Glad to Notice

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

As the Jews neared the Promised Land, the inhabitants prepared to greet them in an ambush. The plan was that as the Jews passed through a certain valley, people would shoot down from the adjoining cliffs to destroy the Jews. G-d miraculously destroyed those enemies before they could hurt the Jewish people, but G-d was, so-to-speak, troubled that the Jews were totally unaware that they had been saved. “Who will go tell My children of the salvation so that they can appreciate just how much I love them?”

G-d decided that a river of blood should appear by the Jewish encampment so that they should be aware of the great losses that He had inflicted on their enemies. In this way, the Jews were apprised of their miraculous salvation.

The words, “Who will inform My children?” carry a great practical lesson. It is not that G-d needs a “Thank You.” Rather, if the recipient isn’t aware of the salvation, then he doesn’t realize the loving relationship that G-d has with him.

The Talmud teaches, for example, that when a person gives a gift of goodwill to another person he should make sure that the recipient is aware of the gift. If one gives a gift and the recipient doesn’t notice, then true goodwill has not been created. (This is the approach used by gifts. When charity is given, it is sometimes better to give it anonymously.)

Similarly, the Sages instituted many blessings during the course of the day, so that we should notice G-d’s benevolence. Each morning, for example, we recite blessings on our abilities to see, to move our limbs, to stand up, and to walk. G-d’s blessings to us are many. Until we recite those blessings, G-d so-to-speak wonders, “Will they notice? For all the blessings that I bestow upon them, will they notice and realize how much I love them?”

Unfortunately, there are times that people purposely take for granted the benevolence that G-d bestows. A Rebbe, who happens to be knowledgeable in biology and science, described an incident that occurred when he was in the delivery room, as his wife gave birth to their child. Upon realizing how many things have to go right simultaneously for the child to enter the world successfully, he exclaimed, “What a miracle.” To which the nurse responded, “Yeah, nature is really cool, isn’t it?”

I do indeed recall how, prior to the birth of one of our daughters, the nurse did a test and got a reading that she felt indicated some dangerous levels. She promptly ordered my wife onto a stretcher and ordered that an oxygen mask be attached to her mouth. Suddenly, the birthing experience took on an aura of significant concern, and when we were blessed with a healthy birth for mom and daughter it was something that we were enormously grateful for.

Sometimes, G-d goes to great lengths to help us notice the miracles He does, to make sure that we don’t take blessings for granted. As we say in Tehillim: “G-d brings salvation. It is upon us to thank Him.” Meaning, G-d grants the blessing. As for us, we are so glad to notice.

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