BS’D
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Gittel Pesha bat Baila Perel. May Hashem shower her with complete healing among all of Klal Yisrael who are in need of refuot, yeshuot and nechamot, b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
While setting off to Be’er Sheva in this week’s Parsha Vayigash Ya’akov Avinu expresses his fear to Hashem. He looks for reassurance from Him while going down into exile. Why?
The Netivot Shalom, the Slonimer Rebbe ztk’l explains that it is not physical suffering that causes Yaakov distress; rather he is afraid that Hashem will not be there with the nation of Israel. Hashem’s response indeed comforts Ya’akov as He says, “Don’t be afraid of going to Mitzrayim because I will make you a great nation there.” The emphasis is on the word there.
The Ba’al Shem Tov HaKadosh brings down it is precisely because of the oppressive conditions experienced in exile that make the Jewish people into a great nation. It is under the harsh conditions of exile that we clarify our vision and become more mindful of our purpose. Who can be more compassionate than those who have been oppressed? The driving factor that moves the Jewish people to work for justice in the world is spelled out in Torah; to perfect creation and bring G-dly light into a dark world. We are strengthened by the conditions of exile to fulfill our holy task.
Furthermore Hashem was, is and will always be with us as is written in Yeshayahu (63:9), ‘All their suffering is for Him suffering.’ The nation of Israel is able to endure the harshest of conditions only because we are nourished by the Shechinah HaKedosha who is with us in our exile as is written, “I am going down with you to Mitzrayim.” No matter how difficult, Hashem can be found there.
