Parshas Mikeitz
The midrash in this week’s parsha presents Yosef Hatzaddik as a premier example of complete trust in Hakadosh Baruch Hu. However, following this praise, the midrash chooses to mention a single episode in which Yosef was found slightly lacking in his bitachon. After Yosef’s interpretation of the sar hamashkim’s dream, Yosef asked the sar hamashkim to appeal for a royal pardon on his behalf. Hashem was very displeased with this apparent lack of bitachon and decreed that Yosef spend a further two years in prison as a result.
The question cannot be ignored. In what way had Yosef betrayed even a minute lack of bitachon? He had merely requested of the sar hamashkim to mention his unfortunate plight before Pharaoh. Although it is G-d alone who controls the outcome of our every situation and dilemma, the Chazon Ish (Igros, 135) states that one is obligated to perform hishtadlus in all situations. When attempting to obtain our needs, we are always required to carry out the physical actions which appear necessary. Furthermore, when performing his hishtadlus, was it not entirely logical for Yosef to utilize an opportunity which had practically been handed to him by Hashem? Would it not have been strange and even foolish for Yosef to attempt his hishtadlus through an avenue different than the one which G-d had opened before him?
The Aruch Laner discerns the solution from the subtleties of Yosef’s exchange with the sar hamashkim. Yosef began his request with the phrase “Ki Im – And only if [you will recall my plight and mention the injustice perpetrated against me to Pharaoh].” Hashem considered the terminology “only if” an exhibition of Yosef’s assumption that his deliverance chanced to arrive exclusively through the sar hamashkim’s intervention.
Yet there must be no “only if.” Although Yosef placed his trust in G-d, he did not entirely rely on Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Even though Hashem had only revealed one natural, physical path through which salvation could come, Yosef was expected to more completely recognize that Hakadosh Baruch Hu would retain His ability to redeem whether He delivered the salvation through the sar hamashkim or through a different source. By using the phrase “only if,” Yosef implied that he could not picture Hashem’s salvation arriving through any other means. We must recognize that Hashem experiences no limitations in his running of the world and possesses the power to provide salvation through any method he pleases.
The Slonimer Rebbe writes that when a person truly is bote’ach in Hakadosh Baruch Hu, his bitachon alone can lend him great koach. The Rebbe cites the Ramban’s sefer, Emunah U’Bitachon, which quotes the passuk (tehillim, 37) “Betach BaShem Va’asei Tov – Trust in Hashem and do good.” Based on the passuk’s placement of “betach” before “asei tov,” the Ramban states that, through bitachon, one can be found deserving of G-d’s kindness even without sufficient ma’asim tovim.
Based on the Magen Avraham in siman 295, the Rebbe presents bitachon as one of the major lessons of Chanukah. A group of weak, outnumbered soldiers could not possibly have battled the powerful Greek army without placing their trust completely in Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Although they had little chance at triumph, their bitachon gave them the ability to defeat the Greek warriors. There exists no limit to what our bitachon can accomplish.
Rav Chaim Friedlander raises an important question about tefillah. Why must we enumerate our every minor need in our davening? Hashem is fully aware of all of our needs. It would be more logical to daven simply that Hashem have mercy on us and provide us with all of our needs. Based on the Chovos Halevavos, Rav Chaim Friedlander suggests that, in reality, the entire point of tefillah is to strengthen our bitachon. We request assistance for our every minute problem only to cement in our brains that all of our detailed needs are in the hands of Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Rav Friedlander suggests that, in addition to our regular tefillos, we begin our every endeavor with a prayer on our lips. Perhaps this will help us comprehend that we do not actually accomplish anything – it is all in Hashem’s hands.
The story is told of a young man who requested of the Beis Yisroel of Gur to daven for his sick brother. The Beis Yisroel agreed, but explained that if the young man himself would work on strengthening his tefillah and bitachon, it would provide a far greater zechus.
May we merit to attain full bitachon in Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and place ourselves entirely into the hands of Hashem.