In the Dump

Author Unknown

A cow once stumbled upon a wounded bird lying on the ground in pain and discomfort. Doing what cows do best, the bird was left covered in a heap of animal refuse. Suddenly she felt warm and cozy. So happy was the bird with her new found comfort, she began to sing.

Spurred by the sweet twittering, a farmer working in a nearby field followed the sound, only to discover the little creature lying submerged in manure. The farmer immediately removed the animal from her wretched surroundings. Painstakingly he cleaned her and carefully placed her down. However, to his great disappointment the little bird would no longer sing. She was, in fact, noticeably withdrawn. Realizing that he had upset her by removing her from her comfortable and cozy surroundings, the kind farmer looked at the bird and said:

Little bird, little bird, let me teach you some very important lessons in life:

First of all: Not everyone that makes you feel comfortable is necessarily your friend.

Secondly: Not everyone that makes you feel uncomfortable is necessarily your enemy.

Finally dear birdie: When you are wallowing in manure, try not to sing.

Golus is agonizing, it is extremely challenging, but it is not bad. G-d creates no bad.

Golus is G-d’s Gevura – discipline. Much as Gevura appears bad on the surface, it is good on the inside.

Such is the case with exile as well. It is a matter of short term suffering versus long term benefit – the era of “Complete Shabbos and rest for life everlasting,” which is conceived and born amidst the pangs of Golus.

Do not look at the vessel, but rather at what it contains; there may be a new vessel filled with aged wine, or an old vessel in which there is not even new wine. (Pirkei Avot 4:20)