A Personal Storm: When Miracles Seem Impossible

A few years ago, a friend of mine faced what seemed like an impossible situation. He had been pouring his heart, soul, and savings into building a brick-and-mortar business. Despite countless challenges along the way, he refused to give up. He leveraged every resource, invested more money, and held onto the belief that his hard work would pay off once the business opened.

But then Covid hit. Everything shut down. For many businesses, this meant disaster. Even as income dried up, the banks kept collecting loans, mortgages, and debts. My friend described it as a “perfect storm” and told me, “I need a miracle the size of kriat yam suf—the splitting of the sea—to get out of this.”

That moment stuck with me because we’ve all had times when life feels overwhelming. The problems seem too big, the night too dark, and the path forward impossible to see. But it’s precisely in these moments that we can draw strength from the lessons of our history, our Torah, and our emuna.

Yosef: From Darkness to Redemption

In Parshat Vayeishev, Yosef finds himself imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. In those days, jails weren’t like they are today—they were dungeons, deep underground, with little to no hope of escape. Prisoners were left to rot, with the rare exception of a pardon from Paroah on his birthday.

From a human perspective, Yosef’s situation seemed hopeless. But Hashem’s salvation often comes in ways we could never predict. Just as Yosef was pulled out of the dungeon and rushed to greatness, so too can Hashem transform our darkest nights into the brightest dawns in an instant.

Yaakov: Wrestling with Darkness

A couple of weeks ago in Parshat Vayishlach, Yaakov wrestled with the angel of Eisav all night. It was a grueling struggle, yet Yaakov didn’t let go. As the dawn broke, his persistence was rewarded—not only did he win the battle, but he emerged as Yisrael, a name symbolizing his strength and resilience.

Sometimes, life feels like that night—an endless struggle in the dark. But morning always comes, and with it, clarity and blessing. The key is to hold on, knowing that Hashem is with us even in the wrestling.

The Miracle of Chanukah

Chanukah reminds us that Hashem’s light can pierce even the darkest times. When the Greeks sought to eradicate Judaism, they desecrated the Beit Hamikdash, outlawed Torah study, and banned mitzvot like Shabbat and brit milah. The situation seemed hopeless. The Greeks were mighty; the Jews were few. It appeared impossible to fight back.

But Matityahu and his sons refused to give up. Their emuna and bitachon—faith and trust in Hashem—were unshakable. Against all odds, the weak defeated the strong, the few defeated the many, and the pure triumphed over the impure. Not only did Hashem deliver victory, but He also gave us a miraculous sign of His love: a single jug of oil that burned for eight days.

That oil wasn’t just fuel for the menorah; it was Hashem’s hug, a divine reassurance that He is always with us. Each night of Chanukah, as we add another candle, we feel the warmth of that hug growing stronger.

Finding Hashem in Our Lives

The word for miracle in Hebrew, nes, also means “banner.” Miracles are Hashem’s way of raising a banner to show us that He runs the world and loves us more than we can imagine.

Sometimes, in the middle of our struggles, it’s hard to feel Hashem’s presence. But when we look back, we often realize He was with us every step of the way, carrying us through the darkness. As Rabbi Wallerstein Z”TL beautifully said, “We all have times that feel like we are buried, but in fact, we are really being planted.” The challenges we face are often the seeds of growth, preparing us for the light to come.

Embracing Gratitude in the Darkness

There’s a powerful verse in Tehillim that we sing with joy: “Tov L’hodot L’Hashem ul’zamer L’shimcha Elyon”—“It is good to thank Hashem and to sing to Your exalted Name.” It continues, “To declare Your kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.”

The morning represents the good times, when it’s easy to see Hashem’s kindness. But the night represents the tough times, when faith feels like the only lifeline we have. Even then, we are called to trust in Hashem and declare His faithfulness, knowing that morning will come again.

The Lights of Chanukah

Chanukah comes at the darkest time of the year, reminding us that Hashem’s light is always within reach. As we light the menorah, we connect to the miracles of the past and strengthen our emuna for the present and future. The story of Yosef being rushed out of prison, the victory of the Maccabees, and the oil that burned against all odds are all reminders that Hashem’s salvation can come k’heref ayin—in the blink of an eye.

Let’s take this opportunity to look back on our lives. Think about the hardest times you’ve faced. Hashem was there, giving you the strength to get through, even if it didn’t feel like it in the moment. If Hashem has always taken care of us before, we can trust He will continue to do so now.

The Essence of Chanukah: Gratitude and Praise

At its core, Chanukah is about l’hodot u’lehallel l’Shimcha HaGadol—to thank and praise Hashem for His kindness and miracles. When we light the menorah, we aren’t just commemorating the oil that lasted eight days or the victory of the Maccabees. We are expressing our gratitude to Hashem for the endless ways He takes care of us, both in extraordinary miracles and in the everyday blessings we often take for granted.

The Al HaNissim prayer we recite during Chanukah reminds us that the miracles of the past weren’t just grand displays of Hashem’s power. They were expressions of His deep love for us—saving us when all seemed lost, lighting our way when the world was dark, and giving us the strength to keep moving forward.

But gratitude doesn’t stop with the big moments. True gratitude is about recognizing Hashem’s hand in everything—waking up in the morning, having food to eat, being able to see, hear, and breathe. Every small detail is a miracle.

Lighting the Way to Gratitude

Just as the menorah lights grow brighter each night, our gratitude can grow as well. Chanukah invites us to take a step back from the busyness of life and reflect on the blessings that fill our days, even when we’re struggling.

That’s why this Chanukah, I’m launching 4-Minute Gratitude. It’s a simple, practical way to bring more gratitude into your life by focusing on the small and big things Hashem gives us every day. Through daily prompts and exercises, you’ll discover how gratitude can strengthen your connection to Hashem, shift your mindset, and bring more light into your life—just like the candles of the menorah.

The Kedushat Levi teaches that beginnings made during Chanukah are uniquely blessed. What better time to start cultivating gratitude than during a holiday devoted to l’hodot u’lehallel?

Let the Light of Gratitude Shine

This Chanukah, as you light the menorah, take a moment to reflect on the blessings in your life and the miracles, big and small, that Hashem does for you every day. Join me in the 4-Minute Gratitude program and let’s build a habit of recognizing and celebrating Hashem’s kindness together. Start now and let the lights of Chanukah inspire you to carry gratitude with you throughout the year.

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