Finally had time to sit down and find this piece from R’ Dessler It’s in Chelek Aleph, page 180 (although its definitely possible that says this idea somewhere else as well). This is an excerpt from much larger piece that I cannot do justice to, so if you want to see it in context, you’re all gonna have to go crack open a Michtav Eliyahu yourselves.

He begins the shtickel by making is famous and piercing observation that the only reason we think of techiyas ha’maisim as being miraculous, while we regard plants growing from dead seeds as mundane, is because we happen to be accustomed to seeing the latter and not the former. If it was common for the dead to rise from their graves, but uncommon for wheat to grow from the ground, we would regard techiyas ha’maisim as being natural and consider plants growing from seeds to be a miracle. He goes on to say (page 178): אבל באמת הוא, כי אין בין נס והטבע כלום: הכל נס הוא. כל העולם כולו אין לו שום סבה רצונו ית’

And now, for our feature presentation (page 180-181):

יש אשר יקראו לעצמם מאמנים בוטחים בה’ ית’, ןמ”מ יראו בכל מהלך העולם דרך טבעי, מסבות ומסובבים מעתדלים לנהל את הסבות אל אשר יחפצו. ויסמכו על הבנתם ושכלם לכשוב בחשבון הסבות איך תסתבבנה זו מזו, ובכחם וכשרון מעשיהם יאמרו להסב הסבות שתביאנה מסובבים כרצונום. ומ”מ יחד עם זה יבקשו מאת ה’ שיצליח את מעשיהם: היינו כי אף אם מעשיהם עושים בחשבון נכון ובטוח, מ”מ הרי אינם בטוחים מסבות מן הצד אשר תוכלנה להתערב באמצע, כמו חולי וכדומה, או אשר משד אכר סבות אחרות אשר לא ידעו מראש, תבאה צרות ורעות והזיקות וכדו’: וכן מודים שיש להודות להשי”ת שנתו בהם הכח לחשוב ולהבין בסבות ולעשות מעשים להסבם לחפצם: אבל בעצם הענין, הנה דכתם כי העולם מתנהג בדרל הטבע, וע”כ הם בעצמם ביבודתם ושכלם ישיגו את אשר יצטרך להם וכו’. וכך הם מפרשם “בזאת אפיך תאכל לחם”.

בעלי המדרגה השאת, באמת הם מבעלי השיתוף – כי משתפים את עצמם עם הבורא ב”ה בהנהגת העולם: ואחר כל אשר ידברנו מדברי האמונה והבטחון, עדיין הכפירה משורשת בלבבם, כי בעומק לבותם יחשבו: כחי ועוצם ישי כשה לי את החיל הזה.

Avi K:
Suppose Hashem decided that if Reuven will write a decent resume, dress presentably and speak well at the interviews he will get a certain job. If Reuven does not fulfill any of those conditions who “ultimately” lost the job for him?

I think it is important to stress that although we must do our proper hishtadlus (putting aside the almost impossible question of precisely how much hishtadlus is necessary), it is not the hishtadlus itself that gets us the seemingly resultant health/wealth/security/etc; it is nothing but a gift from Hashem.

Moshol, li’mah ha’davar domeh – if I tell my five year old that if he behaves I’ll give him ice cream, while he must keep to his end of the deal to get the ice cream, the ice cream is still a gift from me. His good behavior will not magically make the ice cream appear, and our hishtadlus does not actually create the success that we receive – it is nothing but a gift.

The appearance of a cause-and-effect relationship between our hishtadlus and our success is nothing but an illusion. We just go through the motions, but it is Hashem Who decides what we actually get.

I’ve seen it quoted from the Chazon Ish that what we view as teva is nothing but רצון ה’ היותר תמידי – how Hashem happens to usually run his world. It is not a “rule” that the sun must rise every day or that objects must always fall to the ground anymore than it is a “rule” that I get up at 7:30 every day – both are nothing other than a routine, and can be changed on a whim.

(The impetus for this thread was actually an excellent piece that R’ Dessler has on this subject, which I am trying to relocate so I can quote it here. Any leads would be appreciated)

From an (otherwise pretty bad) article by an Aaron David Miller for Politico:

Perhaps the most refreshing thing about Kushner’s talk occurs at the end, when he concedes the obvious—that this might not work. “So, what do we offer that’s unique? I don’t know,” he says. “I’m sure everyone that’s tried this has been unique in some ways, but again we’re trying to follow very logically. We’re thinking about what the right end state is. And we’re trying to work with the parties very quietly to see if there’s a solution. And there may be no solution, but it’s one of the problem sets that the president asked us to focus on. So we’re going to focus on it and try to come to the right conclusion in the near future.”

This is exactly right. In the end, reality must be the point of departure. For too many years—and I’ll speak personally here—my own view was based on the illusion that there was a deal, that the parties could make it and that the U.S. could help them deliver it. I haven’t given up hope entirely; but I have abandoned my illusions. The fact is, you need real leadership and commitment by the two sides. Then and only then can America be a key force in peacemaking. My sense is that Kushner realizes that the peace process isn’t ready for prime time, and isn’t quite sure what to do about it. (Neither am I.)

Prominent Kfar Sava Resident Indicted For Attacking Yeshiva Students

Avi K, I happen to agree with you. My post was directed at those who do not support outlawing certain activities on Shabbos, or the Rabbinate controlling marriage. This is not an uncommon position – many will tell you that we should not force anybody to what is right, just show them unconditional love and hope that that will sway them.

Do those who believe the aforesaid support attempts to force recalcitrant husbands to give a get? If so, what’s the difference?

This whole thread is titled “Rumor about Ivanka Trump Spurs conversation about Geirus”. I persobnally do not understand how the mods allowed it.

The thread was actually originally titled just “Rumor about Ivanka Trump”. The second half was added by the mods when the said rumor… spurred a conversation/debate about geirus (and now, Goren).

don’t accuse of hate if you are hateful… you want to criticize, feel free. You want to insult, go for it. But don’t knock someone for the exact thing you yourself displays, and don’t display the exact thing/behavior that you are knocking someone for.

– Syag Lchochma

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/liberal-assassination-attempt-of-republican-congressmen-after-liberal-violence/#post-1296793

In America, we don’t worship Government. We worship God.
#FaithandFreedom

– @realDonaldTrump

there’s about as much likelihood of impeachment as there is of Canada’s 10 provinces becoming US states.

That’s what they said about Trump becoming President…

Another unfortunate example:

VIDEOS/PHOTOS: MK Eichler Getting Vocal In Response To Police Brutality In Meah Shearim

In the first video, we see a person tackled to the ground and possibly arrested for the crime of trying to document police brutality against Chareidim.

In the second video, we see a small child chased by an undercover agent, thrown to the floor, kicked, and then dragged away with a bloody face.

In the third video, we see a person being tackled and kicked while on the ground, while another agent attempts to tackle bystanders documenting the ongoing police brutality.

In any civilized country, these officers would be fired, and charged with assault and hate crimes against a religious minority.

In Israel, they are just carrying out official state business.

I do apologize for the absolutely horrific spelling mistakes in the title of this thread. I wrote this up on the go, and that doesn’t appear to have worked out very well (or wel).