How do Charedim balance financial hishtadlus (effort) with bitachon (trust in Hashem)?
In the Charedi worldview, financial effort (hishtadlus) and trust in Hashem (bitachon) are not conflicting ideas—they are two sides of the same coin. A Yid must live in the world and make reasonable efforts to earn a living, but at the same time, he must remember it is not his effort that brings parnassah—it is Hashem alone who determines exactly what he will receive.
"וְזָכַרְתָּ אֶת ה׳ אֱלֹקֶיךָ, כִּי הוּא הַנֹּתֵן לְךָ כֹּחַ לַעֲשׂוֹת חָיִל"
“And you shall remember Hashem your G-d, for it is He Who gives you strength to succeed.” (1)
A Charedi Jew lives with this pasuk. His effort is a vessel, nothing more. The parnassah was already decreed on Rosh Hashanah.
What Is the Role of Hishtadlus in the Charedi World?
While Torah learning is the ideal, most Charedim do work at some point in their lives. Whether they are kollel avreichim, balebatim, store owners, software developers, or electricians—they approach their work as a tool for fulfilling their mission in life, not the essence of who they are.
The Mesillas Yesharim explains:
"כי אף על פי שהרבה עסק ועבודה הוא צריך, לא יסור לבו מהבטחון בא-לוהים, ולא יסמוך על הצלחת מעשהו."
“Even though he may need to engage in much work and toil, his heart must not turn away from trust in G-d, nor rely on the success of his actions.” (2)
This is the Charedi approach: Do what is necessary, but never believe your hands are feeding you. Only Hashem does.
What Does Reasonable Effort Look Like?
There is no single formula. One man may work part-time and learn at night. Another may be in business but has a daily shiur and gives generously to tzedakah. A third may sit in kollel for years and then transition to work.
What unites them is that hishtadlus never becomes a religion. It's not about climbing a corporate ladder or chasing luxury. It’s about doing what’s needed to support one’s family, with dignity, without compromising Torah life.
As the Chazon Ish zt”l writes:
"השתדלות – אך ורק בגדר עשיית כלי. הצלחה – אך ורק ביד ה'."
“Effort is only the making of a vessel. Success is only in the hands of Hashem.” (3)
Bitachon: A Daily Avodah
Bitachon is not passivity. It is an active mindset of emunah, especially in times of difficulty. When business is slow, when bills are high, when one's plans don’t bear fruit—bitachon says: Hashem is guiding me. This is what I need now for my tikun and my neshama.
As Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l would often say to those asking for financial brachos:
“Parnassah is not harder than health or children. It’s all in the hands of Heaven. But your tefillos and learning strengthen the keilim.” (4)
A True Story: The Watchmaker and the Lottery
Rav Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz, the Chazon Ish zt”l, once asked a simple watchmaker in Bnei Brak how business was going. The man sighed and said, “Parnassah is hard these days, Rebbe.”
The Chazon Ish responded, “Let me ask you—if you won the lottery today, would you still come tomorrow to open your little shop?”
The man smiled and said, “Probably not.”
The Chazon Ish replied gently:
“Then that means you’re not working for Hashem. You’re working for yourself. One must know that the shop is just a mashal—a symbol. The parnassah comes from Hashem, and the shop is only the ‘hishtadlus’ we hang our hat on.” (5)
Kollel Families and Bitachon
In the Charedi world, those who are zocheh to sit in full-time Torah learning rely entirely on Hashem’s kindness, often channeled through donors, parents, modest stipends, and communal support. Their bitachon is not theoretical—it’s real.
Critics may view this as “freeloading.” But from within, this is viewed as a holy partnership: those who learn and those who support them both bring blessing to Klal Yisrael.
As Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l explained:
“When a Jew learns Torah lishmah and trusts in Hashem for his needs, he brings more brachah to the world than a man with ten businesses.” (6)
Conclusion: Make the Vessel — But Know Who Fills It
The Charedi approach is not to deny the need for work, but to place it in its proper place. Hishtadlus is required; laziness is never praised. But ultimate success never comes from effort—it comes from Hashem Yisborach, who runs the world with precision and love.
"לא עליך המלאכה לגמור, ולא אתה בן חורין ליבטל ממנה"
“It is not upon you to complete the task, but neither are you free to desist from it.” (7)
Footnotes & Sources
- Devarim 8:18 – "כִּי הוּא הַנֹּתֵן לְךָ כֹּחַ לַעֲשׂוֹת חָיִל" — Translation: “It is He Who gives you strength to succeed.”
- Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter 21 — On not relying on human effort for results.
- Chazon Ish, Emunah u’Bitachon, Chapter 2 — The concept that effort is only a vessel, not the cause.
- Statement attributed to Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l, frequently quoted by visitors who received his brachos.
- Story of the Chazon Ish, cited by talmidim and printed in Maaseh Ish, Volume 2.
- Igros Moshe, Yoreh Deah Vol. 4, Teshuvah 36 — Torah study brings brachah beyond what is humanly measurable.
- Pirkei Avos 2:16 — Teaching of Rabi Tarfon on balancing effort with knowing outcomes are not in our hands.