Now I understand the need for so many Pesach programs. According to many meforshim, such as Google, Passover is the story of the Jewish people’s escape from slavery. For many, such an explanation would be deemed acceptable. As I have said many times in the past, I never felt that I was being whipped into making special Sedarim and meals for an entire week of the chag. I felt that I was blessed with the opportunity to have all of my children together to celebrate family and eagerly looked forward to the preparations (call me a nut).
Just this morning I received two telephone calls which in totally different ways conveyed the essence of accepting Hashem’s way without having the ability to understand how or why things happen.
The first call was informing me that my grandson Hillel Eisenberg in Lakewood, together with his wife, Malkeh, and son, Aryeh, escaped a fire on Friday night which destroyed their home. Yes, they heard a smoke detector buzzing, and although it has gone off randomly in the past, Malkeh was astute enough to not take any chances. Their entire couch was on fire and she immediately began to scream to Hillel to grab their son and run out of the house with her. She grabbed her phone and called 911 and then went to alert her other two neighbors to get out of their apartments. Just about everything that they own was destroyed. Malkeh’s wallet totally melted so that she was left with no ID. Chasdei Hashem no one was injured.
The next telephone call which I received was about two hours later, was when I learned of the birth of our newest great grandson born to Tzvi and Esther Hagler. Chasdei Hashem, a perfect 8 lb 3oz boy, healthy and well.
Yes, Hashem brought us out of Egypt and over so many thousands of years has tested us over and over again. Who would have dreamt that so many years later anything as horrendous as the Holocaust could have occurred? How many questioned where Hashem was, yet how many more said that we need to be more diligent in davening, learning and spreading the word of Yiddishkeit? We saw a reawakening of learning and yeshivas that outdid any other period. It is almost impossible today to go anywhere in the world where there aren’t observant Jews living. The State of Israel, despite the craziness that is going on there now, flourishes in technology, finance, medical research and advanced educational centers.
I personally have had many long soul searching discussions with Hashem, trying to figure out why tragic situations have happened that totally impacted our family over the years. And then I am reminded just this morning by these two calls that Hashem is constantly there. My grandchildren were saved and a new beautiful baby was born. Thank you Hashem.
Wherever any of you are for Pesach, in the Bahamas, in Morocco, in Florida or in my favorite place, “home,” keep in mind that in the blink of an eye anything in our lives can change. Make the most of every moment showering your families with love and the bracha of being together.
Chag Kasher V’Sameach.
Nina Glick can be reached at [email protected].
