Your Gashes Will Gild Me 

Explanation: This poem aims to give the reader an understanding of our deep bitachon in Hashem even when it’s hard to understand. It encapsulates a two-step process: believing that everything ends up good and trusting that whatever He does is good itself. The poem goes through these steps while asserting that whether or not we understand, we are still totally connected with Hashem, “for I am a part of Your rays” (based on the Tanya concept that although sun rays seem separate from the sun, they are in fact still completely one with it). 

The first part of the poem deals with being taken in and out of suffering by Hashem and not understanding it. The end moves on to understand that we are thoroughly connected with Hashem as is stated in Likkutei Sichos, Shemos 36, Section Hei, which gives the mashal of a servant in prison. His master is the only one who can get him out. No one else can help him. The sicha explains that our bitachon in Hashem works the same way. No other power such as forces of nature can help us, only Hashem. 

The end of the poem realizes that even when we don’t understand Hashem’s reasoning, our bitachon is complete. We trust that even His “gashes” will “gild” us, i.e.: that even the things He does that don’t seem to be revealed good are still the most loving good from Him. We will ultimately do well with all He gives us.

Your Gashes Will Gild Me 

At times You say naught. Then You heed me
You made me a captive then freed me
You’ve sent me such pain that I swooned
Then taught me to kiss my own wound

Why do You plague me? Why try me so hard?
I can’t comprehend all Your ways
But nevertheless, our deep bond I’ll guard
For I am a part of Your rays

Alone in a forest You place me
Then send Your salvation to grace me
You’ve sent me through briars that scratch me
Then rained down Your ointments to patch me

At times my chest shrinks with Your chains
But then You send ease to my pains
Whene’er You strike me down, blue
You then show I’ve got only You

Why do You plague me? Why try me so hard?
I can’t comprehend all Your ways
But nevertheless, our deep bond I’ll guard
For I am a part of Your rays

For only my Master can free me
Your servant…for You always see me
Imprisoned “bireshus adonav”*
You’re always connected above

And so You are not a cruel Master
Who plans for me riddled disaster
Somehow Your slashes will build me
And somehow, Your gashes will gild** me.

I don’t know how this can be true
But I know that deep down, I know You
So somehow, your “slashes” will build me
And somehow your “gashes” will gild me

*Likkutei Sichos, Shemos 36, Section Hei

**gild means to cover with gold