Thought of the Week: Vayakheil-Pekudei - 5780

A TIME TO PRAY...

The Talmud notes that when a person is traveling in a place of danger, he should "give thanks for the past and cry out in prayer for the future."

Humanity is facing a great challenge. Clearly, it is a time to cry out in prayer to the Almighty that He cure the ill and protect the healthy.  In addition, it is a good time to reflect on the importance of giving thanks.

In the world we lived in a few weeks ago, we expected to find whatever we need in a supermarket, clearly, a blessing and a gift from the One above.  The problem was that we took that all for granted. I believe that what we need to do, in addition to Tefillah, is to focus on Hoda'ah - gratitude.

Seeing empty shelves in a supermarket triggers some very sad emotions. When Be'ezrat Hashem we will see things return to normal and walk by well-stocked shelves in a calm and tranquil environment, we must be grateful for it, and express that feeling with the Brachot established by our great sages many years ago.

The prophet Yirmiya, addressing time of crisis, stated: "It is the time of Yaakov's distress, but he will be saved from it."

May we merit to hear good news of recovery to the world.

Shabbat Shalom