RABBI LAZER BRODY ELECTION FEVER

King Solomon teaches us an important lesson in life: "Many are the contemplations in a man's heart, but the counsel of Hashem is that which will be fulfilled" (Proverbs 19:21). His father, King David, said, "The counsel of Hashem shall forever be fulfilled" (Psalm 33:11). In other words, what happens in the world is not our doing but the product of "Hashem's counsel" - Divine will and ordinance. Many people have difficulty with the above concept. Give them the choice between an hour of personal prayer and an hour of political activism - signing petitions, writing letters, convincing other and the like - and nineteen times out of twenty, they'll choose activism. Why? Human arrogance makes a person desire to be in control of his own destiny. It's difficult for the average Joe to reconcile himself to the principles of emuna, for emuna teaches that Hashem is in charge of things and not the President of the United States or the Prime Minister of Israel. A Jew is not the average Joe. He believes in the Rambam's Thirteen Principles of Emuna. The very first principle states, "I believe with a full and complete belief that Hashem, blessed be His Name, is Creator and Director of all the creations, and He alone, did, does, and will do every single deed." There are no exceptions. Do you know what that means?