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In the haftara of Parshas Shemini (which is pushed aside this year for Parshas Para) the Aron HaKadosh spends a number of months in the home of Oved Edom in Kiryas Yearim (near today’s TelzStone) and brings brocho to his home both in wealth and children and grandchildren. The mefarshim say this was because Oved treated the Aron with great kavod, keeping it and the area around it very clean. It occurred to me that we can learn from this to keep our shuls clean, taking a cloth to wipe areas where dust accumulates, cleaning off spots on the tables and windows, treating them like the Mikdash Me’at. I tried dusting off a number of surfaces in my shul and almost right away saw help in bringing in money.
It’s a big zchus to be a gabai for a Shul and always make sure that it’s kept clean and organized. The reward is unlimited and unimaginable
In additional to this wonderful remez, there is a simple peshat here too: someone who was able to get up daily, keep tahora, clean the aron, would be also able to keep a 9-5 job, no just as a cleaner but in another professions. And having a kohen godol as a reference on the resume does not hurt also!
Wash your hands with a lot of water as על נטילת ידים has the beginning letters עני.
כל העוסק בצרכי צבור באמונה sometimes there is no money only belief and trust.
A even better segula for parnassah is to work hard and focus on getting the job done
Reb Eliezer
You are so true and to the point. Sure a person needs to do their hishtadlus for everything especially for their family and parnassah but most importantly in yiddishkeit as you wrote is a persons faith and trust in Hashem and turning directly to Hashem whenever in need for help as we say every Time in bentching vdorshei Hashem…. For one who seeks out Hashem-and turns directly to Hashem instead of messengers-lacks nothing that is good.
May we all work on our Bitachon and Emunah in Hashem. May for yourself a daily learning Seder in sefer chovos Halevovos (duties of the heart)
Reb E: You might also mention that for those who endeavor to serve the tzibur w/o expectation of immediate compensation, there is the promise of a dual stream of future benefits in that Hashem will reward them in some undefined way but will ALSO but also will remove any sickness….HaKadosh Boruch Hu y’shaleim s’charam, v’yasir meheim kol machalah. Whether cleaning the beis medrash, putting seforim back on the shelves, serving in Hatzalah or the Chevrah Kadisha, HaKadosh Boruch Hu y’shaleim s’charam. I doubt the tzibur could ever really “compensate” these selfless individuals for all they do so its a goog thing the Ebeshter has committed to backstop whatever appreciation the klal can provide
CS, if the money is not used properly as my rebbi, the Matersdorfer Rav, Rav Shmuel ztz’l said to make zahav tahor, pure gold than the segula will not work. A person can ch’v get fired or get sick and will not be able to work. I just went to a shiva call for a man, tall and viral at 49 years old, who went to sleep and did not wake up, so we should also daven to be able to provide to our family and teach them for long years as we say shlita which stands for שיחי’ לימים טובים ארוכים, to be able to live long. I just saw from the Meharam Sofer, a nephew of the Machnei Chaim, who reconciles a contradiction in our weekly parasha, Shemini. In the beginning it says vayhi indicating, pain and sadness but it also says that there was such a simcha as when the world was created. He explains that there was big sadness and pain for the loss of Nadav Vaavihu but the same time there was a great simcha in the heavens above when they were accepted them with open arms.
YungermanS, the Chasam Sofer said that the day he does not learn Chovas Halvovas, he can feel the lack of it.
Yes, we find many references in Shas and Medrash for things that merit parnosoh. They are all holy and true. What I am about to say does not mitigate this a bit.
When the Satmar Rov (Divrei Yoel) was asked about the known segulah of reciting Parshas Hamohn, he reportedly said openly that this is effective until 8:59 am. From 9:00, the person should use the segulah called working.
The concept of segulah, as we are using it in this discussion, is a trick that provides us with something that we did not otherwise earn. This is highly suspect, and I have trouble believing that this is the intended role. Picture a young able bodied person spending his day reciting Parshas Hamohn, and avoiding going to work. Shall we believe that this the intention of that segulah? I know I don’t. A segulah is a supplement that we can use to potentiate the activities we employ to accomplish a task. It is not a substitute. And it is sad that many approach segulos that way.
And many other things are also in this category. Davening by kivrei tzaddikim is a precious gem. Mekomos hakedoshim are particularly auspicious. But to treat a medical illness by refraining from medical care and sitting around in cemeteries, even by big tzaddikim is irresponsible. The velt seems to use segulos in a childish manner, to get them off the hook from being responsible. It’s time for a little maturity.
> Sure a person needs to do their hishtadlus for everything
This is not a “sure but” – how can one ask Hashem to help you if he is not trying himself? Does not Hashem follow the pasuk that “you help to load the animal _with_ him”? In general, I believe, one can not daven for things he did not try getting himself. For example, if one sits at home hungry and does not bother to go to the store (or even to the fridge) and asks Hashem to help, and then dies from hunger – can we say that Hashem abandoned him or do we say that Hashem provided him with a full fridge?
Furthermore, it may be that people, who for whatever reasons do not have a lot of experience with working, think that hishtadlus is a binary effort, like buying a lottery ticket – rather than a conscious effort requiring time and thought and concern about halochos. Same as learning is not achieved by deciding to spend five minutes once sitting with a sefer.
Melave malke
..I sent you two boats and a helicopter
This is a story of a man, who was a firm believer of G-d.
One day it began to rain very heavily. It kept raining and a big flood came.
The man climbed up on the roof of his house, and knew that he would be ok. G-d would protect him.It kept raining and now the water had reached his waist. A boat came by and a guy in the boat said: “Hey, jump in. We will take you with us”.
“No thanks”, said the man. “I’m a firm believer in G-d. He will rescue me”. He sent the boat away.It kept on raining and now the water had reached his neck. Another boat came by and a guy in the boat said: “You look like you could need some help. Jump in and we will take you with us”.
“No”, said the man. “I’m a firm believer in G-d. He will rescue me. Don’t worry about me”. The boat sailed away.It still rained and the water now reached his mouth. A helicopter came by and a guy in the helicopter threw down a rope and said: “Hi there my friend. Climb up. We will rescue you”.
“No”, said the man. “I’m a firm believer in G-d. He will rescue me. I know he will”. The helicopter flew away.It kept on raining, and finally the man drowned.
When the man died, he went to heaven. When entering Heaven, he had an interview with G-d.
After giving a polite greeting and sitting down, the man asked: “Where were you. I waited and waited. I was sure you would rescue me, as I have been a firm believer all my life, and have only done good to others. So where were you when I needed you?”
G-d (kavayachel) scratched his confused looking face and answered: “I don’t get it either. I sent you two boats and a helicopter”.Many who believe in G-d somehow believe that signs of help and guidance come as a big event of some kind, when actually it would probably come as a small sign of help here and there along the way. We must do our hishtadlus, make an effort to be helped.
We find by Basyeh, the daughter of Pharaoh that she stretched out her hand and it grew so that she should be able to reach Moshe Rabbenu. They ask, how did she know that her hand will grow? The Baalei Mussar, say the person should do whatever one can and then Hashem will do His part. Its like חציה לה’ וחציה לכם, if half is done by us then the other half will be done by Hashem. Reb Moshe ztz’l says by bringing up children, after putting in half of our effort then we must pray that it should bear fruits. Half perspiration and half inspiration.
R. Eliezer. Yes, Hishtadlus.
What is the explanation of Modechai telling Esther to go to the king? He claims that Hashem will help anyway, but she will be not the source of it. If Mordechai is so assured, why does he bother convincing her? Just so that they’ll be written in a sefer? I doubt it.
Mordechai knew how she can do it without an aveira but Esther did not want to sacrifice herself on purpose as they can be saved without her.
The best segula for parnassah is: GIVE A LOT OF TZEDAKA!!!
I promise it’s the best segula for parnassah. But only if you do it out of love for a fellow yid, not because you have to (and keep in mind that Hashem doesn’t HAVE to give you anything back, but I think he will if you have the right thoughts in mind.TS Baum:
You are correct in principle, though your lomdus needs correction. The Gemora (Taanis 8b – 9a) says עשר בשביל שתתעשר, that in the nmerit of tzedokoh, one merits wealth. The Novi (Malachi 3:1) stated ובחנוני נא בזאת, from which the Chazal explained that one may “test” HKB”H with the mitzvah of tzedokoh that will merit the giver wealth. The Tur and Shulchan Aruch refer to this. Tzedokoh is the one mitzvah that one may perform without the intention of “lishmoh”, and even do so with the ulterior motive of meriting parnosoh. You are certainly on target by referencing the mitzvah of tzedokoh.
The attitude toward parnassah is hidden in it. It has נס, נסה and פרה. Neis is for the rich by recognizing that one’s richness comes through miracles. Nissoh is for the poor who should realize that their poverty is a test. Parah is 5 X 57 (זן) = 285. The ending letters מנצפך = 280 is 5 x 56. This is called ממתק את הדינים by adding an extra one to it we are sweetening the judgements. This is also used to explain the 5 hoshanas for Hoshanah Rabbah.
I think the Bnei Yisoschor explains the pasuk at the end of halel א-ל ה’ ויאר ל’נו where kel Hashem is 57 lights up nu which is 56.
Tzedakah does not have to be lishma as the mitzva is not the giving but making sure the other person has. The Dubner Maggid explains that an individual should only be granted money for survival. Hashem wanted to give him ten times as much to be able to give the survival amount for maaser. Therefore, if one gives maaser, will become rich.
My point is that if somebody would give tzedakah in a grumpy fashion, just doing it because he has to, then he might be rewarded, but it’s just not the right way to give. Your meant to “ivdu es Hashem B’SIMCHA!”
Anybody here has a business requiring unskilled labor? a store or construction? Did you ever try offering a person a job for several hours with higher than usual pay as tzedokah? Where he might learn a skill and get a reference for the future? This would seem a better way than just doling up money by Rambam.
When one is hungry, it is greater to teach a person how to fish than to give one a fish.
Just a note. I presume, the real full sgulah of Parshas HaMann is when one recites with Kavonoh.
Say פותח את ידך with kavonoh. The Haflaah says that ratzon means satisfaction. Being satisfied and happy with what one is given.
Besides for davening….whats and true and tried segual u did for more parnassa. Bh tyh my husband has a job but in today’s day with mortgage tuition food ect extras never hurt.
The importance is of Parahas Hamon is to realize that whatever one collected, by going out to collect and Friday a double portion, did not increase the amount one had. Working is just a hishtadlus.
Make sure to say Parshas Haman after davening every day including shabbos (just without the additional tefillos taken out for shabbos and Yom tov)
> Make sure to say Parshas Haman
Be careful NOT to say any of these – unless you made your effort in studying for a profession and looking for a job. You may anger Hashen by your Hutzpa and he may, H’VSh not answer prayers even of those who are prepared to daven.
how can one ask Hashem to help you if he is not trying himself? […] I believe, one can not daven for things he did not try getting himself. For example, if one sits at home hungry and does not bother to go to the store (or even to the fridge) and asks Hashem to help, and then dies from hunger – can we say that Hashem abandoned him or do we say that Hashem provided him with a full fridge?
The most pathetic thing is your assumption/obssession that anyone who learns all day fits your above description. You tout it over and over even when told you are grossly misunderstanding. How do you seriously equate not going to college or working in the professional world with dying of hunger instead of opening the fridge?
there is a simple peshat here too: someone who was able to get up daily, keep tahora, clean the aron, would be also able to keep a 9-5 job, no just as a cleaner but in another professions.
yes. and your wife who got up in the middle of the night to feed and clean and love your kids, would also be able to stay up nights to work in a kennel and feed and clean the abandoned dogs there, not just as a cleaner but as a humanitarian!
Since working is only a hishtadlus, therefore one who carries on himself the yoke of Torah is taken away the yoke of derech eretz (work).
RebE > one who carries on himself the yoke of Torah is taken away the yoke of derech eretz
And Syag on a similar note:Look, R Ilai (?) would have birds burned over him when he learned. If you solve the kashrus issues, you can just eat those birds. And if you don’t deserve (or prefer not to use) miracles, you can live modestly. In our times, if you are ready to live the same way most people lived in, say, middle ages, you can probably work one hour a week to achieve that. In fact, if someone is committed to this learning but does not have an hour a week, I’ll be happy to sign up as Zevulun, bli neder.
The problem is only when people want to have both zechus for learning full time and also keep up with Joneses at someone else’s expense without the sponsor approval.
Syag > How do you seriously equate not going to college or working in the professional world with dying of hunger instead of opening the fridge?
I am sorry I sound this way on Internet. I am writing for a casual conversation where people generally have good will to each other, rather than filling out all details expecting a lawyerly challenge.
Again, this is about people who complain that they don’t get something or take inappropriately to achieve that. See R Dessler Michtav Eliyahu “Give and Take” essay that people are divided into givers and takers. Now, I am thinking, there is a good reason for Yissachar/Zevulun formal partnership with a shtar … Why not let Yissachar knock on Zevulun in shul or even tax him? Rabbis made the rules, after all… Evidently, learners felt that giving away 50% of zechus for learning is a better bargain than behaving inappropriately and risk losing whole 100%.
Practically speaking, I don’t see much changing from the time when Gemorah warned that Rashbi derech is risky: most of people I know whose Torah is interesting are either working as Rabbis or in professions. Don’t tell me I am hanging out in the right places, I can see a kollel from my window better than Sarah Palin can see Russia.
Syag > would also be able to stay up nights to work in a kennel and feed and clean the abandoned dogs there,
Good comparison (I choose not to be petty that I also cleaned and love those rascals). Indeed, mothers often have hard time getting jobs as their jobs do not shine on the resume. But it was amazing to see how my wife was able to start her business on the strength of her maternal skills after the kids started walking on their own. And, no doubt, kids’ desire to take care of stray animals comes from watching her (if they were watching me, they would want to deal with stray computers).
Segulot for parnassa only work for those who sell them.
AAQ, you are saying what the Rambam says on learning and relying on others.
RebE > you are saying what the Rambam says
Indeed, I am not trying to come up with chidushim here or be controversial, I think this is a very traditional view that was lost due to modernishe opportunities in the goldene medina.
re: Rambam, I do not know his biography in depth, but as I understand, he was learning “F/T” first supported by his brother David, and went “into professions” after his brother did not come back from the business trip. I do not know whether he was ever supported by the Jewish community, whether in Spain, Morocco (doubtful), or Egypt. Note that his “F/T” included some medicine, astronomy, and philosophy.
AAQ, look at the Yabia Omer YD (7,17) about this shaila, if going to work or sit in kolel in great detail.
He refences the Rashbatz (1,142 and on) who questions the Rambam.
I would say to test the potential abilities ahead of time to decide.RebE, thanks, obviously multiple rishonim and achoronim allowed taking money for learning or teaching Torah with various sociological explanations of our weakness. R Moshe, for example, suggests that nowadays chachamim can’t juggle working and learning at the same time. It would be silly to ask R Kotler to go into real estate or R Soloveichik into teaching Hegel instead of learning despte their obvious talents. But then if there are people who do not get support that they find sufficient and are distraught by the lack of parnasa, and spend time looking for segulos and questionable sources of income – maybe then they should follow the derech that will make them successful, as the Gemora says. It depends on personal circumstances.
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