I Gave Charity, Read Psalms, Believed in Hashem: Why Am I Not Saved?

The True Talisman

Many Jews today seek salvation, requesting talismans for help, turning to Torah scholars for blessings, and traveling to the graves of the righteous to pray for their advocacy. Some check mezuzahs as a solution to their troubles, and others engage in various segulot to find relief for their pain.

Indeed, all these practices are good and their actions are right.

However, there is a fundamental step our sages taught us that precedes all these mentioned actions—examining our deeds!

As the Gemara says in Berachot (5a): If one sees that afflictions have come upon him, he should examine his deeds.

Countless times I've been asked by those who hear my teachings: Why is Hashem doing this to me? I've done various good deeds, given charity, recited Psalms, and believed in Him. Why does He not save me?

Yet they do not consider that their own actions caused their troubles, while they argue against the Creator, as King Solomon wisely said (Proverbs 19:3), "A man's folly sabotages his way, yet his heart rages against Hashem." The person makes every possible mistake, and when afflictions come, he blames Hashem for injustice.

A year ago, a Jewish man approached me for assistance: "Rabbi, there's no blessing in my money. I work very hard, as does my wife, and we are still 40,000 shekels in debt and renting. What do we do?" he concluded.

I first tried to understand the root of the problem. "Do you give a tithe from your salary?" I asked. "Yes, precisely!" the man replied. I then went through actions that lead to poverty. I discovered he was disrespectful to his wife, belittled her opinions, and made her feel he did her a favor by marrying her.

I immediately replied: "Know this! The Gemara (Baba Metzia 59a) states: A person should always be careful about his wife's honor, for no blessing is found in a man's home except because of his wife, as it says (Genesis 12:16), 'And Abram benefited for her sake.' The Gemara continues saying Rabbah told his students: Honor your wives so that you may become wealthy, for if you disrespect them, the opposite occurs."

I concluded by saying:

"No talisman in the world will help you, and no blessings or prayers from even the greatest righteous people, if you continue to disrespect your wife. Hashem is angry when a husband wrongs his wife. Go and honor her with words and gifts according to your ability, and even beyond it, and with Hashem's help, you will certainly see Hashem's salvation."

Measure for Measure

Hashem governs His world with measure for measure. A person who disrespects another's property, such as not repaying a loan on time and not bothering to apologize to the lender, instead ignoring the loan as if it never existed. Similarly, someone who doesn't pay the grocery bill on the agreed-upon date, or delays the payment for building services without justification. Especially, if one isn't diligent about his working hours for his employer, disappearing for personal errands, meaning part of his salary is technically theft. Without a doubt, he isn't considered someone having trust in Hashem at all and shouldn't expect Hashem's favor.

A Jew who knows there's a Creator of the world and believes in justice and judgment, will never take what doesn't rightfully belong to him, knowing that what Hashem decreed for him will come honestly and justly without deceit.

A precious Jew approached me, who Baruch Hashem contributes much to our study hall and makes an effort to establish times for Torah study. He also consults with me regarding monetary matters to avoid stumbling into theft—yet he had a question: "Rabbi! I try to fulfill Hashem's will with my body and possessions, and regretfully, I was swindled by a group of cheats for 90,000 shekels. Why did this happen to me?"

I stood puzzled, even somewhat offended. Could Hashem, Heaven forbid, be suspected of such a great loss upon someone striving so diligently to do His will?

I answered him: "I cannot explain why this happened to you, but it is certain that Hashem did not do this without reason. Investigate your deeds, and we will pray together that Hashem will restore your money quickly!"

A few months later, the righteous man came to me again about his work, and I was astonished! From his question, I discerned he was nearly daily committing outright theft from the Torah.

While he awaited my answer, I asked him: "Do you remember being swindled for 90,000 shekels?" "Of course!" he replied, "They still haven't returned the money." I added: "You still don't understand why?"

By now, you surely understand my response to him:

"Thank Hashem they didn't take much more. You steal nearly every day, yet you wonder why it happened?"

"It's true you might say to yourself, 'But everyone does so in my field.' Yes, and they are all considered thieves, and you belong among them."

I finished my words: "Stop your suspicious behavior immediately, return what you wrongfully took, seek forgiveness from Hashem for your actions, and I am confident you will get your money back."

And Baruch Hashem, in His great mercy, not much time passed, and that Jew returned to tell me that his money had been miraculously restored.

The book 'Yagel Libi B'Yeshuatecha' is available in select stores and on Hidabroot Shops.