We are obligated to do hishtadlus. The source for this obligation is found in this week's parashah.
The Yalkut Shimoni (808) states, "Do you think that Hashem will send you blessings even if you sit idly and do nothing? The pasuk says (2:7), ברכך אלקיך 'ה כי ידיך מעשה בכל, 'Hashem your G-d has blessed you in all that you do.' If a person does, he receives Hashem's blessing. If he doesn’t act, he will not receive."
The Mesilas Yesharim (ch.21) explains the purpose of hishtadlus: "Technically, a person could do nothing, and he will earn the amount of money that was decreed in heaven, if it weren't for the קנס, the tax, that was placed on all mankind, לחם תאכל אפיך בזעת, 'By the sweat of your brow shall you eat bread.' Due to the decree of the Exalted King, everyone must do hishtadlus for his parnassah. It's a tax that all humanity must pay, and it is one that no one can escape. But it isn't the hishtadlus that helps. It is an obligation. After one does his proper hishtadlus, he has fulfilled his obligation, and Heaven's blessings can come down. He doesn't need to spend all his days seeking parnassah."
In this week's parashah, Moshe Rabbeinu says (1:12), וריבכם משאכם טרחכם לבדי אשא איכה, "How can I carry all your disputes all by myself?" Rashi says משאכם implies that they were apikorsim.
In what way were they apikorsim? One way to translate משאכם is "your heavy loads." This alludes to those who think they carry the heavy load of life all by themselves. This is apikorsus because they are not alone. Hashem carries the load together with them.
It states in this week's parashah (1:32), ובדבר אלוקיכם 'בה מאמינים אינכם הזה, "In this matter, you do not believe in Hashem, your G-d." The Rebbe of Stretin (Degel Machenah Yehudah) zt'l explains that if a person thinks his parnassah will come הזה בדבר, specifically in this way, and not in any other way, he doesn't believe in Hashem. One must believe that Hashem can provide parnassah in many ways.
Indeed, Hashem helped them. A family prepared a meal for a chasunah, but since the chasunah celebration was called off due to the war, the father of this family went to the forest to distribute food to those escaping through the forest. The Brisker Rav asked some questions regarding the kashrus, and when he was satisfied with what he heard, he told his family that they could eat as much as they wanted. But once again, he warned them that after the meal, they shouldn't take any food along with them. They would trust in Hashem, as before. The next day, they met another person, carrying baskets filled with food. He had also prepared a wedding meal, which was cancelled due to the war. Everything was there, meat, bread, food for the best of times, but there was no dessert. No one really cared. There was plenty to eat. But the Brisker Rav was upset. It wasn't the dessert that bothered him – he never took particular interest in the foods he ate. He asked his family, "Did anyone save something from yesterday's meal?" They were all silent. He asked again, "Did anyone keep food from yesterday's meal?" One young child admitted that he was afraid he wouldn’t have what to eat today, so he saved some dessert for today. The Brisker Rav said, "See Hashem's wonders. The boy kept some dessert, and therefore, that is exactly what is missing today."
Someone complained to Rebbe Hershele of Lisk zt'l about a competitor who opened up shop near his store. He was worried that it would hurt his parnassah. Rebbe Hershele Lisker responded with a mashal: There was once a person who owned a chicken, and every day he threw some crumbs 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 his food, pecked at the newcomer and ripped out its feathers. The owner watched this and thought to himself, "Foolish chicken! Why don't you understand? I know two birds are now in the coop, and I will put in enough food for both of you." Rebbe Hershele Lisker zt'l explained, "Hashem provides parnassah. And now that two people are in the same business, Hashem will send a bigger portion. He will provide for both of you. There is no reason to worry."
Someone saw two 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 understand 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 in everything we do. We can't do anything on our own. We do our hishtadlus, but all work is futile without Hashem, the primary Partner.
A businessman once 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 started well. They were about to sign a contract when one of the non-Jewish businessmen asked, "How do we know we can trust you? Can you prove your honesty in business?" The Yid replied, "You don't have to worry. I'm 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.
I received the following letter from a member of our chaburah, from Beis Shemesh: "I will begin with a mashal: There was a great, powerful king who ruled over a large country. As was common in the days of yore, the king waged wars with the neighboring countries to conquer land and amass greater wealth. Once, the king got a report from one of the fronts that his general there was struggling against a mighty army of the enemy. To help his general, the king decided to send him a massive sum of money. The general would use the money to feed his army and to purchase better weapons. He also sent him maps and other supplies critical to succeeding in battle. The question was how to send all of this. Bandits followed what was happening in the king's palace. They would hear about the gift, wait in ambush, and take the money for themselves. The king came up with a solution. He placed the treasure into old, used bags and covered them with garbage. He took one of his servants, dressed him in dirty clothes, and told him to deliver the bags to the general on the front. The servant did so, and no one suspected anything. He appeared to be delivering garbage. When the servant arrived, and the bags were opened, their terrible scent almost suffocated the general. If the general were a fool, he would become very upset and say, "Isn't it enough that I am risking my life and fighting with all my might to help the king and his nation? Why did the king embarrass me with this offensive delivery?" However, a wise general would stop and think, "Who is sending this to me? It is the king whom I love, and who loves me. I am certain that he didn't mean to embarrass me. There must be something precious hidden within these bags." The search began, and mixed within these smelly bags was a great treasure. The general was happy with the treasure and glad that he had the intelligence to realize that within the concealment was a gift from the king. Let this be a lesson for us. When we go through difficult times, remember Who sent it to us. It is from the King Who loves us. It is indeed for our benefit. Concealed within these troubles is tremendous compassion.
