[Avodah] Hashgacha Pratis

[Shoshana L. Boublil]

> Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:24:53 -0600 (CST)
> From: Steven J Scher <sjscher at eiu.edu>
> Subject: [Avodah] Hashgacha Pratis
>
>> Moshe Y. Gluck:
>>> Why is it so difficult for so many to believe in the concept of 
>>> Hashgachah
>>> Pratis (without getting into if it is correct according to the Mesorah 
>>> or
>>> not)? Is it because of conflicts with Bechirah?

> Forgive my naivete in this discussion... I"m just trying to understand.
>
> But, does hashgacha pratis only apply to making sure that good things
> happen to the tzaddikim and bad things happen to the reshaim?

Hashgacha Pratit is a term that encompasses a very complicated issue. 
Simplistically, Hashem has a 24/7 camera on each of us recording everything 
we are doing individually, on one hand.  On the other He is influencing our 
personal story in this lifetime.

The first question is what is the relationship between these 2 aspects of 
Hashgacha Pratit?

One opinion is that the level of interaction depends on the level of a 
person.

The second question is how does Bechira Chofshit influence Hashgacha Pratit?

Another aspect of this discussion is the interpretation of the saying 
"BaDerech She'Adam Holech - Molichim Oto".  According to one interpretation 
of this idea, Bechira does not happen on a continuum, rather it happens at 
intervals, at various intersections in a person's life.  In between Hashem 
(through Hashgacha Pratit) guides him down the road he chose, until another 
intersection appears.  We've seen this idea in the practical sayings "Sechar 
Mitzva - Mitzva" etc.

Another aspect appears in Nevi'im, "Darkei Hashem Yesharot, Tzadikim Yeilchu 
Bam URe'shaim Yikashlu Bam", without going into the various interpretations, 
this pasuk deals again with question of Hashgacha Peratit and the 
relationship with Bechira Chofshit.

So, IMHO, as long as people realize that the issue of Hashgacha Peratit may 
have simplistic aspects, but it also has very complex ones (especially if 
you add the S'char Va'Onesh issues, this world vs. the world to come,  and 
the public policy issues).

I gather that's why Hashem is in charge of calculating the result of all 
these "interferences" b/c I doubt a human could, even using a supercomputer. 
<g>

My personal view is to live our lives with the knowledge of Hashgacha 
Peratit, to use our Bechira Chofshit to do our best according to Hashem's 
guidelines, and leave the accounting to Him.

Shoshana L. Boublil