לע”נ יצחק בן שלום
לע”נ לאה בת אליעזר יצחק דניאל
I am generally a positive person.
I like to smile, and I like to make those around me smile as well. Whether by use of compliment or quip, an enjoyable story or, if all else fails, I might even employ the dreaded pun – in one way or another, I instinctively try to ensure that smiles abound when I am around.
That said, these past few weeks have tested my overall upbeat-ness. In fact, I am purposely writing this after having recently heard multiple bits of sad news and am personally struggling to summon any encouraging thoughts or revelations. Say what you want about taxes, but it is death that remains the ultimate cost of living.
However, as is obvious, I tend to view life through a musical lens. And while I’m well aware that life is not quite the Royal Philharmonic at every hour of every day, even when life gives me an old Casio, it doesn’t take long before those harsh, rudimentary notes begin to sound more like a magnificent Steinway.
The Chassidic master, R’ Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, was walking with his chassidim when he found a child crying. When he inquired as to the reason, the child said, “I was playing hide-and-seek with my friends; I hid myself, but no one came to look for me.” The Rimanover turned to his students and said, “Can you imagine the anguish of the Aibeshter, Who has concealed Himself in the world, but no one looks for Him?”
Embedded in our daily routines are clear-cut practices that allow us the opportunity to recognize and reflect on Hashem’s compassionate presence in our lives. Through davening, making Brachos and studying Torah, we become more aware of His existence and more cognizant of His constant beneficence. The more we pay attention, the more we see that everything is from Hashem and is, therefore, indisputably good. But the key is to pay attention.
Every day, we express how beholden we are to Hashem. Throughout davening we sing His praises, but not to remind Him of His greatness, rather to help us be aware of our complete dependence upon Him. From Modeh Ani – a tefillah that epitomizes the attitude of gratitude that should guide the thoughts and conduct of every Yid from the moment he awakens – to Modim – the tefillah in which we refer to Hashem as HaTov, acknowledging that He is entirely good and that He is providing for us at all times.
In a sincere spirit of optimism, we recite the words of Modim, offering an enthusiastic affirmation of Hashem’s great goodness. We thank Him and consciously accept everything He sends our way – whether or not it fits our ideal of a blissful and carefree existence.
Hatov was composed and sung by the incomparable R’ Ben Zion Shenker, z’l and was first introduced to the world on his 1995 album called Mevaser Tov. This song has recently experienced a popular revival of sorts, and is now an integral part of every heimishe simcha setlist. As someone who taught us that a Yid lives life with a song ever on his lips, R’ Ben Zion added zest and meaning to our tefilos through his rousing niggunim and sweet, inimitable timbre, making this just the song I needed to hear.
A Note From R’ Ben Zion z’l:
Dear Friends,
We live in a world that yearns for besuros tovos. All around us are our fellow Jews, including the vast number of unaffiliated, who more than anything, need to hear the message.
I deem it a great privilege to be a Mevaser Tov, a bearer of good tidings. In the Chasidic tradition it is said that the bearer of good news, momentarily carries a spark of Eliyahu Hanavi.
It is my sincere hope that these songs, emanating from the confines of the Shabbos table, the shtiebel, and family simchas, will themselves prove to be the bearers of good news, and will strike chords and light fires in your neshomos.
As we enter the month of Tammuz, which has, in the past, brought to Klal Yisroel many challenging events, let us keep in mind this important message: no matter what Hashem has in store for us, we must remember that it is for our personal and collective good, as we anticipate the Ultimate Geulah – bimheira beyameinu, amein!
Wishing you a splendid Rosh Chodesh!
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