Signs from Hashem | Imamother

Ruchi

Thu, Nov 07 2024, 3:35 pm

Signs from Hashem

The sefer Nafshi BiShe'eilasi instructs that if a person is ever unsure which direction to take in his spiritual growth, he should not ask Hashem for a sign on how to proceed. Hashem gave us chachamim (sages) in every generation to guide us, and they are given siyata d'Shmaya to tell us His will. We are not worthy of receiving open signs from Hashem and, in most cases, we do not even know how to read them. Our decisions should solely be made based on Torah and guidance from chachamim.

However, if a person feels a need for chizuk, he most certainly can ask Hashem to give him that chizuk. If he feels that a sign would give him encouragement, he is allowed to ask for one. But he must have the proper outlook. If, for example, he feels alone and abandoned and wants a sign from Hashem that He loves him, the first thing he must know is that Hashem already told us multiple times that He loves us. There are pesukim in the Torah and the Neviim describing Hashem's love for us. Even if the person does not get the sign he asked for, it does not mean that Hashem does not love him. For a person to receive direct communication from Hashem, he needs to be on a high level or put forth a tearful tefillah from the depths of his heart. Of course, Hashem decides to whom He gives signs and to whom He does not. As a rule, expecting an open sign is beyond what we can do.

Ronnie* and his wife were praying hard, saying extra Tehillim, and taking on new kabbalos as zechuyos for their son to finally get married. Their other children also increased their kavannah in their tefillos. One day, Ronnie hit an extremely low point. The shadchan he thought was helping him was ignoring his phone calls. He turned to Hashem and channeled his emotions Heavenward. ''I've been praying so hard and doing whatever I can to get my son married!" he cried. "I feel so lost and helpless. Please, Hashem, send me a sign that You are listening to my tefillos and that You are with me on this!"

That afternoon, he went to the grocery store to buy food for Shabbos. Inside the entrance, he noticed stacks of free pamphlets. This was something new. He had been shopping there for years and never noticed such a display. He picked up a few pamphlets. The title of one was "Your Shidduch Will Arrive!"

He felt like he had received a hug from Hashem - exactly what he needed to stay strong.

We must know that Hashem loves us. Hashem loves our tefillos, whether we see evidence of it or not. Seeing a sign is an additional bonus. but even if a sign is not forthcoming, it should never affect our actions or decisions.