Chein V’chavod Yitein Hashem
A Yid once came to Reb Yechezkel Kazshminer Z”l and asked him the following question.
A friend of his found favor in the eyes of the local porutz (wealthy landowner) and because of this, he saw much hatzlacha in his parnassa. The Yid explained that an opportunity has come up for him, and he too has the chance to find favor in the porutz’s eyes. Should he do the same? Should he try and become friendly with the porutz and look forward to a better parnassa?
Reb Yechezkel answered: “Dovid Hamelech says (84:12), ‘Chein V’chavod Yitein Hashem,’ meaning – that Hashem gives charm and honor. How can we understand such a pasuk? Hashem gives us everything! Why is Dovid Hamalech singling out chein and kavod?”
Continued Reb Yechezkel, “In order to obtain his needs, a person needs to do hishtadlus. A person needs to invest his efforts into achieving his goals. By doing his hishtadlus, Hashem will give him what he requests. But, if a person feels that he needs to find favor in his friend’s eyes (chein) or receive honor (kavod), then he doesn’t have to do hishtadlus. He doesn’t have to invest. Only Hashem will grant such a desire to those deserving. ‘Chein V’chavod Yitein Hashem.’
“Chein which comes from hishtadlus,” he concluded, “does not have any chein…”
So to try and find favor in the porutz’s eyes, there is definitely no gain…!
(From Doeihu’s” Daily Halacha”. Sent in by a precious reader.)