Gratitude

by Elisheva bas Chana

Gratitude

Serving HaShem is placing our trust in Him for all our matters, and among them is peace of mind in trusting HaShem. When we choose not to trust HaShem and place our trust in something other than Him, HaShem will remove His providence from us and leave it in the hands of the one we trust instead.

“For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me, the spring of living waters, to dig for themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that do not hold water. They exchanged their glory for the likeness of an ox eating grass.” ~ Tehillim.

When we trust in HaShem, He will be our refuge.

HaShem watches over and directs the lives of all people. He does not abandon any of them or neglect any of them. None of their matters, whether small or great, are hidden from Him, and no matter can distract Him from remembering all other matters.

No human being can benefit or harm either himself or any other person without the permission of HaShem. When we realise this, we will stop being afraid of them or hoping for anything from them, and we will place our trust in HaShem alone.

Nothing in this world that exists, whether purposeful or accidental, has limits which can be increased or decreased beyond what HaShem has decreed.

Only by HaShem’s decree and His will does any matter come into existence, and also through intermediate causes and means—some near, some remote, some apparent, some hidden—all of which were brought into existence by decree. This is His preparing all means and all matters. When all these means are blocked, none of the actions which normally bring matters into existence will succeed.

Divine wisdom requires testing us in our service of HaShem or our rebellion against Him. When HaShem tests us, we always have a choice in the matter, even if this means lacking needs such as food, drink, clothing, shelter, and marital relations. However hard or painful it may be, it is a process of free choice—whether to serve HaShem or rebel against Him.

Someone who trusts HaShem accepts His judgement in all matters and thanks Him for the good as well as for the bad.

There are some things that cause a loss of trust. One is ignorance with regard to HaShem and His good attributes. If someone does not realise that HaShem’s mercy towards His creations, His guidance, providence, and rule over them bind them under His total control, they will not be at peace and will not be able to rely on Him to provide their needs.

Another is ignorance of HaShem’s commandments, namely His Torah, in which He instructed us to rely on Him and trust Him.

When life is good, we show our gratitude for all our blessings. When everything seems to go wrong, we often have great difficulty seeing the stepping stones HaShem is providing for us. Challenges and tribulations catch us unprepared and off balance, leaving us confused and giving a false impression of what life is meant to look like.

Emunah and bitachon enable us to understand the message HaShem is sending us. Everything comes from HaShem in loving-kindness, compassion, and mercy every single day.

Gratitude is embedded in davening. Performing mitzvos is a way to say thank you, finding miracles and blessings in everyday life, and viewing challenges as an opportunity for spiritual growth and strengthening our emunah.

Chesed—do for your community what HaShem is doing for you.

"To be a Jew is to feel a sense of gratitude."

~ Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ז"ל ~

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Elisheva bas Chana – Celebrating the Heart of Yiddishkeit

Elisheva is a passionate voice for authentic Jewish life, blending Torah wisdom, mitzvos, and the timeless beauty of Yiddishkeit. Her writing shines a light on the strength and grace of Jewish women—from the legacy of Devorah Leah, daughter of the Alter Rebbe, to today’s women who live with faith, modesty, and purpose. Through her words, Elisheva celebrates Torah study, family purity, and radiant tznius, inspiring readers to embrace the joy, depth, and enduring spirit of Jewish tradition. Contact Elisheva.