Methodical Decision Making

By Rabbi Moshe Krieger, Yeshivas Bircas Hatorah (www.bircas.org)

In Parashas Devarim, Moshe formally rebuked the Jewish people. Concerning the incident of the spies, not only did Moshe disapprove of the negative report and its acceptance, he also criticized the people for asking to send the spies in the first place.

The problem with this is that the Gemara (Kiddushin 39b) says we are not allowed to rely on miracles in dangerous situations. If so, sending spies to ascertain the enemy’s military capacity would seem to be the right thing to do. Why did Moshe criticize the people for it?

Rav Yerucham Levovitz explains that Moshe Rabbeinu didn’t rebuke them for asking to send the spies, but rather for the way in which they did it. Rashi tells us that the people came to make this request in a haphazard, disorganized crowd. The request was made with such palpable anxiety that it clearly did not stem from a sense of responsibility. Rather, the request reflected panic. This panic revealed that they lacked bitachon (trust) in Hashem and His promise that He would give them the land. Had they possessed this bitachon, they would have asked calmly, with the purpose of fulfilling the mitzvah of hishtadlus (making the necessary effort). This lack of bitachon ultimately led to the sin of the spies and the decree to wander in the desert for forty years.

This is an important principle to apply to our own lives. Whenever we find that our behavior is being guided by anxiety, it is proof of a lack of bitachon and may signal a need to work on our emunah. Indeed, one of the main middos that students in the Kelm Yeshivah were known to work on was menuchas hanefesh (peace of mind), ridding themselves of personal anxiety and behaving calmly in any situation. We are obligated to overcome any elements of nervousness that guide our behavior. Inner tranquility is a prerequisite for bringing us closer to Hashem.

Rav Sa’adia Gaon says that a person should be very careful about how he thinks, and be sure that rushed thinking never directs him to any conclusions. One who makes quick decisions and allows his initial impulses to rule him is in danger of coming to grave sins and even rejecting Hashem Himself, G-d forbid. Indeed, the Mishnah (Avos 1:1) admonishes us to be deliberate in judgment. The Rambam elaborates that when we practice patience and think things through, we becomes aware of details and factors that we were unaware of initially. By not responding immediately, we begin to see a broader picture. This leads to a more grounded conclusion than we would have come to without such reflection. It also ensures that anxiety and other negative emotions are not affecting our decisions. In fact, the Mishnah (Avos 5:7) lists responding deliberately as a difference between a wise man and a golem, or crude person who has yet to work on himself.

Rav Chaim Volozhin once traveled to his rebbe, the Vilna Gaon, to propose opening a yeshivah. Rav Chaim was very excited about this project, and he eagerly awaited the Gaon’s approval and blessing. However, the Gaon felt that such an endeavor was ill-advised at the time, and he recommended that Rav Chaim put it aside.

A few years later, having considered the idea and determining that it still was the right thing, Rav Chaim approached the Gaon again with this proposition. Immediately, without objection, the Gaon urged Rav Chaim to proceed with opening the yeshivah. Rav Chaim asked his rebbe why he had changed his mind.

The Gaon explained, “When you first approached me, you were very excited. I was afraid that your desire to open a yeshivah may have been motivated by something improper. To allow you to embark on such a project at that time may have been disastrous. However, now I see that you are calm and reserved, guided solely by your logic. You sincerely believe in the value of this endeavor, and you are working solely for the sake of Heaven. Now Hashem will surely grant you success!”

May we be zocheh to be deliberate and methodical in our decision making!