In this week's Haftarah, the prophet Amos says: "Could there be misfortune in a city, if Hashem had not caused it?".
Hakham Yoseph Hayyim a"h comments on this Pasuq, saying, that these words of the Prophet Amos are words of consolation for the Jewish people. The prophet delivered this speech concerning this bitter Galuth (exile) and the intensity of the hardships we face. He explains that our Father in Heaven is likened to a loving father, who punishes his child for his own good. The Holy One Blessed be He, punishes us, His beloved nation, in order to prepare us to receive the good which is awaiting us in the future. Therefore, if something happens to us, which we perceive as bad, we must realize that it is absolutely not bad, but rather a cause for something good. The end result will prove the nature of the event.
My dear friends, let us take to heart the words of the Torah giant, the Ben Ish Hai. Whenever we feel despondent about negative events either on a personal or a collective level, let us think about our loving Father in Heaven, His love is unconditional and immense. All He wants, is to bestow kindness upon us.
May we merit to see the final Geullah (redemption) speedily in our days, Amen.
