“Just pile it on!” shouted Boris, “We’ve got a couple more boxes to get on this wagon before we can hit the road!”
Boris and Feema, a team of Russian businessmen, were preparing for an extended three day business voyage, spending all afternoon loading up their horse and buggy for the long trip ahead.
After hours of vigorous preparation, the two finally set off. It was just the beginning of their lengthy, much-needed business trip.
Just moments had passed when Feema, the more dull-minded peddler, leaned over to grab some of the luggage that lay by their feet, placing it securely on his lap.
“Why did you put the luggage on your lap?” asked Boris. “Is there something inside that you need?”
“No…” Feema replied, “I just... I want to keep it safe.” Boris rolled his eyes, annoyed as usual by his imprudent counterpart.
Their journey continued, and for nine straight hours Boris and Feema continued their voyage, hoping desperately to be successful as they try their luck in the bustling town of Voronezh. They prayed that their fate would turn for the good. More time passed, and Boris again noticed Feema lean forward to take some more baggage from the wagon floor.
What is it, Feema?! Why do you insist on keeping the luggage on your lap?! They will be just fine on the wagon floor! For goodness sake, it’s heavy! Surely you're uncomfortable holding all that weight in your lap!” Feema sighed, and admitted the reason for his actions.
“Well, Boris… I can’t help thinking about our poor horse.”
“What about the horse?” Boris interrupted. “Sasha is doing just fine. There is nothing my Sasha can’t handle!”
“Yes Boris, but… There’s just so much luggage, and our trip is but a long one. I can’t bear to watch old Sasha carry such a heavy burden… I decided to help her, and take some of the load off by putting on my lap.
Boris’s face grew red and his anger flared. “You fool!” he yelled. “Whether the luggage is on your lap, or whether it lay on the wagon floor –it is the horse that is bearing the heavy load!”
Feema realized the foolishness of his actions, yet just hours later, he repeated his mistake. Obviously, he was a man of short memory.
This, dear reader, is the story of our lives. It is the way many, if not all, of us act in our service to Hashem.
It is no secret that each and every person has some kind of headache, or some sort of problem that arises throughout our lives. We think, we worry, we cry, and most times take the problem into our own hands. We put the luggage into our own lap, completely forgetting that whether we leave it on the wagon floor, or try and carry it ourselves, Hashem is the one who bears the problem.
This being the truth, why do we insist on taking things into our own hands? Aren’t we aware, as Boris reminded his foolish counterpart, that the weight is being carried either way?! Why take our problems into our own hands?
This is precisely what the Holiday of Pesah comes to teach us. Throughout the year we’re constantly bombarded with different stresses and difficulties. Some big, some small, sometimes even unbearable pain and confusion. Comes the Holy, beautiful Seder Night where Gd reminds us, “Hello?! Why do you insist on taking on this problem by yourself?! Put the luggage down my child, for this is my burden to bear.”
“Imo Anochi Be’sara”
Hashem is with us in all that we face. It is our job to know that although he created the difficulty, he is undoubtedly there, carrying our “luggage” whether we try and carry it ourselves or not. The Holiday of Pesah is our reminder to drop the luggage. As King David says, “Hashlech Al Hashem Yehavecha”, Throw your burden on Hashem, “Ve’hu Yechalkeleka” And he will provide”.
The same way Hashem has taken us out of Egypt, away from the most miserable suffering in our history, he will continue to do so for Am Yisrael at large, and for each and every individual in our personal lives.
May the message of Pesah, the message of realizing that Hashem is carrying all of our headaches and hardships last us till next year, and may we not forget this vital message as did Feema. Amen.
