Hashgachahh Pratis in the Sefarim Hakedoshim
Even while in Mitzrayim, Yosef Hatzaddik worked on his bitachon to make his heart constantly feel that Hashem was with him.
It is brought in the Midrash Tanchuma (Vayeishev 8): The Name of Hashem was always on his lips. When he came to serve his master he would whisper a prayer: “Ribbono shel Olam, You are my Savior, you are my Patron; grant me favor and kindness and mercy in Your Eyes and in the eyes of all those who see me, and in the eyes of Potiphar my master.” His master Potiphar noticed and asked, “What are you whispering?” Yosef answered, “I am praying to find favor in your eyes.”
Getting to the root of things, we find that Yosef’s behavior stemmed from the greatness of his nefesh and from his awareness that he was not alone. He always knew that Hashem was with him and that he was important in Hashem’s Eyes. Therefore, he did not hold back from davening to Him every step of the way.
When a person is in narrow straits and is surrounded by difficulties, whether in parnassah, or relating to health or nachas from his descendants, he needs to know that Hashem is with him and that he is important in Hashem’s Eyes. Thus, he has already gained closeness to Hashem, and closeness to Hashem is the only thing that will accompany him to the World to Come – not matters related to parnassah and health.
Doubts flood a person’s heart: Who am I? What is my life all about? How is it possible that Hashem considers me important? These thoughts come from the yetzer hara. It is Hashem’s will that we recognize and know our greatness and that we understand that we are much more important in His Eyes than it seems to us.
When we work on this all the time, we’ll be able to trust in Him and place our hopes in Him always, and to feel His closeness.
Excerpts from the popular shiur by Harav Yehuda Mandel shlit”a from Lakewood
Greatness of the Nefesh Is the Key to Bitachon
