On Sunday evening, June 8, Rabbi Paysach Krohn – well-known mohel, author, and speaker – addressed a crowd at Congregation Ohel Simcha on behalf of Chazaq. He spoke about emunah in challenging times. The shiur was dedicated in memory of Dora bas Zilpah, a strong woman who exemplified yir’as Shamayim and spiritual strength.
Rabbi Krohn began by saying, “I thank Hashem I am able to be here to speak.” He then shared a story about a dear friend of over 20 years who is currently facing a serious medical condition. This friend offered a powerful insight: There is a reason why a car’s windshield is much larger than its rearview mirror. The windshield allows you to see what lies ahead, while the mirror is small because one should not dwell on the past. Instead, focus on the present and ask, “What can I do now?” Hashem has placed you here for a reason.
Rabbi Krohn referenced Rabbi Akiva, who lost 25,000 students. Rabbi Akiva told five of his remaining students that the previous generation had not shown proper respect for one another. “Let’s start again,” he said. “Let’s grow from this.” Much of Torah was rebuilt because of that new beginning – because he focused on the future rather than the past.
“When we have hope, it must come with trust and faith in Hashem,” Rabbi Krohn emphasized.
He shared a personal story from when he was 21. His father was gravely ill. As the oldest of seven children, he knew that if his father passed away, he would need to leave yeshivah to support the family. He and his brother spent Shabbos with Rav Shimon Schwab and were able to visit their father in the hospital. Rav Schwab asked how his father was doing. Rabbi Krohn answered, “I have bitachon that my father will get better.” Rav Schwab gently corrected him: “Bitachon doesn’t mean your father will recover. It means Hashem has a master plan, and one day, hopefully, you’ll understand it.”
At the end of time, we will understand why painful things happened. Bitachon means trusting that Hashem knows exactly what He is doing – even when we don’t.
Rabbi Krohn also spoke about Samchainu, an organization for widows with which he has been involved for many years. He recently attended a Shabbaton and reflected, “I learned sensitivity for widows by seeing what my mother went through.”
He mentioned Rabbi David Ashear’s popular Living Emunah series. One volume discusses a question we’ll be asked at the end of time: “Did you hope for salvation?” On the surface, it refers to hoping for Mashiach. But the S’fas Emes explains that it also means: In moments of personal challenge, did you have emunah and bitachon in Hashem? Part of being a Jew is holding onto that trust – even during hard times.
The Ramban teaches that emunah is tied to the mezuzah. We must believe everything written inside: that Hashem took us out of Egypt, and that He wants us to believe in Him, trust in Him, and accept that we are His creations.
Rabbi Krohn spoke about the tragic incident in Meron a few years ago. He quoted Rav Meilech Biderman, who noted the profound message of a mishnah in Pirkei Avos: “Know what is above you: an eye that sees, an ear that hears, and all your deeds are recorded.” Certain things in life are beyond our understanding. As it says in Tanach, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways.”
He cited the Gemara where Iyov says to Hashem, “I am not Your enemy. Did You forget how to spell my name?” Hashem replies, “Where were you when I created the world? Tell Me, if you know so much.”
When Rabbi Yehoshua saw the ruins of the Beis HaMikdash, he began to cry. “How will we receive kaparah now?” he asked. Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai responded, “Don’t worry. We can receive kaparah through chesed.” If we want good in this world, we must learn Torah and perform acts of kindness. Rabbi Krohn encouraged the audience: “Every day, do a chesed for someone outside your home. Keep a notebook and record one chesed each day.”
“Hashem wants Torah, emunah, bitachon, and chesed,” he said.
The Zohar teaches that the remedy for a person in this world is to say K’rias Sh’ma properly. Each name of Hashem represents a different attribute: Hashem signifies kindness, Elokeinu represents judgment. When we say, “Sh’ma Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad,” think of the goodness in your life. Reflect on it daily. Saying Sh’ma with intention strengthens your soul.
He concluded with a touching story of chesed: a woman from the Five Towns who went out of her way to help another woman in Israel.
“The service of the heart is prayer,” he said. “If someone feels that his or her prayer hasn’t been answered, daven again. Hope to Hashem and strengthen yourself. Never give up. Know that Hashem has a master plan. Keep on davening!”
By Susie Garber
