BackThe Blessing Caveat
By: Rabbi Barak Bar-Chaim
Moshe tells the nation of Israel that, after entering the land of Israel, they must consciously remember how God supported them with heavenly bread and provided for their every need during their forty-year sojourn in the desert. Furthermore, Moshe instructs them to ensure that they keep the Mitzvot, walk in God’s ways, and fear God after entering the land of Israel. He explains the reason for his instruction: “For the Lord your God is bringing you to a good land, a land with brooks of water, fountains and depths, that emerge in valleys and mountains, a land of wheat and barley, vines and figs and pomegranates, a land of oil producing olives and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, you will lack nothing in it, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose mountains you will hew copper. And you will eat and be sated, and you shall bless the Lord, your God, for the good land He has given you.” (Deuteronomy 8: 7-10)
Moses was concerned that the very blessings of plentiful food, beautiful homes, gold, silver, and cattle would cause the Jews to become less observant of the Mitzvot and to forget God. They would start to feel “…’My strength and the might of my hand that has accumulated this wealth for me.’” (Deuteronomy 8: 17) Moses appeals to them to remember their journey in the desert, which was to teach them to humbly understand that it is God that provides one’s livelihood and blessing.
While it all sounds very appealing, practically we live in a world where we see that it is our efforts that produce results. We use our minds, talents, and other resources to work, to make a living, and to attempt to build our assets. How do we do this and simultaneously hold on to the notion that it is God alone that provides our livelihood and worldly blessings? While there are many answers to this difficult question, the Torah itself provides us with an amazing answer “But you must remember the Lord your God, for it is He that gives you strength to make wealth, in order to establish His covenant which He swore to your forefathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
It is God that constantly provides us with the energy, mind power, and physical wherewithal to make a living and attain His blessing! We have the great fortune of living in a time and country with tremendous blessing and opportunities to make a living and attain blessing. We must remember that the blessing itself is a tremendous challenge and can, God forbid, lead a person to forget God, which is the ultimate curse. Let us remember that all we do is only possible with God giving us the health, strength, and energy needed to accomplish blessing from God Himself, the source of all blessing!