"Foundations"

  Blessed?. who spreads the Earth over the waters. In the morning, when we are about to take our first step, we remember G-d's kindness in creating the world in such a way that the Earth is spread out over and above the waters, so we can live on dry land. Through
G-d's kindness the waters remain in tact with boundaries it can?t cross over. "G-d said Let the waters beneath the heaven be gathered into one area and let the dry land appear" (Beresheit 1:9). Therefore, we thank G-d for the foundation of the Earth beneath us. Physically, we are able to recognize the foundation beneath us and thank G-d for every moment that we can walk safely on dry land.

  If we look at the globe it would seem impossible that water can be maintained above and below and not cause a flood to the world. Centrifugal force is a force that tends to impel a thing or parts of a thing outward from a center of rotation. G-d created this force for the Earth to constantly rotate around the sun with the speed we can't feel while maintaining the water to be set in its boundaries. "He who spreads the Earth over the waters, for His kindness endures forever" (Tehilim 136:6). Unfortunately there are disturbances in natural courses of events. Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Earthquakes and many other natural disasters are the cause of many innocent lives lost. We can?t comprehend the meaning of why these natural disasters happen. It's not up to us to understand it. "From heaven you caused sentence to be heard, the Earth feared and was still" (Tehilim 76:9).

  In life, a person can experience disturbances in his life, which causes him to feel off balance. How does a person maintain a balance despite life's many challenges? A foundation is an underlying base or support. In order to survive life's challenges, one must build a foundation beneath him. So when a challenge confronts him, he can weather the storm. How does one build his own foundation to protect him from life's storms?

  "Fortunate in the man who has not walked in the counsel of the wicked, and in the way of sinful he has not stood and in the seat of the scornful he has not sat. Only in the Torah of G-d is his desire, and in his Torah he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree set into the ground near streams of water, which yields fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither and in whatever he does he will succeed. Not so the wicked who are like chaff which the wind drives away" (Tehilim 1:1-4) King David in his greatness outlines the importance of one's interpersonal relationships. Also, he illustrates the importance of learning on a daily basis. Once a person avoids sinful people and learns of the beauty of the Torah, he will realize that everything in life is part of G-d's uncontested plan. Why does King David point out such an emphasis on making sure a person associates with good people?  Once a challenge arrives to compromise one's faith, his associates will serve as a support system to help him maintain his balance. As a result of faith and a good support system he will be able to keep the foundation in tact. "Friends are angels who lift us up when our wings forget how to fly"
 
  With our foundation of faith in place, let?s hope and pray we can merit the rebuilding of Jerusalem in our time. Amen.