English logo

Thursday

י"ח אדר ב’ התשפ"ד

Thursday
י"ח אדר ב’ התשפ"ד

חיפוש בארכיון

188. Preoccupation

Preoccupation is something which damages all forms of service of Hashem. It is fitting for a complete person to be composed, and rely on Hashem for income, and if something comes which disturbs his composure, he should think about the fear and love of Hashem. And a person should imagine that he has an investment by which he can earn one million gold dinars, and therefore, if he would be called somewhere else where he could only earn a very small amount, he would become angry with them and tell them that he has many very important occupations. That is exactly how one stands in relation to the service of Hashem. And all the more so since one who carries the burden of Hashem, will in return have his own burden carried by Hashem Himself. And those who hope in Hashem will have their strength replenished. The Medrash tells us a parable for this: There were two men, one who lived in Tiveryah and owned a field in Tzippori, and the other lived in Tzippori and owned a field in Tiveryah. Instead of each one travelling every day to the other town, each one said to the other, “You look after my field, and I will look after yours.”. So too it is with our affairs, for fear of Hashem is an earthly matter, as we know that “All is in the hands of heaven except for fear of heaven!”, whereas livelihood a heavenly matter. In this case Hashem says to us, “Look after my affairs,” and fear Me, and “I will take care of your affairs,” and give you your livelihood.

A person should observe his children and other household members, and see that they are not at all preoccupied with sustenance or anything else since they receive all from their father, even though he is only flesh and blood like themselves. We, therefore, who are able to lean and support ourselves on our Father in heaven should definitely be able to forget any such issues. A living person should think about many such arguments, and he will then live a peaceful life, and be able to cleave to his Creator and to the service of Hashem, may He be blessed.

“My brothers and my nation, take this sefer Torah, and with this, and like this learn well, so that you should have it good; listen and enliven your soul, and achieve gladness and joy in this world and the world to come” (From the author’s intro.)