The Hovot Halevavot now discusses how Bitachon applies to Mitzvot that involve other people. Previously, we discussed Mitzvot between man and G-d. Now he talks about Mitzvot when interacting with people, such as giving charity, respecting our parents, teaching others etc. On one hand, it’s similar to what he said before: It’s all about what your intention is. Your intention shouldn’t be anything other than, as he says, להתקרב אל האלהים בלבד-To come closer to G-d.
לא לקנות שם וכבוד ביניהם-And not to look for glory, or to control others, or because we want them to reciprocate.
This mitzvah (being a teacher for example), is my job to Hashem. It’s not about what people say- that is not our kavana. That’s the first important piece of information. When we do Mitzvot with others, we rely on G-d for help. Our intention is not for glory. We work for G-d, not for them.
There’s a story that exemplifies this. It’s about a special woman, Cookie Massry a’h, who passed away over 20 years ago. Her husband was involved in a certain charitable organization. He was working hard for the organization, often driving to Manhattan, from Deal, for meetings. It was taxing. He was once at a meeting and proposed an idea. The man running the meeting didn’t like the idea, and may have embarrassed or put down Mr. Massry. He came home fed up. He had been working very hard and yet not getting any credit. Then his wife asked him, “Who are you working for? Are you working for this man, or are you working for G-d? You aren’t working for this man! You’re working for Hashem.”
This is the attitude that we should have whenever we are involved in good deeds. As we have said before, no good deed goes unpunished. But we aren’t working for that person.
Many, many years ago I took a life saving course at camp. One thing they taught, that I never forgot, is that you have to be careful when you’re helping a drowning man, lo Alenu, because he may try to pull you under with him. Beware, or he may end up drowning you! This rule is true, not only in life-saving, but with hessed too. If you’re trying to save someone with hessed, be careful, because he may push you under. Remember, you work for the camp. It’s your job. This is an important concept.
Then, once you have the right attitude, the Hovot HaLevavot says,
יבטח על האלהים בהשלמת המעשה
you can rely on G-d to finish it off,
Because we have the right Kavana.
When we to do a mitzvah, we rely on G-d, and say that we work for Him. It’s not about ourselves, or our honor.
Another aspect of this, that we will devote more time to, is to:
ויזהר כפי יכלתו בכל זה להסתירו
ממי שאין צריך לו להודיע
Try your best, when you do a good deed, to hide it from those that don’t have to know about it.
Sometimes we have to share with others. But if we don’t, we should not let others know about our good deeds.
כי בהיותו נסתר יהיה שכרו יותר גדול
Because when you do a good deed and no one knows about it, you get a greater reward this way.
This is because it’s an indication that you’re working for G-d (and not for ulterior motives).
One of Rabbi Miller’s 10 Steps to Greatness is to do one good deed every day that no one knows about. If you go out in the morning and see that your neighbors haven’t yet put out their garbage, put it out for them. Be a secret angel. Do it quietly. If you notice that the shul coffee station is out of cups, go get them from the closet and put them out. Try to stay under the radar. We are supposed to get used to doing good deeds and hiding them.
Again, our attitude when doing a hessed should be that we are relying on G-d, and we are working for G-d. It’s all about me and G-d, and it’s not about anyone else.
Have a wonderful day.