They tell the story of a man who received a knock at his door one afternoon. It was a meshulach collecting money for his family. He needed to marry off his daughters. There was an illness in the family and he needed to raise five hundred thousand dollars. The man, feeling generous, writes him a check for a thousand dollars.
The meshulach is thrilled. He just received a generous check from a virtual stranger. And the man is thrilled too. He was able to help the meshulach and make him happy. Contrast this with the same man walking on the outskirts of town when he hears desperate cries for help. It’s an individual who’s getting beaten to a pulp by angry loan sharks.
They’re ready to end his life if they don’t receive the full $500,000 that he owes them. The battered individual looks desperately into his eyes and pleads, “Save me!” Of course, the man will do anything to raise the full sum of money to save this individual in danger. What’s the difference between these two scenarios?
They both needed $500,000, but in the first case, a check for $1,000 leaves them both elated. And in the second case, anything short of the entire amount won’t do. You see, in the first case, the meshulach will continue on his way to raise the rest of the money. He will go to the next house and the next city until he reaches his goal.
You are one of the many avenues you will use to collect what’s needed. In the second scenario, you’re the only one who can save the individual. His life is hanging on the balance of your actions, and he has no one to turn to but you. This thought exercise gives us a deep insight into our approach to davening and our Emunah and Bitachon.
There are those who rely on their network, net worth, and circumstances to pull them through challenging times. To be sure, they daven to Hashem as well, but in their minds, it’s one of the different avenues they rely on for success. But then there’s the second approach. It’s when we daven to Hashem with the acute recognition that all success, health, and prosperity are only possible with Hashem’s blessing.
There is no plan B. The outcome of our faith is totally and exclusively in Hashem’s hands. This contrast also sheds light on the Purim story. The Gemara explains that the decree of complete annihilation of the Jewish nation resulted from their enjoying the feast of King Achashveirosh. How are we to understand this Gemara?
We’re told that there was glatt kosher food at the party. What was so bad about attending the party? And why did it warrant such a terrible decree? The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that the problem wasn’t that they attended, it was why they attended. At the time, the Jewish people placed their trust in the Persian royalty, that they would take care of them.
They attended the party thinking this would secure their safety and well being. Therefore, the decree that followed wasn’t a punishment, it was simply a consequence. They were throwing away their supernatural connection and protection and completely trusting in Hashem for a multi-pronged diplomatic approach.
The resulting decree was merely a reflection of the natural precarious state of the Jewish people, as we are compared to a lamb in the midst of 70 wolves. This also explains Esther’s strategy in advocating with the king. She had Mordechai gather all the Jewish children to learn and daven, and she fasted along with all of the Yidden.
Naturally, Esther’s fasting would hurt her chances in finding favor with the king, whose attraction to her was her physical beauty. But Esther understood that the only way to abolish the decree was to embrace Hashem’s help wholeheartedly. The only way to achieve salvation depended on recognizing that we are a supernatural nation.
When we place our trust in Hashem entirely, salvation comes miraculously. Wishing you a wonderful Purim and Shabbos.
