Someone complained to Rebbe Hershele of Lisk zt'l that a competitor opened a store near his shop and is worried that it will hurt his parnassah. Rebbe Hershele Lisker responded with the following mashal: A person owned a chicken, and every day, he threw some breadcrumbs into the coop. One day, he bought another chicken and placed it in the coop. The first chicken, worried that the “newcomer” would eat all the food, pecked at the new chicken and ripped out its feathers. The owner watched this and thought to himself, "Chicken! Why don't you understand? I know two birds are now in the coop, and I will put in a double portion, enough for both of you." Rebbe Hershele Lisker zt'l explained, "Hashem gives parnassah. And now that two people have the same business, Hashem will send a bigger portion. He will provide for both of you. There is no reason to worry."
Someone saw partners working in a field; one dug holes in the ground, and the other filled those holes with earth again. He asked them, "What are you doing? What is the purpose of digging holes if you immediately fill them?" They replied, "We usually work in groups of three. One digs a hole, the second puts in a sapling, and the third covers it with earth. Today, the partner that usually places the sapling into the earth didn't show up, but we figured that just because he isn't here doesn't mean we shouldn't do our job." This story reminds us that we have a Partner with everything we do. We can't do anything on our own. We make hishtadlus, but all work is futile without Hashem, the primary Partner.
A businessman had an important meeting scheduled in the Nine Days. He asked Reb Moshe Feinstein zt'l whether he may shave his beard to look presentable at the meeting. Reb Moshe ruled that shaving is forbidden during the Nine Days. A business meeting does not make it permitted. But the businessman feared his unshaven face would ruin his chances of closing the deal, so he shaved. The meeting went well initially. They were about to sign a contract when one of the non-Jewish businessmen asked, "How do we know that we can trust you? Can you prove to us your honesty in business?" The Yid replied, "You don't have to worry. I am a religious Jew, and I follow the Torah. The Torah mandates stringent business ethics, so you can trust me." "You're a Jew?" another non-Jewish participant interjected. "I know Jews don't shave this time of year. But you are clean-shaven. If you aren't loyal to your religion, how can we trust you will be honest in business?" The deal fell through. This is an example of what occurs when one tries to do business while ignoring the primary Partner.
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov zt'l told the following story: A generous baal tzedakah served hot, satisfying meals to anyone who came to his door. A poor person heard about this and went there to receive a meal. However, he accidentally knocked on the neighbor's door. "Can I have a meal?" he asked. The neighbor immediately understood what occurred and decided to take advantage of the situation. He answered, "Certainly, you can have your meal, but first, you must do some work for me." The neighbor gave him hard work around his house, and when he finished, he said, "You did well. Now you can receive your reward. Go next door. A good meal awaits you there.” As he ate, he commented to the host, "It was hard work, but it was worth it." The host asked him, "Where did you work hard?" He answered, "In your house, next door." The host understood what happened and corrected him. "You worked for free, and you're eating for free." This story teaches us the essence of hishtadlus. We work in one place and earn parnassah from another. It isn't the work that brings parnassah. Work is a tax that must be paid to be eligible to receive parnassah. After we do hishtadlus, Hashem sends parnassah.
The Chazon Ish zt'l sent Reb Shalom Schwadron zt’l on a trip to London to raise money for Pe’ilim (a kiruv organization). Reb Shalom wasn’t successful on that trip and didn't make much money in London. When he returned, the Chazon Ish showed him a five-hundred-dollar check (a princely sum in those days) and said, "I received this check from a baal tzedakah in Brazil for Pe'ilim. You did hishtadlus in London, and the yeshuah came from Brazil."
