Going Through the Motions

Living Emunah By Rabbi David Ashear

We are familiar with one of the rules of hishtadlut, given by the Mesilat Yesharim, that it is required but not what really accomplishes. This idea gives us chizuk not to overdo it and to maintain our humility, recognizing that we don't deserve credit for our efforts, because it's really Hashem who accomplishes. Another area in which this concept helps is when the only hishtadlut available to do does not seem like the greatest option. If it was the hishtadlut that was accomplishing, then that should deter us, but now that we know we are just going through the motions to open a pipeline for Hashem to send his blessings, we should never get deterred when the hishtadlut does not seem to be such a great option. We should go through the motions and hope that Hashem will bring results. Rabbi Shalom Schwadron once told an amazing story that he heard from a Jew in London. While the rabbi was traveling there to collect funds for Chinuch Atzmai, he met A ba’al Teshuva who had served in the British Navy. This man got wounded and went through rehab and received a large stipend from the British government for his disability. He slowly became stronger in his observance of Torah and Mitzvot until he became a full-time learner of Torah. He was able to live on the government stipend. Every three years, people receiving this stipend had to have a hearing to determine their continued eligibility. The man related what took place: “After his next hearing, he said they decided I was fit to work and were canceling my stipend. I submitted two appeals, but both were rejected. I did some research and found there was a way to appeal the committee's decision by presenting the case to the military court.Whatever they decided was final. “ I went to ask my rabbi, the one who made me a ba’al teshuva, if I should attempt the appeal. I was already rejected three times, and it didn't seem likely that the military court would override the decision. My rabbi said, you need to do your hishtadlut and you don't need to lie about anything when doing it. When you appear before the judge, imagine you're talking to Hashem. Tell him everything that's bothering you and why you feel you should continue getting that stipend. When the day arrived, I stated my case and what I was doing with my time. “The judge said, ‘you've already submitted three appeals. You want to sit in your synagogue and waste time while upstanding British citizens support you? You'll be acting like a parasite.’ “I'm not a parasite,” I replied. We connect to our Father in heaven by studying the Talmud. It fills us with inner joy and satisfaction and happiness, and if you take that away from me, you'll be taking away all the meaning in my life. I went through a very difficult rehab as a wounded war veteran, and I really don't think that I should be robbed of my meaning in life. The judge, along with two others, left the courtroom for ten minutes and then came back and said he would grant a lifelong stipend. The lawyers were astounded. Just before this, the judge was calling the man a parasite and now he completely changed. The judge explained many years before this, he was the commander of a submarine in the submarine corps. One day during a standard mission in the Atlantic, World War II broke out and they were told no boat could go in or out of any ports because it would be immediately sunk by German torpedoes. They were stuck there for a full year. They rationed their reserves of food and everyone became demoralized. None of the soldiers had any reason to get out of bed. The judge said, ‘One day, I entered the place where the soldiers sleep and I heard singing. I was shocked. It came from three men learning Talmud. I couldn't believe there were still happy people on the submarine. After listening outside their room for ten minutes, I went in and asked them what they were doing. They told me of the satisfaction and purpose that their learning brings them, and I was so impressed.’ The judge then turned to the lawyers and said, “every country needs such people for a rainy day. Those who are inside the water yet know how to keep their heads above. They elevate the entire nation. Because of them, we could continue to smile even in difficult situations. That is why I rule in his favor.” We make hishtadlut whether or not it seems like the best option, and we hope that Hashem will bring the results.