The Blessing of Desire

Summer is in full swing, and I’m melting a little bit more each day. I gotta be honest – I can’t stand hot weather. I’m from Miami, and I’ve had my fair share of hot and humid weather. I’d much rather prance around in two sweaters and a ski jacket than sweat profusely under long-sleeved shirts in 100+ degrees. The other day, my car thermostat registered 109 degrees. Seriously.

On the other hand, the kids were stuck in the house most afternoons during the winter, and that wasn’t such a good thing. Actually, it was torture. There was nowhere for me to escape to – not even the bathroom!

On the other hand, I’ve got a wicked farmer’s tan going on. The hot sun + some (dare I say it?) free time in the early afternoon = me on the balcony with my sleeves rolled up, dreaming of Pina Coladas and white sandy beaches. In Hawaii. Aloooonnneeee.

So I’ve decided in these last few paragraphs that I love summer. I love the hot weather. I love the mud-free shoes. I love not having to wash tons of sweaters and ski jackets every day. But I most certainly don’t love the late sunsets. It’s impossible to get my kids to bed at a decent time! How do you people in England and South Africa deal??

There is, however, one major downside to summer – I don’t have central A/C. You’re like, what?? No central a/c?! Welcome to Israel!

Many, many, many apartments here don’t have central a/c. I don’t think the people at Nefesh B’Nefesh like to volunteer that info, so I’m telling you straight up. Now, if you have an apartment with units in nearly every room, it’s not a problem. But I don’t have any a/c units in the bedrooms of this apartment, and I’m going crazy!

The American in me just can’t get used to the stifling, humid air as I try to fall asleep. I have not one, but two fans in each bedroom, and I hate falling asleep to all that loud fan noise! I don’t know how it doesn’t bother the kids. Whether it bothers my husband or not, I’ve never thought to ask. Let’s assume he’s just fine.

But, me? I’m sweltering! All day long I dread having to go to bed in my oven. So I’ve been asking Hashem for something that I always took for granted – central a/c.

I’ve realized a few things from this:

First, Rebbe Nachman was totally right when he said that nothing is beyond asking Hashem for. Obviously he had central a/c in mind when he said this. Actually, I think he was referring to a torn button on Rebbe Natan’s coat, but what’s the difference? In any case, we should ask Hashem for absolutely everything.

Second, as Israeli as I think I am, I’ve realized that I’m still an American. I like comfort and nice things. And you know what? There’s nothing wrong with that. Just because I’m a Torah-observant Jew doesn’t mean I have to suffer in righteous poverty.

Third, I’ve decided that my husband needs to make a lot of money so we can buy a house with central a/c and a gorgeous kitchen.

Here’s the thing. I’ve realized through that last realization that Hashem puts us in certain situations in order to help us create a desire for something. In my case, Hashem wants to give me a big house and lots of money, so He’s putting me in an uncomfortable position. Why? So I can ask for the money to buy the big house!

If I were totally comfortable renting in this apartment – which really is nice – how long would I be here? Years, maybe? What would it take for me to ask Hashem for my own home? Maybe I never would have, as long as I’m comfortable here.

Do you see what I’m getting at? Many times, when Hashem wants to give us a certain gift, we don’t yet have the spiritual vessel, or capacity to contain that blessing. We’re still comfortable with our current situation, even though we may not feel that way. But we’re not yet motivated enough to do something about it. So what does Hashem do? He creates a feeling of lack inside of us in order to stimulate our desire for the exact thing He wants to give us!

Truly brilliant, if I do say so myself!

Once we have the desire for the thing that we want, the next step is for us to pray for it! Praying for something is the way we build our spiritual vessel!

For example: are you looking for a soulmate? Are you feeling lonely in the meantime? I’ve got great news for you! That feeling of loneliness is actually a gift from Hashem! The loneliness you feel is your prime motivation to pray for Hashem to bless you with your soulmate! Are you starting to see the genius in all of this?

We can see now that every area we feel a lack in is actually a sign from Hashem that He wants to give us more! All we have to do is ask Him for it!

There is one small caveat, however. It’s in the fine print. Do not complain to Hashem about your current situation! We now see that it’s obvious that Hashem wants to give us everything and more. So when we understand that whatever we lack at this moment is just a stimulus to enable us to ask Hashem for what we want, we can see that there is no need to complain!

On the contrary – thank Hashem for your current situation! If you didn’t have this tribulation, how do you know that you would have asked Hashem to give you what you want?

So bring on the central a/c and marble countertop kitchen with mahogany cabinets and two giant stainless steel sinks. I might as well throw in a Jacuzzi. And a spectacular view. You know, like a bonus. Until my husband earns me my millions, I’ll keep dreaming about my cool, comfortable bedroom and my six-person Jacuzzi. I’ll also keep reading Rav Arush’s wonderful little booklet in his Gems series, “To Desire and to Thank.” You should, too!