Parashat Vayetze: Yaakov’s Bitachon

Living Emunah By Rabbi David Ashear

When Lavan asked Yaakov what he wanted his wage to be for shepherding the sheep, Yaakov replied, לֹא תִתֶּן לִי מְאוּמָה —"Don't give me anything yet." He then proceeded to remove the spotted, speckled, and brown sheep from the flock and told Lavan to take them all away under the guardianship of his sons, stating that only the future spotted, speckled, and brown sheep would be his. The Seforno writes on the words לֹא תִתֶּן לִי מְאוּמָה that Yaakov was saying, "I don't need you to give me any specific wage. If I find favor in Hashem's eyes, He will grant me everything that I'm meant to receive." The Sefer Madregot Ha'adam elaborates on the great bitachon that Yaakov exemplified here. His wages had already been changed numerous times, with Lavan repeatedly trying to swindle him. He knew that going forward, Lavan would likely cheat him again. Yet, he remained unfazed. He told Lavan he would continue to work and receive exactly what Hashem wanted him to have. Afterward, when Yaakov used the rod to influence the future animals being born, Rabbenu Bechayeh writes that this was because Hashem gave him that idea in a dream, indicating this was the method by which He was going to provide him with the income He intended for him. There are times in life when people feel they are being cheated by others or that others are withholding money owed to them. The best advice in such situations is to strengthen one's bitachon and believe that only Hashem determines the money one receives. If Hashem wants a person to receive it, he will. No one can stop that. The bitachon we feel in our hearts is an enormous zechut, and that merit can grant a person Heavenly help to receive what he needs even more quickly. A man, whom we'll call Yosef, told a story about another man who came to him one day in shul, asking him to fill a certain position . Yosef was not looking for additional work, but the man told him the salary, and Yosef agreed to take the job. He enjoyed the work very much and excelled at it. Everything was working out well—except for one thing: Yosef's salary wasn't being paid. One month passed, then another, and then another, yet his employer still hadn't made a single deposit into his bank account. Before Rosh Hashana that year, Yosef approached the employer and reminded him, "I did not come to work as a volunteer." The employer responded, "Of course, of course! I'll deposit the money right away." But the money still wasn't deposited. This situation was deeply troubling to Yosef. He began to wonder: Was this man actually cheating him? Had he been convinced to work with no intention of payment? Yosef wanted to quit immediately but wasn't sure if that was the right thing to do. He began vacillating over whether or not to leave. The uncertainty consumed him, and he became increasingly frustrated. Then, suddenly, Yosef realized he was placing too much focus on whether or not his boss was going to pay him. He wasn't acknowledging that this boss was not really in charge. The employer was merely a messenger from the true Boss, Hashem. Yosef hadn't even devoted any time to speaking to the real Boss about his situation. He then came to the conclusion that it wasn't his employer who convinced him to work there—it was Hashem who sent him. And if Hashem wanted him to do that job, then, naturally, Hashem would ensure he was paid—just as He always does. This newfound understanding brought Yosef a deep sense of calm, and he happily went back to work the next day. Incredibly, it was less than three days later that all the money he was owed was deposited into his bank account. There is nothing that can take the place of true bitachon in Hashem. Shabbat Shalom.