Emunah in HaShem, the Bestower of Goodness

Emunah in HaShem, the Bestower of Goodness

The wife of R' Mordechai, the Maggid of Czernoble, died young and he took as his second wife the daughter of R' Dovid of Leikus, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.

R' Dovid was always of a joyous demeanor, even though he was beset by many tragedies, losing his wife and several children. His demeanor did not change even when he was sitting shivah.

"The Baal Shem Tov says that HaShem does nothing bad. It is just that with our human perception we cannot see the good."

The townsfolk who knew his disposition avoided the usual platitudes of consolation. However, two people who came from afar were not aware of this, and they said the usual adges, "What is man, and what is his life?" "Man is like a broken potsherd, like a dream that vanishes," etc.

In order to placate them, R' Dovid acted as if in grief. But when they continued their litany, he was no longer able to tolerate it. "Listen here," he said, "a human being is very dear, more precious than heavenly angels. Wherever he is, in this world or the next, the Divine light shines over him. There is no agony, no evil, no travail, only Divine goodness. We must obey the rituals of mourning as prescribed by the Shulchan Aruch, but with true emunah in HaShem's infinite benevolence, we need not feel sad."