Hashgachah Pratis in the Sefarim Hakedoshim
Excerpts from the popular shiur by Harav Yehuda Mandels shlit”a from Lakewood
Seek Out Hashem
The tzaddik Rav Yaakov Yosef Herman zt”l was a pioneer of the Torah world in America. His grandson once asked him: “Saba, what is unique about you?”
His grandfather responded with a question: “What do you think about when you walk in the street?”
“I think about my business and my needs,” the grandson replied.
“Therein lies the difference between me and you,” Rav Herman told him. “When I walk in the street, I think about how I could give nachas ruach to Hashem yisbarach!”
This is an example of someone who is connected completely to Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
On the other hand, it is related that a very good bachur once very much wanted an expensive watch. His desire was so strong that he decided to work a bit in order to make enough money to buy the watch. After the watch was in his possession, he wanted an expensive suit, so he continued working. Eventually, the bachur left yeshivah, and after that his level of ruchniyus deteriorated to a very low place.
This is an example of someone who is not seeking a connection to Hashem yisbarach, who is thinking only about himself.
The foundation of Yiddishkeit is to desire and search for ways to come closer to Hakadosh Baruch Hu and to do His will.
A person is rewarded for the very act of seeking out Hashem, as it says, “And the hearts of those who seek Hashem will find joy.” Malbim explains that in general, a person who seeks something will not be happy unless he finds what he is seeking, since he is unsure whether he will actually find it, and because he still hasn’t reached his goal. When it comes to seeking Hashem, however, “The hearts of those who seek Hashem will be happy.” This is because there is no doubt that they will achieve their desire, and also because the very act of seeking Him is itself the realization of the goal, for it is not possible to “catch up with” Hashem; one can only seek Him, and this itself is the goal.
This is a principle for life: We need to make time to speak to Hakadosh Baruch Hu and to thank Him in our own mother tongue, and to beseech Him to be our main Chavrusa, our yedid nefesh Av harachman. If you do this, your heart will be happy and you’ll be matzliach in all your ways!
Hashem’s Eye Is Focused on Those Who Fear Him
This passuk refers to Shevet Levi, who anticipate Hashem’s chessed. While all Yidden anticipate the chessed of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, this is especially true regarding Shevet Levi, who did not receive a portion in the land, but rather they sit and daven that Eretz Yisrael should bear its fruit so that they can receive the ma’asros, and they have nothing in the world other than the chessed of Hakadosh Baruch Hu. (Midrash Rabbah, Bamidbar 5:1)
