Believe it

Faith is one of those concepts that’s easy to talk about but harder to live by. We all want to believe that things will work out, but when life throws us curveballs, maintaining that belief can be a real challenge. Yet, the Torah and our sages teach us that faith is not just an abstract idea, it’s the cornerstone of how we navigate both the spiritual and material aspects of life.

Among the many events our ancestors experienced throughout history, one stands out as a clear manifestation of faith in their daily lives: the appearance of manna, the miraculous food that sustained the Jewish people in the desert. The Torah describes how some found it ready to eat at their doorstep, while others had to collect and prepare it. The Talmud explains that this wasn’t random. Those who had unwavering trust in G-d found the manna with minimal effort, while those who doubted had to work harder for it. But everyone had to do something before they were able to eat.

The story of the manna teaches us that our level of faith directly affects our experience of life’s blessings. It’s not that G-d needs us to trust Him for His sake, it’s for our own benefit. Faith allows us to see the good in our circumstances and to feel secure, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.

The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidism, once demonstrated this idea in a practical way. He knocked on a wealthy man’s window to ask for charity and immediately walked away. The man ran after him, giving him the donation he needed. When asked why he didn’t stay to explain his needs, the Baal Shem Tov replied, “I trust in G-d to provide. My knocking was simply creating the vessel for the blessing.”

This doesn’t mean faith replaces effort. Rather, it means we must do our part, but we understand that the results are in G-d’s hands. This balance is critical in both spiritual and material matters. Spiritually, we trust that G-d will help us overcome challenges, like the temptation to give up on our goals or lose sight of our values. The Midrash tells of Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa, who wanted to bring a large stone to Jerusalem but lacked the strength. G-d sent angels disguised as people to help him, on the condition that he participated with a small amount of effort—just lifting a finger.

This story reminds us that when we feel “stuck” spiritually, we only need to take the first step. G-d does the heavy lifting, but He wants us to show our willingness. Faith isn’t passive, it’s active. It means pushing past doubts and taking action, even when we’re unsure of the outcome.

Faith also extends to our material lives. The Jewish people are compared to a lone sheep surrounded by seventy wolves—a metaphor for the nations of the world during exile. It’s a precarious situation, yet the Midrash reassures us: “The Shepherd is great; He protects and guards the sheep.” This isn’t just meant to comfort us but to strengthen our trust that we are never truly alone.

Speaking about our faith can also have a profound effect. The Kohanim, when offering the daily sacrifice in the Temple, would declare that the sun had risen as far as Hebron, invoking the merit of the patriarchs buried there. Because the act of speaking strengthens our awareness and brings the merit into reality.

The same is true in our daily prayers. When we ask G-d for our needs, it’s not because He doesn’t already know them. It’s because the act of speaking aloud aligns us with the flow of blessings. Similarly, when we talk about our trust in G-d, we’re not just reminding ourselves, we’re solidifying it in our hearts and minds.

In a fast-paced world filled with distractions and uncertainties, faith anchors us. It allows us to face life’s challenges with confidence, knowing we’re not in this alone. By speaking our faith, living it, and letting it guide our actions, we open ourselves to the boundless blessings that G-d has waiting for us.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, remember that you’re not expected to move mountains. Just lift a finger and trust that G-d will handle the rest. That’s the power of faith—it doesn’t just change your perspective, it changes your reality.