I was having a lively discussion about brachos with a couple of my grandchildren this last Shabbos. On the way to mincha, I related a story about brachos to my grandson: A guest (an important guest, but I have a terrible time with names) made a request of his host on Shabbos afternoon; he requested an apple and a strawberry. Before the host could find them, they realized it was time to leave for mincha. After mincha, the host found the fruits and brought them to his guest. The guest was appreciative, but said he no longer needed them. The host was confused, as they had not eaten anything in the meantime. The guest, seeing his host's confusion, explained: "I was short two brachos for my needed 100 today, so I asked for an "ha'adama" and "ha'eitz" fruit, but then I got an aliyah at mincha, so I am good now."
My grandson and I were walking into shul for mincha just as I finished the story. As it turned out, I got the third aliyah. I should note that this is an infrequent occurrence. First, I am only eligible for one of the aliyos as Shabbos mincha (usually there is a kohein). Second, I daven mincha/ma'ariv there most days, but never shacharis; which makes me neither a regular nor a guest. In any case, as I walked back to my seat, a chaver walked over to me to say, "Yashar Ko'ach! And look... you told your grandson a story about getting an aliyah, and then you get that same aliyah."
My first thought was, "Yes, he's right... cool hashgacha." My second thought was, though, "Wait a minute... how did he know? I was talking with my grandson and walking, I don't remember my friend being around us...." Obviously, though, he was.
After we finished davening, I went back to my friend to thank him for two things. One, that HaShem runs the world, and it is very cool when we notice the correlation between our actions and HaShem's providence. Second, I thanked him for reminding me that everything we say is noted and noticed. I was just thankful I got this reminder when I was doing something laudable and not something reprehensible.
We are now between Pesach and Shavuos; freed from human bondage to eternal attachment to the Author of Creation. This period is also when 12,000 pairs of R' Akiva's students died. Why? We are told because the did not give proper respect to each other. Whatever finesse and depth that idea demands; the fact remains that acceptance of the Torah is predicated on exalted and exquisite מידות/character. This period is also called "the omer" and we "count the omer". An omer is, in fact, simply a measure. We see that measure also by the mahn. What's the connection?
Mahn was unique -- however much one collected, he always came home with an omer. Lesson -- HaShem runs the world, but we are required to make all reasonable efforts. Moreover, a Tzadik found is mahn right on his doorstep, the less than tzadik needed to search further, the less than less tzadik, even further... and so on. If someone had a difficult day, everyone knew about it; he would certainly work harder to improve. If someone was a had an amazing day, everyone knew about it; he would certainly work hard to continue. Lesson -- the respect of the community is very motivating.
Every year we get to remember and relive this fact -- HaShem runs the world, and HaShem has given us each other -- our close friends and neighbors -- to help us to come closer to Him.
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