Q:
Why did Hashem create onions? Who needs it?
A:
I have to laugh when I hear that question, but it’s an important question though. Why did Hashem create onions? Who needs them? And the answer is because they taste good. Onions add so much to so many cooked foods. And to other foods as well. It tastes good! You know, when I walk in the street and I pass a fruit store, sometimes I see outside the store a big sack full of onions. I get excited! Ah! Onions! What would this world be without onions?! Without onions what is the world?! It’s not a world! I see big sacks of potatoes on Kings Highway. And big bags of onions. Onions and potatoes. What’s better than that?! הודו להשם כי טוב כי לעולם חסדו. Boruch Hashem for onions! Boruch Hashem! Onions make us happy! How can anyone even have a question about it?! Why do we need onions?!! How can it even be a question in your mind?!
So you must start training yourself. Walk by the fruit store and make sure to stop and look at the onions. And then say, “Boruch atah Hashem borei pri ha’adama.” Say it! Yes, say it. Don’t just think it. Say it! The first fifty times you don’t mean it. But after a while you’ll mean it. Don’t just leave here after our talk and forget about it. No, I really mean it. You have to start practicing thanking Hashem in this world. You walk past a fruit stand and you see onions outside. Say, “Ahhh! Borei Pri Ha’adama. I thank You Hashem for the onions.” Ok, so you’re a hypocrite. You don’t mean it. But do it anyhow. Do it anyhow! And after a while you’ll actually begin to feel truly happy and thankful to Hashem that He created onions. Your superficiality will begin to influence your pnimiyus, your mind. And after a while you’ll begin to understand how good the world is. Boruch Hashem that there are onions in the world! Boruch Hashem that there are potatoes in the world!
TAPE # E-180 (February 1999)
