can we handle it? Alot of things we ask for I just do not think we could handle it. Also this story seems to be about the power of prayer and the way God acts and reacts through prayer. This made alot of sense to me.
(64) Anonymous, September 8, 2011 9:45 PM
A question
Oh God if you are so powerful please do the miracle and make thos world a peaceful world on the planet 'Mother Earth'.
(63) David A., July 23, 2011 7:43 PM
Answers from God
Sir, you are saying that God can only answer our questions if we die, which I find rediculous. He can certainly answer questions here on earth, although He doesn't always, and maybe not even most of the time. But He certainly can and does if he wishes to, without someone having to die.
(62) Carol, July 23, 2011 5:24 AM
Thank you
I just lost my husband to cancer and this article has blessed me. We must trust in God even through the difficult times in our lives.
(61) Anonymous, July 19, 2011 6:24 PM
slight disagreement
"The fact is I am powerless over my friend's cancer, just as I am not in control of virtually everything else in the world." Not true. Listen to R' Yaakov Weinberg's tapes on the topic of tzadik v'ra lo. We have bechira and we are responsible. The more good we do in this world, the more tefilla, tzedakah and tshuvah, the more we fight your friend's (and my wife's) cancer. G-d is in charge, but He did not leave us helpless to affect our world.
(60) Anonymous, July 19, 2011 5:09 PM
"Veshilumas Reshaim Tirehh"
You will see the compensation of the wicked. Was it worth the Rabbis pain to go thru the camps to see this? Many others did not merit this small measure of revenge.They experienced "Egroff rasha" with no reprieve. I have my own why God why question but can't get an answere to.
Tzvi, July 20, 2011 3:44 AM
Wrong Message
You are right, it wasn't worth the rabbi's pain to see this; he probably wouldn't have gone through the camps for all the miracles in the world. Furthermore, most people didn't experience miracles, although if you do speak to survivors you will hear that a significant amount witnessed eye openers that changed their perspectives. With the rabbi, it was merely that aforementioned point. God wasn't compensating him in any way, but perhaps this was an eye opener and God's way of saying, "I know you don't understand me, but remember that I am with you and I DO have a master plan;" if the rabbi understood this and possibly survived because of it, God knew what he was doing...
Anonymous, July 22, 2011 3:26 PM
No miracles?
"...most people didn't experience miracles ...' Every day that we wake up breathing is a miracle. How much more so for a person who experienced the Holocaust.
(59) Ted Comet, July 19, 2011 4:47 PM
one survivor's miracle does not outweigh 6 million deaths
As 6,000,000 Jews died in the Holocaust, in extremely horrible ways, and most perpetrators went unpunished, I feel it inappropriate to use one person's experience, no matter how seemingly miraculous, to prove the presence of G-d.
Anonymous, July 19, 2011 7:35 PM
no proof intended
The author relates what Rabbi Meisels believes and what works for her.According to our sages even miracles are not proof of God's involvement. Paro's magicians and others performed miracles.
CR, July 24, 2011 4:59 AM
G-d doesn't need proof
Just as we don't know why those 6 million Jews were born, we don't know why they died. Every person who survived experienced miracles. Whoever keeps his eyese open can witness G-d's intervention - Divine Providence - in his life. G-d exists and cares about the macro and the micro of our lives. We do not understand His ways and are not meant to. We are meant to live our lives according to His Will and when we eventually die as all mortals will at some point, we will know all the answers, even those who spent their lives questioning. The more you turn to G-d and increase your awareness of His presence, the more He will make His presence known to you. It's as simple as that.
(58) Sorah Taub, July 19, 2011 1:22 AM
what a powerful message!
We all need to be reminded of this message as we face life's challenges. I once read somewhere, "for those who have faith there are no questions and for those without faith, there are no answers." Riva, thanks once again for strenghtening my faith.
Anonymous, July 19, 2011 7:40 PM
one can for sure have ? just don't demand answers
A person of deep faith will have questions. He/she just knows enough not to expect answers and their faith is not contingent on receiving them.Moses asked "Let me see your Glory" and was told one can't and still live".
(57) Andy, July 18, 2011 11:20 PM
God is not an ATM machine
One who insists on understanding the whys of God's ways in this world will likely not maintain faith. While praying for what we believe to be our needs is encouraged a misguided belief that God is some kind of ATM machine were we put in mitzvos and get out wonderful marriages, healthy children, great jobs etc seems to me to be a serious mistake. True, the sages say God judges measure for measure, and I believe that we are accountable for all of our actions,but as I understand it the results are often not demonstrated in this world, or in one lifetime. A great cause for turning away from God seems to me to be the mistaken belief that we are owed an explanation for the suffering of the righteous.It does take a step of faith to believe in a just loving God without iron clad proof, especially when the yaitzer hara works its way on one's efforts to perceive the available evidence, that seems to me to clearly point to a loving Creator involved in his creations.
(56) Anonymous, July 18, 2011 11:00 PM
as jews we must think nd ask questions
i am a bit disturbed with the notion of never questioning god. that level of having unshakeable faith is only attained by a few righteous souls. The rest of us must ask questions. As thinking believing Jews it is our job to ask questions. When tragedy strikes it is normal to be angry at god. But what is wrong with angy- the fact that a person is angry shows that they have a relationship with God. Grief is a process and hopefully after one experiences anger they can eventually once again feel a sense of closeness with god. so ask questions!
(55) Allie, July 18, 2011 11:50 AM
Thank you. This is exactly what I needed to read today.
Anonymous, July 18, 2011 8:09 PM
i disagree with you on one point
I believe that as thinking believing jews it is our job to ask questions. When something terrible happens in life sometimes we question god and get angry at him. This does not mean that we don't believe. In fact, it is indicative of the fact that we have and want a relationship with him however strained it is. It is ok to ask questions!
Anonymous, July 20, 2011 3:47 AM
Agreed
I agree completely. It IS our job to ask questions and through questions we grow, but simultaneously we must understand that if we don't reach an answer, that doesn't mean there are no answers.
(54) Sarah Dinah, July 18, 2011 4:47 AM
A turning point
Simply reading the sub-title of this article - I don't want to live in the question any more...I want to live in the answer - has given me such peace. I've been angry with G-d for so long. I have asked long enough: Why did You not intervene and prevent my beloved from killing himself? Why did You allow my brother to overdose? Why was I born into a family where I would experience such pain? I have asked - no, screamed - these questions at G-d for years. And honestly, I haven't wanted to let go of the questioning even though the answers have come to me many times. I have continued to return to the angry questions, the recrimination, the refusal to let G-d be present in my life, to help me heal. I think that I am ready now. I have to let G-d be G- d. I have to accept that I am His child. It is time. Thank you for your article. I never thought I'd be ready to take this step, to be willing to stop the screaming, to finally rest.
Ellen, September 2, 2013 2:14 PM
Sarah Dina, after 2 years you may never see my response
It is 2 days before Rosh Hashana and instead of doing what I ought to be doing, cooking, baking, cleaning I got caught up in searching for articles re building a relationship with G-d. In addition to my mother's being a Holocaust survivor, I, too, have suffered the ravages of drug addiction in my family, in this case 2 of my sons (though thank G-d they are still alive). And I too, have long struggled with G-d while desperately seeking a resolution to this struggle. And miraculously, 2 years after you wrote this, I found your turning point, and I pray this will now be mine. For whatever reason we've needed to go thru our nisyonos, battling G-d has provided me with no answers and no peace. I pray we all accept that G-d has His plan and wants us to grow with His loving guidance. May we all see a year of a closer relationship with Hashem, who patiently waits for us to let go and turn to Him. Now maybe I can stop searching and start cooking.
(53) Miriam, July 18, 2011 3:15 AM
G-d is sovereign & trustworthy
For the past 5 yrs since losing my husband suddenly, what has sustained me is knowing 1. where he is, 2. that Hashem never does or allows anything to touch us that isn't for His greater purpose. Thank you for a beautiful reminder.
(52) daniel Laz, July 17, 2011 11:02 PM
Simply a stunning piece, which will bring the author much blessing from G-d. As we realize that in heaven there is no power beside for G-d, so too on earth although there appears to be many other powers (ex. man, disease, nature etc.) in truth it is G-d alone who is in full control and only by his decree can anything occur.
(51) menucha brocha mann, July 17, 2011 7:21 PM
riva thank you that article is just what i need hope all is well with your family may you reap only joy from your children and never have to ask 'why' again
(50) Rabbi Moshe Fine, July 17, 2011 2:02 PM
Beautiful
Just what I needed to hear. You transcend the intellectual and strike at the heart of the matter.
(49) Anonymous, July 17, 2011 1:31 PM
Why - the question that haunts
Why arises out of a dark space, a place of pain and tragedy, (most of the time.) It arises because the rational mind cannot conceive of an answer. It is really a very personal and painful version of a Zen koan. After struggling very hard with it, and having every answer dismissed there seems to come a point after enough frustration where surrender of the question occurs, and like the parting of a veil the mind has entered a very special state. I remember watching Akira Kirosawa's film Ran, (a feudal Japanese interpretation of King Lear), where one of the lines really hit home, "Man is born crying. When he has cried enough he dies." We cry out of our deep pains and it is a route to a form of death, a surrender to a state of peace. I cannot tell you why this is the way it happens, but I can tell you that when you experience it, you will not be grappling with why. It may just be a peculiarity of how our brains are wired, I don't honestly know, but I do know that knowing does not provide a satisfying answer. There is no satisfying answer, and that is very good because if there were it would be a terrible idol blocking the way forward.
(48) Nathan Smith, January 24, 2011 8:44 PM
A very inspiring and beautifully written article.
(47) Avraham, July 4, 2010 3:13 AM
our faith and trust in Hashem guides us through our struggle
very inspirational article which opens up many peoples minds about the truth of our status as people and our obligation of following our creator. dear Riva I wish and trust that Hashem will help your friend in need all the best of refuah shelema and blessing on behalf of your friend. Never give up on faith and hope all the best of happiness to you Behatzlaha!
(46) Alyse Talia, July 3, 2010 1:52 AM
Thank you so much RIva for such a beautiful and insightful article. I am keeping your friends in my heart and prayers.
(45) Miriam, July 2, 2010 10:36 PM
Thank You so much Riva, this is a really beautiful article.
(44) Anonymous, July 2, 2010 1:09 AM
beautiful. thank you.
(43) Jordana, July 1, 2010 12:41 PM
This article is beautiful
We always need to be reminded of the fact that our lives are managed by a much better Manager than we are. Hashem organized each second of our day in the best possible way for us to grow and learn. It is just up to us to make the decisions in our lives based on Torah, the rest is always for our best. Thank you for reminding us.
(42) sara, June 29, 2010 5:56 PM
Wow- Thank you Riva Pomerantz!!!!
(41) Anonymous, June 29, 2010 4:25 PM
Get angry, ask questions and have your doubts, lightning won't strike you down.
Dear Ms. Pomerantz, I find the concept of "not questioning God in order to live a longer life" somewhat disturbing even if it is not the main focus of the article. It's superstition at its best. Discouraging questions in any way, shape, or form, and encouraging blind faith, is distressing. I do want to say that I found this article well written and I don't want to bash your work, but I did want to express my opinions.
(40) Leah, June 29, 2010 6:35 AM
Amazing article! Everything God does is for our best. I also know from personal experience that when we get a little "package" something happens and we are given a chance to form the most incredibly amazing relationship with Him. May we all merit to recognize it and use it to its fullest. Thank you Riva!
(39) Rick, June 29, 2010 5:56 AM
G-d's Existence vs. G-d's Communication
This was a very nice article. Belief in the existence of G-d is one thing, however, belief in G-d's communication with earthlings 3,000 years ago is another. I'm not sure the good Rabbi addressed this dilemma.
(38) Anonymous, June 28, 2010 5:57 PM
This is JUST the article that I needed
Unfortunately, I have been inadvertently questioning G-d and senseless suffering in the world for decades. I am fortunate that spiritual people around me have offered a view similar to what the author wrote here and I am working hard to change how I think. Here is what I tell myself now when I hear awful news: "I don't understand it, but it part of the system for the world to be complete. Love G-d, don't judge or question, as G-d is never going to come and tell me the answers in my lifetime." Thank you very much to Riva. Life is much more manageable when I practice what she advises. And I really believe that it is the Truth.
(37) Rachel, June 28, 2010 4:39 PM
Why do we question?
I've often found it interesting that most people only ask "why?" when something bad happens. How many of us ask "why was I so fortunate to find my soul mate/ to have a wonderful children/ to have a job when so many are unemployed?" the list could go on and on. I would add, however, that some people can use the "G-d's in control" idea to try to absolve themselves of responsibility. We are G-d's junior partners in tikkun olam.
(36) Rochel, June 28, 2010 6:45 AM
Judith...
If you really beleived that you would not be reading articles on this website... Hashem is everything, everywhere. He is what everything is made of and every breeze is with His purpose. There is no random chaos. Nothing is random and if it seems chaotic, even this is Divine Providence. All that exists is HaShem and you... the rest is all interface.
(35) , June 28, 2010 12:28 AM
I know that I liked this article very much and identify with it. I am proof too, that if you (I) trust completely in G-d, doors will open, things will be accomplished and trust does not come easily to me. However, trusting G-d is not like trusting people. You can see the good and indifferent, even the bad in people. G-d, the unseen in human form can be trusted implicitly and should be. Thank you for this hope filled article. Kathy
(34) b sterling, June 28, 2010 12:03 AM
Don't cast off your faith
Everything He does is intended to cause you to seek Him with all your heart. Stand up and trust Him.
(33) Anonymous, June 27, 2010 10:03 PM
wonderful....prayer brings the power of heaven to earth and acceptance brings peace. Praying for heaing for Ita.....
(32) Susan, June 27, 2010 9:54 PM
fighting cancer
Having dealt with cancer both with my husband and my mother, I am a fervent believer that a combination of conventional and holistic treatment is far more effective than conventional treatment in isolation. My two reference books are Anticancer, by Dr. David Servan Sdhreiber, who has survived brain cancer for 17 years following his own advice, and Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients, by Dr. Russell Blaylock, who has treated cancer patients for 25 years as of the writing of this book.
(31) ruth housman, June 27, 2010 9:08 PM
Why?
It seems we all ask when we are made sick by something terrible in our lives or the lives of others, Why is this happening? Maybe we have this impulse, to ask this question, because we are supposed to ask. Maybe, just maybe, God wants us to ask this question. I have re read the story of Job so many times, and it seems abundantly evident that this very good man, one of the best, never knew there was a story surrounding his story, of God and the Adversary, a bet made that involved this good man. Yes, there is a message here about what is seen and what is unseen. But the message is not always, Trust God. The message could equally be, what are we supposed to learn from this story? There is a hidden face of God and it is everywhere. To wail, to truly ask this deep question, is not wrong. It's a human thing and to ask God to be humane, is perhaps the deepest enigma of all. I am saying, I do not judge, and I do believe since we all do fall to our knees, because life is filled with unconscionable despair, I think it's just fine to put God on trial, and perhaps God is asking for this. Something to think about. And if a Messiah comes, then what of it? Why would God then present us with a Messiah after all this suffering? And what would the world then look like. If all this is meant to be, and if we question, the that too, might be part of a deeper, more profound story, a puzzle that does involve us all.
(30) Dov, June 27, 2010 4:45 PM
What a story
I strongly identify with the words. So powerful and sad,yet full of hope
(29) Judith, June 27, 2010 4:40 PM
It's all random.
No Riva, I can't accept your conclusions. The world is made up of random chaos. There is no plan, there is no reason. Most of us just try to do the best we can, try to be good to others and to ourselves, and hope that our lives will make a positive difference in the world. Riva, it's all in our hands. We make our own destiny.
Chavi, July 17, 2011 2:12 PM
Not so
Judith, you are so, so wrong! There is no random chaos. G-d wouldn't have created this world for random chaos. Just because you can't read the script, that doesn't mean there isn't one. It's really not all about you; it's about G-d and His orchestrating everything that happens in this world. He is omniscient and knows and understands in a way that our puny intellects cannot comprehend. We do not make our own destiny. We couldn't begin to. We cannot move a single muscle without G-d willing and allowing us to. Nothing is in our hands. You are not as powerful as you think you are.
(28) Anonymous, June 27, 2010 3:20 PM
All Praise to the Master Planner!!!
(27) sjhepner, April 24, 2007 8:58 PM
What an inspiring story...
To live to pray..to ask for help and to receive it from Ha Shem.to breathe and to inspire others..
This is what Rabbi Meissel truly did...
and Ha Shem rescued him and his family...
(26) Chana O., December 20, 2005 12:00 AM
Riva Pomerantz Does It Again!
Thank you for yet another positive vibe of inspiration!
(25) Doron, December 9, 2005 12:00 AM
Well worth reading
Maybe your friend has fullfilled his/her duty in this world, maybe they havnt, either way having a friend like you, praying and caring has brought them endless light and warmth during difficult times. An inspiration.
(24) Ya'akov Oliver, December 7, 2005 12:00 AM
worth re-reading
I have read and re-read this article many times and shared it with others. I learn more and gain more insight into life every time I read it.
I love it.
(23) Anonymous, December 7, 2005 12:00 AM
Amazing
This article is truly amazing and extremely inspirational! It truly made me have stronger faith in God!
(22) Elliott Sugar, November 28, 2005 12:00 AM
Very Inspiring
Very inspiring the power of prayer
overwhelms adversity Your cousin
(21) Anonymous, November 26, 2005 12:00 AM
a possible answer....
A contemporary version of Proverb's encouragment to seek wisdom is to "think outside the box." Curezone.com is an answer to many prayers concerning health vs. disease. It offers insight outside the box of modern medicine. Of special help to cancer victims (actually all disease concerns) is the Gerson coffee enema and nutrition approach to recovery.
Ita Chana bat Peshel has our prayers....
Shalom....
(20) Anonymous, November 26, 2005 12:00 AM
Thank you!
I will do my best not to question God and pray more.
(19) Anonymous, November 23, 2005 12:00 AM
We do not have all the answers
I have been teaching adults in an outreach program for the past 7 years and although I do not have professional training one thing I have been able to transmit to my students is that we do not have all the answers, only Hashem does. This is the beginning of all humility as we stand under Hakadosh Baruch Hu. This story was a beautiful way to transmit this idea.
(18) Anonymous, November 23, 2005 12:00 AM
Living in the answer.
I will say a prayer for your friend and this article has, G-d willing, will play a very important part in the training of another shoemaker-me.
Shalom!
(17) E. Gordon, November 22, 2005 12:00 AM
not so simple at all
I loved your story and your "answer". I don't think you gave a simple answer. It is actually extremely profound. There is infinite Torah wisdom imbedded in the "great grandfather" story of Rabbi Meisels.
Often we ask, inquire, and get an answer that we find satisfying. But other times, we get no answer. At such times, we must live without understanding. Those who insist on an answer to all their deepest questions are doomed to unending frustration.
(16) Anonymous, November 22, 2005 12:00 AM
Possible way to fight cancer
This is a beautiful and inspiring article. I am a member of the Smart Life Forum, www.smartlife.org. Dr. Robert Cathcart, M.D. worked with Linus Pauling on Vitamin C research. He is one of the doctors that have successfully used intravenous vitamin C to fight cancer and other diseases. This research has recently been corroborated again in Science News, where I read that the intravenous vitamin C turns into hydrogen peroxide only when it contacts a cancerous cell and destroys it. It does not harm healthy cells. This must be done by a doctor who has been properly trained to do this. Other cancer fighting substances include turmeric, certain mushrooms, and other natural substances, but there are many cancers and situations that lead to them, as well as different genetic types of people. I hope this information can help save peoples' lives. I pray for a refuah shleimah, complete healing for your friend.
(15) Anonymous, November 21, 2005 12:00 AM
not so simple
first, i hope that your friend will have a complete recovery, please G-d. second, you are correct that prayer is essential and has effects (on us, the person prayed for, and the world) more than we can ever see.
lastly, i can see your frustration about wanting to live the answer and not the question. here's my suggestion to you: be open. the great hassidic rebbes and the great rabbonim of the talmud like rabi akiva, the great mystics and all our avot had one thing in common....they all continually strove for devotion, even in the hardest times. sometimes when things are just too painful, a helpful "answer" is in trying to be compassionate and helpful to others (and to ourselves). i would respectfully caution you against simple answers. i also understand that sometimes we need simple answers to help us through. yours, about being merely the shoemaker is a good analogy, and can prove helpful.
still, i feel that to be open to dialogue with H', even questioning,arguing, pleading, screaming, crying etc ..the key is the dialogue. read rabbi nachman on this. look at rabbi levi yitzhak of berditchev. look at rabi akiva.
keep dialoguing with G-d, with your loved ones...try and be open to new ways of seeing/experiencing. on the most basic level, and i say this with great respect, showing kindness and love to someone can help us to transcend the struggles we face about the "situation".
keep immersing in torah, it is a healing force!!! chumash, tehilim, neviim, hassidic rebbes, your own tefila.
i hope sincerely that this is helpful.
(14) nir, November 21, 2005 12:00 AM
I don't know...
I could either ignore G-d or live in a permanent question. I believe many secular people simply ignore G-d because there is so much hiddenness/Hester in this world . I chose to live with the question.
(13) Sherry, November 21, 2005 12:00 AM
Thank you. I did offer a prayer for you and your friend. I recieved much insigh from this article. God Bless you some more.
Sherry
(12) Jon Strauss, November 21, 2005 12:00 AM
Beautifully expressed. Blessings to you and to Ita Chana bat Peshel.
Jon Strauss
Bristol, RI
(11) Anonymous, November 21, 2005 12:00 AM
Website for cholim
Thank you for this inspiring article. There's a site called www.adoptacholeh.com which will pray for anyone who is sick and arrange for others to pray for the choleh as well. The name must be submitted by someone who knows the details and can keep them updated though...
She should have a refuah shelayma.
(10) Anonymous, November 20, 2005 12:00 AM
would a literature search help?
I work as a medical information specialist and I am oftened tempted to question G_d when I see the many sad cases that come my way. I have no answers for you, but I will pray for your friend, and if a free literature search would be of interest, I would be happy to look for new treatments, information about suggested medications and therapies, or anything else that might help her fend off this wretched disease a third time. Just e-mail me at the above e-mail address if that would be of use to you or to her.
(9) joel, November 20, 2005 12:00 AM
wow
this brought tears to my eyes-what a well written piece! if only we could merit to this level of faith and trust!!
(8) chava, November 20, 2005 12:00 AM
wow!
...i'm sitting here with my mouth open and my eyes wide. wow!
(7) danny, November 20, 2005 12:00 AM
Very beautiful article. Im gonna remember this article for long time, specially the impressing story!
(6) lynn finson, November 20, 2005 12:00 AM
inspiring, emunah building and beautifully written
Your article was so special. I find stories like that one from the Holocaust very heartening. Please write more!
(5) Sephardi, November 20, 2005 12:00 AM
G-d's Work
On Erev Shabbat I read an article on biblical archeaology in Eretz Ysrael that questioned evidence of the exodus, Jericho and David and Solomon's reign. It was written by Jewish scholars. So my mind has been preoccupied about the basis of our faith. This was a wonderful and wonderfully-timed article. I will print it and keep it on file for myself and others that will benefit from reading it from time to time.
(4) Anonymous, November 20, 2005 12:00 AM
and to anonymous 1
you are in my thoughts as well. i hope you find the articles you need, and the ability to overcome whatever your particular challenges may be.
(3) Tova Mandel, November 20, 2005 12:00 AM
Trust
Excellent story, Love her work.
(2) Anonymous, November 20, 2005 12:00 AM
Other kinds of suffering
This was a beautiful and inspiring article. However, I just want to say that there are other kinds of suffering besides illness. I'd like to see some stories on overcoming other kinds of suffering.
(1) Anonymous, November 20, 2005 12:00 AM
In response to anonymous: it seems that this article is, in fact, about all types of suffering: Rabbi Meisels' suffering was not due to illness. May Klal Yisrael know of no more suffering of any kind.