תּוֹרָה מ - אֵלֶּה מַסְעֵי

Torah 256

All of a person's journeys and upheavals [tiltulin] are on account of the corruption of faith — which is the aspect of idolatry [avodah zarah]. For if one believed with complete faith that the Holy One, blessed be He, could provide all his needs — he would not make any journey at all. (See "Likutay T'filos" here for the explanation — that through proper faith and trust one would not perform any action or journey at all for the sake of livelihood.) And through the upheaval one sometimes rectifies the upheaval he caused above — as it were — (for the punishment is the rectification — as brought elsewhere). And therefore journeys atone for the blemishing of faith — and thereby rectify and sweeten the burning wrath from the world — and compassion is drawn to the world.

Also through the blemishing of faith — the aspect of idolatry — rain is withheld. And there is no satiety and no peace — and no one helps his fellow. And everyone must journey and wander from place to place for his livelihood.

Also through idolatry comes the withholding of rain. And when there is no bread — there is no Torah. And through the nullification of Torah comes exile and journeys on the roads — as it is said: ""My people went into exile for lack of knowledge"" [Isaiah 5:13]. [See "Chovos Ha-Levavos", Gate of Trust, in the story of the ascetic who turned back from his journey — he went for the sake of livelihood — for this reason.]