There's a well known story about Reb Zusha which relates that
when he was asked how it is possible to fulfill the
commandment of blessing the bad with the same
wholeheartedness that one blesses for the good, Reb Zusha
replied, "I'm afraid I can't answer your question. Nothing
bad has ever happened to me."
Reb Zushia lived in dire poverty and was physically unwell
but there were few who epitomized "Happiness in one's lot"
more than he.
In our day of rampant materialism, dissillusionment and
dissatisfaction, it is sometimes hard to find such spiritual
contentment even among the frum community. We
sometimes lose track of this principle. Even at the time of
Reb Zusha when there was less to desire, people fell short of
being happy with their lot.
A man I know who is in his sixties very much embodies the
spirit of Reb Zusha. He contracted ALS, also known as Lou
Gehrig's disease, a degenerative illness, several years ago.
He continues to be as active as his deteriorating body allows
him and has already lived beyond the doctors' dire prognosis.
That's because while his body is weak, his spirit is
strong.
He has retained the natural optimism and sense of humor which
has always characterized him. It is only now, though, that I
can truly appreciate that positivity. I took my son to see
him and pay a bikur cholim call. I think he gave us
more strength than we gave him. Although his words came
between labored breaths, he joked and entertained us. He told
us how blessed he is to have a loving family, children and
grandchildren, and how lucky he considers himself to be able
to afford and obtain all the extra care and equipment that
his condition necessitates. He says he spends time talking to
Hashem and thinking about what a good life he has been
fortunate enough to lead.
Although confined to a wheelchair and has a need for frequent
oxygen intake, he still goes to work, goes out, invites
guests to his home and runs ATLAS with his wife, an
organization he founded for fellow sufferers of ALS,
heretofore not represented by any organization in Israel.
I asked a friend of mine to call him to see if we could come
and visit this week. He told her that this week was not
convenient since he was make renovations in his home, but
that as soon as they were done, he'd be glad to see me
again.
R' Zusha illustrated trust in Hashem by relying on Him for
sustenance while he continued to study Torah. My friend
illustrates it at his level, in his circumstances, by doing
renovations in his home to accommodate his particular needs,
to adapt it to his condition. His health is constantly
deteriorating; his life span prognosis is short, but he
continues to make plans to receive visitors and carry on as
best he can with confidence that he will. I believe that like
Reb Zusha, in his way, this remarkable person knows that
everything is in Hashem's hands, so What Can Be Bad?
