Insurance: A Lack of Faith?

Recently, I've been looking into life insurance, and my wife expressed concern that it might indicate a lack of faith. Is there an issue according to Jewish law?

Answer:

This question has already been discussed by scholars, and I will try to outline the main discussions, dividing the answer into two parts. For the benefit of the readers, I will clarify your question in detail: One of the family expense segments today is the allocation for paying the life insurance premium for the father - the family provider, and sometimes also for the mother - the core of the home. This is common worldwide and is also the situation in Israel. This practice has received encouragement and support from various economic sources, including government entities. Indeed, it sounds straightforward and logical not to leave a widow and orphans hungry, destitute, and deprived in case of a tragic event, G-d forbid.

On the other hand, it is worth debating whether a Jew who believes in Hashem's supervision in all his actions and ways, and who trusts Him for his livelihood, health, safety, and well-being, should spend money on insurance against any unforeseen adversity. Is this not a sign of lacking faith in Hashem's supervision, or an attempt, Heaven forbid, to sidestep the will of the Creator? In simpler words, the question is whether insurance indicates a deficiency in trust in Hashem? (Collected Answers Vol. 20 page 272)                                            

To answer this, we must first define the degree of trust, and for this, we will examine the words of Rabbeinu Bachya (Duties of the Heart, beginning of Gate of Trust) who wrote that this trait is "trust in Him in all matters for the great benefits it brings in both Torah and worldly matters. For if one does not trust in Hashem, he trusts in someone else, and one who trusts in others removes Hashem's supervision from upon him and leaves it to the one he trusted in." This means a person should rely on Hashem for assistance in all his endeavors, both sacred and secular, and should not rely on any other source for help.

In summary: A person should trust in Hashem and engage in necessary worldly matters (such as livelihood), and part of one's trust in Hashem is reflected in relying on Him to bless one's efforts in matters of livelihood, to be able to occupy oneself properly with Torah and mitzvot. Therefore, the question posed above remains: does using one's earnings to prevent severe economic outcomes due to events like death, disability, etc., G-d save us, not reflect a lack of trust in Hashem to protect from all harm?

This question has reached the great jurists in their judgments. After examining this matter over the past seventy years, all the jurists advocated for taking out insurance and even recommended this investment.

Additionally, there is another matter: does life insurance invite misfortune due to 'opening one's mouth to the Satan' (perhaps bringing about death),

by pre-empting personal calamity. With G-d's help, in the next issue, we will continue to clarify this question in law and practice.

Rabbi Shai Amar is a rabbi in the halacha department of Hidabroot