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Keeping a Gratitude List

GYE Corp. Tuesday, 10 January 2012

In this week's Parsha the Torah sums up all of the donations that the Jews made to the Mishkan, both for the Keilim as well as the Bigdei Kehuna. The first question we must ask ourselves is, why is it so important to have an exact count of everything that was gathered? We know it was a lot, and we know it was more than enough, so why bother with exact numbers?

Harav Moshe Feinstein says that we see from here a very valuable lesson. When Hashem gives us things, He gives them to us to use to serve Him. In the Mishkan they wanted to keep exact records in order to make sure that they would use everything that they received without wasting a thing. So too in our own lives. Hashem gives us health, wealth, a family that loves us, Rebbeim, friends, and all the good things in the world. Why? So we should use them to get closer to Him. Therefore, we must take an exact account of all the good that Hashem gives us and make sure to use it properly.

I try to remember this vort when I feel myself slipping. Most of the times, when things are going well I have a much easier time handling things. It's the down times and the depression that kills me. By keeping in mind all the wonderful things that I do have, and how kind Hashem has been to me, it makes it somewhat easier to stay positive and upbeat, and not allow myself to fall.
Hatzlocha!!!