Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

"Pinchas son of Elazar…has turned My wrath away…therefore proclaim it –see I give him My covenant…" (25,11-12)

Gratitude

When the Queen of Sheba came to the palace of Shlomo Hamelech, she saw one of his meals, as it says "And the Queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Shlomo and the House that he built "and the food of his table and the seating of his servants and the station of his attendants and their attire and his cupbearers … she was breathless." (Milachim I, 10). However, her wonder was not from the great riches but rather from something else. The Queen of Seba saw a person dressed in farmer's clothing and his face looked like he was a simple man and he was sitting to the right of Shlomo Hamelech. The Queen wondered why Shlomo Hamelech did not act with royal mannerisms and why he put such a simple person next to him.

To her wonderment Shlomo Hamelech answered: "This farmer is Barzilai Hagiladi. The reason I sat him down to my right is because of the gratitude of my father David Hamelech. Barzilai Hagiladi performed kindness with my father when he was running away from his son Avshalom and found kind refuge in the home of Barzilai. Before his death my father commanded me to perform kindness and have gratitude towards the farmer Barzilai." (Medrash)

David Hamelech showed gratitude to Barzilai Hagiladi, not just once. He commanded his son to continue having gratitude towards him and to have him eat from his table even after his demise – for gratitude is a trait a person must live with daily, to feel it, to remember the favor that was done to him, even if that sometimes causes difficulties for him.

It is not just towards a person, rather mainly towards G-d- the One Who keeps a person alive every moment.

When Rabbi Chaim ben Atar zt'l used to enter the synagogue for the morning prayers he would stand by the door of the synagogue and articulate all the kindness that G-d had done for him – "So, You did for me, and so You did for me – both in my walking, my reposing and my awakening." He would then enter to pray. Thus, by appreciating and praising G-d, his prayers were also not said superficially, for prayers are a labor from the heart and should come from the depths of the heart.

"When you internalize the fact that the Creator of the world grants you generously during the entire year – good health, livelihood, and most importantly, life – you can easily give Him praises and feel gratitude towards Him. When you feel gratitude towards the Source of your blessings you widen the pipes of bounty and you cause the Giver to give you and continue to give you more and more." (Rabbi Ronen Karta)

Just ask, say thank you, feel gratitude, and you will see the good results of your efforts.

SHABBAT SHALOM!!

Mayer Sasson