Rav Hirsh of Rimanov zy”a writes that everyone goes through times when they feel lowly and downtrodden and think they are very far from any form of kedusha. At such times, one may feel that he is unworthy of serving Hashem and that He does not desire his Torah and tefillah since he has done so many sinful things. This can lead a person to fall to severe depression. To counter this mindset, the Torah says to lift up the heads of the assemblage of Klal Yisroel, meaning that everyone should have their heads held high and they should not be sad. Even if one knows that he has done bad things in the past, he should accept to do good in the future and recognize that his sins will be forgiven and he will be given a chance for a new start.
Rav Bunim of Peshischa zy”a would encourage those who felt depressed by saying that the final letters of the words “v’hayisa ach sameach” (Devarim 16:15) spell the word “Chatach”, which is a holy name that represents an abundance of parnassah. This indicates that through simcha, one can receive an abundance of livelihood, and depression pushes away this abundance.
Rav Bunim further stated that we see that many unlearned, unrefined people succeed very much in business. The reason for this is that since they are unthinking, simple people, nothing really disturbs them, and they are always happy. Their happiness allows them to access the Divine abundance of parnassah, even if they are unworthy.
Furthermore, he says, we see that there are more wealthy men who are simple people than there are wealthy men who are tzadikim and talmidei chochomim. He explains this phenomenon by citing the words of the Chovos Halevavos (Shaar Habitachon), who writes that one may not “make deals” with Hashem. One may not tell Him: If You give me a lot of money, I will do a lot of mitzvos with the money.
Talmidei chochomim often say to Hashem: If you give me money, I will open a yeshiva or a Kollel. They speak as if they will “do Hashem a favor” if he just gives them some money. Hashem responds: I can take care of Myself. I can open yeshivas and kollelim on My own. I don’t need your help.
Simple men, on the other hand, don’t make deals like this with Hashem. They just say: I need money to buy a house or to pay my bills. Since their tefillos are genuine and true, Hashem fulfills their will.
