351. Sustenance (2)

However, even someone who is finding it difficult to earn his livelihood, and he must work very hard, must nevertheless make sure that he prays three times a day with a quorum, and sets aside times to learn Torah, be it a lot or a little so long as he makes sure to learn every day without fail. On Shabbos and the festivals and their intermediate days and any other free time that he has, he must also make sure not to waste his time. instead, he should use his time to learn Torah. His business should be conducted honestly, and he should guard himself from any possibility of sin, and all of his actions should be motivated for the sake of heaven. Every day he should say wholeheartedly, “I am going to occupy myself with business, and I trust in Hashem that He will give me the strength to sustain myself and my family with respect, and to perform acts of charity and kindness so that I will be able to perform all of the commandments of my Creator in their correct way. Help us, G-d of our salvation on the matter of the honor of Your Name. Do not turn towards our wickedness. Perform charity and kindness with us for the sake of Your great Name. May the sayings of my mouth be accepted willingly and may the utterances of my heart be before You, Hashem, my Rock and my Redeemer.” No day should pass without a man giving whatever he can to charity. One who does this will be confident that he can trust in the Name of Hashem that his wishes will be satisfiedand he will be full of the blessings of Hashem, and the verse which says “When you eat the labor of your palms you are fortunate and it is good for you!” will be fulfilled through him; he will be fortunate in this world and have goodness in the next.