Dear Friend,
There is a famous joke told of a man desperately looking for parking in midtown Manhattan. After twenty minutes of circling as the moments tick by, he lifts his eyes heavenward and promises, “G‑d, if You help me find a spot, I will donate ten percent of my profit to charity.”
Just then, he notices a place opening up just ahead of him. “It’s okay, G‑d,” he says. “I managed to find a place without You.”
This Saturday night and Sunday, we will once again listen to the reading of the book of Esther. On the surface, we’ll simply hear a fascinating tale of coincidences. Ahasuerus decides to replace his wife; it just happens that Esther is chosen to be the queen; Mordechai happens to be at the right place at the right time to save the king’s life; and Haman seems to run out of good luck just in the nick of time.
But, in truth, G‑d is behind it all. In fact, the sages of the Talmud associate the name of the book, “Esther,” with G‑d’s hiddenness. Because He is there just below the surface, making sure everything happens just in time.
May G‑d grant that we each perceive His presence in our lives. Always.
Happy Purim!
The Chabad.org Editorial Team
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Its so true that we give credit to our own self for accomplishments which are made possible by G-d who prefers to work in the back stage. Its a great lesson to always remember his working in our lives and to always praise and thank G-d for his benevolence every time without fail.
Thank you for all the superb articles posted on the occasion of Purim and not to forget-A VERY HAPPY PURIM to all of you at chabad.org
I loved the joke !!!! And yes, G-D is always there to help us. Maybe some people don't even notice it, but when you are in your worse, something good happens.
Help comes from where you never expected.
Purim note and other letters from the editorial team I want to thank you , with heartfelt gratitude for all the thought-provoking notes from your editorial team. I often turn to the chabad website in the late evening , as the day's busy time winds slowly into the more quiet hours. I love many features of the websie, the little stories, the discussions, the helpful videos, Thank you.
I don't always take the time to read your emails, but I'm always glad when I do.
Thanks for the inspiring messages.
HASHEM behind the scenes Could you please give me som examples of where HASHEM is behind the scenes?
God is always active in our lives. I have lived long enough to learn this. I look back over four score years and see that when I went my own way, he let me learn the hard way, by paying the consequences.
The simple amazing truth.
purim What a wonderful way of reflecting the Purim story to our today life. I think everyone can recognize themselves in this joke.
Sometimes your e-mails come just in the nick of time for me as well. Thank you so very much.
WAS it coincidence My life, marriage, children and medical career have been a source of inspiration and wonder. Looking back over 60 years much too many things have happened to be just coincidence. There has to be an upper hand guiding all of us and I give sincere thanks.. .
G-d always blesses me in the last second possible for the privilege of always allowing me I have no doubt of Whom is in charge, but the human part of me: misses the illusion that I have some say and what happens to me in this world.
Love this! Love this. Thank you so much for posting it!
Thanks Letter First of thanks,as you know we are refugees, our hunger refugees condition is to reached many difficult situation more and more.We need in your helping prayer more and more.I hope that you will help continually at my volunteer work.I respected all of you.May God bless your ministry.
I'm just learning but it's great and God bless you
coincidence?... Wouldn't you know; the same type of "coincidence" is now happening to me regarding the attempted sale of my home. Hmmm...Praise G-d!
If coincidences are the work of G-d, the G-d is not like a terrorist. G-d is a ...
One more "coincidence": Although Mordechai happens to be in the right place to save the king, he also happens to be in the right place to put everyone else in danger. If he hadn't been hanging around at the gates of the palace, then Haman would not have seen him not bowing, and would not have retaliated with a death edict, and the Jews would not have needed saving. And if Esther had been chosen as Queen, then Mordechai would not have need to hang around at the gates of the palace out of concern for her, so Haman would not have seen him not bowing, and would not have retaliated with a death edict, and the Jews would not have needed saving.
I was going to say that if coincidences are really the work of G-d, then G-d is like a terrorist who takes hostages, frees them several months later, and is given credit for "saving" them. But one word of that sentence is wrong: the word "like". If all coincidences are really the work of G-d, then G-d is a terrorist who takes innocent hostages.
Is God White?
Hi, the parking lot story is apt. for all stingy and calculative people, whatever their creed is. Now, can you please ask your God why are African blacks, majority of Hispanics and the dark skinned Asians subject to genocide for centuries. Their abundant resources has been and still are being exploited by the Whites. Particulary the Aryan Sect. Since time immemorial. Where is God for them? Has God forsaken them?
Feature Article I always felt G-D was there. But, the Holocaust changed my thinking forever.
Thank you so much. Your words fill me with gladness and hope. Peace Brothers, Sisters, Kindred.
Coincidence There is no just thing as coincidence, God is always in control.
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