A person who opens a business and wants it to succeed will hire a strategist whose job it is to see a few steps ahead and suggest actions that will make the business prosper and the merchandise sell. As a professional who has studied this subject in depth and gathered data learned over the course of many years by the best experts, he suggests ideas that may seem illogical: He may urge the business owner to use a certain style of advertising or to raise his prices. He might make a host of other proposals that could seem illogical to the business owner.
Why does the businessman continue to use his services nevertheless? Because he is smart and knows that in order to succeed, one needs to listen to the professionals who understand the field. The ability to foresee developments as much as is humanly possible is an art, and it would be irresponsible to ignore professional recommendations.
A man lives in this world and asks: Why is something so illogical happening here? I am davening so much for bountiful parnassah, and all I want is to be able to learn in peace. Why am I not receiving this?
A bachur is waiting to establish his own home; a man wants to have children – and they wonder: Why? All I want is to do the will of Hashem. Why am I not receiving that which I desire?
In Tehillim perek 37, Malbim explains that the entire chapter is talking about the advantages of one who trusts in Hashem, and the differences between him and one who does not trust in Hashem.
David Hamelech addresses one who is seeking parnassah and says, “Dom el Hashem v’his’cholel lo” – Place your hopes in Hashem, even when success seems far away from you. “Heref mei’af v’azov cheimah” – Do not feel anger toward Hakadosh Baruch Hu, chas v’shalom, because it is better for you to be a poor man who trusts in Hashem than to be a rich man who does not trust in Hashem. There is a process taking place here, and there is a Strategist controlling it; your current situation is only a small part of the plan that is unfolding. Ultimately, we will see the differences between those who acted wrongfully and those who trust in Hashem, for in the end the wicked will be cut off, but “v’kovei Hashem heima yirshu aretz – those who trust in Hashem, they are the ones who will inherit Olam Haba.”
Rely on Hakadosh Baruch Hu. He knows what He is doing. His strategies are the most exacting and the best, and His success is ensured for all eternity.
Good Shabbos, Pinchas Shefer
Parshs Eikev 5783 ■ Issue 119
