Believing that Hashem is Not Limited in His Ability to Help Us
By Daniel Keren
Rabbi Yosef Viener
One of the featured speakers at a recent Hakhel Yarchei Kallah Event in Flatbush was Rabbi Yosef Viener, mora d’asra of Khal Shaar Hashomayim in Monsey. The topic of his lecture was “Creating 36 Trillian Dollars, Searching for the Moon, and Discovering Ourselves.”
Rabbi Viener began his lecture by noting that $36 Trillion Dollars was recently the national debt in the United States. Apparently there are some economists and politicians who believe that the government can simply continue to borrow money without fearing any serious consequences.
One who is financially conservative will buy U.S. Treasury bills or bonds that are backed by the confidence or bitachon (trust) of others in the U.S. government.
The nimshal (comparison) is that the above is similar to what is happening in the spiritual realms. Hashem also has the unlimited ability to give us as much as He wants to give us. He has no limitations like governments on earth that have to pay interest on loans they take to pay their bills. All Hashem wants is that we should utilize His gifts and brochas (blessing) to us in a proper manner and not abuse what bountiful gifts He bestows upon us.
Rabbi Viener recalled recently that this past Nissan it was difficult to perform the mitzvah of Kiddush Levana, the blessing the New Moon. The last opportunity was the first Seder night and his request to his grandchildren to find the moon so he could make the precious brocha was not achieving results, until he offered an incentive of $50 to any grandchild who could find the moon. After that offer, the grandchildren began leaving the room of the seder every 10 to 15 minutes to try and discover that moon and earn their $50 reward.
That Rabbi Viener said was an important opportunity to teach the children the lesson that amalus, our efforts to do a mitzvah is important. We learn in the recent parsha of the Chumash that in the days when the Yovel (Jubilee) was observed in the days of the Beis Hamikdosh (the Holy Temple in Jerusalem) that one must be careful to not take advantage of the other partner in the transaction when selling land that must return to the seller with the coming of the next Yovel year.
The concept behind the halacha to not cheat another person or to make a joke or to humiliate another person is to have Emunah (trust) in Hashem and to behave properly. You need not take advantage of others to become wealthy. If you have Emunah in Hashem you can confidently place your trust in Hashem and have less Emunah in others. It is better to rely on Hashem and place your hopes in Him.
There were two great wealthy people in the history of mankind – Korach among the Jews and Haman among the umos, the nations of the non-Jewish world. Sadly, their incredible wealth led to their destruction as it caused them to become arrogant. Their desire for greatness led to their painful downfall.
The Bnei Gad and the Bnei Reuven asked Moshe to be allowed to settle in the lands the Bnei Yisroel conquered from the Amorite kings - Og and Sichon and not take their share of the land in the Seven Canaanite nations that Hashem had promised to give the Jewish nation in fulfillment of his promise to the Avos – Avrohom, Yitzchak and Yaakov. They promised that they would not settle in the conquered kingdoms of Og and Sichon until they helped their brethren conquer the Seven Canaanite nations.
Everything on paper was OK but the members of the Shevatim (tribes) of Gad and Reuven made a mistake in giving up the opportunity to live in the greater kedusha (holiness) of the Land of the Seven Canaanite nations (the future Eretz Yisroel [Land of Isra]. This, for example, resulted in tribes of Gad and Reuven being the first of the 12 Shevatim to be captured and sent into exile.
Rabbi Viener also discussed the difference between Rus (Ruth) and Orpah. They both originally intended to accompany Naomi, their mother-in-law back to Eretz Yisroel after the deaths of their husbands. Their mother-in-law tried to discourage them, telling Rus and Orpah to back to the wealthy homes of their parents. Rus remained with Naomi, while Orpah gave up and felt she wasn’t up to the task of making a new life in Eretz Yisroel.
Had Orpah simply had the Emunah that Hashem would be able to give her siyata d’shmaya, in abundance and simultaneously bless her with material wealth, she would not have left Naomi and suffered her terrible spiritual downfall and loss of a share in Olam Habah (the World to Come.) This is a potent lesson for all of us Jews today despite the many difficulties that seemingly threaten us at all times.
Reprinted from the Parshat Ki Seitzei 5785 edition of The Jewish Connection.
On October 7th, Ilan Weiss gave his life defending his community. He was killed by Hamas terrorists and his body was taken into Gaza. His wife Shiri and daughter Noga were also taken by Hamas terrorists that morning. They were released after fifty days in captivity. Ilan was a husband, a father, and a man loved for his humor, his dedication, and his constant willingness to help. On August 29th, Israel has received him back with both heartbreak and honor.
Reprinted from the website of Aish.com
