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Let us explore this further. Let's say that we ask a person who is about to buy a table, a set of chairs, or something similar, "Do you think you really have control over what kind of table you will buy, or do you clearly believe that you cannot determine this at all, and it is Hashem Who decrees exactly what you will buy?" Most people, apparently, know the truth that a person doesn't really have the ability to determine which table he will buy. However, this is just something hidden somewhere in the back of their mind. Not only is it far from their heart, but it is not even in their consciousness. A person doesn't naturally think about this or contemplate it at all. A person's avodah, therefore, is to train himself to think before doing even small acts, like the purchase of a table or chairs. Don't run to the store without a moment's thought. Stop to think a little and contemplate what you are about to do. Consider whether you are the one who determines what you will achieve in the act you are about to do. After you have thought about it, speak it out and say to Hashem, "Master of the World, I know clearly that when I buy the table, I do not have control at all as to which table to buy, but it is all by Your decree. (However, a person can certainly effect the decision through prayer, as will be explained later at length, with the help of Hashem.)

[Care must be taken that this basic emunah should not be used by the yetzer hara as an excuse to absolve oneself from the responsibility to make reasonable hishtadlus to spend one's money wisely. One is required to make responsible and well-considered choices taking into account all relevant factors, in particular how this purchase will affect others. The result of an irresponsible, rash decision may be that Hashem will decide to let you suffer the consequences of your folly.]
http://bilvavi.net/content/view/283/32


I wonder what he would say about making hishtadlus to earn a living.

He speaks about it a couple of times, Yechida Shebanefesh to be one of those. Basically, its utilizing different "parts" of the neshama. (The yechida, the highest level, is actually not something we can fully follow by, due to the sin of adam harishon. but you can still work on revealing it so that in everything you do there are two kochos/oros that come out.) It's a long, deep topic, in which the Rav himself gives about 15 shiurim on.. Check bilvavi.net (or shorashim) for the Yechida Shebanefesh series.

Thank you. I don't understand what this has to do with earning a parnassah.

In short (very short!), the Emunah he is discussing is using the "highest" level of the neshama. That part, does not have hishtadlus nor any action for that matter (deep concept, but trying to keep it as simple as possible). The other parts of the neshama, though, do have the effect of adam's sin, thus causing us to need hishtadlus. [So all the sefarim that discuss hishtadlus as a pathway to emunah are really only discussing the 4 lower parts. ie. mesilas yesharim (bitachon), michtav meliyahu, etc. Point is, the 5th part is untouched by sin, thus, requires no hishtadlus.] There is a lot more to say/explain but 1) don't have the yishuv hadaas atm to explain it, 2) its a lot!

Since you want reading material look at his Chelek 5 (BME Vol. 5) and you'll see it mentioned in a couple of places. If I get a chance Ill post more exact details.

Thank you, this is very interesting.

I dont understand this. It sounds like something Muslims say.

Want to be more specific?

The idea that a person has absolutely no free will, no ability to act independently but "everything is written."
I think it is R' Albo in sefer Ikkarim who disputes this idea.

Hakol Tzafui Vharishus Nitna. It's the famous yediya/bechira question. Look around these forums I posted a chapter from a sefer regarding this.. Also check Klach Pischei Chochmoh Klach 1-4. (i recommend with pirush bilvavi mishkan evneh -- makes it very clear)

I'm not sure how or why it is that Hashem determines which table you're going to buy. I've never heard of this idea, and it strikes me as a bit odd. Sure, on your way to the store you might get distracted by a beautiful woman, meet a future wife, and forget about buying that table; or the store might run out of your favorite model. Duh. But I'm struggling to understand what this has to do with anything, and why you should pray to Hashem to arrange so that the store has just the right type of chair for you in stock.

That's exactly the point. Both are true (davening and emunah {in the above discussion}). Since the emunah-type he is discussing is that which is connected to the yechida, then asking for it is useless, due to the fact its already pre-arranged whether you will get it or not. [This issue is really stam a question, as much as i believe everything is good, why daven. It's discussed in Chelek 7 of B.M.E.. In short, b-reishis, as ramchal explains in a couple of place. keser/chochmoh. which in this discussion is parallel to the avodah of chalal/adam kadmon. which is also parallel to igul/yosher. check beginning of chelek 7 regarding tefila/emunah {or any deep emunah related} questions. and chelek 8 regarding it being parallel to chalal/adam kadmon | igul/yosher].
Anyway. So yechida is the one with no tnua, totally connected to god. The avodah he is discussing here is tryin to reveal that aspect (the highest aspect) of the soul. Of course though, until mashiach comes (and the yechida can be fully revealed), we must use both aspects [tefilla, emunah]. {this is probably a weird concept for a lot of people, due to the fact that we're always used to hearing that davening strengthens emunah. not that thats wrong, its just dealing with a different aspect of the neshama}

Sorry for seeming so confusing.. its just a lot of new concepts.. i highly recommend reading chelek 7 in regard to tefila question. The whole yediya/bechira thing should also bother you.. which, read above where i posted about it.

Any questions please post back ill try to explain as well as i can.. im gonna return home friday (ive been RVing with the family in Cali the last week or so.. so didnt have much internet access).

[Another post has been made about the tables - http://www.hashkafah.com/Blue-Moon-t52202.html .]

The whole idea makes no sense.
If we say that one has no choice over which table he's going to buy but it's all determined, then why limit that idea to mundane things? Why not say it is so too in regard to moral/ethical/halakhic choices? So if faced with the opportunity for aveira it is predetermined which path I am going to take. So go with the flow. I cant be punished for it, since it is not a free choice. That flies in the face of the whole idea of schar v'onesh.

Isn't there some idea somewhere that you have a narrow freedom of choice, and it is confined strictly to moral decisions? I think I saw that someplace..

hakol bidei shamayim chutz me-yirat shamayim. [berachot 33b, and elsewhere]

Right. Thanks. (and except colds and fevers).