Insights from Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato, Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah Chapter 2
Life can be confusing, right? Sometimes things happen that seem totally out of control, like there's a power working against the good we want to see in the world. It might even feel like there’s a force outside of HaShem’s control. But here’s the thing: that’s just an illusion. According to Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato, everything—yes, everything—is part of HaShem’s plan, even when it doesn’t seem like it.
Let’s break it down. It can seem like events are happening because of some power separate from HaShem, whether He created it or not. But that’s not really true. HaShem, in His infinite goodness, is behind every single event, good or bad. This is important: evil, as we understand it, is temporary. It won’t last forever, and in the end, everything will be revealed as good.
Think of life as a story. Sometimes, we’re stuck in the messy middle, where it looks like things are going wrong and there’s no solution in sight. But we haven’t reached the end yet. When we do, we’ll look back and realize that every part of the story had a purpose, even the tough chapters. At the end of it all, HaShem’s goodness is what will endure. We’ll see that nothing else ever had real power to change that.
This brings us to the idea of "independent power." If something truly had its own power, it would need to last forever. Nothing could stop it or stand in its way. But since evil is temporary and will eventually disappear, it can’t be considered a real, independent force. Only HaShem is eternal and all-powerful, meaning that even the things we see as bad are actually part of His plan to bring about good.
So why do bad things happen? Well, it’s all part of the process. HaShem uses everything, even the tough stuff, to guide the world toward its ultimate purpose—goodness. This means that even the things we think are working against us are actually helping HaShem’s plan unfold. It’s like a puzzle where some pieces don’t seem to fit at first, but in the end, they all come together perfectly.
We’re asked to believe this with what’s called "perfect faith"—to trust that HaShem is in control, even when things seem messy or confusing. From the beginning of time to the end of time, everything is moving toward HaShem’s goal: to do good. That’s what will last forever, and that’s what we need to hold onto, especially in tough times.
But here’s the really interesting part: the very things that confuse us now, the things that make people doubt HaShem’s goodness, will one day reveal the truth. Those challenges and stumbling blocks? They’ll become the proof of HaShem’s oneness and His ultimate plan for good. The things that trip us up now will be the same things that help us see the bigger picture later on.
So, what’s the takeaway? It’s simple, but not always easy: trust the process. Even when life feels like it’s spiraling or when things don’t make sense, know that HaShem is guiding everything toward goodness. There’s no other force out there, no opposing power. Everything is part of HaShem’s plan, and His plan is always for good.
Next time life throws you a curveball, take a deep breath and remember: the story isn’t over yet. HaShem is writing a masterpiece, and in the end, it’s all going to make perfect sense.
Keep the faith, and trust the bigger picture. It’s all leading to goodness.
In the zechut of Tzvi hirsch ben rivka and sima Sara rivka bas malka baila Fruma may they have complete emuna as well as klal Israel.
In my book Pick Me Up HaShem, you’ll find many prayers that explore how HaShem is constantly drawing us closer to Him, inviting us into a deeper relationship through prayer and reflection. These prayers are designed to help you connect with the divine presence in a way that transcends mere requests and taps into the true purpose of prayer.
If you’re ready to dive deeper into these spiritual truths, consider studying Kabbalah, the mystical tradition that unlocks the profound secrets of our reality and draws us closer to HaShem’s divine wisdom. Delve into teachings that illuminate the “why” behind the Torah, connecting the layers of Creation in a synergized whole and offering a glimpse of HaShem in a way no other study can. From the timeless wisdom of Rabbi Chaim Vital and the Arizal to the unifying insights of Rabbi Sar-Shalom Sharabi (Rashash), Kabbalah not only transforms your spiritual understanding but also brings peace, protection, and redemption closer to our world. Sponsor my study in this sacred tradition and receive its blessings for sustenance, health, and family, ensuring that the powerful light of Kabbalah shines in your merit.
From a portion of Chapter 2
ומה שנראה עכשיו כאילו הם פעולות נפעלות מזולתו, יהיה מעלול ממנו, או ח"ו מרשות אחר - אינו כן, אלא הוא בחק טובו הוא הפועל כל זה. כי כבר נודע - כל מה שיש עכשיו מן הרע לא יתקיים נלל, אלא לבסוף יהיה הכל טוב, ונדע ונכיר למפרע שאין רשות אחר. כי מי שהוא רשות בפני עצמו - צריך להתקיים תמיד. וזה פשוט, כי אין רשות אלא מי שאין אחר יכול לו, אלא הוא כח ורשות קיים בפני עצמו, ומה שאינו מתקיים - אינו רשות. וכיון שידענו זאת, כן נדע שאין שום רצון, אפילו עלול ממנו, מונע לו. כי אדרבא, סיבוב שלו היה לגלות רשותו אחר כך, ולהשלים הכל ברשותו הטוב. וזהו מה שיש לנו להאמין באמונה שלמה.
If at the present time it appears as if events occur through a power other than God, be it a power that He created or another “independent” power, it is not so. God alone in His intrinsic goodness brings everything about. We have already discussed how everything evil that now exists will not endure forever. In the end, everything will be good, and we will know and retroactively understand that there never was any other power or domain. For an independent power or domain must by definition endure forever. This is obvious, for any power is independent only to the extent that nothing else has power over it. An independent power or domain is one that exists in and of itself. Whatever does not endure cannot be said to be an independent power or domain. Once we understand this, we see that no will – not even one that He brought into being – can limit Him. On the contrary, the purpose of the entire cycle is to reveal His dominion afterwards and to perfect all things through His goodness. This is what we must believe with perfect faith.
ותועלת החכמה הזאת הוא שנבין זה בידיעה ברורה, שהוא מה שנצטוינו על זה, "וידעת היום והשבות אל לבבך כי ה' הוא האלקים בשמים ממעל ועל הארץ מתחת אין עוד". ואיך נבין זה? אלא כשנבין ההנהגה הזאת הסובבת מראש העולם עד סופו, אז יהיה דבר זה נראה לעינים שכך הוא, שהכל הוא רק מאתו ית"ש להעמיד רק חפצו הטוב להיטיב, ולא בשום ענין אחר. ואותם הדברים שהיו מתקשים לעינינו, והמכשילים את הרשעים להיות פוקרים, הם עצמם יהיו המגלים לנו האמת הזה, והמודיעים לנו היחוד האמיתי הזה בכל דרכיו, כמ"ש.
The benefit of studying the wisdom of the Kabbalah is that we can come to know and understand this clearly. We have been commanded to do so: “And you shall know this day and bring it into your heart, that HaShem is God in the heavens above and on the earth below: there is none other” (Deuteronomy 4:39). And how will we understand this? When we understand how the entire cycle of the universe is governed from beginning to end, we will then see clearly how it is that everything comes only from God, blessed be His Name. The purpose of everything is that only His good desire to benefit will endure forever, and nothing else. The very things that today perplex us and cause the wicked to stumble into heresy will in the end reveal this truth to us, showing us His true, unique oneness in all its ways.
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