Parnassah (Livelihood)
Parnassah is a general term for all physical necessities required for a person's daily life.
The abundance of parnassah is allocated on Rosh Hashanah, as this is when the light of the previous year returns and new abundance and light extends into the coming year. On Yom Kippur, it is determined how much each person will receive from this abundance. Therefore, even though the abundance is already allocated on Rosh Hashanah, each person can determine through their prayers what they will receive by obtaining either a large or small portion of the life force and light that flows down.
However, since the light itself is spiritual, the Gemara states that a person's parnassah is allocated daily. The abundance descending from above descends level by level until reaching the physical realms each day according to one's actions. As stated in the Gemara, "A person is judged each day." Therefore, if a person conducts themselves properly, they will receive the appropriate abundance that descends to the necessary vessels. If not, the abundance will remain in the upper world. For this reason, a person must make efforts in their actions as decreed by the Creator - "By the sweat of your brow shall you eat bread." One must draw down the light through their actions into the world of Asiyah (action), otherwise the spiritual light will not help fulfill their physical needs.
This is why Rav Hamnuna Saba would pray daily for his needs[1]. From here the Rebbe also proves that a person's parnassah is allocated miraculously. Even when Rav Hamnuna's food was on his table in his private domain and in his monetary possession - to the point where he could use it to betroth a woman - this only applied to his monetary laws. Regarding his parnassah, the food is not his until he prays for it and makes a blessing over it. If he eats it without a blessing, it is considered misuse of sacred property. This is all because a person's sustenance is allocated miraculously, not naturally, like the manna[2].
Purpose edit
The purpose of parnassah is that through it, a person should reach ahavas Hashem (love of G-d[3]). Parnassah is called "the servitude of parnassah," yet this is not negative. Rather, the goal is that through it a Jew should reach ahavas Hashem - self-nullification. When one contemplates that everything in this world is merely a radiance ("ziv") from Hashem and that He Himself is infinitely beyond the world - one will reach ahavas Hashem.
In Divine Service edit
Involvement in parnassah should not cause a person to fall in their Divine service. The Rebbe says that the advice for not falling when involved in worldly matters is to always be cognizant that the world has no true existence, and that the only true existence is G-dliness.
See Also edit
- Work
Further Reading edit
- You Shall Succeed in Your Endeavors, a publication from the wedding of Asher and Devorah Leah Rabinowitz, 9 Tammuz 5770/2010
- Livelihood and Business - Advice, Instructions and Guidance from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Edited by Rabbi Shneur Zalman Ritterman and Rabbi Yehuda Cohen, Heichal Menachem 5785/2025
External Links edit
- The Biala Rebbe (Bnei Brak) at the dollar distribution, The Way to Abundant Livelihood
- Livelihood for a Lifetime ● A Story for Shabbat