Parashat Beshalah- Earning a Living, Trusting in God
Parashat Beshalah tells the story of the Manna, the miraculous bread that fell from the heavens each morning to sustain Beneh Yisrael during their travels in the wilderness. In a number of ways, the Manna provides us with a model and example for the proper approach toward Parnasa – earning a livelihood. When Beneh Yisrael walked outside the camp each morning to collect their daily rations, it was readily obvious to them that they were supported by God. There was no possibility of taking personal credit for their sustenance, of denying God’s role in providing them with their daily needs. And this must be our attitude toward Parnasa – that only God decides how much a person will have. When we receive our monthly paycheck, we must realize that it is God who enabled us to work and to earn a living. As Moshe Rabbenu urges us in the Book of Debarim (8:18), "You shall remember Hashem your God, for it is He who gives you strength to accumulate wealth."
Of course, this does not mean that a person can simply remain at home the entire day reciting Tehillim, and then go to his mailbox expecting to find a paycheck from God. Judaism certainly requires "Hishtadlut," personal effort, as is also demonstrated in the system of collecting the Manna. Beneh Yisrael were commanded to collect only one portion per family member, no more and no less. Yet, when they returned to their tents, they discovered that regardless of how much they collected, they had in their hands precise the prescribed quantity per member of the household. Even if they had collected more or less than this amount, God ensured that they would have the exact amount allocated for each person. The obvious question arises, if Beneh Yisrael would, in any event, be left with the correct amount, then why were they commanded to collect no more or less than this quantity? Why couldn’t they simply arbitrarily pick up a handful of Manna, if they would always return home with the proper amount?
Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch (Germany, 1808-1888) explained that this command demonstrates the importance of industriousness in securing a livelihood. While we undoubtedly believe that God determines how much we earn, we are nevertheless required to make an effort to help ourselves, and rely that God will then do His part to ensure our success. Just as Beneh Yisrael had to make an effort to collect the proper amount, we, too, must invest effort and skill in the pursuit of a livelihood.
The Rabbis pointed to several different reasons why God demands that we exert effort in earning a living. First, the workplace affords us the opportunity to show our devotion to God. There are many temptations that arise in the marketplace, opportunities to earn money dishonestly. And, the observant Jew must abide by certain restrictions, such as refraining from work on Shabbat and taking time out for Minha each afternoon. God wants us to work so that we show Him how we can work honestly and ethically, and to limit the time invested in moneymaking for our religious obligations. Secondly, the need to work for a living limits the amount of free time we have, thus lowering our chances of sin. Thirdly, as Rav Eliyahu Dessler (1891-1954) explained, God does not generally perform open miracles; He works in accordance with the laws of nature. He therefore requires us to utilize natural means for securing our livelihood, and then works to ensure our success.
This must be our approach toward earning a living. Like Beneh Yisrael, we must leave our homes and make our effort, while recognizing that our sustenance, like the Manna, comes directly from the heavens. When we view Parnasa from this perspective, we will be more willing to take out time from our work schedules for prayer and Torah study. A person who rushes out of the synagogue early in the morning in his frantic effort to start his business day has not internalized the message of the Manna, the notion that it is God who provides our needs. If we internalize this concept, then we will not allow our professional pursuits to cause us to compromise our religious standards.
A successful businessman once had to be out of the office for extended periods of time because his son was in the hospital. That year, he spent less time than ever before tending to his business, in order to be with his son in the hospital. The man told me that, strangely enough, that was the business’ most profitable year. Specifically the year he worked the least brought him the most earnings.
This is just one of many examples that prove that it is ultimately God, and not our effort, who determines our earnings. Although we must certainly put in time and use our skills in securing a livelihood, we must constantly remind ourselves that "it is He who gives you strength to accumulate wealth," that our financial success is determined only by Hashem.
