Once and for All: How Much Effort Should We Put In?

It is known from the parable of the 'Chafetz Chaim' that effort is like the behavior of a traveler on a train, trying in vain to push the train car from the inside to increase its speed. In reality, exertion is like pushing the wall of a moving train car. It may seem to a person that they truly influence the train's speed, but it is merely an illusion..

A person indeed must make an effort, and one reason is that Hashem does not want to lead us by miraculous means, but through natural means. Only through a natural order, where the divinity in creation is hidden, is a person granted free choice to reveal divinity. As it is said, 'the world is from the word for concealment,' meaning it wouldn't be a world of faith and choice tests of loyalty to Hashem if everything were clear and revealed. Effort is a veil intended to cover the abundance that Hashem brings down upon us, but it does not affect reality at all..

Another reason Hashem commands us to live by natural means is to test whether, despite our actions, we believe everything comes only from Him, not from matchmakers, doctors, our work investment, or a friend who helped with connections, but that they are all just messengers, channels that convey the abundance Hashem provides. There are additional reasons Hashem wants us to follow the natural way, but ultimately, Hashem wants us to make an effort. While there are indeed righteous individuals of high spiritual rank, who have reached a perfect and highest level of trust and do not need to make an effort, for them nature and miracles are one and the same.

So how much effort should ordinary people like us make? Metzudat David interprets the verse "May your kindness be upon us as we hoped in you" (Psalms 33:22) to mean "as much as the hope, thus the kindness." In other words, Hashem's grace towards a person depends on the level of hope and faith placed in Him. Therefore, the level of effort depends on a person's level of trust in the Creator. The more a person trusts in Hashem, the more heavenly assistance they will receive, requiring less practical effort.

Some people's faith and trust in Hashem are low, and they do not believe they will receive a particular thing they need unless they strive to obtain it. Therefore, if they are given that desired thing from Heaven without much effort on their part, it would be seen as a miracle to them. Since Hashem does not want to lead the world through miracles, that needed thing will not be provided unless they make a great effort. Consequently, a person with low confidence will need to exert more effort than someone with higher faith and trust.

For example, if a person trusts that Hashem will provide them with sustenance to meet all their needs through six hours of work per day, they do not need to increase work hours beyond that and trust that this effort is the channel through which Hashem will provide for their needs. In contrast, another person who believes that in today's reality it is impossible to make ends meet without investing in a nine-hour workday with intermittent overtime will have to invest this time in their work and make this significant effort. This is because Hashem leads them according to their level of trust in Him. In other words, because that person does not believe Hashem will provide sufficiently through a short workday, Hashem leads them accordingly.
As a person strengthens their trust in Hashem, they can reduce effort, because the truth is that the Creator does not need our efforts to grant our desires, but relates it to the size of our faith in Him.

Rabbeinu Bachya writes in his book 'Chovot HaLevavot' about someone who does not believe in Hashem at all: "Whoever trusts in a source other than Hashem, God removes His providence from them and leaves them with the one they trusted." A person who does not believe in Hashem at all, Hashem does not watch over them and leaves them to the natural order. For example, if they go to a successful doctor, there is a greater chance the treatment will succeed. If they go to a poor doctor, the treatment will fail. In other words, they do not receive heavenly assistance, and everything is managed according to nature and statistics.

In general, Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam explains in his book 'Hamaspik Le’ovdei Hashem' (Chapter on Trust) about the appropriate measure of effort that a regular person should not be too eager for the effort of exertion, dedicating all their resources to it. Meaning, one should not overdo it, but do what is reasonable.

It should be noted that what is said here concerns only material matters, but in spirituality, a person should strive with all their might, and from there, Hashem will assist them.. That is, a person who wishes to be proficient in the Talmud should not say to themselves, "I will make minimal effort by studying for one hour a week and trust in Hashem' to help me be proficient in Talmud." In spiritual advancement, one must strive and toil to their utmost capacity.

Have you made an effort? This is why you have nothing to worry about from here on. Rabbi Zamir Cohen with a brief, strengthening message:

Why does Hashem want us to make an effort, and how do we merit heavenly gifts? Rabbi Igal Cohen answers:

 Where does effort end and faith begin? Rabbi Igal Cohen in a must-watch lecture on Faith and Trust: