This past week, I had to spend some time in the hospital with someone who had a
minor health crisis. Boruch Hashem, all is good and they are on their way to recovery.
While sitting in the hospital, I got to thinking about gratitude. It is easy to thank Hashem
for our health when we see it potentially snatched away from us, to thank Him for wealth
after a good business deal or to thank Him for happiness after our family goes on
vacation. But how do we make sure we have gratitude in our every day life, when
things are just regular, run of the mill, 9-5 living?
Let’s first take a quick step back – why is gratitude so important? Yeah, its nice to be
thankful and appreciative, but why is it so integral to our lives? A quick look at this
week’s Parsha, Shemos, helps us appreciate the attitude of gratitude.
Shemos begins the story of our enslavement and eventual miraculous exodus from
Egypt, culminating in the Jews receiving the Torah. And 2 of the biggest players in the
story, Moshe and Paroh are introduced to us this week. Their vastly different approach
to gratitude is evident and has lasting repercussions. Moshe’s life is replete with
examples of Hakaras Hatov, Gratitude – Moshe kept his Egyptian name (yes, Moshe)
given to him by the daughter of Paroh as an expression of gratitude to the woman who
saved his life as an infant and raised him. He asked his Father-in-Law permission
before undertaking the mantle of leadership, in appreciation for taking him. He didn’t
personally preform some of the plagues, in appreciation of the water and sand that
helped keep him alive
The behavior of Pharoh stands on stark contrast – he is first introduced to us as
”vayakam melech chadash al Mitzrayim asher lo yaddaes Yosef” – a new king arose over
Egypt who did not know Yosef. Not only had Yosef saved the entire country just a few
years ago, but he had single-handedly transformed Egypt into the wealthy kingdom that
this new Pharoh had inherited. And Paroh didn’t care or appreciate it at all. In fact,
according to one interpretation of the incident – this wasn’t a new king at all. It was the
same Paroh who Yosef directly helped, and he just decided to forget all the good Yosef
did. So he enslaved the Jews, which ended up with the 10 plagues and the destruction of
Egypt.
So why is gratitude important? Because it changes every interaction we have. It allows
us to appreciate life, connect with those around us, have true joy, happiness,
contentment and fulfillment. Appreciating others and the kindness done to us by
Hashem and those around us highlights how great things are, testifies to the strength
of our circle of relationships. Ignoring the kindness done to us leads to jealousy,
resentment, anger and destruction.
So back to the original question – how do we have gratitude for something we take for
granted? The answer – We harness the power of our imagination. Try to walk from your room to the
kitchen with your eyes closed – you will end up appreciating your eyesight. Try not to
talk to anyone for a full day – you will appreciate the connections you have in life. Try
sitting all day without moving – you will appreciate the ability to walk. So be like Moshe
and live a life of appreciation – it only leads to happiness.