Trust In Hashem or Effort? Rabbeinu Bahya Reveals the Perfect Balance for a Good Life

Rabbeinu Bahya interprets the concept of trust in Hashem, focusing on its correct application in daily life, especially in matters concerning livelihood, trade, travel, and various activities necessary for existence in this world. He explains how one should approach endeavors with a balanced and faithful outlook, understanding that their livelihood and fate are determined by the Creator, and the required effort is only for essential sustenance, without excessive worry or a false sense of control.

His words are as follows:

'And the interpretation of the second part is concerning a person's acquisitions and the reasons for their sustenance and the ways they engage in trade, craft, travel and appointments, employment, agency, contracting, business on credit and loans, and other kinds of work, and travels by land and sea. The proper form of trust in Hashem regarding these matters is to engage in what the Creator has provided for their needs and sustenance, to achieve only what is necessary for existence from worldly matters. And if the Creator decrees additional provision, it will come without effort and toil as long as they trust Hashem, without relying excessively on means, nor trusting them in their heart. And if it is decreed by the Creator that they will have no more than the necessary sustenance, then even if all the beings of heaven and earth were to strive to add more, they could not do so by any means. When trusting in Hashem, one finds peace of mind and tranquility of spirit, for nothing that is destined for them will pass to another, nor will it come earlier or later than the appointed time.'

Explains the "Lev Tov":

And the correct use of trust in the second part, which includes matters concerning one's property and conduct in their businesses, like in trade, craft, travel, appointment, employment, agency, contracting, trade on credit, and loans, and other kinds of work, and travels by land and sea – the proper form of trust in Hashem in these matters is to engage in what the Creator has placed for them from these things for their survival and sustenance, only to achieve from worldly matters what is necessary for their existence.

And if the Creator has decreed that they should have more, this additional would come to them without toil and effort on their part, as long as they trust Hashem for it, without excessively pursuing ways to acquire it and not relying on them in their heart. And if the Creator has decreed that they will have no more than what is needed for their living, then even if all beings in heaven and earth were to try to add more, they would not be able to do so by any means. When one trusts in Hashem for this matter, they will find peace of mind and tranquility of spirit, for what has been designated for them will not be transferred to others, nor will it come earlier or later than the time decreed for it.

'And there are those among the seekers of wealth who reach the end of their desire through the means we mentioned. Some reach it through inheritance or similar, and they think that these means caused them to acquire the wealth, and without them, they would not have gotten anything, and they praise the means, excluding the Cause. How similar they are to a person in the desert overwhelmed by thirst who found non-sweet water in a pit and rejoiced greatly, quenching their thirst. After walking a little, they found a spring of sweet water and regretted drinking from the first water and quenching their thirst with it. Likewise, the wealthy person who acquires through a known means, if that means had been prevented, they would have obtained it through another, as we have explained, just as it is said, "For there is nothing to stop Hashem from saving by many or by few."'

Explains the "Lev Tov":

Sometimes among the pursuers of wealth, one finds those who reach the farthest end of their desire through their efforts and toil, and there are those who achieve it through inheritance, thinking that the means caused them to obtain the wealth, and without them, it would not have been possible, praising the means without acknowledging the One who provides them. They are like a person in a desert overwhelmed by thirst, finding unsweet water in a pit and rejoicing greatly, quenching their thirst. After walking a little further, they find a spring of sweet water and regret drinking from the first water. Similarly, those thirsty for wealth who use the first available means to reach it, even with great effort and toil, if they had not used that means, they might have achieved wealth through an easier way, as explained above, and as it is said: "For Hashem is able to save by many or by few."

Writes Rabbeinu Bahya:

'And it is appropriate for those who trust in Hashem for their provision, when provision is delayed for a day, to say in their heart that the One who released me into this world at a set time and hour and not before nor after them is the One delaying my provision at a set time and hour for His knowledge of what is good for me. So, when provision comes to me scarcely, no more than my food, it is appropriate to think in their heart: just as Hashem prepared my sustenance at my mother's breast at the start of my matter as needed and sufficient for sustenance each day until then replaced it with better not harmed by coming sparsely, so too will not harm my current provision which He provides now sparsely as needed until my life's end.' They will be rewarded for this, as the Creator said about our ancestors in the desert who were in this situation (Exodus 16:4): 'The people shall go and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not,' and it is said (Jeremiah 2:2): 'Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying Thus says Hashem: I remember you, the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.'

Continues "Lev Tov":

And sometimes, one's provision comes through an undesirable means or place, and not through other means, then they should think in their heart: the One who created me in the particular form and structure that I am, not in another, for the benefit of my affairs, is the One who chose for me that provision should come through these means and not others, for they are suitable for me. The One who brought me into this world in a known place and by two known persons, not by others, is the One who chose for me in this world a provision to come specifically in a certain land and through a certain person, for this is for my good, as it is written (Psalms 145:17): 'Hashem is righteous in all his ways.'

In summary, Rabbeinu Bahya emphasizes that true trust in Hashem regarding livelihood brings peace of mind and tranquility, as one understands that everything decreed for them will arrive precisely at the right time and place, in the manner that the Creator sees as most fitting for them. This awareness allows a person to accept even situations of scarcity or delay in livelihood with love, believing that all is for the best. Thus, trust in Hashem is not just a way to cope with daily challenges, but also a means to strengthen the connection with the Creator and receive spiritual reward, as learned from our ancestors in the desert and the scriptures testifying to Hashem's kindness in his exact and correct ways.