In this week's parsha Beshalach we read about the great miracles that G-d Performed for the Jewish People as they left Egypt and crossed the "Dead Sea". The nation experienced first hand the miraculous redemption yet we find that a short period of time after that when the provisions that they took with them were done, they came to Moshe complaining that they did not have anything to eat. They said to Moshe did Hashem take us out of Egypt to die of starvation in the desert? It would have been better to stay in Egypt and not die of starvation.

One has to wonder how the Jewish People could have even entertained the thought of such a reality, that after all of the miracles that G-d Performed for them, after they saw first hand that Hashem desired them as His nation that it could all end with their death from starvation in the desert. It isn't an issue of appreciation it is a question of basic denial of the clear fact that Hashem has an awesome plan for them, how could it just end.

I think when we look at this from an outsider's perspective it truly is a question, but when a person experiences such challenges, these questions are common. How many times are we in a situation were we see things going in the perfect direction, we are "firing on all cylinders", breezing through life. In these instances it can be clear to us that Hashem has a specific plan for us, we can see how His hand has been directing everything from above. Then all of a sudden things take a turn for the worst and we are left feeling abandoned and that everything is falling apart. Could it be that all of a sudden we are no longer part of G-d's Plan, could it be that we are just subjected to the forces of nature? Obviously if we would look critically at the period of great success we would realize without a doubt that there was a Divine Hand directing it all, then the only logical conclusion is that the challenges we are having are also the result of the Divine Hand directing it all.

When we realize this we can more easily face the challenges as we understand that these too are part of the plan, it is our job to stand-up and persevere even in the face of adversity that may currently face us.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath