David HaMelech famously stated, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me.” David HaMelech did not expect that we will live amazing lives with no hardships. Life may certainly be difficult at times (e.g., financial difficulties, children who do not live up to our expectations, health issues, etc.). At times, just like David HaMelech, we may feel as if we are “walking through the valley of the shadow of death.” What keeps us all going is when we stop to realize that we are not afraid. We remember that Hashem is with us and will comfort us and help see us through any rough times we experience.
The Midrash Tanchuma explains the reason why B’nei Yisrael survived through all their numerous troubles and exile, while the goyim did not. The answer is that even when goyim are faced with troubles, they do not recognize Hashem. David HaMelech understood this when he said, “Sh’foch chamas’cha el ha’goyim asher lo y’da’ucha – Pour out Your wrath upon the nations that do not recognize You” (T’hilim 79:6). B’nei Yisrael, on the other hand, have completely different reactions. When we are faced with sorrows, we call out and turn to Hashem and His Torah, as David HaMelech stated, “Tzarah v’yagon emtza u’v’sheim Hashem ekra – I will find troubles and sorrows, and I will call out in Hashem’s name” (T’hilim 117:13).
When everything is going well, it is easy to turn to Hashem and thank Him for His goodness. The real test comes when we run into rough waters. How do we react to yisurin – life’s difficulties? We turn straight to Hashem! The Chazon Ish zt”l (Emunah and Bitachon, Chapter 2) says that difficulties do not come by accident. They were decreed from Heaven. One who has bitachon (trust in Hashem) realizes this and turns to Him. He pours out his heart in t’filah (prayer). This is the hallmark of a Jew. This is what keeps us alive.
List of People Who Need a r’fuah sh’leimah (a complete recovery)
Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.
Shmuel Moshe ben Peninah
Yosef ben Leah
Aharon Mordechai ben Sharon
Eliyahu ben Miriam
Moshe ben Rachel
Michael Uram ben Raya Rachel
Nisan ben Yael
Nissim ben Devorah
Exra ben Farida
Yehoshua ben Miriam
Mordechai ben Rachel Anba
Yehoshua ben Fruma
Yisrael Meir ben Etta Rachel
Masoud Meir ben Etta Rachel
Moshe ben Mazal
Yechezkel ben Esther Serel
Yitzchak Chaim ben Sarah
Shimon ben Mercedes
Eliyahu ben Margalit
Yosef ben Nosrat
Frieda Malkah bas Sarah
Tinokey bas Rivkah
Malkah bas Reich Shifrah
Rachel bas Yehudis Binah Baila
Tovah Yocheved bas Esther Bukas
Ruchama Perel Malkah Leah bas Chanah Serel
Esther Hadassah bas Devorah
Alizah bas Miriam
Chanah Elianah bas Naomi
Adele bas Adi
Orah bas Naomi
To add names of individuals who need a r’fuah sh’leimah to next week’s T’hilim column, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and complete the Google form.
