Why Does Financial Struggle Happen Even After Becoming Observant?

Jacob asks: "I have a friend who has become more observant but cannot manage to earn a living or find a job, despite praying for it every day and spending a lot on ma’aser (tithes). This is causing him to have doubts in his faith, because he thinks he might have done better financially if he hadn’t become observant — after all, there are people who don’t keep Torah and mitzvot, yet lack nothing in terms of livelihood. I would appreciate an answer for him."

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Hi Jacob, and thank you for your question.

I understand the difficulties your friend is facing, and we must never judge a person in a time of distress. The Sages said in the Talmud (Niddah 16b): “The angel appointed over conception — his name is ‘Lailah’ — takes the drop [of seed] and presents it before the Holy One, Blessed be He, and says: ‘Master of the Universe, what will become of this drop — mighty or weak, wise or foolish, rich or poor?’ But righteous or wicked, he does not say.”

From here we learn that before a person even enters this world, it is decreed in Heaven what personal challenges and trials they will face in life — whether they will be wealthy or poor, face difficulties in livelihood, the illnesses or pains they will endure, and so forth. Each person has their own unique Divine calculation that shapes the events of their life.

A man of about 50 years old once called me, brokenhearted because he had no children. He asked me why, despite returning to Torah observance and doing everything he could, he had not been blessed with children. Like your friend, he compared himself to people who had never returned to observance and yet had children effortlessly.

After words of comfort, I quoted him the above Gemara and explained that he should not regret becoming observant. Each person’s life is guided by a unique Heavenly decree, and he would not have had children even if, Heaven forbid, he had never returned to Torah. This decree was set before his soul descended into the world. It may serve as an atonement for past-life actions or as part of a hidden purpose that we cannot understand in this life. If he had not returned to observance, not only would he still have been without children, but he would also have missed his life’s spiritual mission and lived with even greater inner emptiness. This perspective brought him peace, as he stopped comparing himself to others and understood that everyone’s path is uniquely tailored by Heaven.

We may not know why a person is given a particular challenge, whether in livelihood or health, but we do know it is ultimately for their good.

That said, even if a person has been given such a decree, we must never despair. One must continue praying and making efforts to the best of their ability, as the Talmudic Sages said: “Even if a sharp sword rests upon a person’s neck, he should not despair of mercy.” Even harsh decrees can be overturned.

It’s also important for your friend to know that even someone poor is obligated to give charity according to their means. However, in difficult situations, such as when in debt or without steady income, one should consult a rabbi for halachic guidance, to avoid spending money unnecessarily.

Each person is given the exact tools they need

Rabbi Zamir Cohen explains that the reason one person is decreed to be rich and another poor is because each soul needs specific tools for its personal rectification. Like a soldier in wartime, a tank operator will not want a fighter jet, even though it is more expensive, because his role and skillset require a tank. Likewise, a soul descending into this world is given the exact circumstances, abilities, and challenges it needs for its mission.

The Midrash tells us that before a soul descends, it sees its life path and says, “I want this,” knowing it is for its ultimate good. The Talmudic Sages also say that in the End of Days we will bless God for the “bad” just as we do for the good, for then we will see the immense benefit hidden in every challenge — just as a patient understands the necessity of surgery, or an athlete the necessity of strenuous training.

We must remember that true wealth lies in Torah and mitzvot, and in standing firm in our faith. This world is only a temporary corridor before the World to Come. Material wealth without Torah and faith is like a body without a soul. Many wealthy and famous people have returned to observance after realizing that material success alone cannot satisfy the soul. Your friend should take heart that the Torah he is privileged to keep is of infinite worth.

Transforming suffering into a sacred offering to God

Rabbi Aharon Levi, in his lecture “The Secret of Supreme Justice,” explains that even before Rabbi Akiva came into the world, it was decreed that he would die at the hands of the Romans. However, because he returned to Torah, his death became one of the most famous acts of Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God’s Name) in Jewish history, elevating him to a level in the World to Come attained by very few.

The Talmud (Berachot 61b) relates that in his time, the Romans forbade Torah teaching. A student named Pappus refrained from learning out of fear, while Rabbi Akiva continued teaching. Both were eventually arrested — the former for a false business charge, the latter for teaching Torah — and both were sentenced to death. Pappus told Rabbi Akiva: “Fortunate are you, that you were arrested for Torah; woe to me, that I was arrested for trivial matters.” They knew their deaths had already been decreed; what was in their control was why and how they would face it.

The same is true in our lives. We may not choose our challenges, but we can choose whether to face them with faith and trust in God or with anger and bitterness. Ultimately, every person enters this world with a “portion” of suffering, but one who uses it to draw closer to God transforms it into a holy offering and earns eternal spiritual wealth.

This is the meaning of the Shema: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul (even if He takes your soul), and with all your resources.” We can choose to dedicate our hardships to God, trusting that He loves us and does all for our ultimate good. At the same time, we continue to pray and hope for revealed blessings in this world, knowing no prayer is ever wasted.

Special thanks to Rabbi Zamir Cohen for his assistance with this answer.