Toil - Chabad.org

A meditation for when things get rough:

The world was brought into being with Goodness. And the ultimate good for a human being is that he should not be shamed, but feel as a partner in the fulfillment of the divine plan. Free bread is to us bread of shame—such is the nature of humankind.

That is why nothing good comes without toil. And according to the toil can be known the harvest that will be reaped in the end.

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12 Comments

Leah January 10, 2020

It's erev Shabbos and my hot water tank is "sick" as my husband said. LOL. It is not functioning. B"H. Thank G-d for everything. I'm not sure about bread of shame but struggles are not always about the lack of our personal toil. Reply

Janice Westbrook Dallas May 26, 2014

Could someone please tell me the origin of the phrase "Bread of Shame"? Thank you.
Janice Reply

Gavri Hanita Hazaka Abir Sellek 2nd Canada January 7, 2013

Stress in these Times When all we see are troubles. When all we see is the stresses of this life then it is time to involve seeking the LORD. It is the hardest thing to see when our worries troubles, and stresses take over and it seem nothing else matters. All of these thing hold us back from the LORD if we let them. G-D delights in giving us the desires of our heart if we will lay aside all the thing that stop us from worshiping and praising the LORD with all of our hearts. Our help comes from above Look to the LORD, keep your eyes on the LORD and never give up doing so and the LORD is so faithful HE wil hear and answer your prayers. Reply

Yitzakh Everett, Washington January 4, 2013

I needed to hear this message!

Toda raba. Reply

Regina Costa Mesa, CA January 4, 2013

Heart felt I also needed to hear this message. Thank you for your insight and it comes at a time when it soothes my heart, which is in such need of repair. Reply

Anonymous Leusden C January 4, 2013

toil: (n.) A net or snare; any thread, web, or string spread for taking prey; -- usually in the plural.
that is why G'd needs us as a partner, good and toil go together. We have to distinguish and learn to protect and harvest the good (free it?) and bring it to Earth. And in that struggle, almost drowning or/and toiling over high mountains we become better people ourselves. Our inner charcoal will become More and more like a sparkling diamond ;-)He does not need slaves but loving and compassionate (wo)men of free will. And our free will will ultimately appear to be The will of "I am that I am", "I will be what I will be". Reply

Evelyne Helper johannesburg south africa January 4, 2013

if we are part of a divine plan, why is Hashem making it hard on us as humans when we lose a loved one or lose a pregnancy he initiated from the first place?
No it is not easy for us to understand His plan.... and I would say almost impossible to live with the loss. Yes everything is for the good but the good is not revealed to us as humans! We have feelings and traumatic experiences leave us scared and hurt to the core. If Hashem wants to make up partners, he has to reveal his plans! Otherwise we are thrown in the unknown with hopes and fears that Hashem will pursue the blessings he gave us at the first place. Reply

Mrs. Hazel Gilliland August 15, 2010

Toil I think bondservant is a better word than partner or slave. Reply

Anonymous August 14, 2010

TOIL This article is just what I needed, and right on tme!! I am treasuring this one. Thank you Tzi Freeman Reply

Mrs. Hazel Gilliland August 14, 2010

Toil The 2nd reader must agree with me, he calls himself a slave not a partner. Reply

Mrs. Hazel Gilliland August 13, 2010

Toil How can man be a PARTNER in the Divine plan? Reply

Mrs. gleitzer élisabeth August 13, 2010

labour this meditation comes at the right time at the right moment!!
i'm the slave of no one exept G-d all mighty
may god protect ISRAEL and it's citizens
and all the Jews aroud the world!! Reply

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