DOING OUR PART
As the Midrash explains, one should not say, "I will eat, drink and enjoy, and in Shamayim they will have mercy," for HaShem sends his bracha through a person's work. If one doesn’t take action, he will not receive the bracha. This can be learned from Yitzchak, who planted his field so that the bracha from HaShem would be able to rest upon it.
(תנחומא ויצא, תדב"א יד, תוספתא ברכות פ"ו)
Rabbeinu Bechaye in his Chovos HaLevavos explains why HaShem created the world in such a way that people must work to earn a living. Firstly, it serves as a test to one's dedication to HaShem in business, including his recognition of HaShem's hand in his success. Secondly, if not for work, many people would only indulge in worldly pleasures and be drawn to sins.
Elsewhere it is explained that HaShem wanted His influence in this world hidden, and made it appear as if it is we who are causing things to happen. Chassidus adds that by working in the world a Yid elevates the world and arouses within himself a greater love for HaShem.
(חוה"ל שער הבטחון פ"ג הקדמה ה', שיחו"ק תשל"ד ח"א ע' 145, לקו"ש ח"ל ע' 137 ואילך עיי"ש)
ONLY A 'KEILI'...
The Torah teaches that a person must remember that it is HaShem Who brings him any success, and one should not attribute it to his own doing. Some list this awareness as one of the 613 mitzvos.
(עקב ח, יז, סמ"ג מל"ת סד)
Chazal say that although a person should have a trade, he must still daven to HaShem, for any trade can either succeed or not, and all depends on a person's merits.
Rebbi Shimon ben Elazar said, "Have you ever seen animals working for a living – perhaps a deer working in an orchard, a lion as a porter, or a fox as a storekeeper? Despite their lack of work they still have provisions, while I have to labor for mine! It is only because I myself have caused this, through my wrongdoings."
(קידושין פ"ב ע"א)
The Alter Rebbe writes: Bracha and success come from Above and all that has to be done is to make a suitable keili for this bracha. A person who is very involved in his parnasa is like a person who sews clothes for himself that are too long, and thus cause him to trip and fall.
(לקוטי תורה תצא לז, ב)
Shortly after the Frierdiker Rebbe arrived in America, he once asked someone what he does, and was told, "I make a living." The Rebbe responded, "A living is made by the Eibershter; a Yid must be the recipient (mekabel)."
(תו"מ ח"ט ע' 115)
The Rebbe Maharash taught that parnasa in our times is similar to the mann, sustenance from heaven, which was not measured by the effort invested. For that reason one need not be concerned about his livelihood and trust completely in HaShem.
(לקו"ש חט"ז ע' 178 הע' 38 ובכ"מ)
The Rebbe once illustrated this by the example of a businessman who before davening in the morning hurries to call his associate and strike a deal, lest someone else precede him. He does this because he thinks that he is the one who brings the parnasa. If he truly believed that everything is from HaShem, he would work only because He was commanded to do so, and he would work only in the manner in which he was commanded – for it is unthinkable that following the directives of HaShem would bring him a loss. Behavior contrary to this is a subtle form of avoda zara!
(התוועדויות תשד"מ ח"ג ע' 2123)
The Frierdiker Rebbe writes: When the Tomchei Temimim Yeshivah was established, my father, the Rebbe Rashab, instructed its fundraisers not to overemphasize the greatness of the Yeshivah in order to increase contributions: "We must only do as HaShem commanded, and make a keili by informing Anash of the Yeshivah and of its nature."
(אג"ק ריי"צ ח"א ע' רכו)
A SUITABLE 'KEILI'
On one of his travels, the Baal Shem Tov went up to a house, knocked on the window and immediately continued on his way. Hearing the knock, the person living there rushed out and caught up to the Baal Shem Tov, asking him what he wanted. The Baal Shem Tov told him that he needed a certain sum of money and the man fulfilled his request.
The talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov then asked him, "If there was a need to knock on the man's window because something was needed from him, then why did you leave right away without waiting for him to come out and hear your request?"
The Baal Shem Tov explained that a man's request is fulfilled by HaShem, but He wants that person to take some action as well. The measure of action depends on a person’s level. For the Baal Shem Tov it was enough to do something small, like knocking on the window. Once he had done his part, he had no reason to stay and therefore had continued on his way.
The Rebbe explains that it is up to each individual to set how much of an effort he will have to make – whether he will study Torah all day and do only "something," or whether he will discharge his obligation with a little learning in the morning and evening, and work the rest of the day....
(התוועדויות תשמ"ז ח"א ע' 290, דברי יחזקאל פ' וישב, לקו"ש ח"ה ע' 344)
CONSIDER
If HaShem can make everything happen, why is there a need for a 'keili'?
Can it be said that the person's success is a result of HaShem's bracha and the 'keili'?
