Were There No Graves In Hot Springs Village? - 19 Tishrei 5771

      Heaven forbid anyone would think that we were not having a great Sukkot. We have enjoyed great fellowship, wonderful food, meeting people, having fun, stimulating and thought provoking conversations, people getting engaged, joyous celebration, praying with others, piling up my shoes with 48 other people. I don’t know if it gets better than that. But, I can still relate with the children of Israel. East Texas was a little warm and I had to ask Carrie, ‘Were there no graves in Hot Springs Village that you brought me to East Texas to die?’ At least we didn’t kick the sukkah!

It just goes to show you how one can take different directions with their attitude. We can see the good in what has been given or we can see the bad. It is kind of interesting how when we look at the bad we don’t see the good and likewise when we see the good we don’t often see the bad.

Carrie is always so good about saying, ‘Well, at least it’s not…’ I can recall looking at her and saying, ‘Stop that. I want to be miserable.’ But feeling miserable is only throwing myself a big pity party and generally nobody else wants to attend. It is the opportunity Hashem has given to us to overcome the yetzer hara (evil inclination). As Aaron Eby said, ‘It is a great mitzvah to rejoice always.’

So, no matter what happens, we are celebrating G-d’s provision for us as we wandered through the wilderness and as we still wander through the wilderness waiting to come into the Promised Land. Everything Hashem does is good.