Description: Chapter 3 - 01
Derech Hashem
Section II Chapter 3 – 01
Now we will discuss the challenge that faces us in this world, and what our job is. We have already explained that every person was placed in this world in order to make a choice between good and evil – to choose good. There are many, many components to good and just as many to evil. Every good character trait is a function of good, and every bad character trait is a function of evil. Gaavah is a function of evil, and humility is a function of good. Mercy is a component of good and cruelty is a component of evil. Being satisfied with one’s lot is a function of good, and jealousy is a function of evil.
Hashem in His great wisdom, not only created the different aspects of good and evil, but enabled these choices to be made in this world as well. Meaning, that in order that each of these different aspects should be available for choosing, it necessitates that situations arise which place the choice before us. The situation must fit the person and offer him the test of choosing one middah versus another middah.
For example, if there would be no distribution of wealth, if everybody would have equal amounts of money, there would be no poor people and wealthy people. In that reality, there would be no opportunity to either have mercy or be indifferent and unfeeling. Now that this is not the case, every time a poor and rich person meet, there is a test for the rich person – will he have mercy and help the poor person or not. Likewise, the poor person will be tested – will he be happy with what he has and thank Hashem for it, or will he resent the situation he finds himself in. The rich person will also be challenged with haughtiness, will he feel elite and better than the poor person, and will his wealth cause him to become totally consumed with this world to the point that he forgets Avodas Hashem. Or will he be humble and submit himself before Hashem, and give up all the foolishness of this world in place of Torah and mitzvos.
Hashem divided up these many forms of tests and nisyonos between all people. Hashem in His wisdom gave some people certain tests and choices and gave others different ones. Every human being has a specific calling, a job to do which is his mission, the tests he will be faced with and the yetzer horah he will have to wrestle with. He will be judged by Hashem according to the task which has been assigned to him, in every single aspect of it, with extreme attention to every detail.
As a king has many servants, and the task that the king wants accomplished is delegated among them, each one serving a different purpose, so too is the way Hashem divided the various tests and trials of this world between us. Between all of us, we will complete and perfect what Hashem wants from this world. Each of us is responsible for the part given to us. According to how successful we were at fulfilling our purpose is how Hashem will judge us. How Hashem determines which job for who, and exactly what that mission is, is something which is beyond human comprehension. Only Hashem in His ultimate wisdom has the capability of assigning and designing these tasks and missions for each individual, according to his strengths and abilities.
Derech Hashem
Section II Chapter 3 – 01
Now we will discuss the challenge that faces us in this world, and what our job is. We have already explained that every person was placed in this world in order to make a choice between good and evil – to choose good. There are many, many components to good and just as many to evil. Every good character trait is a function of good, and every bad character trait is a function of evil. Gaavah is a function of evil, and humility is a function of good. Mercy is a component of good and cruelty is a component of evil. Being satisfied with one’s lot is a function of good, and jealousy is a function of evil.
Hashem in His great wisdom, not only created the different aspects of good and evil, but enabled these choices to be made in this world as well. Meaning, that in order that each of these different aspects should be available for choosing, it necessitates that situations arise which place the choice before us. The situation must fit the person and offer him the test of choosing one middah versus another middah.
For example, if there would be no distribution of wealth, if everybody would have equal amounts of money, there would be no poor people and wealthy people. In that reality, there would be no opportunity to either have mercy or be indifferent and unfeeling. Now that this is not the case, every time a poor and rich person meet, there is a test for the rich person – will he have mercy and help the poor person or not. Likewise, the poor person will be tested – will he be happy with what he has and thank Hashem for it, or will he resent the situation he finds himself in. The rich person will also be challenged with haughtiness, will he feel elite and better than the poor person, and will his wealth cause him to become totally consumed with this world to the point that he forgets Avodas Hashem. Or will he be humble and submit himself before Hashem, and give up all the foolishness of this world in place of Torah and mitzvos.
Hashem divided up these many forms of tests and nisyonos between all people. Hashem in His wisdom gave some people certain tests and choices and gave others different ones. Every human being has a specific calling, a job to do which is his mission, the tests he will be faced with and the yetzer horah he will have to wrestle with. He will be judged by Hashem according to the task which has been assigned to him, in every single aspect of it, with extreme attention to every detail.
As a king has many servants, and the task that the king wants accomplished is delegated among them, each one serving a different purpose, so too is the way Hashem divided the various tests and trials of this world between us. Between all of us, we will complete and perfect what Hashem wants from this world. Each of us is responsible for the part given to us. According to how successful we were at fulfilling our purpose is how Hashem will judge us. How Hashem determines which job for who, and exactly what that mission is, is something which is beyond human comprehension. Only Hashem in His ultimate wisdom has the capability of assigning and designing these tasks and missions for each individual, according to his strengths and abilities.