We know very little about things we have gone through and things that are happening to us right now. Nonetheless, the experiences of both past and present are a part of us.
The future, however, is unknown. We have no idea what is going to happen, and this uncertainty arouses a plethora of thoughts and emotions, including surprise, joy, hope, and anticipation, along with fear and suspense. No one knows what the future holds for him.
So how should we relate to that which hasn’t yet occurred? Rabbenu Bachyai teaches that one who trusts in Hashem neither rejoices nor mourns over what will be in the future. As it says (Mishlei 27:1), “Do not take pride in what will happen in the future.”
We know that there is reason to think about the future in a positive light, and we are even commanded to do so, as Chazal teach, when a person is judged on High, they ask him, “Did you anticipate salvation?” (Shabbos 31a). Did you hope to emerge from your difficult situation and were you confident that Hakadosh Baruch Hu would send you His assistance? Did you ask for redemption during the days of exile? A person’s approach to the future should be to turn his eyes Heavenward, to daven, and hope for the best, to anticipate salvation and to trust in the Creator, that He will indeed redeem him.
We would think that it is very good to rejoice in that which has not yet occurred, since we believe it will be good and we believe in Hashem’s mercy. But Rabbenu Bachyai teaches that one who trusts in Hashem “does not rejoice in the future.” We need to understand: What is wrong with being happy about the good that will come our way in the future?
To answer this question, Rabbenu Bachyai cites the passuk in Mishlei, “Do not take pride in what will happen in the future.” By understanding this passuk we can know what type of joy regarding the future is not desirable.
Looking into commentaries reveals that this passuk refers to rejoicing over one’s own future deeds.
Sometimes a person will be proud of himself off and say, “Tomorrow I’m going to do something serious and make a lot of money; tomorrow I’m going to get a new closet and my house will be organized.” He takes pride in his plans, his ideas. He celebrates that which is a figment of his imagination regarding what he will do tomorrow.
But regarding tomorrow, the passuk continues, “You do not know what the coming day will bring.” Ibn Ezra explains that this refers to acts of tzedakah. A man promises to give tzedakah. “Yes,” the honored patron promises, “I’m donating $180,000 toward the new building.” Everyone has already heard about his promise. He brags about how he is going to donate, but at those moments he has no idea what the next day will bring. The next day his investments could plummet; he could turn into an impoverished man overnight and will have no way to give the promised donation. The passuk warns us, “Let a stranger praise you but not your own mouth.” After the deed, let someone else relate that you already gave tzedakah, and do not speak of it yourself beforehand.
This is the meaning of not taking pride – Al tis’hallel. Tomorrow is not now, and you have no control over tomorrow.
What then? Should we not make promises or have intentions or wait for good things to come in the future? Certainly we should, but only with siyata diShmaya!
We can and we should make plans, and for every idea we have and new direction we hope to take, we should add, “im yirtzeh Hashem!” Not only as “verbal taxes,” and not only to do our duty by saying the words, but to truly think so: This thing will come about only if Hashem wants it! For He alone does all deeds.
At the time of Mattan Torah, Moshe and Aharon went up on the mountain, followed by Nadav and Avihu. The Midrash tells us (Vayikra Rabbah, 20:10) that Nadav and Avihu were thinking, When will we lead the generation? This was a mere thought. Nadav and Avihu were great tzaddikim, they were the only ones other than Moshe and Aharon who were allowed to go up on the mountain!
Nonetheless, this thought became a stumbling block for them, because Hashem, Who knows a person’s thoughts and desires, commanded them, “Do not take pride in what will happen in the future.” Ultimately, they were called up to the Yeshivah on High on the day of the inauguration of the Mizbe’ach, on the first of Nissan.
Do not take pride in what will happen in the future. Don’t think: I’ll succeed, I’ll do, I’ll work, I’ll advance. I? Who am I? I’m here today, but tomorrow? Who knows? Rather, you should think: With Hashem’s help, I’ll succeed; if Hashem wants, I’ll do; with siyata diShmaya I’ll work, and if Hashem wills it, I’ll advance.
Hashem’s Name should be constantly on our lips, and we should internalize the awareness that Hashem controls the future just as He controls the present and the past. We should rely on Him and constantly strengthen ourselves in emunah and bitachon, and with Hashem’s desire, we will do and we will succeed.
