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Chaim was well-known for his indecision. He could not make any decision, for both simple as well as complicated matters. One day, he went with his wife Chaya to a coffee shop. as they sat down, the waiter asked Chaim: "Would you like tea or coffee?". After thinking for a long while, Chaim answered: you know what, I'll take half-half."
One of the biggest challenges for a human being is uncertainty. And this is what is especially difficult in the current coronavirus situation. We do not know how the situation will evolve now that the confinement was partially lifted. No one knows how the summer will look like. We do not know when a vaccine or another remedy will be found. We cannot make plans and envisage the future with confidence.
This makes it difficult practically and psychologically to handle. Yet, we forget that this is always the case: We never know what the future holds. We only think we do, and that we are in control of the situation, and therefore we get unsettled and frustrated when our plans fall through. Isn’t there a famous saying: “Man plans, and G-d laughs”?
Does that mean that there is no point in planning, in making efforts to advance? No! On the contrary! We are in this world to progress, to accomplish, and to change things around us for the better. Yet, we should not forget Who is really in charge. After we make all the efforts, we need to remember that the final result is not in our hands.
This timely message is found in this week’s Parasha, which speaks about the year of Shemita, the Sabbatical year. In Israel, farmers are not allowed to work their fields during the 7th year. How will they be able to sustain themselves? The Torah tells us that they will have such abundance during the 6th years that it will be enough for the 7th year as well.
This Mitzvah requires a lot of faith. It reminds us that even though we work hard to earn our livelihood, what is needed after our efforts is G-d's blessing. And when we do Mitzvot and make the right choices in our lives, we get extra blessings that will help us to overcome all challenges.
Let us strengthen our faith, let us not be affected by the perceived uncertainty and we shall overcome the Coronavirus challenge as well!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mendel & Nehama Hendel