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I remember once hearing that the Gra said the hardest mitzvah is Simchas Yom Tov. We have an obligation to be happy the entire length of a Yom Tov – v’samachta b’chagecha. He said to be happy for that long of a time, without pause, is the hardest mitzvah.
On Thursday, Erev Yom Tov, I had to deal with this test. I’ve written here many times how I learned in Darchei Torah when I was younger. I know the Kaplan family well, having been in Darchei together with some of them. When I heard the horrible news, it shook me to the core. But, I knew that it was still Pesach, and we are not allowed to grieve. I did things to distract myself. to take my mind off of the tragedy, so I could try to remain happy. I know that despite my best efforts, I did mourn on Chol Hamoed somewhat.
Now that Yom Tov is over, I am finally allowing myself to digest the full impact of the tragedy. It is heartbreaking. Things like this really can test our faith. We say that we should make a brachah on the bad just the same as we do on the good, because it’s all for the best.
I think really having a full belief in that is just as tough as being happy on Yom Tov for the full time.Read Rabbi Feiner’s message on the home page.
One of my sons was friendly with Yisroel Levin Z”L. I had to deal with him on these same type of thoughts. Thankfully his brothers were a huge help in dealing with his feelings.
A slight variation of your answer to this question is being Menachem avel in any of these tragedies involving the untimely loss of a younger man or woman under inexplicable circumstances. I have heard and read many verts on this issue including the excellent piece by Rav Feiner posted here last week before yom tov. There is really nothing to be said and all the standard words we are prone to use ring so empty. There are times where I feel guilty about being unable to say anything that seems meaningful or that can provide some real support to the avelim. At the end, I simply learned to say little and simply listen to the avelim talk about their feelings and otherwise squeeze a hand or give a hug.
1)we all know that everything Hashem does is for the good, so with this being the case we all have a job & test of Having bitachon & emunah in Hashem & accepting the test that this tragedy is for the good (perhaps its time for us to accept the wakeup call for all of klal yisroel to do Teshuva together as one loving nation) if you need help in passing this test, then make yourself a daily learning session of sefer Chovos Halevovos (duties of the heart) to help bring you higher in faith & trust in Hashem & it will also bring you closer to our loving father Hashem the king of kings & ruler of the world.
2) “the Hardest Mitzva” a big tzaddik (i forgot his name) said at the end of his life when he was asked this question his hardest was: not thinking of Hashem or Torah while using the facilities & relieving himself.
May Hashem give us all hatzlacha to accept all the tests we are given throughout our lives & work on passing all nisyonos because each test a person passes raises him & brings him 1 step/level closer to Hashem until s/he has reached the level & ready to be welcomed into the true world above-“where this special chosson & kalla are now”-from this temporary world we are in now which is just a path for everyone to take to the true world above.
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