Al pi Hashem yachanu v’al pi Hashem yisa’u, “According to the word of Hashem, they encamp, and, according to the word of Hashem, they would journey” (Bamidbar 19:23). The Shlah HaKadosh (Shaar Ha’osios 1, derech emuna) writes that this pasuk is an allusion to the practice of saying, Im yirtzeh Hashem, or B’ezras Hashem concerning every undertaking, trip, endeavor, etc. One must always have Hashem’s Name in his mouth, so that everything that he does will be with Hashem’s blessing. The Chida (Chidrei Beten) cites a midrash concerning a businessman who went to the market with a sufficient wad of money to purchase wares for resale. He was “met” by Eliyahu HaNavi who asked him the obvious question: “Where are you going?” The man replied, “The yerid, marketplace.” He did not add, Im yirtzeh Hashem. As a result, he lost his money. He returned home to retrieve other money and returned to the yerid. After all, if he did not purchase, he would have nothing to sell and his family would starve. Again, he was met by Eliyahu HaNavi, who asked him where he was going. The man once again replied, “To the yerid.” This time, Eliyahu was not as tolerant. He said, “If you do not immediately add, Im yirtzeh Hashem, you will lose this money, as well.” The man was no fool. He declared, Im yirtzeh Hashem. He successfully purchased excellent quality wares at a very competitive price, and he even found the money that he had originally lost.
