Dear Rabbi Brody,
I recently heard your CD about Money. I am currently in a situation that might have some similarities to what you spoke about on the tape. Last year I was laid off from my job, and after consulting with my Rav, I took a new job which is not working out so well. My salary does not cover my expenses, I have no benefits and every time I dont show up to work, I dont get paid. My work day is over 10 hours, and my boss who is “frum” permits me to daven in the office but does not 
allow me to go to minyan. I am divorced and need to make child care payments plus rent and medical for my daughter. I live in NY and this is all very expensive. I took the job originally because it was a job and got the OK from my rav even though minyan was a problem. When i get home at night, I’m too exhausted to go to a shiur or learn and I just make it to mincha maariv then go right to sleep since I have to wake up early in the morning. Even with pure emunah, you cannot quit your job and know Hashem will find you another one because your brain tells you, you need to pay your bills. What’s the best way to get out of this position? Thanks, Shloimie from NYC…
Dear Shloimie,
In the pocket book, there is a very good guideline that gives you 20 parameters on how to avoid falling into debt. We have to understand that Hashem gives us whatever we need and it’s amazing that when we do really serious soul searching, we see how needlessly we squander our money – even a dollar here and a dollar there – but it all adds up to the point we say that we can’t make ends meet. I strongly suggest that you take the following steps:
Learn what we call the 20 sparks that ignite the fire of debt, which you’ll find on page 34 of the Debt-free Living Pocket Book.
Do soul searching on each one of those 20 steps and do your best to work on them one by one.
The particular step that you’re working on, incorporate in your personal prayer for 30 minutes a day (within your daily session of 60 minutes, which is an absolute necessity for adequate income). You just have to find the strength to do it BEFORE you get home and conk out. You have to understand that it’s either spending the 60 minutes with Hashem who is the Source of all abundance in the world, or spending much more than 60 minutes covering your debts, making ends meet in the office, bank managers, etc.
In the other part of your 30 minutes, thank Hashem for all your current job difficulties and your current tight income situation, because everything Hashem does is a blessing and this is no exception. Hashem is doing this to bring you closer to Him; once you establish a closer relationship with Hashem on your own accord, then He won’t need the severe financial wake up calls. In the meanwhile, realize that all these difficulties are not only atonement and a cure for your soul, but they strengthen your soul and if you look and accept these tribulations in the right way, you will emerge immeasurable times stronger, both spiritually and emotionally.
Hashem is also testing you on your desires and priorities in life. If you want to pray with a minyan badly enough and attend a daily Torah-learning session – and are tenacious in begging Hashem for these privileges in your personal prayer – you’ll be surprised to see how soon a job opportunity that enables you to do both will open up.
In closing, realize that whenever the stakes are really high and the potential rewards are mind-boggling, then the resistance from the dark side is there too. The Evil Inclination is not going to roll out the red carpet to let you speak to Hashem. True, the EI is an angel and you’re human. So the Gemara says that you have to ask Hashem to help you. Hashem will be more than happy to accommodate you and help you get close to Him. Be strong, and courageous (chazak v’amatz) and don’t give up.
Blessings always, LB
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