אות - ז

It is very good to pour out your thoughts before God (cf. Psalms 142:3) , like a child pleading before his father ( Ta'anit 19a) . God calls us His children, as it is written, “You are children to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 14:1) . Therefore, it is good to express your thoughts and troubles to God, like a child complaining and pestering his father ( Alim LeTerufah #254) .

You may think you have done so much wrong that you are no longer one of God’s children, but remember that God still calls you His child. We are taught, “For good or for evil you are always called His children” ( Kiddushin 36a) .

Let us even assume that God has dismissed you as being His child. Still, you must say, “Let Him do as He wills. I must do my part and still act like His child” (see “ His Wisdom ” #69) .

How very good it is when you can awaken your heart and plead until tears stream from your eyes, and you stand like a little child crying before his father.

My grandfather, Rabbi Nachman Horodenker, of blessed memory, told the following story: I was once traveling on a ship.

We ran out of provisions and were without food for several days. Finally, we reached an Arab city where there were no Jews. An Arab took me in and offered me food. I had not eaten for several days, and quickly washed my hands and said the blessing for bread. I was just about to take a bite when a thought entered my mind: “Do not eat the bread of one with a mean eye” (Proverbs 23:6) .

Our thoughts are not without meaning, and I did not know what to do. I had already said the blessing, but I realized the significance of this thought and was determined not to eat anything of this Arab. Just then another thought entered my mind: “I have commanded the Arabs to feed you” 13 This is usually translated, “I have commanded the ravens to feed you.” However, the Hebrew word for raven s ( ORViM ) can also be translated as Arabs ( ARaVIM ). Cf. Radak ad loc. (I Kings 17:4) . Then I ate.

[When the Rebbe told this story, 14 This story was told after Shavuot 5569/1809 ( Tzaddik #185). On that Shavuot, Rebbe Nachman had delivered a lesson based on the above verse, which appears in Likutey Moharan II, 4 ( Yemey Moharnat #35; Parparaot LeChokhmah ad loc.). he commented how proper it was for his grandfather to act according to this thought. Every such thought that entered his mind, must have contained some element of truth.]

The same applies to the confusing thoughts a person has to deal with. A confusing thought may enter your mind, but if you stand firm, God will send you another thought to encourage you.

Similarly, you may imagine that you are no longer one of God’s children. But if you do your part, God will eventually send you thoughts of encouragement. In truth, all Israel are called children of God. Therefore, you should pour out your thoughts and troubles before God, just like a child complaining to his father.