The Test of Faith: When Livelihood is in Trouble and the Business Collapses

The trial of wealth is harder than the trial of poverty, say our Sages. The greatest virtue that brings a person closer to their Creator is none other than a broken heart, as it is said: "Hashem is close to the broken-hearted." How far is the rich man or businessman from a broken heart. In contrast, how close is the poor man, or one who has lost everything, to a broken heart. All his arrogance and pride fade away, and he becomes beloved to Hashem.

Of course, all this is if one knows how to use their crisis for good and does not despise their suffering.

And indeed, there is also atonement for sins related to suffering in the most sublime way, for it is said by our Sages (Shabbat 31:11) that all sufferings weigh in one scale, and poverty in another, outweighs them all. Therefore, through this, he purifies and cleanses himself from his sins. His time now allows him more to engage in Torah, fulfill mitzvot, and fulfill his duty in his world, which is not the case with the rich man and the one consumed by business, who is lost after his money.

Regarding the contempt he faces in society due to his poverty or loss of assets, he should consider what I wrote in a previous segment, that what people consider important is not the standard of importance before Hashem, and if people value the rich and disdain the poor, before Hashem it is precisely the opposite.

There is No Nature or Chance in the World

Even a person who behaved beautifully in righteousness and piety during his wealth should not be sorrowful when his wealth is taken from him. This is in accordance with what the "Chafetz Chaim" said: when a student excels in a certain subject, he moves on to learn another subject. If you have excelled, and you have withstood the trials of wealth, Hashem wants to complete you in standing the trial of poverty, so that you may be perfect in all kinds of trials, and everything depends on one's life cycles and soul's refinements. One who lives with faith and trust, knowing that Hashem guides him and that there is no nature or chance in the world, there is none happier than him. See also in our book "The Comfort of Israel," page 61, regarding the virtue of poverty.

Especially toward the end of days, it is brought in "Tikkunei Zohar" that Israel will repent at the end of days, and Hashem will exchange for them the punishment of death that they deserve due to their sins with the punishment of poverty, and thus they will be saved from death and other physical and spiritual sufferings. I elaborated on this in a special chapter in my book "Ikvista d'Mashicha."

Once, Rabbi Simcha Zissel, the Sabba of Kelm, extended his prayer of the Amidah, and meanwhile, someone who needed him came. The man waited in hesitation and then left. After completing his prayer, Rabbi Simcha Zissel was told about the man. He calmly replied: If he needs me, he will return, and if we say he came for my benefit, then I am not sorrowful at all. For in any case: if this goodness is genuine and decreed upon me, it will not be withheld from me whether he comes or not, and he who left without having the patience to wait, it is a sign that it is not for my true benefit. (From the great masters of Novardok)

The article is taken from the book "Living with Faith." To purchase Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Lugasi’s book, click here.