Must Tzadikkim place physical effort or may they just rely on Bitachonm[1]

Certain Tzadikim are on a level that it is not necessary for them to even make a physical channel for G-d’s blessing, as they are connected to G-d on a level that is above the limitations of the world. For these Tzadikim, a simple and pure faith and trust in G-d is enough to bring down the salvation, and they may literally sit back and not do anything about their problem. For such Tzadikim, making a physical channel is a lack of trust in G-d [and some write that they should not even Daven to Hashem for it and are to only trust in Hashem[2]]. However, by regular Tzadikim, including even those with a soul of Atzilus[3], the trust in G-d that they are required to have entails trusting that G-d will give them blessing through the channel that they created, and hence they are required to first create this channel and then trust.

[1] See Rabbeinu Bechayeh on Vayeishev 40:23; Mamarei Admur Hazakein 5765 1 p. 200; Toras Chaim Vayechi p. 107; Or Hatorah Tehilim 40:5; Ayin Beis 1:82; Sefer Hamamrim 5654 “Ubivoa Lifnei Hamelech” and 5656 “Vayesar Yosef”; Likkutei Sichos Vol. 3 Parshas Vayechi; Vol. 26 Parshas Beshalach 2 p. 116 [Hebrew]; Vol. 36 Sicha 1; Igros Kodesh 2:179; Shaareiy Bitachon 30 Even Yisrael Derush 3:2; Michtav Meliyahu Vol. 1 Inyanei Emuna Ubitachon

Background- Yosef versus his father Yaakov: During Yosef’s imprisonment together with the butler and Baker of Pharaoh, Yosef asked the butler to do him a favor in exchange for interpreting the butlers dream in a positive way. He asked him to mention his name for release in front of Pharaoh when he becomes released from jail and is reinstated to serve him. The Mefarshim [Rashi 40:23; Bereishis Raba 89:3] explain that this request of Yosef from the butler was a sign of lack of faith in G-d as Yosef should have relied on no one other than G-d to help save him, and should not have asked the Egyptian butler for any assistance. For this reason, Scripture states that the butler forgot to mention Yosef in front of Pharaoh, and Yosef went on to remain another two years in jail as a punishment for having depended his salvation on the butler. It is not understood why Yosef did anything wrong by asking the butler to mention his name to Pharaoh, as certainly one is allowed and even obligated to do everything in his power in this physical world to relieve himself of a problem that he is facing. In fact, one can rightfully argue that Yosef followed in the path of his own father Yaakov who in his anticipated meeting with his archenemy brother Esav, sent his brother presents and prepared for war, and did not simply rely on his prayer in trust of G-d. The explanation to this matter lies in understanding the difference between the spiritual level of Yaakov and that of his son Yosef. The above rule that a person must make a physical channel to serve as a receptacle for the blessing of G-d to take fruition applies to majority of Jewry, including the majority of Tzadikim. However, certain Tzadikim are on a level that it is not necessary for them to even make a physical channel for G-d’s blessing, as they are connected to G-d on a level that is above the limitations of the world. For these Tzadikim, a simple and pure faith and trust in G-d is enough to bring down the salvation, and they may literally sit back and not do anything about their problem. By a regular Jew, including even regular Tzadikim, the trust in G-d that they are required to have entails trusting that G-d will give them blessing through the channel that they created, and hence they are required to first create this channel and then trust. However, by some rare Tzadikim, the level of trust demanded of them requires them to trust that G-d will provide them with a blessing despite not having created any channel for the blessing to rest on, and thus they trust that G-d will provide for them both the blessing, and the physical channel for it to become realized. For such Tzadikim, making a physical channel is a lack of trust in G-d. This is precisely the difference between Yosef and his father Yaakov. Yaakov was from the spiritual level of the regular Tzadikim who are not only allowed to build a channel for G-d’s blessing, but are required to do so, and then trust that G-d will provide them with blessing through that channel. However, Yosef was from the level of the rare higher Tzadikim who are not even allowed to make a physical channel for the blessing and must have complete trust that G-d will give them salvation regardless. This is why Yosef was punished for asking the butler to intervene on his behalf, while his father Yaakov was not punished for sending presents to his brother Esav.

[2] Sefer Hamamrim 5654 “Ubivoa Lifnei Hamelech”, brought in Igros Kodesh 2:179 and other Sichos

[3] Igros Kodesh 2:179