We continue with the Bet Halevi where he tells us that hishtadlut does not do anything- it’s all a decree from above. We have to understand this concept that we are just fulfilling the decree of the King. It's a Gezera, just like there is a rule that you can't wear wool and linen together. Why can’t you? It’s a Gezerat Hamelech-That was the King's decree.
We can discuss the ultimate chok, the Para Adumah. Why does this red heifer contaminate the pure and purify the contaminated? Gezerat Hamelech. It's the King's decree. So too, hishtadlut is the decree of the King. We know why. It’s just what He said, so I have to do it. Of course, we gave some reasons behind it, but ultimately, it's the King's decree. Hashem could give it to me without working, but He decreed that I'm only giving you your food if you first put toil in.
But the toil has nothing to do with God giving us parnasa. There's a beautiful mashal that Chacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul used to illustrate: He says, imagine somebody has a ticket to get on a plane. Without the ticket, you can't get on the plane and with a ticket, you can get on the plane. When you get on the plane, the plane takes off, and crosses oceans, mountains and whatever else, and takes you to your destination. Does the ticket have anything to do with you getting to your destination?
No. You got to the destination through the plane. It just so happens that there is rule that, if you don't have a ticket, you can't get on the plane. That's what hishtadlut means.
The Bet Halevi quotes a pasuk in Iyov, that man was born to toil. If you don't toil, you're not going to eat. But once you did what you have to do and you’ve paid off your debt, you have come back to your regular bitachon, which is really the main tool that Hashem's going to give you your parnasa.
As the pasuk in Tehilim says, “Gol Al Hashem Darkecha/Commit your way to Hashem.” Rely on Him and He will do well. Once we use this term, it's Gezera, it's a work tax, then the Mesilat Yesharim tells us that if a person was sentenced to hard labor, would he offer to work extra hours?
Of course not. So too, regarding hishtadlut. We are required to perform the necessary hishtadlut. But once we do, then we can relax because we have fulfilled our quota. When you invest extra hishtadlut, it's like somebody that's laboring beyond the hours he was sentenced.
There’s a beautiful story with the Bet Halevi and one of his students. He once met a student that he hadn't seen in many years, and during the conversation the Bet Halevi asked, “What are you doing these days? What are you up to?” The student said, “Baruch Hashem, I got married and I have a few children.” The Bet Halevi said again, “What are you doing these days?” Now he thought maybe he meant his financial situation, so he said,” Baruch Hashem, I have a successful business.” The Bet Halevi said, “You don't understand my question. I asked, what are you doing? And you only told me about the things that Hashem is doing for you. Your family and livelihood are not to your credit, it's Hashem who did all of this for you.
I wanted to know what you were doing. How's your Torah learning? How's your prayers, how are your act of kindness.” These are the things that can be credited to your doing. As we know, the famous Gemara says,
הכל בידי שמים חוץ מיראת שמים
Everything is in hands of God, but fear of God. The only thing we do is fear God, which is our Torah and Mitzvot. Everything else, Hashem does. What do you mean? I'm doing it. That's just Gezerat Hamelech. You have to do that work.
I'll end with a beautiful illustration from Rav Avigdor Miller, who illustrated this concept through a story told of a prison inmate who felt dismayed that he was not doing anything productive. The guard decided to help him, so he drilled a hole through the wall of the cell and inserted a pole through the hole. He told the inmate that on the other end, the pole is connected to a mill, and by turning the pole, the prisoner would be grinding wheat, which would then be used to feed people.
The inmate was overjoyed at the opportunity to do something useful. He now had meaning and purpose in his life, and he spent his days turning the pole, feeling gratified. He was grinding wheat, which was made into food for people to enjoy! Years later, he was released from prison and saw that there was nothing at the other end of the pole. All the work he had done, in fact, had not produced anything. He was obviously distraught.
We must realize that we are obligated to work because Hashem determines that we must, but our work does not bring our sustenance. That is given to us by Hashem.
The more we internalize this lesson, the calmer and more relaxed we will be, recognizing that we're being lovingly cared for by Hashem- notwithstanding our obligation for hishtadlut. Have a wonderful day.