From Complaints Hell Was Created - Torah and Prayer on the Virtue of Gratitude

A prayer by our teacher, the holy Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, and holy words on the virtue of gratitude and the great importance of this trait, from the book 'Todah VeHoda'ah' (Thanks and Gratitude).

FROM WHINING HELL IS CREATED

(From the book 'Todah VeHoda'ah' - Fiery Holy Discourse)

TO BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO THANKING PEOPLE

A person is accustomed to whining for no reason about what they are going through, and it is difficult for them to thank Hashem for it. And when they do give thanks, they always feel that it is difficult for them and that they are giving thanks for no reason, because it seems to them that there is no need to give thanks when they are in such a situation. One must break this trait and always thank Hashem for everything.

A person who is not accustomed to thanking other people will never become accustomed to thanking Hashem. Therefore, for every kindness you have received from another, see to it that you return thanks and gratitude, and through this, you will learn to also thank the Creator, may He be blessed.

A PURE PRAYER FROM OUR TEACHER, THE HOLY RAV ELIEZER BERLAND SHLIT"A (From the book 'Todah VeHoda'ah' - Prayers on Thanks and Gratitude)

TO MERIT PURE AND REFINED FAITH IN HASHEM AND TO MERIT TO STOP COMPLAINING AND WHINING, ONLY TO THANK HASHEM

Master of the Universe, Almighty, grant me complete faith in Hashem, a pure and refined faith, a faith of truth, and faith in all of this.

Please Hashem, grant us in Your mercy to know that all wisdom is drawn only from You, and all attainments only from You, and all understanding is drawn only from You, and all wealth is drawn only from You. And I will not boast of foreign wisdoms that are not from the wisdom of the Torah, for all heresy is drawn from pride and from invalid arrogance. And may we merit that Hashem, may He be blessed, will help us not to fall into any pride, and only that all our days will be in humility and lowliness, for pride is a blemish that disqualifies the holy offerings.

For the people of Israel are holy and pure in the ultimate refinement and purification, for through meriting the perfection of humility, one merits to recognize Hashem and to praise Him for every single thing. For Hashem only desires kindness and increases goodness toward us, and the whole problem is that we do not thank Him enough, but on the contrary, we are still complaining and grumbling.

And therefore, Hashem, may He be blessed, grant us not to complain anymore and not to whine anymore, and to always be from now on in the state of a 'yanoqa' (infant) who is born at this very moment.

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