Hashgacha Pratis or a Mistake & Lack of Responsibility

 

Question:

A friend related to me how he neglected to take care of a certain bill. I think he saw the envelopes but didn’t open them. Later on he realized it was something really important which had serious financial consequences. Now he is having to deal with those consequences for many years.

It doesn’t seem so bothered by it, and he calmly says it’s hashgacha pratis. I tried explaining my view that the concept of hashgacha pratis doesn’t apply in this situation. It’s a mistake and just need to swallow the fact that it was a poor decision and now dealing with the consequences of it.

When I brought this question up to someone else – he wasn’t sure it’s accurate to say it’s hashgacha pratis, because this kind of attitude can absolve one of a sense of responsibility in a way. One should say it was a mistake and take steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Feeling down and bad wouldn’t be correct either.

But to say it’s hashgacha pratis seems in a way to soften the sense of responsibility.

What does the Rov say?

 

Answer:

Everything that happens is Behashgacha Pratis.

The only things that aren’t decided by Hashem are a person’s choices. However any consequences that would happen to another individual as a result of those choices would fall under the general rule that everything that happens in this world is decided by Hashem.

Bearing this in mind, there is never a legitimate reason for getting upset at someone for something he or she did to you, for in truth nobody can affect you in any way that Hashem hasn’t pre-planned for you. Hashem has many messengers for his plans and if it weren’t for this individuals action it would happen through someone else’s action or in some other way.

Also the Mishnah (Avos 5:6) teaches us that one should always judge another favorably and should never jump to conclusions.

Obviously every individual on their own have the responsibility to make responsible choices, since their own choices aren’t pre-planned by Hashem. (And when making a mistake they are to take responsibility for their actions).

See more of this idea at length in Tanya Igeres HaKodesh epistle 25 and elsewhere in Chassidus.

 

 

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