We are discussing the various fallacies in the approach of people who want collateral from G-d. These people think that they can’t go forward with religious responsibilities, such as getting married, having children or otherwise, because they lack what they need in their bank accounts today. They think they can’t get married because they don’t have money for a house.
The Hovot HaLevavot quotes a pious person that says “Did G-d ever ask you to do the responsibilities of tomorrow, today?
Did He ask you to prepare for next year’s Pesach now?” No. You can’t ask someone to do something tomorrow, today.
Just like G-d asks only to take care of today’s responsibilities today, the flip side is true as well. G-d, who has a responsibility, so to say, to take care of us, does so for today, today not for tomorrow today. It should be equal. Furthermore, he says, how can a person ask for help (e.g. money) with things that aren’t here yet... for children that aren’t here yet, for a wife that isn’t here yet? You have to live for today.
The commentaries on the Hovot HaLevavot say that there’s another very important aspect to this approach of G-d giving us what we need. For example: We have a mitzvah to put a mezuzah on our house. G-d says, “Did anyone ever put a mezuzah on a house before I gave them a house??”
We have to reassess the way we look at our lives and see all the Tovot (good things) that G-d already gave us. If he gave us the house do, we say “Hold on, I don’t have money to buy a mezuzah?” If He gave us the house, He can help with the mezuzah.
Every responsibility that we could possibly have to G-d, comes with a previous benefit.
For example, yeshiva tuition: People say they can’t afford tuition. But did anyone ever have to pay tuition without first having a child? G-d gave you the child. You think He can’t take care of the tuition? Every single responsibility we have is built on what G-d gave us. This is an important concept.
The pasuk says, מי הקדימני ואשלם
Who ever gave me something first before I paid for it?
G-d is always ahead of the game. This is an eye opener!
The Sefer Baalei Nefesh, written by the Raavad, a Rishon, has a long introduction explaining that this is the approach to our entire religion. We purposely have these responsibilities in order to remember the gifts that G-d gave us.
People sometimes complain that the laws of family purity are difficult, that there are all types of restrictions.
G-d says, Did I ask you to keep the laws before I gave you a wife?
I gave you a wife. That was My gift, and with that gift comes responsibilities.
I gave you clothing- now I’m asking you to be careful with the laws of shaatnez.
I gave you Time. Now I’m asking you to be careful with the laws Shabbat.
With everything G-d asks of us, He has already given us something beforehand with which to do it.
G-d says, “I gave you the child, I gave you the wife, and you say, “Hold on- I need the money upfront before going forward?” Something is wrong with that calculation.
We view it as though we have all these things and now, we have added responsibilities on top- we don’t know if we can handle it.
In reality, G-d says, “I’m giving you those items with which to do what you’re supposed to do. Of course, if I gave it to you, I’m capable of continuing with the rest of the package.”
G-d gave us all these responsibilities to remind us of our gifts.
Imagine if someone gave you a gold watch as a gift, but just asked you to wind it 3 times a day and say you love me and you say, “Ugh- 3 times a day? I’m busy!” It’s a gold watch!!
And we say - Woah! My house! My body!
You have a child, now you have to do a Brit Milah. Every Mitzvah we have comes with a gift that G-d gave us.
G-d didn’t ask us to put Tefillin on without an arm.
So, who owes who?
Have a great day.