Dear Friends,
Sometimes, we must not rely on G-d.
That may sound strange coming from a rabbi, but let me explain. When someone else needs help, we must act as though there is no G-d who will take care of it for us. It’s easy to say, “G-d will provide,” and leave it to Him. But we cannot say those words and walk away. We have to step up and help.
In this week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha, the Torah describes the people of Sodom as “very wicked and sinful.” The verse adds the phrase “to G-d, very much.” One explanation is that they used their belief in G-d as an excuse not to help others. When they saw someone sick or struggling, they could say, “G-d made things this way. Let G-d take care of it. Why should I interfere?” Judaism demands the opposite. When someone else needs help, we have to act as if the responsibility rests entirely on us. We can’t leave their well-being to the hope that someone, somewhere, will step in. We have to be willing to do it ourselves: make the call, visit, give, comfort, and do whatever is within our power to help.
This is not a rejection of faith. It is a refusal to use faith as an excuse. Of course we believe in G-d and trust Him. But that trust does not relieve us of our responsibility to another person. When someone needs us, we must do everything we can, as though getting them the help they need depends entirely on us.
Taking responsibility for one another means stepping up, showing up, and refusing to leave the job to someone else, even to G-d. Because helping that person is exactly what G-d wants us to do.
There’s a familiar joke about a father-in-law who sits down with his future son-in-law for a serious conversation. “How will you provide for your family?” he asks. “G-d will provide,” the young man replies. “And how will you pay for your children’s education?” Again, “G-d will provide.” “How will you buy a home?” “G-d will provide.”
Later, the father-in-law’s wife asks him, “What do you think of him?” He answers, “He thinks I’m G-d.”
Behind the humor is a question worth exploring: What is G-d’s role, and what is ours? If He asks us to take responsibility, what does it mean to rely on Him? We’ll explore these questions more deeply in our upcoming Kabbalah course, Architecture of You, beginning this Monday. to RSVP, visit
Let us take a moment to appreciate the blessings in our own lives and consider who might need our help. A call, an invitation, or a quiet act of kindness is something we can offer today. Wishing you and your family a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat.
With love and blessings,
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos