Today’s the Day

A young Bill Gates was trying to buy a paper. All he had was a $10 bill.  

“I don’t have enough change right now, but it’s okay. Take it,” said the storekeeper.  

The young entrepreneur smiled and said thanks.  

About a year later he was on the same train platform buying a paper. 

“I only have a dime, and a $20 bill.” 

The same guy warmly smiled and handed him another paper.  

A few years later, Bill Gates made his fortune. Back in the same city, he made a point to find this person and thank him.  

“You are the man who gave me a free newspaper, right.” 

 “I am the man who gave you two free newspapers.” 

“I would like to make it up to you. Ask me for anything and it’s yours.” 

The man replied, “There is nothing you have that can repay the kindness I gave you. I did it before you were rich and I truly expected nothing in return.” 

Here we learn the advantage of struggling. Whether in finances, family, or anything else in life, it adds extra strength and merit to all the good we do in this world.  

The moment we stop struggling, there is less effort involved. We can do a lot more, which is great. But sometimes there is a twinge of regret. Knowing that it all worked out in the end, we wish we could have pushed harder, or at least kept faith throughout those moments when the chips were down.  

The Great Moments before Mashiach  

In the times of Mashiach people will look back on the days preceding his coming with regret, saying to themselves, “Why didn’t I serve Hashem with all my heart when it was so hard?” 

The Mashiach will come, as the Gemara says, like a scorpion on the road or a wallet you find. It will happen suddenly and unexpected. There is no 2-minute warning, no “last minute rush,” not even a countdown ticking to zero. One day you will wake up and everything will be different.  

It will be dark outside. That voice inside you urging you to stay in bed will be gone. Only the desire to wake the dawn will speak. You will walk outside to see everyone covered up, people talking with dignity, and a universal push to return to be dignified and holy people. There will still be tons of work to do, but it will be easier.  

Today is the Greatest Day for God  

It’s kind of like getting paid triple overtime at the factory. For every unit you complete, you get paid three times as much. However, the moment the bell sounds, times up – and they don’t tell you when the bell will sound. For sure, we would work as hard and as fast as we can to get as much done.  

Today, as the forces of darkness control everything, when the weight of all mankind is pushing against you, is the day to have emuna. This minute, as we get ostracized, excluded, and even punished for serving God, is the time to have faith by not worrying about anything.  

Right now is the time to jump for joy and Thank G-d for all the troubles in this world. To thank Him for giving us this challenge that no other generation has had the privilege to face before.  

We have the opportunity to tell Hashem that we are on His side, through the worst darkness, even as the entire worlds stands against us. Now is the time to relish the moments we stand alone in a truly intimate embrace with our Father in Heaven and on earth. 

Once Moshiach comes, we will no longer be alone. We will be the A-listers. We will inherit the earth. There will be no risk, no danger, no confusion to do the right thing. It will be wonderful. It will be easier.  

Take advantage of these remaining precious moments to tell G-d from the bottom of the pit that even here – Hashem is One and His Name is One.  

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David Ben Horin lives in Israel with his wife and children.