Hashgachah Pratis in the Sefarim Hakedoshim
He Believes in Hashem and He Plants
Reish Lakish said: What is the meaning of the words (Yeshayahu 33:6) “emunas itecha”? The word emunas refers to Seder Zera’im – a farmer sows seeds in the ground because he trusts in Hashem to make them grow. (Shabbos 31a)
Excerpts from the popular shiur by Harav Hatzaddik R’ Beirish Shneebalg shlit”a
The Power of a Decision and a Tefillah
The world is filled with nisyonos that challenge a Yid who wants to grow closer to Hashem. Sometimes these difficulties seem too hard to surmount, causing us to feel helpless.
These difficult nisyonos demand coping skills that negate a person’s nature. The classic example is shemiras halashon, the battle against lashon hara. A person wants to strengthen himself in this matter, and he is aware of the severity of the issur, but he finds himself lured again and again to speaking lashon hara as a result of a slip of his tongue.
Although a person’s abilities are limited, help from on High is available to him the moment he makes a firm decision that he is determined to come close to the Creator of the world and to do His will. As the Ohr Hachaim hakadosh says (Vayikra 18:2): For the tzurah (form) will govern the chomer (material) when a Yid makes a firm decision to cleave to Hashem. He will govern his nature. The solution, then, lies in making a determined decision to cleave to Hashem. Heavenly assistance will accompany this decision.
The question arises: We know that “everything is in the Hands of Heaven, except for fear of Heaven.” If so, how is it possible for a person to have assistance from on High to overcome his nisyonos? This question arises in regard to tefillos for spiritual matters as well, such as asking Hashem to help us refrain from doing forbidden acts.
The answer is simple: A person needs to take a small step – a determined decision, a tefillah to Hashem. These acts are a proper beginning, and in their wake, the gates of Heavenly assistance will open up to him. As Chazal teach, “If someone strives to improve himself, [Heaven] will assist him”; and, “Open up for Me an opening as wide as the point of a needle, and I will open it for you as wide as the entrance of the Beis Hamikdash.” When a person makes a tiny opening, he is granted a wide opening from on High.
May it be Hashem’s will that we overcome all our nisyonos and come close to Hashem and cleave to Him with a heart and soul that desires Him; amen.
