Connect to Hashem with faith and prayer

Rabbi Alex Carlebach

Chabad of Lyndhurst

At first glance this sounds a bit strange. Doesn’t it make more sense for all the blessings and good things to rather happen to him in an ideal situation and in peaceful circumstances with his parents in an ambiance of holiness and him remaining in Israel? 

Perhaps this is exactly the point – of all of life and everything we accomplish on earth. Each of us is a soul in Heaven, the Holy truthful place basking in Hashem’s glory.

Yet, there we have no opportunity for growth. We are forced to come down here to a dark place where G-d is not visible. Here we face many challenges and tribulations. There are also many temptations, some of which even seem contradictory to what the average person would expect to see in a world created and overseen by Hashem. 

Recently we have all been witness to shocking and tragic events in Israel itself, with innocent Kedoshim being brutally murdered in their house of worship, while wearing their tallis and tefillin – scenes which horrify every open-minded human being.

We are witnessing anti-Semitism in certain European countries on a scale that hasn’t been seen in my lifetime. We question: Why must it be this way? Why does G-d A-mighty allow this to transpire? Our Portion tells us that Yaacov Avinu had to go into exile and face harrowing challenges in order to build up the nation that would become our people.

He had to prepare himself. This was his dream of the ladder: being here on earth but remaining connected to the One Above, by observing G-d’s desires as expressed in His Holy Torah.

By connecting to Him with faith and prayer, this will ultimately lead to the greatest accomplishments and blessings.

May we be privileged to see the greatest of all blessings with the arrival of Moshiach. Then our eyes will be opened. Then we will truly understand why our nation had to experience all we did. Let it be soon. Amen.