The Waiting List

The Waiting List

A two year old choked and was niftar a day later, in Lakewood. An eight year old is hit by a car and was niftar the following day, in Monsey. Two yeshiva bochurim from Flatbush were killed in a car accident on the way to yeshiva in Waterbury. It seems that Hashem is upset at all communities, and all ages. Hashem has many people on ‘waiting lists’. Some are for shidduchim, some for kinderlach, some for refuos, some for shalom bayis, and many others. There is one list that we’re all on, whether we want to be or not. It’s the ‘waiting list of death’. We hope that we’re toward the end of the list. Say around 120 years. However, Hashem is the One Who decides. Sometimes, R’L, when we don’t behave, he can bump us up the list, although there can be many other reasons why someone makes it to the top of the list. I cannot tell you why a person is at his place on the list, nor can I tell you where on the list he is. One thing is certain, he can be number one on the list (in Pirkei Avos it says to live life with that outlook), and he may as well be the last on the list (which we hope for). You and I can attempt to get pushed to toward the bottom of the list. How much more pain and bitterness do we need to hear about? How much more suffering does one need, to wake him up? What is it that makes you so sure that you’re at the end of ‘the list’ that you’re willing to give up opportunities to perfect yourself? I know it was 9:00am when you were driving your kids to school and some ‘idiot’ double parked and blocked you from passing. Is it really worth yelling and screaming at the person? Are you really unable to let it slide? Do you think your child benefited from seeing his father speak the way he did to the other driver? I know you were waiting for a spot when some ‘idiot’ came and jumped in it before you. Such chutzpah. But is it so difficult to speak to her a little more respectful? And if she ignored you, would it be so bad to look for another spot? I know you have a 3:15pm mincha davening for the amud every single day, does that mean you should fight (literally) over the amud? Is that what your deceased parent wouldve wanted? Would it be so outrageous to daven without going to the amud? (what a zechus for you and your parent!!). I know that ‘idiot’ honked you six times in five seconds while sitting impatiently in traffic on Avenue M. Is your only way of dealing with it, getting out of the car and yelling at him? I know that it’s very late on Thursday night and you ran out to get one item from Moishas, and now the lines are backed up, and some woman had the chutzpah to cut you off. Does the whole store need to see you two saying really unpleasant things to each other? Is it so intolerable to allow her to continue paying? I know that the ‘idiot’ did not turn off his cell phone while davening, but is the only way to deal with it, having the whole shul yell at him? Don’t you think one person could’ve accomplished that? Perhaps you’re disturbing more than his cell phone is? I know that you are a member of an organization, and a member of another organization (that does the same thing) came and took care of what you were supposed to do. is it so unreasonable to accept the fact that he did it? Did you really need that kavod so badly that you have to become angry over it? Is that really what Hashem wants out of a chesed organization? I know that he’s in the same business field as you and therefore he’s an ‘idiot’. Would it be so insane to tell someone else that your ‘competition’ is your friend, and that he’s a really nice guy who’s honest in business? Do you really believe that he took your business away and that Hashem can’t take care of your financial needs? Is it worth ‘bad-mouthing’ him? Are you so sure that you’re always right, and your mother-in-law is always wrong? Are you so comfortable giving up the mitzvah of ‘kibud av v’aim’ by yelling at your in-laws or treating them disrespectful even when they mixed in to your business? I can go on and on. The feeling of letting something go is so good. And. The zechusim (we all need it) that it creates!! How can you ask Hashem to allow something to slide, to let it go, to overlook something, when you don’t make an effort to do the same? I ask you once more, are you so sure that the above scenarios are the END OF THE WORLD? If you think it is, then it just might be. After all, Hashem has plenty of room on that ‘WAITING LIST’. May we be zoiche to be at the end of that list, and only share and hear good news.

t.y.