Don’t Forget About Hashem

Immediately after Oct. 7, I couldn’t stop doomscrolling through social media and checking my newsfeed. Everything I saw made me feel depressed, anxious and scared. I couldn’t sleep, I wasn’t eating right and I couldn’t think straight.

But every night, when I’d cuddle with my daughters before bedtime, I’d feel better.

When my husband and I would talk about what was going on, I’d instantly calm down.

While learning Torah over the phone with my study partner in Lakewood, I’d become a little more centered.

Why? All these things brought me closer to Hashem. 

Receiving and spreading Hashem’s love is our mission as the Jewish people. And yet, so often these days, that’s being left out of the conversation.

Many people are afraid, sharing stories about antisemitism and the atrocities happening to Jews in Israel and around the world. Trust me, I’m very familiar with it. Whenever I talk about being Jewish on social media, I get hundreds of antisemites coming after me. 

It’s not very encouraging, but I choose not to focus on it. Instead, I focus on what’s right in front of me: Hashem. So many of us are spiritually dehydrated right now and feeling worn out and beaten down. But there are ways to turn this around.

For instance, whether or not we keep Shabbat, Shabbat exists. We can choose to step into this holy day and feel calm and collected. We can sit around the Friday night table with family and friends, eat a soul-satisfying chicken soup and laugh and cry and feel less alone. We can go to synagogue to listen to an inspiring speech from our rabbi and connect with our community.

During the week, we can learn Torah on our own or with a friend, or we can tune into a podcast for a few minutes per day.  And we can pray from a prayerbook or simply from our hearts. Hashem hears every request, big or small.

As human beings, our perspective is limited, but Hashem can grant miracles. He can turn everything around in an instant. I know, because I’ve seen it.

As human beings, our perspective is limited, but Hashem can grant miracles. He can turn everything around in an instant. I know, because I’ve seen it. In my 20s, I was constantly struggling and pleading to Hashem for help. There were so many times I couldn’t afford my basic necessities. I’d tell Him, “Please send me money to pay my bills.” And then I’d say, “I trust you, Hashem. Now I’m going to stop worrying about it and go on with my day. I know You’ll take care of me.”

Within minutes, I’d have that money in my bank account. 

This is just a small example, but it’s one that I believe anyone can learn and implement in their everyday lives. 

It’s important to put down your phone and stop looking at everything bad. Instead, think of what you can do to connect to Hashem. It can be as simple as saying a blessing before you eat a certain food or saying Shema or telling your children how much you love them. 

If you’re having trouble solving a problem – and you know you’ve tried your best to figure it out yourself – ask Hashem for help. Then, leave it in His hands and see what happens.

Remember: Human beings have free will; Hashem gives us choice so that we can have an authentic relationship with Him. If our sins immediately led to punishment and our good deeds immediately resulted in rewards, an authentic relationship would not be possible. 

But because free will exists, bad things happen. People make bad choices all the time. We don’t have to focus on the bad. We can focus on all the good. We can think more broadly about what happens in the world and say, “Hashem is in control. I trust in Him.”

This is difficult at times, but it’s what gets me through. Since I started believing in Hashem, my life has improved greatly. And it has been the ultimate source of comfort since Oct. 7.

Are you ready to open your eyes and see Hashem? I know He’s ready for you.

What’s been bringing you comfort? Email me: Kylieol@JewishJournal.com.

Kylie Ora Lobell is the Community Editor of the Jewish Journal.