Editing Hashgacha Pratis - Divine Providence (section)

== The Approach of Chassidic Teachings ==
The founder of general Chassidism, our teacher the holy Baal Shem Tov, taught and revealed that individual Divine Providence applies to each and every created being, even to a leaf blown by the wind. The Alter Rebbe added that the Providence is not only over the occurrence itself (in the example: the movement of the leaf), but also over the causes of it (such as whether the leaf will be moved by wind or by a person passing by).

The proof for this is brought from a Gemara story:<blockquote>Rabbi Yochanan when he would see a shalach (bird), would say: "Your judgments are like the great deep."

And Rashi explained: Your judgments are even in the great deep, for You have designated the shalach to judge and execute Your vengeance on the fish of the sea, to kill those destined to die.</blockquote>From here it is proven that G-d's Providence and judgment are upon each one of the fish of the sea, whether it will live or die.

==== Each Detail Relates to the Purpose of Creation ====
In Chassidic teachings, the innovation of the Baal Shem Tov is explained in greater depth, that not only does G-d supervise every detail, but each detail has meaning and a deep intention in the path toward fulfilling the purpose of the entire creation. And in the words of the Rebbe Rayatz:<blockquote>For example, the movement of one of the grasses growing in the depths of a forest or on one of the high mountains or in the deepest valleys where no person has passed, not only is the movement of that grass to its right and left, forward and backward throughout its lifetime according to Divine Providence, wherein the Blessed One has decreed that this particular grass will live for specific months, days, and hours, and during this time it will turn and bend to its right and left, forward and backward a certain number of times, but moreover, the movement of this particular grass has a general relationship to the overall purpose of creation, for in the combination and unification of all the particular actions of the countless myriads of details that exist in all the thousands and myriads of species in the four categories of inanimate, vegetable, animal, and human, the supernal intention in the mystery of the entire creation is fulfilled.</blockquote>The Rebbe brings an example from what we see with a successful housewife: not only are all the items in her home in order and precisely planned, but each one has a purpose and function for the management of the home, and there is nothing missing or superfluous.

From this explanation, it is understood that the innovation of Divine Providence according to the Baal Shem Tov is not only regarding inanimate objects-vegetation-animals but also regarding humans. Because according to previous explanations, the individual Divine Providence over humans is due to their superiority, as they specifically fulfill the purpose of creation; therefore, the more superior the detail relating to the person is, and the more it relates to the purpose of creation - the more manifest the Providence over it will be. However, according to the Baal Shem Tov, each and every detail relates to the entirety of creation, and therefore the Providence is over every detail relating to humans to the same degree.

==== The Difference Between Providence Over Israel and the Rest of the World ====
Despite the fact that the Baal Shem Tov revealed that Providence over every detail applies not only to the Jewish people but also to the nations of the world and other matters of the world, according to his approach there is still a special superiority in the Providence over Israel.

The explanation for this: For other details in the world, despite G-d supervising them, they are only a means to something else - for the sake of Israel. Therefore, the Providence over each detail is according to its superiority, to what extent it is relevant and essential to the purpose of creation. But for the Jewish people - who are the purpose of creation and not just a means - each detail has equal importance, and each of their details relates to the purpose of creation.