# Faith, Struggle, and Divine Providence: Insights from Pirkei Avot 2:16 on Jewish Life and Spiritual Growth
**What does Pirkei Avot 2:16 teach about losing hope and the yetzer hara (evil inclination)?**
The discussion opened with Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) Chapter 2, Mishnah 16, focusing on the yetzer hara, the inner force that pulls a person toward despair, negativity, and giving up. Chaim explained that one of the most damaging tactics of the yetzer hara is convincing people that they are beyond hope or spiritual repair. This emotional collapse, not the struggle itself, is the real danger. Jewish tradition teaches that the ability to resist despair is itself a blessing and a sign of inner strength.
Rather than portraying spiritual life as perfection, the conversation framed it as ongoing effort. Falling, struggling, and feeling discouraged are part of the human condition. The key message was that hope itself is a form of spiritual power. Even when a person feels distant from God, overwhelmed by failure, or exhausted by life’s pressures, the door is never closed.
This idea speaks strongly to ba’alei teshuvah (those returning to observance), people exploring Jewish identity, and lifelong learners alike. The takeaway was simple but profound: despair is the enemy, effort is the victory. Growth begins not when life is easy, but when a person chooses not to give up.
—
**Is financial success connected to faith, and how should we understand parnassah (livelihood)?**
Chaim explored the sensitive topic of parnassah, explaining that while effort and responsibility matter, success is not purely mechanical. People can work extremely hard and still struggle financially, while others may succeed with less visible effort. The discussion emphasized that outcomes are influenced by Divine Providence, not only by strategy or intelligence.
This perspective challenges a simplistic “work harder and you will succeed” mindset. For many within observant Jewish life, especially in lower-paying professions or large families, financial strain is real and painful. The conversation acknowledged this reality without dismissing it. At the same time, it stressed that income levels do not reflect a person’s worth, spiritual standing, or value in God’s eyes.
Rather than offering formulas, the focus was on emunah (faith) as a framework for understanding uncertainty. People are called to do their best while accepting that results are not fully in their control. This approach can reduce shame and self-blame among those who struggle. It reframes financial difficulty not as failure, but as part of the complex spiritual landscape of life.
—
**Why are financial struggles so common in Orthodox communities, and how does comparison affect the soul?**
The discussion addressed the reality that many Orthodox families face intense financial pressure due to the high cost of living, education, and community expectations. Even households with relatively high incomes often feel stretched thin. Chaim emphasized that these struggles are widespread and should not be minimized, but also noted that financial difficulty is not the only challenge communities face.
He referenced the Ramchal’s teaching that life inevitably includes tests and hardship. Struggle is not a sign of abandonment, but part of the human experience. A major emotional danger identified in the conversation was comparison. When people constantly measure their lives against others who appear more successful, envy and jealousy can grow. This inner turmoil can damage both mental health and spiritual stability.
The message was not to deny pain, but to avoid allowing comparison to poison one’s perspective. Each person’s life path is different, and focusing on another person’s blessings can distort one’s own reality. This teaching resonates strongly for those navigating observant Jewish life, especially in close-knit communities where comparison is easy and constant.
—
**What does “Gam zu le’tovah” really mean when life feels painful?**
Chaim introduced the concept of Gam zu le’tovah, the belief that everything that happens is ultimately for the good, even when it does not appear that way. He illustrated this idea with examples such as missing a flight that later turns out to have prevented greater harm. These moments show how events that feel negative in the present can take on new meaning over time.
However, the discussion did not present this idea as simplistic optimism. Some people can naturally see goodness in hardship, while others struggle deeply. The conversation acknowledged that pain is real and that gratitude is not always easy or immediate. Still, it emphasized that constant complaining and resentment can trap a person emotionally and spiritually.
Gam zu le’tovah was framed less as a slogan and more as a long-term perspective. It encourages patience with life’s unfolding story. For those experiencing spiritual growth, this mindset becomes a tool for resilience. It does not erase suffering, but it offers a way to live with trust rather than bitterness.
—
**How do trauma, disaster, and displacement affect faith and emotional resilience?**
Chaim spoke about the psychological impact of events such as fires, loss of property, and broader disasters. He described how people often feel gratitude simply for surviving, while simultaneously experiencing deep grief over what was lost. This emotional complexity can linger for years, affecting both financial stability and mental well-being.
The discussion expanded to communities living in conflict zones, where people initially accept risk but grow increasingly strained as uncertainty continues. Long-term instability leads to difficult decisions about whether to stay or leave, balancing emotional attachment to home with the need for safety.
This section of the conversation emphasized that faith does not erase trauma. Instead, it provides a framework for processing it. People may feel conflicted, exhausted, or spiritually shaken, and that experience itself is part of the human struggle. The message was compassionate: struggling emotionally does not mean failing spiritually. It means being human in the face of overwhelming circumstances.
—
**Are life’s hardships random, or are they divine tests meant for growth?**
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the idea that events in life, both positive and painful, are part of a test. Chaim suggested that some individuals are meant to face particular challenges, including financial difficulty or interpersonal conflict, as part of their personal journey. He shared personal experiences of being targeted or attacked by others, framing these moments as opportunities to examine patience, reactions, and character.
This perspective encourages self-reflection rather than victimhood. Instead of asking only “Why is this happening to me?”, the question becomes “How am I meant to respond?” That shift transforms suffering into a potential catalyst for spiritual growth.
The teaching was not presented as absolute clarity about every event, but rather as a guiding lens. People may never fully understand the purpose behind certain chapters of their lives. Still, trusting that experiences are meaningful can help individuals endure difficulty with greater dignity and inner stability.
—
**How can a person apply these ideas in everyday observant Jewish life?**
The practical takeaway from the conversation was not a list of rituals, but a mindset. Life includes struggle. Financial pressure, emotional hardship, disappointment, and uncertainty are part of the human experience. The challenge is not to eliminate hardship, but to respond to it with awareness, humility, and trust.
Chaim emphasized that complaining endlessly about one’s situation does not lead to growth. Instead, focusing on personal effort, avoiding destructive comparison, and maintaining hope are essential. Recognizing that actions have consequences encourages people to live with purpose, while understanding that outcomes are not fully in human control protects against despair.
For those engaged in Torah study, navigating observant Jewish life, exploring Jewish identity, or pursuing spiritual growth, the message was clear: you are not judged by how easy your life is, but by how you engage with it. Faith is not about perfection. It is about continuing to walk forward, even when the path feels heavy.
—