Community Magazine May 2013

connect with the divine Name of Havayah , which signifies the divine attribute of mercy that overrides the attribute of judgment and offers us special protection. As discussed, if we do not seek Gd’s protection and rely instead on the forces of nature, we put ourselves at the mercy of the countless dangers and threats posed by the natural world. But if we connect to Gd’s attribute of compassion, we can lift ourselves above the rigid laws of nature and access His supernatural protection. One of the divine Names which represent nature and strict judgment is the Name of Ado-nai (which relates to the word “ din – judgment”), which has the numerical value of 65. When we connect with the divine Name of Havayah , we merge this Name with the Name of Ado-nai , which has the numerical value of Havayah is 26. Hence, the notion of tempering the attribute of judgment with the attribute of mercy is represented by the number 91, the combination of the two Names (65 + 26). This is why the Gemara instructs the traveler, “ Tze ” (“leave”), which has the numerical value of 91. By reciting tefilat haderech , expressing our awareness of the fact that our fate lies in Gd’s hands, and placing ourselves under His protection rather than under the laws the nature, we help ensure a safe, successful journey. When we travel “ al pi Hashem ” – under the guidance of the Name of Havayah , we overcome the dangers of nature and earn the special protection of Gd, represented by the word “ tze .” We’re Always in the Right Lane Our ancestors’ travels through the desert thus teach us the foundational principles of Divine Providence, of Gd’s control over our lives. They remind us that at all times our lives are governed and directed by Gd, and specifically through this recognition we access His assistance and protection. I learned this lesson in an especially meaningful way from a simple yet profound remark made my daughter one Friday night. It is my practice at the weekly Shabbat table to discuss stories of hashgahah , where Gd’s Providence was seen and experienced in a direct, personal way. One Friday night, by daughter related the following incident as her story of hashgahah : “This week I was in the car withMommy driving into the city. As we were getting into the tunnel, there was one lane with lots of traffic, and the cars were moving very slowly, and another lane without traffic, and the cars were driving quickly. We were in the lane with a lot of traffic.” She stopped talking at that point, and we all anxiously waited to hear what happened next. Did a car suddenly make way for them in the other lane? Did they avoid an accident by being in their lane? I asked my daughter to continue, and she said, “That’s it. We were in the lane with traffic, and I am sure there was a good reason why Hashem wanted us in that lane.” This is true emunah (faith) – believing that no matter what, we are always in the “right lane.” Whatever happens, wherever we find ourselves – that is precisely where we’re supposed to be. Sometimes we’ll be able to see why, but at other times – like during my daughter’s trip to the city – we’ll never know. But regardless, we can rest assured that we are always traveling “ al pi Hashem ,” going precisely where Gd wants to take us, and taking the exact route He wants us to take to get there. Dedicated inmemory of   Sarah  bat LucetteKishik  24 Community magazine