Advice on: Thanking Hashem

RAV BERLAND'S ADVICE ON THANKING HASHEM

Continuing our translation of Etzot HaNahal, a compendium of advice culled from Rav Eliezer Berland's teachings on Likutey Moharan.

A PERSON HAS NO INKLING THAT HE’S MEANT TO BE THANKING HASHEM.

* If 24 hours go by, and you’re still alive, this is only thanks to the kindness of Hashem.

EVEN IF I’M CAREFUL TO THANK HASHEM EVERY SINGLE DAY – I’M STILL NOT THANKING HIM ENOUGH.

KING HEZKIYAHU LOST OUT ON BEING MOSHIACH

- only because he didn’t sing to Hashem [to thank Him], for the miracles that were done.[1]

The passuk which speaks of this explains that this was due to arrogance, that Hezkiyahu didn’t sing a song of thanks to Hashem for the miracles.

SAYING THANK YOU IS AN EXPRESSION OF HUMILITY.

* It shows that you lack nothing, and that you just say ‘thank you’ for everything you have.

THE REASON THAT THE MIRACLE THAT WAS DONE FOR AVRAHAM IN UR KASDIM[2] ISN’T RECORDED IN THE TORAH IS BECAUSE AVRAHAM DIDN’T SAY A SONG OF THANKS TO HASHEM ABOUT IT.

* The more a person sings to Hashem and thanks Him here, in this world, the more he will sing to Hashem in the world to come, too.

THE VERY ACT OF SINGING THANKS ITSELF BRINGS ABOUT A SALVATION.

* The Chatam Sofer composed many songs of praise to Hashem.

[1] Sennecheriv’s army stood ready to conquer the city of Jerusalem on Erev Pesach. Hezkiyahu famously went to sleep and asked God to deal with the problem. That night, a mysterious plague struck the Assyrian army’s camp, killing all but a small handful of men. This miracle spared the city of Jerusalem from being conquered, and the Kingdom of Judah continued for another century, until the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple, and exiled the Jews.

[2] When Avraham Avinu was thrown into a fiery kiln by Nimrod, for believing in the One True God.