Rav Yisrael Salanter cites two views when it comes to the mitzvah of hishtadlus. The conventional understanding is usually like the view of the chovos halavavos, that I have a mitzvah to make my own effort, and at the same time to understand, internalize that my efforts have nothing to do with bringing about my desired result, realizing and internalizing that everything that happens in my life is exclusively from Hashem. And following this line of thinking, like the chovos halavavos, one will make...
Rav Yisrael Salanter cites two views when it comes to the mitzvah of hishtadlus. The conventional understanding is usually like the view of the chovos halavavos, that I have a mitzvah to make my own effort, and at the same time to understand, internalize that my efforts have nothing to do with bringing about my desired result, realizing and internalizing that everything that happens in my life is exclusively from Hashem. And following this line of thinking, like the chovos halavavos, one will make an effort to try find clarity about how much hishtadlus they are supposed to be making in their lives.
Remember, too little hishtadlus is using emunah as an excuse to opt out of my obligation, which Hashem has commanded me to perform, the mitzvah of hishtadlus. And too much hishtadlus can borderline on the grave transgression of idol worship, avodah zarah. Rav Yisrael Salanter also brings the opinion of the Ramban, that if a person climbs the ladder of emunah sincerely, eventually they can reach a level where they are not required to even do hishtadlus anymore, and they become absolved of the obligation of hishtadlus completely.
Like any area of our lives, how do we find clarity for our particular situation? We have to learn what the Torah commentaries teach us. We are obligated to seek counsel from Torah leaders, da'as torah, and thereafter we talk to Hashem and ask Him to guide us with clarity for our particular situation. How much hishtadlus am I supposed to be making in my particular life with my particular circumstances? What is right for me is not right for another individual, and vice versa. However, what is important is to highlight that according to all opinions, our efforts do not produce the results that we endeavor to achieve whatsoever, because believing that we have a hand on orchestrating our results can borderline on the very grave sin of idol worship.
It is known about the rabbi of Rav Yisrael Salanter that he would constantly change his occupation. At first, he was a vinegar manufacturer. The next year, he decided to change to a completely different field, and his reason was that he never wanted to feel like he was in complete control. Of course, this is a very elated level of emunah, and for many people would be wrong to take such a drastic leap of faith, and we have to remember that when it comes to emunah, we have to be absolutely sincere with our belief in Hashem and with how much hishtadlus effort we are putting in. But the principle can apply to all of us, that the dangers of hishtadlus are very real and present. The dangers that can result of us fulfilling this mitzvah, of making our own effort, can sometimes lead us to believe that we are the master over our own destiny, even to some degree, and that would borderline on the grave sin of idol worship.
“Hashem, my Father, I would have loved to live in a world where I don't even need to do any of my own effort. It is so difficult to succeed in my emunah and bitachon endeavor, trying to internalize that you are the sole exclusive power in the world, because you have also commanded me to make efforts in my endeavors. And when I make an effort and see a result coming about as a result of my effort, it is so difficult to remain strong in my belief that you exclusively are running my life and my involvement is just to cover up the miracle so that I have the opportunity to choose, am I going to believe that you are sending my desired results, or is it as a result of my actions? Hashem, I ask you with all my heart, please guide me to be able to know how much hishtadlus I am supposed to do in my particular situation, whilst at the same time, Hashem, please guide me to internalize that however much hishtadlus I am doing, it is not my hishtadlus that even slightly affects the desired results that I am seeking.
When I invested that money into this particular business venture, and thereafter I was successful and the deal went through, Hashem, please help me to internalize that you have just made this world operate in a way that it looks like my action, my investment brought in the money to me, but really in true essence, you don't even need me to make that investment. Granted, at this point in my life, I am obligated to fulfill this mitzvah of hishtadlus, whilst at the same time, it is so vital, Hashem, for me to internalize that this deal that I have made has nothing to do with bringing in my money, because you could bring in my money even without the hishtadlus. Please Hashem, help me to realize that everything in the world operates exclusively under your control.”
