Emunah How Much Should We Depend on Hashem?

Original Thoughts from author or creator of this blog site:
Aharon Moshe ben-Dovid

Those who are new to this blog may soon realize that the entire site is more of a compilation of what I found is out there regarding specific areas of interest in Jewish: Tradition, Halacha, Understanding,Insight,Wisdom,Knowledge.Creation,Formation,Action.

For the most part we only see the action but often lose sight of what precedes our actions. Alternatively we see our situation perhaps as a result of our actions or even believe that there are so many random events which occur that have landed us where we are now.

For those of us who looks at things perhaps superficially, one might tend to think that how we arrived where we are today is really of no significance whatsoever. This mindset leads one to focus only on the necessary actions which are needed to extricate oneself from a difficult situation, or "the-effort in-action" required to continue to benefit from a good situation.

Amongst our ranks are those who merely perceive the consequences of our actions without ever looking for any of the underlying causes of the results which become the details of our lives. There are many different ways which one may come to believe that Hashem is the creator and King/Ruler of the Universe. However in order to really become any kind of master of one's destiny, it is a fundamental cornerstone of our Jewish Faith that everything is accordance with the will of Hashem.

I hope to continue with some of these thoughts which I am recording on this blog, however I need to address the particular matter at hand.

However I would like to sum up or at least draw one conclusion fro the above concepts that are being developed and explained above. These ideas are not my own, but however are drawn fro a great variety of written Jewish sources, shirum, and other forms of learning. As far as actual sources in the Gemora (for example) suffice it to say that my superficial understanding is limited to the books which I have learned from in a Daf Yomi setting which began (interestingly enough) with the Tractate Rosh Hashanah in the current Daf Yomi cycle.

An important idea is that of emunah or belief. For example a Tzadik may have a strong belief that Hashem has got his back so to speak. However the very same Tzadik also would believe that this is due to his past or present merits. Therefore the Tzadik is concerned that when a negative thing should have happened to him or may have been likely to happen to him, the emunah becomes that he escaped the negative judgement due to his merits which are known in shamayim. Therfore a true Tzadik will always be seeking ways in which to increase his merits in Shamayim, partially because there is some concern that a time could come when his negative actions could outway his positive merits.

On another site I have included relevant actual Gemora in English. You need to click here to go there.


One Might Ask

Wait, are you trying to say that a Tzadik is only doing good deeds or mitzvot in order to gain merit to compensate for perhaps when he might have a lesser emunah, or perhaps even errs in his ways?

No, absolutely not, I would state based on learning with a local Gemora Scholar as well as some written sources unfortunately which I do not have at my fingertips:

A Tzadik such as Yakov Aveinu is accustomed to living by his Emunah that it is actually dangerous for him not to utilize his emunah. Which brings one to another great lesson in using one's emunah in times of great danger, without vdepending upon one's own emunah (or merits in shamyim) in times of great danger. The classic example is that very awkward time when Yakov meets with Eisav when he returned to his home with his wives, children and great wealth.