Community Magazine May 2013

should verbally acknowledge and express gratitude for Gd’s assistance which allowed us to complete our trip. Just as Bene Yisrael traveled and encamped “ al pi Hashem ,” under Gd’s guidance and protection, we, too, travel and encamp only with Gd’s assistance. It might appear that our trip was successful because the car was properly maintained, or because the pilot underwent proper training – and, undoubtedly, these factors are very important – but ultimately, it was Gd who brought us safely to our destination, and we must make a verbal acknowledgment to this effect when we leave and when we arrive. According to statistics, the majority of auto accidents occur within five miles of home. This is very surprising and counterintuitive, as we would have expected most accidents to happen far from home, where drivers are less familiar with the roads and are thus less comfortable. Some attribute this statistic to the fact that people drive more recklessly and less attentively in familiar neighborhoods, but I believe there is a deeper reason. When people embark on a long journey, they sense the risks involved, and thus naturally recognize their dependence on Gd’s assistance. People who travel are more likely to pray, to mention “Gd willing” when discussing their plans, and to generally feel that their safety is in the Almighty’s hands. But when people drive to work in the morning, or to the grocery store or mall a few blocks away, they don’t think twice about it. They feel perfectly in control of their fate, confident in their ability to reach their destination safely without requiring divine assistance. The Shelah teaches us that even these “journeys” must be undertaken “ al pi Hashem ,” with the awareness that our trip is entirely in Gd’s hands. These trips, too, are completed successfully only “ be’ezrat Hashem ,” with the assistance and protection of the Almighty. And when people travel without this awareness, they forfeit Gd’s existence and put themselves at the mercy of the order of nature. Hence, people are more prone to getting into accidents close to home, where they feel confident in their independent ability to travel safely, than when they travel long distances and place themselves under Gd’s protection. The Secret of Tefilat Haderech We are all familiar with the halachic requirement of tefilat haderech , to recite a special prayer when embarking on a trip. It is worth noting the Gemara’s wording in formulating this obligation. The Gemara teaches that when one leaves on a trip, “ Himalech bekonecha vetze – Seek permission from your Maker and leave.” We might ask, why must the Gemara instruct us to “leave”? If a person is planning a trip, he will obviously have to leave! Why does the Gemara conclude its formulation of this law by telling the traveler to embark? The Sages teach that Gd initially planned to create the world with the attribute of strict judgment ( din ), but then realized that it would not survive unless He also introduced the element of compassion ( rachamim ). This means that the laws of nature are cruel and rigid, and if we would be fully exposed to these laws, we would face grave danger each and every moment of our lives. In order to survive, we must Dedicated inmemory of   Sarah  bat LucetteKishik  22 Community magazine