9/12/06                        "Hope & Determination"

In the summer of 2004, I was playing in a tennis tournament. After the matches, I felt a snap in my lower back. The pain was severely agonizing causing interference with my regular workout routine. A few weeks later, my Rabbi told me he had the answer to my back problem. Before going to a doctor, he insisted I read a book from Dr. John Sarno.  According to the book, many physical ailments are psychosomatic in origin. These type of physical ailments occur to people that have perfectionist types of personalities. According to the book, not everything in life is perfect. Lack of perfection leaves room for personal growth. Identifying lack of perfection is the first step towards conquering a challenge.  Taking the books advice, I was determined to return to my usual routine. I listed a plan of action towards my challenges and prayed to G-d for a complete recovery.  Within a week, I was back in the gym and playing tennis again. "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity" (Mishley 21:5).

    "Behold our affliction, take up our grievance, and redeem us speedily for your names sake, for you are a powerful redeemer. Blessed are you, Hashem, redeemer of Israel".

The seventh blessing of the Amidah discusses the plea to G-d to relieve us from pain & suffering. The blessing deals with the mental anguish one suffers from a particular situation. It's a personal plea for triumph over difficulties. One can one emerge from adversity through determination, hope and prayer. Additionally, this prayer is a plea to the Almighty to redeem our nation from suffering.

            "G-d's salvation comes as swiftly as the blink of an eye" (Sages).

How does one cope with constant struggles and challenges? The best vehicle is hope, determination and prayer. One must have the confidence that through prayer, G-d can reverse difficult situations in seconds. One must initiate a plan of action to address his challenges through hope & determination. If the Almighty was able to redeem 3,000,000 people from Egypt in an instant, we can be sure he can redeem one individual with a challenge.    

"Wait, Israel upon G-d, for with G-d there is loving - kindness and with him there is much redemption" (Tehilim 130:7)

The burning bush was G-d's message to Moshe that Israel will never be consumed. Over 3,000 years ago our ancestors were redeemed from the bondage of Egypt. They were enslaved for 210 years under the oppressive domain of pharoah. When our forefathers cried out to Hashem for help, He redeemed the nation with an outstretched hand. A character trait of survival epitomizes the human spirit of hope & determination. An admirable trait found in the Jewish nation. Challenges for the past 2,000 years have not affected our tenacity to survive. Through hope and determination our nation has always been redeemed by G-d.

"May be rejoice like the days You afflicted us" (Tehilim 90:15)

For the past 2,000 years our nation has suffered many calamities. Let's hope and pray to the Almighty to transform our national suffering to national redemption. May we see the rebuilding of Jerusalem in our time. Amen.