I’ve delivered probably 300+ talks extolling the virtues of effort as the ticket to so many blessings: love, happiness, humility, etc.  Why am I so resentful, I found myself asking, at my 3-year-old’s umpteenth request at bedtime?

She had run out of underwear (because she likes to change them several times per day).  I offered her her brother’s.  She didn’t like that.  I threatened diapers (and other things).  It wasn’t one of my more composed, rabbinic moments.

Later I was reviewing the thoughts of Rabbi Avigdor Miller, of blessed memory, on how to succeed in Judaism.  He stressed that it all rests on gratitude: the recognition that I am the beneficiary of massive, not-to-be-taken-for-granted good, and the realization that I must LABOR to see that.  If I do, it will be natural to repay the debt of gratitude with effort.  If I don’t, I will always suspect that the effort of living is a favor to others and G-d.

That hit home.  I know my daughter is a blessing.  I know that at 3 (and probably 33) she might not always do what I want.  I know that that’s part of the gift.  But I am not working daily at reminding myself: I am so indebted.

And that’s normal.  We should assume we will not notice our good – unless we take it on as a daily effort.
Shabbat Shalom,
Henry Harris