The True Amulet: Why Blessings Can’t Replace Honest Deeds

Many Jews today seek salvation: they carry amulets, ask Torah scholars for blessings, and travel to the graves of tzaddikim (righteous) to pray that they intercede for them. Some check their mezuzot as a solution to their troubles, while others perform rituals in hopes of easing their pain.

All of these can be good and proper. But our Sages taught that before all the above, we must search our deeds. As the Talmud says (Berachot 5a): “If a person sees suffering coming upon him, he should examine his deeds.”

Countless times I’m asked: “Why is God doing this to me? I’ve done so many good deeds, I gave charity, I said Tehillim, and I believed in Him. Why doesn’t He save me?”

They fail to notice that their own actions brought on their troubles, but they lodge a complaint against the Creator, as Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) said (Mishlei 19:3): “A man’s folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the Lord.” A person makes every possible mistake and, when suffering comes, he blames God for being “unfair.”

About a year ago, a man approached me for help: “Rabbi, I have no blessing in my finances. I work very hard, my wife also works many hours, and still we’re 40,000 shekels in overdraft and renting. What should we do?”

I first tried to locate the root of the problem. “Do you give ma’aser (tithes) from your income?” I asked. “Yes” he answered. We then reviewed behaviors that bring on poverty. I discovered he treated his wife badly by belittling her opinions and making her feel as if he did her a favor by marrying her.

I told him immediately: “Know this! The Talmud (Bava Metzia 59a) says: ‘A man should always be careful with his wife’s honor, for blessing is found in a man’s home only for the sake of his wife,’ as it says (Bereishit 12:16), ‘And he [Pharaoh] treated Avram well because of her.’ Rava told his students: ‘Honor your wives and you will become wealthy.’ Disrespect brings the opposite result.”

I concluded: “No amulet in the world, no blessing or prayer — even from the greatest tzaddikim, will help you if you continue belittling your wife. God is angered when a husband harms his wife. Go, honor her with words and with gifts according to your means (and even beyond). With God’s help, you will surely see salvation.”

Measure for Measure

God governs His world measure for measure. Someone who disrespects another’s money by not repaying a loan on time and not even apologizing; or delaying payment to the grocer beyond what was agreed; or withholding building dues for the elevator or cleaning without valid reason; or shirking work hours for personal errands so that part of his salary is outright theft — such a person is certainly not considered one who trusts in God, and he should not expect gifts from Him.

A Jew who knows there is a Creator, a Judge and judgment, will never take what is not his by law. He knows that what God decreed for him will come to him honestly — not through lies and theft, God forbid.

A precious Jew who donates generously to our beit midrash and strives to set times for Torah came to consult me on monetary matters, so as not to stumble in theft. He asked: “Rabbi, I try to do God’s will but I was ‘stung’ by swindlers for 90,000 shekels. Why did this happen to me?”

I stood perplexed, even a bit pained. Is God suspected of causing such a loss to someone sincerely trying to do His will?

I answered: “I don’t know exactly why, but I’m certain God did not do this ‘for nothing.’ Examine your deeds, and let’s pray that the Creator returns your money quickly!”

A few months later he asked me a question about his job. To my astonishment, from his own description I realized he was violating actual Torah-level theft almost daily.

While he awaited my ruling I asked, “Do you remember being swindled for 90,000 shekels?”
“Of course,” he said. “They still haven’t paid it back.”
I continued, “You still don’t see why?”

You can already guess my reply: “Thank God they didn’t take more. You’ve been stealing from others nearly every day, and you’re surprised? You tell yourself, ‘Everyone in my industry does this.’ True — and they’re all considered thieves. You are among them.”

I concluded: “Stop your dubious practices immediately. Return anything you took unlawfully. Ask the Creator’s forgiveness. I am confident your money will come back.”

Before long, the same man returned and told me joyfully that his money had been returned in a wondrous way.