We were given a commandment not to kill any human.  How the more so someone that is close to us that we can take responsibility for his safety .  Rabbenu Bachya writes, "The closer his relationship to the murdered person, the more culpable is the murderer.... He who kills himself undoubtedly deserves severe punishment.... One who commits suicide leaves GD service and rebels against Him by exposing himself to lethal danger."

A persons has a fundamental responsibility to take care of his body.   If he puts himself in harms way he will held accountable.  Rabbenu Bachya brings to our attention a very painful reality.  A person is held responsible for his own well being. Were he to disregard that and die intentionally in suicide or unintentionally through carelessness, Chas V'Shalom, he is considered as though he murdered someone.   With that having been said one must realize that the actual death came because H'shem decreed, that this was his time to go Lo Alenu.  As Rabbenu Bachya  wriites, "Suicide for which he will be responsible as if he killed another human being- notwithstanding the fact that his dying in this way was in accordance with GD'S decree and took place with His permission" pg 403

"Shmor Et Nafshosechem" is a very important commanded Mitzvah. It is completely forbidden to put your body in a dangerous environment and "trust " that H'shem will save you.  A person is not allowed to do anything that would put his life at risk.  "Testing" H'shem to see if he would save you after putting yourself at risk is irresponsible.  Someone who does this has two possibilities" either he will perish or he will survive" pg 401,403

After coming to the clear understanding that  the Creator is governing all  affairs and He has our best interests at heart   Rabbenu will now explain what a person's obligations are. " He must at the same time pursue means beneficial to him and choose what appears to him to be the best course of action in the matter and GD will carry out what He has foreordained."  For example if a person "leaves" his life to GD and says if he wants me to live I can live just as well with out food, drink, job, a shelter.  This action is irresponsible and looked down upon as not taking care of the most precious gift GD gave you ...Your life pg 401

Rabbenu Bachya will now delve into the subject of how one is obligated to trust in H'shem in "Worldly matters concerning this world  and the world to come.    Rabbenu Bachya takes great effort to divide and subdivide each category.  I will explain each categorize as he teaches  them please refer to the Sefer if you wold like the categorized list. The First group is the concern of mans body:life and death.  Maintenance    food                                                                                                                         clothing                         ...

Rabbenu Bachya writes, "One should not think that his livelihood depends on a particular source and that if that source were to fail there would be no other way for him to earn a living."  We have to take an honest look at how we view our  income.  Do we look at our jobs as being the source or  the tool.  Rabbenu Bachya continues "He will support him by what whatever means  and at any time and from whatever elements He wishes."    We are moments away from the day GD will write us in the book of destiny personal and as a nation.  What H'shem desires to shower upon us or keep from us, has no boundaries not a job and not a lack of one.  Elul is our opportunity to show H'shem that we are worthy of having a healthy Parnasa, and we will make the correct choices when it comes to money, in giving, paying, trusting and being honest. For only GD will decide what we earn  and how He  chooses to send us.. Shabbat Shallom

If one goes out to earn a living  and  does so to enjoy the luxuries of life and make a name for himself,  he is feeding his desires and fantasies not GD!.  If  his intent in his heart and mind is to fulfill the commandment of his Creator he not only will find a Parnassa, he is  fulfilling the will of H'shem.  As Rabbenu Bachya writes " His trust in GD will remain intact, and he will not be harmed at ALL by the search for the means of a livelihood.  If in his heart and mind he intends them for the sake of Heaven"  This excerpt reminds me of the story of two brothers.  One successful in business and one drunkard living on the streets.  Their father called the successful son  and told him that his  sister would be getting married and he should buy anything he needed for the wedding and he would cover the bill.  The father also mentioned to make sure he brought his brother.  So the successful son went out and spared...

What is your purpose.  When we look at the concept of someone having a job we see it as someone looking to make a  living or we can see it as something deeper.  Rabbenu Bachya writes: "When he is occupied in mind and body with one of the means of earning a living let his intent be to fulfill the commandment of the Creator     Who has commanded man to engage in worldly means.....  to build cities and prepare foods, to marry, be fruitful and multiply.  What Rabbenu Bachya is teaching us is that "making a living" is in the category of building a life, neighborhood a family and is Avodat Kodesh.  Through the job you have picked you can perfect the world GD gave you.  With the life you lead and everything in it that you choose to do the world could becomes a better place.  One the Shechina wants to reside in.  pg 395,397

If you look at the unbelievable wonders of the universe each animal in the animal kingdom hunts or feeds on what is suited for them and never goes after something else.  To the extent that their body's are perfectly designed for their hunting, grazing, living and survival. Since the beginning of time  cats chase mice, the long beaked birds hunt fish,  and  cows graze.  Similarly Rabbenu Bachya writes " human beings have different personalities and physiques and they are predisposed towards certain trades and occupations.  Whoever discovers within his personalty and nature an attraction to a particular trade and his body is fit for it and can endure difficulty he should pursue it and and make it his means... accepting its' sweetness as well as its bitterness.  Rabbenu Bachya continues further He should not be discouraged if his income is denied him on occasion rather let him trust in GD that He will provide him with his livelihood all his life pg395 ...

Some jobs are easier on the body but require a higher level of intellect and some jobs require more brawn. Some are more strenuous and some are light.  Some require a lot of training and others do not. Rabbenu Bachya is teaching us that the way our body's were created and the interests that we have did not just happen.  H'shem gave us each the perfect mind, body, soul, ability, interest, and talent to be able to work.  How we were designed was not only for the purpose of making  a living  but  through the work we put out into the world we can actually bring the world to it's Tikun.  With that in mind it is VERY IMPORTANT for  yourself, your spouse and your children that you accept the way their brains, bodies, talents, and abilities work.  We ALL have a Tafkid to fulfill and H'shem created us perfectly for that job, so why don't we start appreciating it in every one of us. pg 393 395

Rabbenu Bachya has taught us  why someone would need to put in an effort into earning a livelihood.  He will now explain how NOT everyone needs to put in the same amount of effort. We are  at a crucial point in our lives.  Elul is the time period before we present our case to our Creator of why we deserve a year filled with every bountiful blessing the world has to offer.  The only way to properly prepare for this is by connecting to Him.   We must use this time to connect, grow in our love devotion and commitment.  What last year decreed is almost done. We now stand with endless opportunities in either direction for how the next year will be granted to us.  Shabbat Shalom pg 393

Rabbenu Bachya will now explain why GD at times allows the wicked  to prosper. 1. On account of  a previous good deeds that H'shem wants to give him his reward in this world and not Olam Habba. 2. The wicked have it as a deposit until they have a righteous son who will inherit it. 3. His wealth may actual lead to his death or downfall 4. It could be that H'shem is being patient with him knowing that he in the end will do Teshuvah and will then be worthy of it. 5. It could be Zechut Avot, as a payment for how righteous his father was. 6. It is a test for those who question the ways of H'shem if they see wicked prosper and righteous suffer do they leave H'shem and run in the direction of the wicked?  Those that do not fall into this trap will be rewarded by H'shem pg 391 and 393

Rabbenu Bachya would like now to offer his opinion on a number of reasons why " The opportunity to obtain his livelihood without trouble and trail might be withheld from a righteous man. 1. He may be "paying a penalty" for a past sin 2.Compensation in the World -to- Come 3. An opportunity to show his "patients and positive outlook" in Serving his Creator. so that other people may learn from him. 4. To show to the wicked  his "piety and devotion in the service of GD" opposite to their behavior. 5. As a result of his "failure to demonstrate zeal for GD's cause" pg 389/ 391

Rabbenu Bachya is now going to discuss  one of the biggest questions in our history.  " The trial of  the Tzadikim and the prosperity of the wicked"  There are many comments on this topic through out Tanach with no one conclusive or definitive answer. All commentaries come to one basic stance, as said by Moshe Rabbenu "The ways of H'shem are hidden".  In that one sentence though lies all the truths.  If we accomplish what we are setting out to do on this blog, then we trust that H'shem is controlling the world and that He knows what he is doing.  I know, ...but "I don't want to be tested" "I don't want struggle" "I want calm, nice, easy, happy, wealthy, healthy...."  The answer is "The Ways Of H'shem".  Yes with the correct amount of Teshuvah, Tefilla, Tzedaka, Emuna, Simcha you can get your hearts desire. Do you trust though that H'shem knows what you really need?  Emuna and Bitachon is NOT ABOUT GETTI...

In the past few chapters we discussed that it is a Chesed that H'shem made us go out to earn a living as per the reasons we stated earlier.  Rabbanu Bachya writes further that if someone does not behave in the negative ways we discussed earlier and will not rebel against H'shem  HE WILL BE RELIEVED OF THE BURDEN OF SEEKING A LIVELIHOOD.  In summation if a person dedicates his life to H'shem and is  honest and trustworthy, aspires to good deeds  and  does not rebel against H'shem during his free time it says "Since the two reasons for obligating him to do so that have been mentioned .. will become inapplicable to him. His livelihood will come to him without trouble or weariness to the extent of his needs and requirements pg387.

H'shem knowing his creations, as a Chesed gave us responsibilities in this world and a need to work for our portion in the world to come. In this way man is too busy to think about things he can't understand and find ways to rebel against what he should be doing.  How clearly do we see this today.  Technology, even the simple type, has given us and our children so much more "free time" We often feel we waist our time instead of needed to put more effort into what we do.  How many of us feel unworthy and useless since everything could be done so much faster and better.  I remember Rav Fishel Shachter told over a story his mother told him.  When she was a little girl her and her sisters would fight over who had to wash the dishes or sweep the floor.  They dreamed one day there would be a machine to wash the dishes and sweep the floor for them.  Her Mother used to tell her and her sisters "And when they make these machines the girls will fight over who ha...

The second reason H'shem makes us put in an effort Rabbenu Bachya writes is because when someone has too much time on his hands he ends of rebelling.  As Rabbenu writes,  "Excellent is the study of Torah together with a worldly occupation for labor at bot puts sin out of mind.  And all Torah with out works will in the end be neglected and occasion sin" (Avos2:2) How much more so is this true of one who has no share in either who concentrates on neither of these (pursuits) pg 385/ 387

Rabbenu Bachya explains the reasons behind someone needing to exert an effort.  The first reason is that it is a test.  GD is testing the individual to see if he will be honest, trustworthy, and GD fearing when opportunities arise. As he writes " His service or sin is demonstrated through his intent on -and choice of - one to the exclusion of the other, and this then determines reward or punishment, even if he does not carry it out in deed". pg 385

Understand that everything that has come to be  in this world must first have had a Divine decree that preceded it coming into be. The actions needed to create that thing was a gift that H'shem gave to man.  For instance, if you are hungry and there is food in front of you believing "If  H'shem wants me  to be satiated He will do it and I don't have to do anything "  Is not how the world was set up.  According to the outcome a person must put in the necessary amount of effort to obtain it.  As Rabbenu Bachya writes "One has to take steps (such as) hire himself out for wages, or sell precious objects belongings and the like"  All the while realizing that H'shem has put him in this position to test his trust and build his reward, never feeling as though he himself is controlling the outcome or worried about what will be. pg 385

Rabbenu Bachya explains how something can form in this world.  There needs to be two variables 1. The Creator's will and desire that it should be brought into the world 2. The physical things necessary in this world to make GD's will a reality. Take a new kitchen for example (BE"H for everyone in the near future ;) )What are all the things needed to create the kitchen: A. The desire to have one B.  The space and the design to build one C.  The money to pay for it D.  The people to build it E.   The material to build it with and so on....  As we can see there are many facets that go into a new kitchen.  Some that we thought of and many that are subdivisions that go into all of these variables.  None of this can happen though if H'shem does not Will it and Decree it to be so. pg383

Rabbenu Bachya continues with his warning about rebelling against GD's commandments and still depending on his support.  "If he relies on GD his hopes will be dashed and he will not deserve to be called "one who trust in GD"....."Will GD listen to his cry.."Will you steal, murder commit adultery, swear falsely ....And then come and stand before Me in his House which bears My Name..." pg 381/ 383

The world runs on Mida Kineget Midda, which means,  how we act is how we will be treated.  Our Creator knows us better then we know ourselves.  He understands our strengths and weaknesses, our struggles and wins.We can not in any way try to humanize the Boreh Olam, but if one were to look at a relationship with a child that disrespects his parents,  disregard his word, steals, completely ignores all measure of respect the parent will forever love him, but the relationship will be damaged and he will not get the respect, love, attention and affection that he needs.  "Violations, will be the strongest reason for non fulfillment of that for which he had relied on the other." pg 381

Rabbi Aharon of Belz  [5660 - 21 Av 5717 (1900 - August 1957)],  The fourth Rebbe in the Belz dynasty, was considered one of the purest holy men of his generation.  My grandfather Moshe ben Yitchak (HaLevy) Zweig was a Chasid of the Rebbe, and received a Bracha from him,  along with five others,    to survive the war. They all attest to the absolute  Nissim by which they survived.  In 1944 the Rebbe miraculously escaped from the Nazis and moved to Israel, where after a brief time in Jerusalem he set up his court in Tel Aviv. The current Belzer Rebbe, who has established a huge center in Jerusalem, is his nephew. To read more about him and connect to his Zechut light a candle tonight on his Yahrzeit ,  and say Tehillim  to  read more about the Rebbe follow the links here: https://www.worldofbelz.org/reb-aharon-of-belz/ http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=923-46

There is a very popular Israeli Pop song sung by Yishai Rebo, whose lyrics are (translated from Hebrew) “… Even if we did something bad, He gives forgiveness and pardons”      As I was food shopping today I saw a man chomping on a piece of produce I am pretty sure he did not weigh and purchase before eating. His wife (not dressed religiously) was quietly singing  this popular song as we were selecting our onions.   I almost slipped and said "Not for theft", but I held my self back and    seconds later  convinced myself that it is a” known” practice and probably even accepted to “taste before you buy” or some other justification.   I was simply overtaken by the irony of the situation.   Rabbenu Bachya warns us as follows “Be exceedingly careful and make a great effort to fulfill what the Creator has required of him in His service to carry out His commandments, and to keep far from what He has forbidden him, just as he would like th...