If the means are available to us and we are able to carry out the work of service which we had previously chosen, we will receive bounteous reward for having chosen God's service, for having intended to discharge it, and for having carried out its act with our external limbs. And if our limbs are unable to carry out the acts, we will receive a reward for having chosen and intended to do them, as we mentioned earlier. The same is true in regard to punishment for transgression, whether committed or only intended. In secular affairs it has not been revealed to us which means are better or worse than other means or which are harmful or not harmful, for we do not know which profession is best for us and more worthwhile for securing a livelihood, preserving health and for general well being, nor do we know which business venture, journey or other worldly pursuit will succeed when we try them. It therefore follows that both in making a choice and implementing it, we must turn to 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.
Once, on a Motzoei Shabbos, the chasidim were sitting in the bais medrash of the Ruzhiner Rebbe zy”a for Melave Malka. Suddenly, the Rebbe opened the door of his room next to the bais medrash, stood at the entrance, and said, “The Baal Shem Tov was not a deity, and the zaida, the Magid, was not just an ordinary wagon driver. And once, when the holy Baal Shem Tov prayed, his talis fringe fell out of his gartel and dragged on the floor. The Magid approached, picked it up, and put it back in the gartel, but he was trembled with such tremendous fear that he fainted and his life was in danger. They were compelled to rouse the Baal Shem Tov from his deep dveikus in order to calm him.” He then added, “I told you that the Baal Shem Tov was not a deity and my zaida, the Magid, was no wagon driver. Still and all, when he touched the Besht’s garment, he fainted from fear. The entire world is Hashem’s garment. How much fear must we feel to touch this world!” May the memory of the...