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Today I davened to Hashem for something small, but I got what I davened for. Did you you ever daven for something small and you felt that Hashem was really right there listening to you and giving you what you wanted?
Share your Neis but it could be small.
supergirl613
Its interesting how we often Daven for things and focus on the things we want yet fail to acknowledge that there are tons of things we have that Hashem has given us without our even asking for it.
Furthermore lets not forget that when a Tefillah isnt answered it doesnt mean chas veshalom that Hashem doesnt listen to your Tefillos. It can mean Hashem said “no.” Or “not yet, be patient its not the right time for it…”
I have never once had any Tefillah, large or small, answered in any satisfactory manner. It’s very disheartening, actually.
Its all within our thought processess and patterns. Our thoughts toward Hashem make a bigger impact than we think. If we truly believe that Hashem will answer a Tefila in the best way possible, then that is what reality will be. As they say, “Think Good and it will Be Good.”
Ive tried that. Once I started focusing on a positive outcome after a Tefila and truly believing, as much as I can that the Tefila will be answered, it was.
Note: Dont Daven for anything specific to happen, or if you do, Daven that it should happen– as long as its good.
I agree with WIY, sometimes it may not be the right time yet. I have seen that so many times with regard to things I have prayed for. And in the end it is crystal clear. Dont give up hope!
Sam2
I find that hard to believe. Either way, one of the secrets to getting a Tefillah answered is to ask Hashem to give you what you need because you need it to be a better Jew and improve in your Avodas Hashem. Obviously if you are insincere Hashem will not fall for it.
Today I davened to Hashem for something small, but I got what I davened for.
While this may be in ignorance, since I don’t know what it is you asked for, I have to ask: Does having a prayer answered count as a miracle?
The Wolf
Sam2 –
My advice to you would be to focus more on doing the best you can in every aspect of life, don’t hope for specific things but rather for general things (e.g. happiness rather than 250k a year), and take each day as it comes. Keep praying, but don’t depend on your prayers being answered. ???? ????? isn’t good (in this context). Instead just live your life and do the best you can and try to find meaning in what’s already there. Make plans, set goals – ones that are within your power; and stick to them. It’ll make things much easier. (Smoking also helps, but you didn’t hear me say that…)
read ‘Its All In Your Mind’ by Sara Yosef
Yitay, WIY: I’ve been okay with this for a while. I reached the conclusion at the age of 10 that HKBH doesn’t want me to be happy B’Olam Hazeh for whatever reason, and nothing in the last 13 years has happened to change that. I actually asked a Shailah when I was 14 if I should stop Davening for Cholim because it might be causing their deaths. I still Daven, but only because it’s a Chiyuv.
Well not quite an everyday nes, but a major nes.
Recently, on a very rainy night my friend was driving a car and he flipped 3 times.
Nes 1-When the car finally stopped rolling it landed upright on the grass.
Nes 2-One of the passengers was ejected and he landed on the other side of the highway on the grass (as opposed to in middle of the highway where he could have been run away).
Nes 3-Nobody was seriously hurt (generally in such accidents people are either seriously hurt or R”L killed).
Sam – Hey we’re the same age! Seriously dude, read a book or get some therapy. It’s worth it I promise. You don’t have to be stuck with such negative feelings.
Yitay: I’m perfectly content with my life as is. I do my best to follow Halachah and I learn, and I have enjoyable hobbies for when I can’t learn anymore. What more could I ask for?
Sam – You seemed a bit negative about life there, that’s all. Just saying it could be better, and don’t assume that just because you’ve felt a certain way for thirteen years that that’s the way it has to be, because that isn’t true. Many times we’re just going at it from the wrong angle.
Yitay: I’m very negative about life. I’m just okay with that. 🙂
Sam2- i don’t understand,
did u ever pray either: that you should be able to wake up in the morning, that you should always have bitachon in Hashem, that you should be able to use you 5 senses, or be able to understand words when you read them-if you did then surely are getting your tefillot answered every day of your life!
i think the key is to realize all you have, then when you realize it-keep praying that the good stuff should continue, and when it does-Hashem answered! 😀
Sam – That’s profound.
I have never once had any Tefillah, large or small, answered in any satisfactory manner. It’s very disheartening, actually. “
Sam, you may be unaware of your tefilos being answered. Like any loving parent, sometimes our requests are answered with a “no.” I hate to sound trite, because you are obviously saddened and a little disillusioned by this, but the fact is Hashem is not our servant to command, or even our paid employee. He does what HE knows is best for us, and we don’t always recognize that fact right away. Sometimes not even for years. I have davened for certain things in my life, Hashem said no, and in retrospect, it was much better for me this way. But it took me many years to understand the negative ramifications had my bakashos been granted.
I hope you will be able to see the good in your life. You sound very unhappy, and I feel bad that at such a young age things feel so bleak to you. But you know what, many people in their teens and twenties feel that way, and get a different perspective as they get older.
Oomis: I understand this, though I want to edit what you said. It’s clear in the Nefesh Hachayim that Hashem never says no. Sometimes he just said “not now”. Every Teffilah is answered in some way and at some time. I’m okay with my life as is. I really am. I resigned myself to being unhappy a long time ago and feel that I am a good and productive person regardless. Yes, there are many times where Ahavas Hashem is an issue. That’s my Nisayon. Everyone has their’s. I’m okay with mine.
but Sam Hashem does answer you!!
Brotherofurs: Trust me (and please don’t push me on it), you really, really don’t want me to respond to that.
Sam2: I felt the same way you did a while back, when I was going through lots of not-fun stuff. I used to only daven the minimum, because it not only felt pointless, it was so darn frustrating. But now I feel differently. I’m not going to try to convince you to change, but I just want you to know that it’s possible (even if it reaaaaaaally doesn’t feel that way).
Today a real neis happened. Its so big I cannot even mention it to y’all. My husband put it right when he explained ” we yidden see so many neisim that we tend to take it for granted”.
Its true, the fact we can even walk around healthy is a miracle.
But truly for this turn of events what happened here in our lives today is truly miraculous. Everyone in this world ought to know right now THERE IS G-D, running this Universe and EVERYTHING HE DOES IS GOOD.
IF we can’t see it then it just means we can’t see it. But really its all good.
Hoyde l’hashem ki tov, ki l’olam chasdo.
Sam2, I think there is a lot of revelation about you as to where you’re holding, neshama wise having read what you’ve written in this thread and I think its possible you may have depression even starting since age 10.
I mean your thoughts are pretty down there. Have you ever considered getting evaluated? THen you could work on it.
Sam2
This is for you and anyone else who is interested. A few months back I signed up to daily emails from a website that sends over inspiring thoughts culled from Rav Avigdor Miller ZATZALS tapes. They are usually short and sweet and very inspiring and thought provoking. Please sign up for some of the various emails or at least to “Simcha Minute” which is a short burst of daily simchas hachaim and let us know if brings more joy into your life.
Almost 14 years ago, I sent tzedaka to a tehillim kollel and asked them to daven for my daughter and two of my nieces all named for my husband’s grandmother, that they should find their zivugim and get married. All three got engaged and married within the same year, all in age order.
Does that count?
I want to thank H’ from saving me from a huge car accident – my car flipped over, and BH I walked away w/o harm!
But for every day nissim, I consider finding a parking space a way of H’ answering me. It doesn’t happen every day, but I get very lucky a lot, and I feel it’s b/c I say, “H’, please let me get a parking space!”
Scissors: I’m not depressed. I don’t show any of the signs. I’m just not happy. Who says (other than R’ Nachman) that we have to be happy?
Hi supergirl613.
I know for certain Hashem is always there listening and interacting.
The deeper I get involved, the more I definitely see Hashem’s interaction in my life beyond all the miraculous things that go on that we assume are a given.
It’s not something that is easy to explain to others, but I definitely see Hashem’s hand changing the course of things in my life in an obvious way.
Keep developing your sensitivity and awareness and those kinds of things you are talking about now increase.
Sam2
Its not just about whether you have to be happy. By the way besides for Rav Nachman, the yesod vshoresh hoavodah says so as well he always says how evening and mitzvah should be done with simcha and enthusiasm. I STRONGLY encourage you yo get that sefer and learn it. It will open up vistas for you.
Its a matter of human nature that people tend to gravitate towards a life style that makes them happy. If Yiddishkiet is not doing that for you, you are living on shaky ground and you can Chas vesholem get attracted to a goyish lifestyle thinking that that will bring you joy.
WIY: Trust me, that’s not an issue. I’m perfectly okay with my life as an Oved Hashem as it is. I can live with everything else.
Sam2 – You must be a relative of mine! I thought my family had a monopoly on that outlook! Even though I would try to help change your outlook (not impose, change), I want you to know I totally get what you are saying.
Heres my miracle – tho it may seem petty to you I almost cried from Joy! Every morning I have to wake up my boys who don’t really like school and aren’t easy to awaken. I also HATE waking people (never woke my babies when they were sleeping). I have been so stressed about how hard it is to get them up, and how my attitude about sending them to school where they aren’t happy affects my ability to wake them. This morning I called their names and they woke up! It usually takes me lifting them into sitting positions and then making sure they don’t lay back down. I was so grateful for the break He gave me.
I should probably switch screen names instead posting several times in a row but . . .
This idea of asking for what is good for us vs. Hashem saying no reminds me of conversations with my sister (and kids). My sister describes her young childhood home very differently than I do. I feel we had everything and got whatever my parents could afford to give us (even tho the couldn’t afford much). My sister remembers that (as a little kid)nobody cared about what she wanted and she could never get her way. But I remember that she wanted a horse, a monkey, a swimming pool (our house was the size of a garage), Pesach in Florida etc. Even when she was old enough to know that those requests were unreasonable, she still carried the feeling that her childhood requests were disregarded. When I daven for things I sometimes ask myself, “Am I asking for a horse?”
Hi Sam2.
There is a saying that someone went to their doctor telling them they were depressed. The doctor asked the patient to tell them what was on their mind. When the patient discussed what was on his mind, the doctor responded that of course you are depressed if those things are on your mind.
We dont eat everything we see. We use discretion about what we take into our body.
Certainly, there is a lot in life that is unpleasant, and there is a reason for that. But we can also use discretion in what we allow ourselves to absorb in life.
For me, there are new stories that I no longer want to read. It is too heartbreaking to read about what happens to people from criminal demons.
One time I read that Rabbi Avigdor Miller, zatzal, said to use discretion about what you read about in the news, because once you expose yourself to something, it is in you.
Others also talk about distracting yourself from negative thoughts, even if they are valid, and put effort into more of the positive things.
It takes effort to put effort into overseeing what we think about and how it makes us feel, and to cultivate a new habit of focusing on the positive and enjoyable, but it also takes effort to endure unpleasantness.
Life is an active participation sport, and if we are on auto-pilot, who knows where we can end up?
: D
During the first few brochas of shemoneh esrei, many times, while it still feels like I am serving before the King, I feel happy. I think how could it not make anyone pleased and happy to be given this job, serving the Master of All.
Sam2 Oved Hashem, it’s the title you gave yourself above, come on doesn’t it make you just a bissellah freilach?!
Littleapple: What do you mean? I follow Halachah to the best of my ability because that’s what Hashem wants me to do. What did I say incorrectly?
I did not accuse you of saying anything incorrect, but I wish Hashem to help you become an osher, the one Chazal say has simcha.
Dont Worry Be Happy, your post made my week! I am warmed to hear how I made a difference to you. Hatzlacha!
You really did make a difference Photogenic and were definitely a shaliach. One of the things that I davened for was parnassa and today out of nowhere I got a ridiculously good offer, out of the blue, from something that had not materialized six months ago. This is not a coincidence!
Sam2, I don’t know the source, but its a wide and well known poskuk “Mitzvah gedolah simcha tomid”. That means its a big mitzvah to always be happy. And its from Torah.
Scissors: It’s from Rav Nachman of Breslov. Not quite Chumash, but close. 🙂
Its all Torah, I didnt say the 5 books of moses.
Sam2: If I may, I think it’s a pasok in the Torah ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?’ ?????. Even if one doesn’t look up in seforim (no nekudos there, can’t read), one must follow Ratzon HaShem. For whatever reason, He wants us to do His bidding with joy and zest. That’s doing the ENTIRE mitzvah.
Sam2
Heres 2 Pesukim from Tanach:
Torah discusses the consequences that will befall the Jewish People if they do not adhere to the Torah. It is said (Devarim 28:47) tachas asher lo avadata es HaShem Elokecha bisimcha uvituv leivav meirov kol, because you did not serve HaShem, your G-d, amid gladness and goodness of heart, when everything was abundant.
Ivdu es Hashem b’simcha’ (serve Hashem with
joy) of Tehillim (Psalms) 100:2
Please read this vort on Parshas Ki Savo from Rabbi Binyomin Adler on Torah.org!
I think there is a concept of simcha shel mitzva . “ivdu es Hashem b’simcha” from tehillim? simchas yom tov? “Tachas asher lo avadetah ess Hashem Elokechah b’simchah ubetuv levov meirov kol.” “pikudei hashem yesharim mesamchei lev” “Uliyishrei lev simcha” But yes, “ein simcha ela Torah”
i learned that simcha is not a mitzva, butit is a basic prerequisite to avodas Hashem, that is, to doing mitzvos. i will have to look those notes up and try to find a source…
You made me curious :). I did a little online research. This is what i found.
“R. Aharon of Karlin is reported to have stated ‘there is no mitzvah to be b’simcha, but simcha can bring one to the greatest mitzvos and there is no aveira (prohibition) to be be’atzvus (in a state of sadness), but atzvus can bring one to the greatest aveiros’ (or similar).”
The Arizal, near the beginning of Sha’ar Ruach HaKodesh says,
“When a person is performing any mitzvah, is engaged in Torah, or is praying, it is necessary that he be joyful (samech) and of a good heart (tov lev), more than if he were to find a million silver dinars.”
On hashkafa.com, this question was asked, and this was posted in reply:
See Rambam Hilcos Lulav 8:15. After discussing the special Simcha that took place on the Chag, he writes.
??. ????? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ???. ????? ????? ???. ??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?’ ????? ????? ????? ???. ??? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????. ??? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???. ??? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????. ??? ??? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ?????. ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ?’ ????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ?’ ???’: ????? ??? ????? ????, ??? ????? ????? ???
See also Hilchos Yesodie Hatorah 7:4.
?. ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ????????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?????:
You may want to see the Moreh Nivuchim Cheleck 2, 31.
???? ??? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?????, ??????? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ?????, ?????? ????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ????, ????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ????? ????, ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ????. ??? ??-??-?? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ???????, ???? ?????, ??? ????? ????? (?????) ???? ??? ??????, ??? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???????. ?? ??? ????? ???? ??? ???? ????.
??? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ???-??, ?????-??? ?????? ??? ??????. ??? ?? ????? ??? ????? ?????. ??? ??? ??? ??? ????? ????????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????. ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????. [???? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????], ???? ??? ??? (????? ?”?, 32). ???? ??? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ?’ ??? ????? (???? ?’, 12). ??? ???: ???? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??’ (???? ?’, 9). ?? ???? ????? ????, ?? ???? ??????. ???? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ????, ???? ?????
Sam 2: Find something small every day to say “Thank You” to Hashem. I am sure you will feel a lot better. I began by saying “Thank You Hashem that I got up this morning”.
I have come through a life threatening illness plus losing a very good job. My life really looked and felt black. I still have black and difficult days but looking for something to Thank Hashem for and this has made me realise – Wow He does care, and I do have what to be grateful for.
sadness is tumah. Simcha is kedusha. What can be achieved through simcha cannot be compared to all the wailing one could do.
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