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"My child, do not
abhor HaShem’s discipline In Heaven’s eyes, we are all children. Immature, undisciplined and irresponsible is how Heaven sees us. Yet, the vision of Heaven is not one of judgment. Heaven does not seek to smite us because we are merely human. On the contrary, Heaven seeks our best, to improve our welfare, to help us grow, mature and become respectable spiritual adults, mature in all ways of all worlds. The Way of Heaven is to intervene in our human affairs. Yet, like a thoughtful parent, Heaven watches us from a distance, allowing us to make our mistakes, yet, also protecting us from damaging ourselves beyond the point of learning from our mistakes. The Hand of Heaven is always there, like a watchful parent who disciplines and punishes a wayward child, not to cause harm or to seek retribution, but on the contrary, to direct, educate and protect. We discipline our children and punish them, not to harm them but to teach them how to not harm themselves. As it is below, so is it in Heaven. There is a wise old saying, “this too is for good.” Whatever happens to one, no matter how bad, good can still come forth from it. One who is mature can look at any setback and seek to recognize the opportunity within it. One who is mature will mourn one’s losses and then move on to rebuild even bigger and better things. This is the way of the adult. These are the lessons Heaven seeks to teach us. Heaven does not want us to sit and cry every time things do not go our way. On the contrary, Heaven wants us to recognize that not everything in life can or will go our way and we have to make the best of what we have; not cry over what we do not have. Many of us are like actually grown-up spoiled children. We expect Heaven to treat us as we expected our parents to. We demand of Heaven what we want, when we want it, and if Heaven does not met our every demand, then we turn our wrath to G-d and Heaven, deny them both and seek to thwart the natural Divine way in our futile and infantile attempt to punish Heaven for not giving us what we want. This is similar to a child who throws a fit and cries every time Mom & Dad says no. Good parents do not relent just because their children throw a fit. Good parents will discipline a misbehaving child. Sometimes a child is put into time-out, other times the child is spanked. As it is below, so it is with Heaven. When we act like spoiled children in the eyes of Heaven and pursue courses of action that are detrimental, Heaven comes and metaphorically spanks us in some way to get our attention, to get us to think about changing our wayward way. If we choose not to listen to Heaven’s subtle warnings speaking to us through the not-to-coincidental circumstances that pop up in our lives, then Heaven in its own spiritual way raises its “Voice” to make known to us the foolishness of our wanton ways. One way or another, the Voice of Heaven is heard by us all. Sometimes it is soft and reaffirming. Other times, it is harsh and painful. The events that befall us daily reflect the Voice of Heaven. We should pay more attention to what happens to us, because within every occurrence, there is a message. This is all inherent in the natural order of life and the universe. It cannot be changed. As it is below so it is above.
Comments? Questions?
Yeshivat Lev Torah -
Collel Benei N'vi'im |
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