"This, Too, Is For the Good"

Could it mean "Make the Best of any situation?" Reply

The Angels Shalom Aleichem Rabbi,
I enjoyed this topic. I just have one question......When you said that the Angels wanted to sing when the Egyptians were drowning, I did not understand because I thought that Angels have no free will of their own. So if G-d does not want them to sing, how would they come to that sort of inclination to do something that G-d does not want, and is making Him upset because He feels sad that the Egyptians are drowning? Reply

Gam zu l'tovah Thank you for this video. It added to my understanding of “gam zu l’tovah.”

I would like to share my understanding of this phrase. I have meditated on the concept of “gam zu l’tovah” at least 100 times, and every single time that I did, my circumstances were changed for the better. I’ve experienced many miracles from this, and I believe that it’s because I see it as a logical statement. Since it’s logical, it’s impossible for me to have doubt. This is what I say when I meditate:

“This situation is good.
Why?
Because this situation is meant to be.
How do I know that?
Because the fact that it is proves that it is meant to be.
Because this situation is meant to be (which I just proved with logic), it is good.”

If we change our definition of “good” to “what is meant to be,” rather than “what makes a human being feel positive emotions,” then we can have the ability to say “gam zu l’tovah.” The key is to realize that we are ignorant of G-d’s plan and therefore don’t have the ability to judge what is “good” and what is “bad” except through logical thinking, disconnected from our emotions.

The part that means, “this too,” is very important, because it means that we must still desire things to be better while accepting them as they are at the same time. It seems to me that the reason we must have these two equal-opposite desires at the same time is so that we can allow G-d to convert one into the other. When we begin with a “bad” energy (the undesirable situation) and feed it positive energy (knowing that the situation is actually good), then we are allowing G-d to convert “bad” into “good,” and that’s why it causes the situation to change for the better. If I said “this is for the good,” rather than, “this too is for the good,” I would have nothing “bad” to give the essence of “good” to, and therefore nothing would change. It would only cause me to accept undesirable situations. Reply

Thankyou dear Rabbi Now I have peace. Reply

tanya no disrespect but i would like it if mike kiegal would talk a little less and not cut the rabbi off. Reply

Manis Friedman's works It's not the first time, and I hope there'll be many others opportunities to express my admiration of his works.

In the future (for he is young) i'm sure he will be acclaimed as a sage of our times - he speaks to contemporary people, in a clear, profound and funny way (sometimes).

I'm sure he doesn't need words of admiration, but I need to express my feelings. And as the Rebbe Rashab heard from a doctor, "you need to hear what people who follow you are thinking and feeling about your work." This can be useful for him, too. Reply

Daily Tanya Audio You can find the past audio classes at this link.

Also check out our live daily Tanya classes with Rabbis Fine and Gordon. Reply

Tanya I start lisening to the tanya audio, I know that i miss all the pass sheurim what can i do to catch up? Reply