DEUT389 I suggest the following reasons why the opportunity to obtain his livelihood without trouble and trial might be withheld from a righteous man.... Sometimes it is in accordance with [the principle of] compensation in the World-to-Come, as it is written: “To do you good at your latter end” (Devarim 8:16).

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DEUT400 One should not think that his livelihood depends on a particular source and that, if that source were to fail, there would be no other way for him to earn a living. Rather he should rely on God for his sustenance and realize that to the Creator all the means are equal--He will support him by whatever means and at any time and from whatever elements He wishes, as Scripture says: “For nothing can prevent God from saving, whether by many or by few” (Shemuel I, 14:6); “It is Hashem your God who gives you the power to become prosperous” (Devarim 8:18); “‘Not by might and not by power, but by My spirit,’ said God of Hosts” (Zecharyah 4:6).

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DEUT411 See [[DEUT484]] Deuteronomy 10:20 worship DUTIES 739-41

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DEUT412 See [[GEN634]] Genesis 8:21 evil DUTIES 543

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DEUT418 See [[DEUT205]] Deuteronomy 6:5 heart DUTIES 13-15

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DEUT444 See [[DEUT1670]] Deuteronomy 32:4 perfect DUTIES 139-41

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DEUT466 See [[GEN1070]] Genesis 19:9 alien DUTIES 765-7

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DEUT471 See [[DEUT205]] Deuteronomy 6:5 heart DUTIES 13-15

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DEUT484 The main purpose of the precepts we perform with our bodies and limbs is to spur us to the precepts we fulfill in our hearts and inner lives; for they are the pillar of worship and the foundation of the Torah, as it is written: “Be in awe of Hashem your God; worship only Him” (Devarim 10:20); “It is a thing very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you can do” (ibid. 30:14); “What does Hashem your God ask of you? Only that you fear Hashem your God” (ibid. 10:12). But since this [inner service] is beyond the [ordinary] power of a human being; [since] it is unattainable to him unless he detaches himself from his many animalistic desires, controls his instincts, and restrains his motions, the Creator, may He be exalted, has bound him to serve with his body and limbs, according to his ability, so that it becomes easier for him to fulfill them [i.e., the duties of the heart]. And when the believer works at them in his heart and inmost being and attains of them what he can, God opens for him the gate of spiritual virtues and he realizes of them what has been unattainable to him, and he serves the Creator, may He be exalted, with his body and soul, outwardly and inwardly, as David, peace be upon him, said: “My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God” (Tehillim 84:3). This has been compared to a man who plants trees and then weeds around them, clears the soil of thorns and weeds, waters [the saplings] when this is needed and adds fertilizer. He then waits to receive the fruit from God, make He be exalted. But if he neglects to cultivate [the soil] and tend to [the saplings], he will not deserve to receive fruit from the Creator, may He be exalted. The same is true of one who undertakes God's service. If he exerts himself, hastens, and is diligent to do all that is in his power, God will help him achieve what is beyond his power, which is the noblest fruit and highest good bestowed by God in this world on His treasured ones and the people He loves. As our Masters, of blessed memory, said: “Whoever fulfills the Torah in the midst of poverty will, in the end, fulfill it in the midst of riches” (Avos 4:9); [As] the Wise One said: “To a person who finds favor before Him He gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy.” (Koheles 2:26).

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DEUT492 Is self-accounting the same for all people? I would say, in response to this question, that earnest deliberation on one's religious and secular concerns varies, in accordance with each person's perception, intelligence, and clarity of understanding. Each and every individual is obligated to make a personal accounting of what he is bound to do in the service of the Creator, May He be exalted, in accordance with his recognition of the Creator’s graces, universal [those he shares with all others] and particular [those specially bestowed upon him]. As it says in Scripture: “Consider it this day; For it is not with your children, who did not know and experience the discipline of Hashem your God, [that I am speaking].... For it was your eyes that saw all the great work that God performed [Devarim 11:2-7]. The meaning here is that God's claim on you is much stronger and more glaring than it is on your children, who did not have the opportunity to witness His wonders as you did. For you saw them with your own eyes. You, and not they, were specially graced with great favors; And you, not they, were spared from the plagues of Egypt and of Korach. Therefore, you are under special obligation to serve God, [in gratitude] for these [favors]. This is true of all others as well. Different peoples have different obligations, in accordance with their respective powers of perception and in accordance with the different degrees to which they have been graced with favors.

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