The ancient sages did, too. And they found wisdom in the balance.

Rabbi Tanhum ben Rabbi Hiyya, a wise teacher of old, opened his heart with a verse from Ecclesiastes (7:14): “On a day of good, enjoy, and on a day of bad, see: God made this corresponding to that.” It's a powerful idea, isn't it? That even in hardship, there’s a purpose, a connection.

But what does it really mean?

Rabbi Tanhum didn't just leave it there. He showed it through action. He taught that if misfortune falls on someone else, we should look for ways to help them, to lift them up. Why? To receive reward, yes, but more than that – to participate in the very fabric of creation.

The story goes that Rabbi Tanhum's mother, a woman of incredible compassion, would buy meat from the market. A litra, a certain measure. But she wouldn't just buy one for her son. She'd buy two. One for him, and one for the poor. "This corresponding to that," she'd say.

Think about that for a moment. It's more than simple charity. It's a recognition that abundance and lack are intertwined. The Holy One, blessed be He, created the poor and the wealthy so they could benefit each other. It's a divine partnership, a cosmic exchange.

Vayikra Rabbah 34, where this story lives, tells us that this is why Moses, our great leader, cautioned the Israelites: "If your brother will become poor..." He understood this fundamental truth – that our responsibility to one another is not just a nice thing to do, but a cornerstone of a just society.

It's easy to get caught up in our own lives, our own struggles and successes. But Rabbi Tanhum's teaching reminds us to look outward, to see the interconnectedness of all things. That even in times of hardship, we can find meaning and purpose in helping others. That the very structure of the world invites us to participate in acts of kindness and compassion.

So, the next time you feel the seesaw tip, remember Rabbi Tanhum and his mother. Remember that "this corresponding to that" isn't just a clever phrase, but a call to action. How can you bring balance to the world, one small act of kindness at a time?