Welcome to the Daily Chizuk. A young boy once asked Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld a question. He said, “We say every day in the tefillah (prayer), Ein Keloheinu, Ein Kadoneinu, no one is like our God, no one is like our Master. And then we ask, Mi Keloheinu, Mi Kadoneinu, who is like our God, who is like our Master?” He said, “It seems out of order. Normally, the answer comes after the question. First, we should ask, ‘Who is like our God?’ And then say, ‘Ein Keloheinu, there is no one like our God.’” The Rabbi answered him with a mashal (parable). Imagine you had a man traveling deep into a long, dark cave that has a lot of twists and turns. He might never be able to find his way out. If he is smart, he will tie a rope to the front of the cave and then walk holding that rope. Whenever he is ready to leave, he could just follow the rope back to the beginning. The Rabbi says that when it comes to asking questions about Hashem, a person could easily get lost and never be able to find his way back. But if he has a lifeline, he will always be safe. Therefore, the first thing we say is, Ein Keloheinu, there is no one like our God. When you have that clear, then you can start asking questions.
We see things in the world that don't always make sense to us, and if we don't have the right perspectives, we could, chas v'shalom (God forbid), come to speak lashon hara (evil speech) about HaKadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, blessed is He). People ask, “How could this happen? They were innocent children.” Or, “Why does he deserve to suffer? He's a tzaddik (righteous person).” These are very hard questions to deal with. But if we first have it clear: Ein Keloheinu, there is no one like Hashem. No one loves us like Hashem. No one looks out for us like Hashem. No one cares for us like Hashem. Then the questions become manageable.
The same exact question can take a totally different tone depending on the one you're speaking about. If you're inquiring about someone you admire and respect, it'll show in the question. The pasuk (verse) says, “Ve'erastich li be'emunah (faith) veyada'at et Hashem.” If we are betrothed to Hashem with emunah, then veyada'at et Hashem, then we could come to learn more about Hashem. What does this mean? When a couple is engaged, they are infatuated with each other. There's nothing that one won't do for the other.
Imagine you're at a party and you ask someone for a ride home. And they say, “Okay, meet me in the front in 10 minutes.” And you get there, and you're waiting and waiting and waiting, and they never show up. You ask, “Where is he? Why isn't he here?” Now, these are the words you use, but the underlying question is, “How could he stand me up like that?” Probably someone else asked him for a ride and he just took him. But what if you asked your bride to be for a ride home and she said, “Of course. Meet me in the front in 10 minutes.” And you get there, and you're waiting and waiting, and she never shows up. You also ask, “Where is she? Why isn't she here?” But the undertone there is, “I hope she's okay. I hope she didn't have an emergency.” Your attitude changes depending on how much love you think that person has for you.
So too it is with Hashem. If you have it clear, and there is no one who loves you like Hashem, then you could ask me. But until you have that clear, questions might lead you in the wrong direction. So let us be ourselves. Have a great day.