D'var Torah: "From Asher -- his bread will have richness and he will provide kingly delicacies" (Bereishis 49:20). The holy Torah shows us how we can transform troubles to goodness. As a result, we will merit to draw down from Heaven great and abundant blessing into this world. The foundational principle is to believe with perfect faith, "That everything that the Merciful One does is for the good." Even if we find ourselves lacking certain things, nevertheless, we should be happy and praise HaShem for our very lives and for our holy souls. Our perfect faith and praise of HaShem holds the worthiness to transform our troubles into goodness. Subsequently, HaShem's kindness will flow into the world. All the inhabitants of the earth will be blessed with abundant goodness and the delights of the King will fill the world!
Moral: Our awareness that our lives and souls are invaluably precious gifts from HaShem, gives us good reason to always be thankful to Him. What's more, when we thank and praise HaShem, our troubles will be converted to wonderful blessings of goodness for the entire world.
Application: There are five steps that empower us to transform troubles into goodness. 1. Reflect on the Torah principle taught by Rabbi Akiva, "Everything that the Merciful One does is for the good." 2. Internalize this important concept. 3. Even if you are lacking something, thank and praise HaShem for the gift of life and the gift of your holy soul. 4. Praise HaShem for every breath you take. 5. Through the merit of your faith and praise of HaShem, transform your troubles to goodness, and rivers of HaShem's unbounded kindness will flow upon all mankind.
(Based on the commentary of the Bas Ayin)
