As far as reward for good deeds in this world and the next,  Rabbenu Bachya explains, was not detailed to us.   "H'shem promised us general reward for general observance"  As for punishments we were given specifics such as lashing, stoning, early death, fines (Chas Vishalom).  Yet no mention of how we will be rewarded or punished in Olam Haba.  One reason for this he explains is that we have no understanding of our souls without bodies.  To those that H'shem describe  life after death, it was expressed as the soul would taking on another form such as the angles, if the soul on this world was "purified and radiant" pg435/437

When H'shem gives someone the opportunity to do a Mitzvah, instead of gloating and becoming haughty and proud he should look at it as a favor "He should neither rejoice when people praise him for it nor desire that  they honor him for it, because this would make him proud of his actions.  His heart's devotion and purity of intention would be spoiled the deed would be ruined and its reward lost. pg 435

We discussed in the previous post that one should do the Mitzvah not for fame or admiration but only to serve H'shem.   Rabbenu Bachya continues this idea that a Mitzvah should not be publicizes for when it is, it reduces the reward.  If it is not possible to keep it hidden Rabbenu teaches " He should remember the principle stated earlier, that neither help nor harm proceeds from any creature, except with the permission of the Creator may He be exalted."

We will now discuss the proper way to trust H'shem in regards to doing Mitzvot ( specified below)  Rabbenu Bachya teaches that the proper way to serve him through doing Mitzvot is to actively pursue doing them so as  to bring people closer to Him and to do His will.  NOT FOR personal fame, praise or benefit.  One should actively look for ways to help others  serve H'shem. As we explained  previously, this must be accompanied by trust in H'shem that He will give you the ability to carry out your endeavors and make them successful Example of Mitzvot brought by Rabbenu Bachya: Charity Mieser, Teaching wisdom, Exhortation to right conduct, Warning against evil, Returning deposits, Keeping a secret, Speaking well of others Doing favors, Honoring parents, Leading the wicked back to GD Showing people the way that is right for them Pitying the poor Treating them with mercy Patiently bearing peoples scorn when arguing them to GD's service Encouragin...

Rabbenu Bachya brings down Pesukim from Tehillim, teaching us that our ancestors and great leaders chose how to serve H'shem and then prayed to Him: "That He unify his heart and strengthen his choice in His service by removing worldly distractions from his heart and sight" "That he strengthen his limbs for the performance of the acts of service" As we see from here when looking to achieve  anything in life , it must be accompanied by Tefilah.  Through Tefilah we acknowledge that H'shem is everything and even trying to serve him needs His Divine Intervention.  With that understanding anything is possible. Rabbenu Bachya will later explain the correct path to take in this endeavor. pg 431/433

We discussed in previous posts choosing how to serve H'shem  in spiritual as well secular matters.   We will now discuss how to view the carrying out of that service.  Rabbenu Bachya teaches that after choosing how to serve H'shem and doing all that we can to carry it out for His great name, we then must "Implore Him to help us and guide us" pg 431

Unlike the flexibility we have to choose which direction we take in our secular life, our spiritual choices have been  written out for us and commanded of us as well as provided for us the means to do so.   Rabbenu Bachya explains that we would be wrong to  Davens for clarity on how to serve GD since it has already been spelled out.  Worldly things can change form being productive to destructive and the other way around. Spiritually nothing changes.  What is good for us will always be good and what is bad for us will always be bad. pg 431

Rabbenu Bachya explains that it is not spelled out to us which profession is a better one or one that will be more successful. This idea applies to anything we set out to do in "secular affairs" be it a trip, construction, a job.  We have no idea whether it will be successful or harmful.  "It therefore follows that , both in making a choice and implementing it, we must trust in GD that He will help us attain what is for our good. We must apply ourselves  diligently to our work and beseech Him to stir our hearts to choose what is good and proper for us. pg 429/431

Rabbenu Bachya is teaching us  that ones intention's for good or for bad is what someone will be judged for.  Rabbenu explains that if someone has the ability to physically do acts of serving H'shem then he should do so and will be rewarded for it.  On the other hand if he does not have the physical means  but desperately wishes  he could he will be judged and rewarded for having wanted to even though he was unable to.   For instance say you are passing by someone collecting money, if  you grudgingly reach your hand in your pocket and give him, although you gave him were you to have nothing and wished terribly that you could help him your intention to help him would be counted as though you gave him Tzedaka.  As Rabbenu writes "We will receive bounteous  reward for having chosen  GD's service for having intended to discharge it, and for having carried out its acts with our external limbs. If our limbs are unable to carry out the act...

If a person's position is that he is not going to do anything until "H'shem picks for him his path," he is not serving GD since He has already instructed us to choose the path we want to serve him. He "commanded us to choose the performance of His service and to direct our intent towards it with vigor, resolve and whole heart, for the sake of His great Name."  He has taught us that this is the correct way to serve him in this world and the next. pg 429

The "forth group" that Rabbenu Bachya is discussing now is the position a person should take as far as Enuman when it comes to his Mitzvot, Avarot, and way of life in serving H'ashem. This category is regarding things that effect him alone.  For something to be considered "service of GD or transgression" depend on three factors: 1. A conscious choice in ones mind and heart. 2. Full intention, knowledge and choice to carry out what he is about to do. 3. Putting into action with his body to accomplish what he has set out to do. In these situation one must understand that H'shem has given us the ability and free will to either server him or rebel against him. That having been said, the CHOICE of wanting to serve Him or rebel against him will be cause for our reward or punishment.  The actual ACT and whether we are able to succeed in accomplishing what we set out to is NOT in our hands. H'shem rather "made it dependent on external means that are so...

If his enemies succeed in causing him harm or injury  he should not blame them but understand it is from H'shem and something he deserved.  The fact that they were able to hurt him is evidence that H'shem sent them and and the correct response is to do Teshuvah.   When he succeeds in doing repentance  and drawing closer to H'shem, "His enemies will become his friends" as it says in Mishleh 16:7 " When GD is pleased with a man's ways He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him" pg427

We dedicated the past few posts to situations involving those seeking ours, or being sought out to help.  We will now discuss those that are considered our "enemies," hoping and even acting on damaging us.  Rabbenu Bachya teaches us that we should "bear their scorn" and trust in H'shem.  He continues " He should not pay them back in kind but in kindness."  I would like to interject here that I think this is what makes us as Jews stand out from  all mankind.  Knowing that we do not have to take action, only that the Universe is controlled by H'shem and we need to raise our standards of how we treat others, no matter who they are even someone wishing for our downfall.  Rabbenu Bachya continues, "Any favor that he can do for them he should do, bearing in mind that his well- being and injury are in the hands of the Creator May he be exalted" pg 427

If one has succeeded in fulfilling a task requested of him,  he should thank GD for giving him the privilege to do so.  If the opposite is true and although he put in the correct amount of effort and he was un successful Chas Vishalom, "he should not blame himself, and he should inform his friend he tried his best." pg 425,427 The only thing you are responsible for is your intention's and effort the outcome is in the hands of GD.

Rabbenu Bachya is teaching us that the correct way to treat anyone is to know they have tried their best but the outcome is solely depended on H'shem.  This  includes " friends, business associates employees and partners". This does not only apply to others. This ideas applies to ourselves as well.   If someone asks you to do something you should try to your fullest capabilities, as he writes " He should try to do it with all his heart and focus his mind on carrying it out, provided that he is able and that the one who asked him is worthy of the effort. Then he should put his trust in GD for it's accomplishment." pg 425

If the request that was asked of them, is not fulfilled he should not blame them or be disappointed\. He should in turn thank H'shem for choosing what was best for him.  He should also acknowledge and thank them  to the extent that they made an effort "even though it was not carried out as he- and they - had wished"  pg425 Disappointment in others as well as ourselves is a lack of Bitachon in the way H'shem runs his world.

If one makes a request of another and he is successful in carrying out the task, " He should thank the Creator, may he be exalted Who fulfilled his wishes and also thank  the one through whom it was carried out for his good will and  for being the agent for the Creators aid"   Rabbenu Bachya brings a very deep idea here.  H'shem will bring success and good outcomes through those that are good and righteous and seldom bring a loss. pg 425   I remember  my 6th birth I decided to take an epidural.   I had had a very bad experience with my second and  declined my third through fifth.   When the Anesthesiologist walked in with a Kippa I asked him " Are you a Yireh Shamayim?" He smirked and said he wishes he could could aspire to call himself that, I told him to proceed we were in good hands.

Hishtadlut are one of those fine lines we balance on and we must make sure we do not dip to either side lest we fall.  Rabbenu Bachya writes that when one has to asks someone for something "He should consider the ability of the weak to perform it equally to that of the strong and rely on GD may he be exalted for its achievement".   We have discussed this idea many times through our journey of Shar Habitachon.   When someone does "Too much Hishtadlut" meaning he is trying to force things through natural means H'shem  takes His Hashgacha, His Divine interference away form him and he causes more damage then good. pg425

Rabbenu Bachya says. "The right way to rely on GD is as fallows" in the context of asking from a person. " When the need arises to ask for something from someone above him or below him, he should rely on GD for it, and regard the people as the means for securing it."  Rabbenu Bachya brings an example of a farmer who plants his crop.  The farmer does the work and H'shem decides if it will be successful but he should not depend on the ground to produce it "only the Creator".   If GD does not want him to be supported by the crop, H'shem will make it not grow or it will be damaged.   Our effort is to do what is natural and not any more.  The outcome is GD and Him alone. pg 423/ pg 425