Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph

Our Torah reading for this week (Deuteronomy 7:12) begins by assuring us that if we live our lives according to God’s Will we will be blessed. How does God want us to live? The prophet Micah teaches that we should pursue justice, show compassion to our fellow creatures, and be humble.

I recently attended my 55^th High School reunion. It occurred to me, amidst all the celebration and joy of seeing one another, that there was not a person there whose life had not been touched at some point by heartbreak, disappointment, or misfortune. Yet I am equally certain that my classmates had tried, and succeeded, in living lives that God would approve of.

Living a moral life is no guarantee of unbounded rewards, despite what the Torah appears to promise. Making it to one’s 55^th reunion requires a measure of luck and a good deal of resilience.  Legendary basketball coach John Wooden summed it up when he said, “Things work out best for the people who make the best of how things work out.” Responding to adversity with self-pity, anger, resentment and revenge is self-defeating. Troubles need to be met with courage and dignity, honor and faith that God loves us and is there with us in our suffering. Then we will surely feel blessed.