Duties of the Heart/The Gate of Trust in God

One of the most crucial principles of trust in HaShem concerns one’s perception of the diverse causes that affect our lives. The causes that we encounter are manifest through a series of preceding causes and effects. Thus, some causes are "close", i.e., we perceive them as affecting us directly, while other causes are "distant", i.e., they generate the close causes, even though we may not even recognize their influence.

However, the closer a cause, the less "responsible" it is for causing us harm or good. Conversely, the more distant the cause, the more authority it holds. For instance, imagine the President issues a command to the Secretary of Defense to arrest an enemy of the state. The Secretary of Defense orders the Chief of Staff to initiate an operation. The Chief of Staff delegates the task to a general. The general appoints a lieutenant to train a commando team.

The commando team is the only members of the chain of command that actually come face to face with the fugitive. Despite their active role in the capture, the commando team wields the least authority in the command structure. Whereas, only the President, who is the first on the chain of command-and the farthest distance from the capture-can punish or pardon, as he so chooses.

This example sheds light on the insignificance of all causes, except for the true first cause-The Holy One, May He be Blessed. Thus, whatever occurs in our lives-both our accomplishments and hardships-are decreed by HaShem.

Let us place our whole-hearted trust in our merciful Creator-in Him alone-and no other cause. Then HaShem, the Source of all good, will shower bountiful blessings upon us.

[Based on Duties of the Heart, The Gate of Trust]

TODAY: Contemplate on the truth that HaShem is the only cause-there is nothing else besides Him.