Nishmas Day 9 | Rabbi Joey Haber
If Hashem Wants Zusha to Dance
Sometimes, there is nothing left to do but to wait. When you feel that you’ve done everything you can, and you want to throw your hands up in defeat, remember: If it’s your time — He will make it happen. One night while traveling, the holy brothers Reb Elimelech and Reb Zusha took shelter at an inn. Reb Zusha slept on the first bed, Reb Elimelech on the second. Throughout the night, drunken peasants repeatedly burst in, lifting Reb Zusha from his bed to dance with him. After the second interruption, Reb Elimelech suggested they switch beds so he might experience the dancing too. But when the peasants returned, they paused and declared, "We always dance with the man in the first bed—let's give the second one a chance!" And once again, they chose Zusha. Smiling, Reb Elimelech said, "I’ve learnt tonight that if Hashem wants Zusha to dance, Zusha will dance”. Yes, we can, and should do our hishtadlus, but when we've done all that is possible, we can lift our hands and say, "Hashem, when You're ready for me to dance, I will dance."