Weekly Reflections with Rabbi Mordechai Rhine THE WORRY FORMULA Yakov fled from his parents’ home. Although he left the house with plenty, Esav’s son caught up with him and took it all away. Penniless and unsure of what the future would bring, Yakov engages G-d in heartfelt prayer. He has four things on his mind. G-d responds to only three. “May G-d be with me, guard me, return me to my father’s home, and grant me sustenance.” G-d responds, “I will be with you. I will guard you. I will return you.” But regarding the fourth item, sustenance, G-d does not respond. The Medrash explains that G-d said, “If I guarantee him sustenance then he will have no more worries and needs to request of Me.” The fourth item was not guaranteed so that Yakov would continue to be concerned for his future and pray for his needs. I am reminded of the story of a little town that wanted to get practical. They realized that too many people waste too much time worrying. So they decided to designate one person to do all the worrying on behalf of the town. This service was considered so significant, as the story goes, that they were prepared to pay the town worrier seven ruble an hour for his services. Unfortunately the plan fell through when they realized that if he was earning seven ruble an hour “he would have nothing to worry about.” Truth be told, even after being well paid, a person can still have plenty to worry about. Health, family, and life direction are all areas of concern even to the person who is financially stable. Worry is something that we usually wish to avoid. But G-d’s message regarding Yakov is that worry is valuable. If used correctly, worry is a catalyst for communication. The amount of worry in our lives is formulated to equal the amount of communication that G-d wishes to receive from us. Take for example a person who is having trouble in a relationship with a boss or client. There is an element of worry or concern about how things will turn out. One can choose to wallow in worry. Or, one can realize that G-d could easily provide guarantees for all the items on our “wish list” but doesn’t because He wants to hear from us. At a guaranteed “seven ruble an hour” we would have no opportunity to turn our worries into heartfelt communication. Here’s an exercise you can try. Throughout the day, take note of the things that worry or concern you. Collect them, and keep them in mind for the next time you meet with The Boss in prayer. There are designated paragraphs in prayer regarding wisdom, health, financial success, justice, and peace. At the correct moment, go ahead, and turn your worries into heartfelt communication. Have you ever wished that you had more wisdom to be able to make a decision properly? Have it in mind during the prayer for wisdom. Although the prayer service is like a prepared speech to G-d, prayer is a whole body experience. Intonation counts, as does emotion and intent. Worries are intended to be transformed into heartfelt communication. Many people wish they had “the seven ruble an hour” so that they would have no worries. From the way that G-d dealt with Yakov’s prayer we learn that worry is essential. So as you go through the day do not be afraid to worry or to have concerns. Worry often. Worry well. Just make sure that you are worrying effectively. With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos, Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Torah Links of Cherry Hill To see more articles from this author go to www.teach613.org