Crossing a desert, but with joy!
One of the worst attitudes in times of difficulty is "ingratitude" Great care!
Let's see what Rabbi Natan teaches us:
Why did the people of Israel receive the Torah in the desert? In a dry place, without any comfort, even in danger and hardship, with a lack of water and all kinds of provisions, a stormy wind, etc.
Was it not possible to wait for the People to reach the Promised Land and conquer it, and then receive the blessed Torah in Jerusalem, with tranquility and comfort? As it is written: "From Zion will come forth the Torah"
Rabbi Natan explains to us that before we can receive the Torah (spiritual and physical elevations) we must pass the test of the desert, just as the People of Israel did, who were forced to go through this process, overcoming tests and different difficulties, as well as "Purifications" before receiving the Torah!
The great sages tell us that the best way to get through these (desert) times is by activating "Gratitude." This will elevate us to a level where we can see everything with joy and not with suffering.
This attitude will accelerate that path and we will pass the tests very quickly and successfully. You will also be able to let the Blessed Creator himself guide you at all times!
Gratitude is the path to salvation, but especially "in our generation."
In previous generations, obtaining salvation required great efforts, such as prayer and intense mortification. But in our generation, salvation will come through gratitude, praise, and songs to the Creator. And do you know why?
The great sages predicted thousands of years ago what the era we live in now would be like, and they were very afraid and said, "May the Creator grant that the Messiah will come soon, but may we not be there!"
This is the generation called the "Ikveta of Meshija" (Footsteps of the Messiah), for they saw how difficult this era would be. And the great difficulty this generation would face due to their impudence and audacity, as described in the Mishnah:
"What will happen to the generation before the final redemption?" Just as we see in our generation, shamelessness will come...
The Mishnah then describes what this shamelessness will be like: "The young will humiliate the old, the old will rise up before the young, the son will anger his father, the daughter-in-law will exalt herself against her mother-in-law, the members of a man's family will be his enemies, the face in the generation will be like the face of a dog, the son will not be ashamed before his father, and in whom can we trust? Only "In our Father who is in Heaven"
We need to rectify that terrible trait in our lives: "shamelessness and ingratitude," and the best way is through gratitude! As we mentioned, being grateful at all times, especially in that desert!
"Because everything the Creator does is only for our good"
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