The American Dream - In G-d We Trust (Micah 5:6)

"The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many people like dew from Hashem like raindrops upon grass which is not hoped for from man and awaited from a human being"(Micah 5:6)

The prophecy of Micah is a foreshadowing of the period prior to the end of days, characterized by a dew-like relationship with our world. What does this mean? It means that prior to the ultimate redemption, we will avail ourselves of our dependence on our physical environment and cling more to the supernatural way of life. Dew represents something that is generated spontaneously without any prior causes. Our behavior in the times right before the Messiah's coming have to reflect our faith that every detail of our life is generated spontaneously by G-d for some specific benefit that we can accrue from it. This is the belief in one G-d as it reaches its fulfilment in these times.

The Torah, G-d's Word, delineates three levels of belief when it comes to worldly matters. The lowest is stated in Jeremiah (17:5): "Accursed is the the man who trusts in people and makes flesh and blood his strength". This is said about one who is so "sold" on the worldly reality that they turn away completely from observing the Divine Law and turn to cheating and stealing to earn their livelihood.

The second level is stated in Psalms (118:8) "It is better to take refuge in Hashem than to rely on man". Here, the Torah does not issue a curse to one who "relies on man" but only states it is better to "take refuge in Hashem".  Since the Torah itself states (Deut. 15:18) "And Hashem your G-d will bless you in all that you do" - that the vessel for blessing is one's own doing - and so one's doing in the physical realm is what draws down the blessing from G-d. And so one is allowed to "rely on man", to rely on one's own actions in this world.

Nevertheless, the prophet Micah tells us that the proper preparation for the Era of the Messiah is in relating to our livelihood "like dew from Hashem". This does not preclude making a worldly vessel into which G-d's blessing can come down. Rather, we must realize that the physical goodness coming down is purely G-d's prerogative and not that we have "earned" it in any way shape or form. This is the highest level of trust in G-d.

This is reflected by the inscription "In G-d We Trust" on the one dollar bill. The source of our livelihood has to be seen as merely another channel through which we interact with G-d and express our trust in Him. If we succeed in doing so, we will not only act honestly in financial matters, observing the laws of business dealings as delineated in the Written and Oral Law. But also, we will not allow financial worries to distract us and interfere with our spiritual activities, the work of prayer and giving charity.

Through this personal redemption from worldly veils, we will then bring about the ultimate redemption of the world -"Many nations will go and say,'Come let us go up to the Mountain of Hashem to the Temple of the G-d of Jacob, and He will teach us of His ways and we will walk in His paths. For from Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of Hashem from Jerusalem" (Micah 4:2)

Based on the Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe