יום ד Date: 22 Cheshvan, 5776 (11/4/14) – Sotah#9 {Eliezer Guterman}

ROCKY ROADS

[9a bottom] Gemarah: Devarim [Perek32Pasuk23]: “I will use up My arrows on them.” This means that G-d’s blows will be used up, but the Jewish people will still be around afterwards. We get payed back little by little to endure through the punishment, while other nations get dealt bigger blows and are wiped out completely.

Ben Yehoyada: A King once swore to throw a huge stone at his son if he did not listen. The child was disobedient and the King had to fulfil his sworn punishment. Heartbroken, the King had to figure out a way to save his child but also remain truthful to his word. So instead of crushing his son with with the huge rock, he grinded it down into smaller rocks and pebbles and threw them at him little by little until the pile was done.

D-E-ep Thoughts (based on R’ Ronser): No matter how painful times may seem, we have to remember that we are still here at the end of the day. Some people get dealt bigger pieces of the rock, but we must be thankful that we are here even now and have the opportunities to achieve what we can.