Hashgochah Pratis in Sifrei Kodesh
Hashgachahh Pratis in the Sefarim Hakedoshim
In Parshas Vayeira we learn how Sara heard the malachim informing them that the following year she would have a baby boy. When she heard the news, she laughed. Afterward, Hashem rebuked her: “Why did Sara laugh...is anything too wondrous for Hashem?!”
We can ask: What problem is there with the fact that she laughed? Sara Immenu was a great tzaddeikes, a woman of tremendous faith. Isn’t it natural for a person to react this way upon hearing such wondrous news, that a woman of ninety would give birth? Moreover, the malachim who gave her this news appeared to be simple people – Arabs, and she did not hear Hashem Himself promise her a child.
It seems that Hashem demands of a real believer that he not only believe in Him, but that he completely trust in Him and in His ability to perform the greatest and most unfathomable miracles. Absolute bitachon means there is no place for a moment of wonderment or laughter, because in the eyes of the ba’al bitachon there is nothing too wondrous for Hashem.
Sara Immenu had already seen great miracles with her own eyes: How Avraham emerged from the burning furnace alive and well, and how he was victorious, almost all on his own, over four great kings. She herself was taken to Pharaoh’s house, where Hashem protected her in the most miraculous of ways. In her tent as well, constant miracles happened. As our Sages teach: A cloud representing the Shechinah hovered over her tent, her candle remained burning from one Erev Shabbos to the next, and her bread dough was blessed.
And so, after a life filled with miracles, Hashem demanded absolute bitachon of her, to the point that it would not enter her mind at all that giving birth at the age of ninety was something impossible.
This is a lesson for all of us: When a person looks at the course of his life and sees how many chassadim and wonders Hashem does for him each day, then he should determine in his heart: How can I not trust in Hashem?! After all the miracles that I’ve already seen, how could I be doubtful of His abilities?! It is clear as day that Hashem can do anything, and that He will continue to make miracles and wonders, even things that appear to be impossible!
Excerpts from the popular shiur by Harav Yehuda Mandel shlit”a from Lakewood
