We are obligated to do hishtadlus in this world, and this involves a test of our middas habitachon. The fact that we do things that bring about foreseeable results is liable to lead us astray, to cause us to imagine that everything depends on our efforts. The proper perspective is that on the one hand, we have to fulfill our part in hishtadlus, and on the other hand, the result is not guaranteed. In the beginning of Chapter 4 of Shaar Habitachon, Rabbenu Bachyai instructs us to “surrender” ourselves to whatever Hashem has decreed for us.
Rabbenu Bachyai did not say “Place yourself in Hashem’s Hands”; rather, he calls for total surrender, all at once, to Hashem yisbarach. Cast your burden on Hashem. He is the Manipulator of all events, and so one does not need to worry. What will be? How will it be? How will this matter end up? We have no control over this; everything happens according to His decree.
Often we do hishtadlus, and the results are the opposite of what we wanted: We call but we don’t get an answer. We go to the store just when the item we need is missing... A person should not think that this happened because he is so unsuccessful and unfortunate; rather, he should know that there is a Heavenly plan that is playing out according to all his steps in life, and he should trust in Hashem. He should know that the results of all his actions will be nothing other than what the Creator has decreed is correct for him in this world and the Next, and ultimately it is all for his good.
If only every time we called to find some information, we’d get an immediate answer, without hearing a call-waiting signal or songs and tunes that take us back to the same point again and again.
If only every time we arrived at some sort of office we’d be the first in line, the person we need to speak to would be available for us immediately, with tons of patience and in a good mood, would understand quickly exactly what we want, and would help us to our satisfaction.
If only when we set out to go somewhere, all the traffic lights would be green and all the streets wide open, with no traffic jams; if only the engine would always work well and we would never run out of gas. And if we’re traveling by bus, if only the bus arrived at the bus stop the moment we got there and we’d immediately find a comfortable place to sit, and the journey would be peaceful and the bus would be mehadrin, without inspectors and without any other surprises.
If only everyone in the streets would always be organized: Here the men, here the women, and no child would be crying or screaming annoyingly; everyone would be calm, happy, and in an exalted frame of mind.
If only we would find only happy notices in our mailbox, informing us that we deserve a lot of money, instead of computerized letters obligating us to make all sorts of payments, or to pay taxes or fines.
If only we’d find a good place to sit at every simchah, at a set table with pleasant neighbors, with a polite, smiling waiter who would give us good, fresh food like we’d get at home, and we’d be able to talk peacefully with others in a quiet atmosphere, without a noisy band drowning out all conversation.
Once we’re talking about quiet, if only all the pre-recorded messages and phone calls would stop completely, and the bothersome, annoying adverts and unexpected solicitation calls would stop disturbing our daily routines and important calls.
And in general, it shouldn’t be so hot in the summer. Wherever we go there should be shade, and in every building an air conditioner – not too cold and not too hot – and we should be greeted wherever we go with cold watermelon and sweet, thirst-quenching drinks, preferably low in calories.
In the winter it should not be so cold, and blessed rains should fall. But the second we go outside the rains should stop in our honor, and no car should shower us with a puddle full of water.
And what about spiritual matters? If only, immediately upon approaching the shelf in the yeshivah’s library, the sefer we want to learn would jump out toward us. We should find a good vort for the speech easily, and when we come to shul to daven we should be zocheh to find a baal tefillah and baal korei whose voice is pleasant and pleasing, exactly at the pace we want, not too fast and not too slow. And the sections of song and chazzanus should be according to our taste.
And all the gabba’im should do only what finds favor in our eyes, with no mistakes, in the best way possible.
How many things we wish for – and we are allowed to wish, and to make an effort to achieve the results we want! We are allowed to be men “in a place where there is no man,” but to remember at all times that what will be at the end is what was decided according to the knowledge of the Creator, and that all the mistakes and everything that happens won’t turn out to be exactly what we want. It is all only for our good. How great is our obligation to thank Hashem, Who carries out His will at all times and Who brings everything to the best possible conclusion for us!
And may it be His will that we strengthen ourselves more and more in the emunah that He Alone does everything and that everything is for the good; amen.
