D'var Torah: "If you bring a thanksgiving offering" (Vayikra ). The Talmud (Brachos 54b) tells us that if a person is saved from one of four dangerous situations, he is required to thank HaShem. The four situations are sickness, a long journey, childbirth, and imprisonment. When a person finds himself in one of these situations, let him reflect on this teaching from the Talmud. His study of the obligation to bless HaShem for saving him, will awaken HaShem's mercy and He will save him from his trouble. In light of this, the verse says, "If you will bring a thanksgiving offering," implying "if" you learn about giving thanks to HaShem, He will save you.
Moral: The trust and faith in HaShem expressed by learning about the obligation to thank HaShem, even when a person is still in danger, holds the merit to bring about HaShem's redemption.
Application: Reflect on the blessing that is made when we thank HaShem for saving us from danger: "Blessed are You HaShem, Elokeinu, King of the universe, Who bestows good things upon the culpable, Who has bestowed every goodness upon me." Review the four cases of deliverance upon which we make this blessing. Thank HaShem for saving you from a tight spot, even before He sends you His deliverance.
(Based on Sefer Ba'al Shem Tov)
