Ever since the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, man has endured the curse - “By the sweat of your brow shall you eat bread”.
Have you ever wondered why this does not contradict Bitachon? After all, if Hashem will provide you with all of your needs anyway, why should you bother to expend any effort at all? If He is providing for you, why does He make you work for it?
Fool’s Bitachon
There is a famous parable told of a man on a sinking ship. The crew admonishes him to hurry into the waiting lifeboat. He declines the offer, on the grounds that “God will save me”.
A passing ship lets down a rope ladder so that he can climb aboard to safety. The man holds strong to his convictions. “No thank you,” he tells them. “God will save me!”
Finally, with the ship sinking fast, a helicopter circles overhead. It has come to save the man. However, he wants to be saved by God, not by a helicopter. He remains on the sinking ship.
At last, the man drowns in the depths of the ocean. His soul arrives before God. He has come to God with a complaint: “I trusted in You to save me, God. Why did You let me down?”
God responds, “I saved you 3 times! I provided you with a lifeboat, but you wouldn’t get in. I sent you a ship, but you wouldn’t climb aboard. I even flew in a helicopter for you, but YOU refused to be saved!”
Rabbenu Bachya Ibn Paquda, author of Chovos Halevavos (Duties of the Heart), employs a similar analogy of a hungry person. Even if the food is placed in front of him, he still must bring the food to his mouth and chew it up in order to quell his hunger!
Even more effort is required when the food is not placed before him. He must work to pay for the ingredients, shop, and cook the food if he wants to eat.
In other words, even when Hashem provides, man must expend a certain amount of effort in order to tap into the good that God has in store for him.
Bitachon does not mean that Hashem will take care of me, and therefore I don’t need to to do anything. Rather, I must put forth a basic, reasonable effort. Once I have fulfilled my obligation, I can trust that Hashem will provide for me through whichever avenue He deems fit.
The Chovos Halevavos offers 2 reasons why man has to work:
To test him
God created man with external needs, such as food, drink, clothing, shelter and family. God has commissioned man to seek out his needs in permitted ways, and provides appropriate opportunities for Him to do so.
This enables man to exercise his free will. Does he serve Hashem or does he transgress His will? Does he obtain his needs appropriately, or does he disregard God’s laws in an effort to obtain his wants and needs?
If a man truly trusts in God, he will not try to fulfill his needs in a forbidden way. He realizes that if he is meant to have something, then God will provide him with a proper way to procure his need. If he is not meant to have it, he will not be able to obtain it no matter what he does. Therefore, he does not benefit by using unsuitable methods for getting what he wants.
To keep man busy so he won’t sin
If man did not have to earn his living, he would rebel against God and run after sin, instead of focusing on his obligation to serve Hashem.
Structure is a wonderful gift. It helps us to zoom in on what we need to do instead of wandering about aimlessly.
Take, for example, a child during the school year. Somehow, he is always very busy doing something very important. There is simply not enough time to eat, do homework, shower, and get to bed on time!
But look at that same child after two weeks of vacation. He is bored as can be. He can’t seem to find anything at all to do. (We are at the end of summer vacation, and I am beginning to hear “I’m bored!” and “What can I do?” quite a lot!).
The same is true of students. The hall-roamers and mischief makers are not the kids who are working hard in class! They are the children who are (for a variety of different reasons) bored!
Teens and adults who have too much time at their disposal often find themselves involved with drugs, alcohol, or inappropriate relationships. Having to work for a living is a blessing in that it saves people from getting into this kind of trouble.
Every worthwhile goal requires effort
These principles - that man must work to earn a living, and that work serves as a test and protection from sin - apply not only in regards to money and basic needs, but to all human wants and needs, both physical and spiritual.
Practical Bitachon
On your way to work, thank Hashem for the blessing of work! Appreciate that working allows you to stay on the straight path and to affirm your loyalty to Hashem.
When doing unpleasant tasks, remember that they are actually part of a healthy, structured life!
Welcome hard work instead of running away from it. It was created for your benefit!
Take advantage of the opportunities that Hashem provides. Don’t miss the boat!
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