Hishtadlus: How Far Should One Go?

A kollel student among the disciples of Rabbi Berland shlit"a fell into financial difficulties and was invited to a job interview at a prestigious company. When it became clear to him that the interview would be conducted with a woman, he was afraid of compromising his guarding of the eyes (shmiras einayim) and placed a letter with his question on the Rav's shtender (lectern). Although he did not receive an explicit answer, the company postponed the interview day after day until it was canceled completely, and thus he understood that the Rav had intervened on his behalf so that he would not have to compromise on his holiness.

One of the most complex issues in our generation, and in every generation, is the issue of hishtadlus (making an effort) for parnassah (livelihood). To what extent is a kosher Jew obligated to trust with complete bitachon (faith) in Hashem, may He be blessed, and to what extent must he make an effort and toil for his livelihood? We have received a tradition from the tzaddikim of the generations that there are no general rules for the masses in this matter. Rather, every Jew is supposed to introspect and determine how strong he is in the trait of bitachon, and how far he feels it is his obligation to make an effort. A person should not jump above his spiritual level and detach himself from his needs and the needs of his household if he is not truly at that level.

The following story was told by a Jew who personally possesses high levels of bitachon in Hashem, may He be blessed. Therefore, this introduction was necessary to remind ourselves that this is not a directive for the masses, but rather a story about a precious Jew who is attached to the trait of bitachon with faith and joy.

Severe Difficulties in Supporting His Home

This Jew is a precious kollel student among the disciples of Rabbi Berland shlit"a, who toils in Torah all hours of the day. In recent months, he fell into severe difficulties in supporting his home, and he understood that he needed to find an additional occupation during certain hours so that the extra income would balance his overdraft and return his household finances to proper order. This student is a professional in a certain field, and for years he had not made use of his knowledge in that area. However, as mentioned, he now found it appropriate to reach out to several large companies that employ professionals in this field to offer himself for work.

Indeed, one of the most respected companies in the market needed a professional worker in that field, and a meeting was scheduled for a personal interview. When he received the letter, he realized that in order to be accepted for the job, he would have to meet with a woman. This student is very meticulous about guarding his eyes and felt that meeting with a woman for a personal interview was something beyond his obligation of hishtadlus, and he truly did not know what to do. On one hand, he needed parnassah, and if he were accepted for the job at that prestigious company, his financial situation would improve, and he would be able to diligently pursue his studies with peace of mind for the rest of the day.

Furthermore, that company desperately needed a professional like him, and there was almost no chance they would not hire him. But on the other hand, he felt that the entire obligation of hishtadlus was not supposed to interfere with his resolutions regarding matters of holiness and guarding his eyes. Seemingly, he should just continue learning in the kollel and hope for Hashem's salvation.

A Letter on the Rav's Shtender

He wrote his question in a letter and placed it on the shtender of Rabbi Berland shlit"a. He did not receive an answer, but that very day, they called him from the company and told him that the meeting was postponed until tomorrow. The next day, they called again and said the meeting was postponed for another two days. And so it went for an entire week; every day they called to postpone the meeting again. Eventually, the day passed, and since then, they have not contacted him.

The student understood that the Rav had answered the letter placed on the shtender. Since it was not part of his obligation of hishtadlus to meet with a woman due to his good practices in matters of holiness, the Rav intervened so that the meeting would be postponed and he would not have to meet for this purpose. Our blessings to this precious student that he should merit spiritual and material abundance from the treasury of free gifts, and merit to continue toiling in Torah with expansion and joy.

From the book "Pele Elyon, Part 3"