WhatsappIf Jews and non-Jews alike can remember that “It’s all for the good,” then our spirits can be raised up. Here’s a good song to remember.
The Famous Jewish Idea
There is a story in the Talmud, Taanit 21a, about a man named Nachum Ish Gamzu. He always said the phrase “Gam zu l’tova,” meaning “This too is for the good.” It became a famous Jewish idea. He represented an unwavering faith in G-d that everything that happened to him was for the best. How did he know? Because G-d controls everything, and if G-d makes something happen, it must be for the best. Even if he could not understand the reasoning, he had faith in G-d. There were some not so pleasant things that happened, but G-d is the ultimate good, so Nachum Ish Gamzu knew that ultimately, everything was for the best.
Rabbi Akiva also had a similar complete faith in G-d. He also used to say something similar presenting the same idea that everything G-d does is for the good.
This song is extremely uplifting, especially in the times we find ourselves in. So many things seem so unclear and confusing. We don’t know what will be with COVID-19 and every other worry in the world. But if we can remember that “Gam zu l’tova,” maybe we can let go of our fears just a little. And maybe then we can start living our lives with a little more faith and a little more peace of mind.
