“…Hashem is your shadow…” (Psalm 121:5)
Shadows will follow our movements. If we raise our hand or bend down, our shadow will follow suit. The Baal Shem Tov taught that just as our shadows move with us, the Almighty’s relationship with us follows our movements in life.
For example, if we judge others favorably and with compassion – God will judge us similarly. (Talmud, Shabbat 127b)
This dynamic applies to all areas of our life.
For example, to what degree will God be involved in our lives and exert His Divine Providence on our behalf? According to R’ Bachya ben Yosef ibn Paquda, in his classic work Duties of the Heart, God’s involvement will be directly related to how much trust we place in Him. “Blessed is the one who trusts in God; God will be his refuge.” (Jeremiah 17:7).
But if a person does not put his trust in God, but puts his trust in other things (his own talent, wealth or other people) – God will remove His providence from this person and leave him in the hands of whatever he placed his trust in.
