457 - Hishtadlus (Part-4)

We've been discussing the mitzvah of Hishtadlus, the mitzvah to make our own effort in our endeavors. As mentioned, there is no Shulchan Aruch, Code of Jewish Law, outlining the exact amount that we are obligated to invest into our Hishtadlus. And as the Torah commentaries teach, the true answer is it depends from individual to individual. One is not allowed to use emunah as an excuse to not have to fulfill the mitzvah of Hishtadlus, and at the same time, one's requirement to do Hishtadlus becomes minimized the higher one goes on the ladder. And of course, to work out the exact line of not doing too much Hishtadlus but not doing too little Hishtadlus is a difficult feat, and as discussed, we have to learn the Torah sources, seek da'as Torah, Torah guidance from our Torah leaders, and at the same time, to talk to Hashem and ask Him for clarity in my particular situation, what is required of me. I don't want to do too much nor do too little. Please Hashem guide me to have clarity of how much Hishtadlus I am obligated to make.

 

One thing which is outlined very clearly is when it comes to other mitzvos, if the only way to perform that mitzvah is by committing the grave sin of idol worship, one is absolutely prohibited to perform that mitzvah. So, for example, imagine for a moment that I have no lulav available in order to fulfill the mitzvah of lulav and etrog, and an individual offers to obtain a lulav for me on one condition. If I go ahead now and bow down to a certain item which has the status of Avodah Zarah, idol worship, I am absolutely prohibited from going ahead and bowing down to the idol, committing the grave sin of idol worship, even though it is in order to facilitate the ability for me to perform this mitzvah of lulav, or whatever else it may be.

 

There are many details outlined in the Shulchan Aruch of what qualifies under the umbrella of idol worship. Not always does it need to be bowing down to a stone, but many other acts could also fall under this umbrella, and any of those acts would be absolutely prohibited under all circumstances, even if it means forgoing the performance of a different mitzvah. When we take the words of the Sefer HaChinuch to heart, that any time we are led to believe that there is some slight power outside of Hashem, be it me, be it another individual, or be it another circumstance, can even slightly contribute to the results of my endeavors, is classified as idol worship, if we take these words to heart, we will quickly realize that although there is a mitzvah to perform Hishtadlus, we are certainly prohibited from performing this mitzvah just like any other mitzvah, if in the course of performing this mitzvah we will be doing idol worship.

 

And therefore it is so vital when approaching the subject of Hishtadlus to preface it, that ein od milvado, the basic teaching of Emunah, that only Hashem exclusively runs every single detail to our lives, is an absolute, and thereafter, yes, we might have an obligation to perform the mitzvah of Hishtadlus, but under no circumstances may we even slightly be led to believe that that Hishtadlus that we are making is contributing even one iota to the desired result, and if we are led to believe those thoughts, we are no longer permitted to perform this mitzvah. We ought to be so careful with this mitzvah of Hishtadlus. Doing too little Hishtadlus is using Emunah as an excuse to opt out of our obligation to perform the mitzvah, which is certainly wrong, and doing too much Hishtadlus can fall under the very severe transgression of avoidazara, idol worship. Whatever amount we believe is correct for us to be investing into Hishtadlus, it is so vital for us to first internalize that ein od milvado, there is no power in the world whatsoever outside of Hashem.