Shabbat & Blessings for Livelihood

We live in a time of great freedom and prosperity for Jews. However, we must always keep in mind that it is not the “Strength and might of my own hand which has earned me this wealth,” but rather, “It is G-d’s blessing that brings riches.”

When Friday night comes around, no matter how large a business deal one is involved in, or how much charity he intends to give from it, a Jew must recognize that transgressing the Shabbos cannot bring G-d’s blessing. Even to allow your employees to work over Shabbos on your behalf, cannot be the way through which G-d intends to send you success.

When does a person grapple with closing his business on Shabbos? When he believes that he is the one who makes himself successful. When he recognizes, however, that it is G-d Who grants success, then his first priority will always be to seek G-d’s strategy – in the Code of Jewish Law – and to act accordingly, without hesitation.