שבת Date: 6 Shevat, 5776 (1/16/16) – Gittin Daf 34 {Eliezer}

GOOD GRACES

[34a top] Gidal bar Ri’iylay sent a Get to his wife with an agent, but his wife was too busy to accept it at the moment and told him to come back the next day. When Gidal heard that his wife did not take the document of divorce, he exclaimed, “Baruch Hatov Vi’Hamaitiv!” (Blessed is the One who is good and does good!”)
R’ Rosner: [GM’ Brachos Daf 48b] The reason for our “Hatov Vi’Hamaitiv” [in the 4th Bracha in Benching (Grace after meals)]: On Tu B’Av the corpses of the slain soldiers (from the fall of Beitar on Tisha B’av) were finally allowed to be buried. This day became a holiday, and we commemorate two miracles that occurred: 1) “HaTov” reflects the “good” that the bodies did not even begin decomposing and 2) “Maitiv” that Hashem arranged for the Roman authorities to grant permission for burial.
Tzlach: This particular miracle has a blessing recited for it because it was during a time when the Jews were physically beat down, religiously persecuted (after the Temple), and had a possibility of being forever lost. Therefore, Hashem peeked through the clouds to show us that He is still (and will always be) connected to us throughout all our hard times.

D-E-ep Thoughts: Whenever we start to get depressed or faint-hearted, we should look back to the Bracha of “Hatov Vi’Hamaitiv” for strength. We should remember that we have a constant strong connection to our “Father, King, Creator, and Redeemer.” Hashem sends us messages of hope constantly and is waving to us, saying, “Know that I am here!” All we need to do is look out for His signs and smile…