This week’s Parshah contains the admonition where we B’nei Yisrael are told of the consequences that will befall us if we go astray. What is the proper perspective for us to have when things don’t go our way or when tragedy occurs?
Shimshon, who was a judge and leader of B’nei Yisrael and fought many battles against the Pelishtim in order to defend the Jewish People, was taken captive. The Pelishtim blinded him in both eyes and brought him to their coliseum to display their victory. Shimshon prayed to Hashem our G-d, “As compensation for one of my eyes, allow me to take revenge against the Pelishtim. As reward for the second eye, please grant me a share in the World To Come” His Tefillah was answered and G-d gave him the supernatural strength to topple the whole structure, killing thousands of Pelishtim!
Harav Shach Zt”l posed a question: How was Shimshon entitled to compensation for losing his eyes? The reason he lost his sight was in retribution for letting his eyes lead him astray! Therefore, Hashem didn’t “owe him one” for causing him to lose his sight?
Answers Rav Shach, there are two ways a person can approach suffering. He can either respond like many people do when they get a speeding ticket, “What can I do? I hope I don’t get caught again!” Or he can respond by recognizing that Hashem is sending him a message that he needs to improve and change. He can understand that just as a loving parent needs to discipline his son, so too, does Hashem our G-d desire to set us straight. When a person responds this way, not only did he utilize this as an opportunity for growth, he also receives reward for his acceptance of Hashem’s will and his subsequent growth!
Shimshon understood where he had gone wrong and used it as an opportunity for growth. Therefore, he was entitled to reward.
Although we hope to achieve maximum growth without any “wakeup calls,” if and when they do occur, we need to remind ourselves that Hashem our G-d does everything for our good and we should respond accordingly.

By Rabbi Sharaga Thav
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