מֵעֲבוֹדַת בַּעַל עֵסֶק: לְעוֹרֵר בְּעַצְמוֹ הָאֱמוּנָה וּבִטָּחוֹן גָּמוּר בְּהַזָּן וּמְפַרְנֵס לְכָל בָּשָׂר, כִּי הוּא יִתְבָּרֵךְ יִתֵּן לוֹ פַּרְנָסָתוֹ בְּרֶיוַח, וְצָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה וְטוּב לֵבָב בֶּאֱמֶת כְּאִלּוּ פַּרְנָסָתוֹ כְּבָר מְזוּמֶּנֶת לְפָנָיו.

As one of his spiritual tasks, a businessman should arouse within himself the faith and absolute trust that He Who nourishes and sustains all flesh will grant him an ample living. He should be genuinely happy and glad of heart, as if his livelihood had already been placed before him.1

A Story with an Echo

Once the Baal Shem Tov and his chassidim arrived at a faraway inn. The innkeeper was so delighted to have them that he prepared a feast in their honor, but as soon as they were seated, three loud raps were sounded on the door. The innkeeper did not bother to answer, and continued attending to the Baal Shem Tov.

The Baal Shem Tov asked him why he did not answer. The innkeeper explained that the three raps were a sign from his landlord that the day had come for him to pay the rent.

“So, go and pay it,” the Baal Shem Tov suggested. “We will wait here.”

“I don’t have to go until he raps like that three times.”

“But why not finish with the matter?”

“I must pay him 300 rubles, and I don’t yet have the money. However, I am sure G‑d will provide,” the innkeeper answered, continuing in absolute serenity. His calmness amazed the Baal Shem Tov’s disciples.

They continued singing and sharing words of Torah. Some time later, the landlord’s agent rapped on the door again, but the innkeeper continued to attend to his guests without paying attention. Still later, when he knocked a third time, the innkeeper put on his overcoat and took leave of his guests.

“Do you have the money yet?” the Baal Shem Tov asked.

“No,” replied the innkeeper.

“So how will you pay the debt?”

“G‑d will provide,” he said, and left.

The Baal Shem’s disciples watched from the window as their host walked alone down the road that led straight ahead from his front door. From the distance they saw a wagon coming towards him. Two men came out and spoke to him. After a brief exchange the innkeeper turned away and continued walking ahead. The men then turned their wagon around, caught up to the innkeeper and paid him some money. They shook hands and the innkeeper proceeded on his way.

The Baal Shem Tov instructed two of his disciples to find out what had happened. The gentiles in the wagon explained: “We are contractors, and we wanted to buy a sizable amount of liquor. The innkeeper was prepared to provide us with it, but asked to be paid in advance. We agreed, but quibbled about the price, for he said he would accept no less than 300 rubles. When he saw that we were not prepared to give him the full price, he left us, so we drove away. We changed our minds soon enough, and turned back to pay him what he had asked for, because we know he’s trustworthy. He couldn’t speak long, because he was hurrying to pay his rent.”

The Baal Shem Tov explained: “The innkeeper’s simple faith and trust brought him blessing. Because he trusted in G‑d completely, G‑d rewarded his faith.”