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Does the phrase b'ezras Hashem make sense philosophically and if so, what does it mean?

B'ezras Hashem implies to me that a person can do things himself, but Hashem helps. In what sense is it true that we have a sort of independent ability to do things? How does that interplay with God's ''help''?

(It seems to me that b'ezras Hashem is used as a replacement for 'hopefully' or the like when 'frum' people talk, but that is a side point.)

Moshe Steinberg
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    It's not just "frum speak." ה' לי בעוזרי etc. – b a Apr 02 '18 at 09:26
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    מלך עוזר ומושיע ומגן – Dov F Apr 02 '18 at 12:21
  • Sorta reminds me of "bli neder I promise to..." ;) – ezra Apr 02 '18 at 12:55
  • maybe it means "I place myself in the context/presence of Hashem"... – rosends Apr 02 '18 at 13:07
  • Thanks to the above posters for finding original sources that talk about Hashem helping. Similar to @rosends, I have thought that it is just a way of frequenting God's name that is not necessarily sensible but is a way to up one's God awareness – Moshe Steinberg Apr 02 '18 at 14:16
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    @MosheSteinberg I was just pointing out that the construction could be seen to be parallel to the phrase "ezrat nashim" -- the enclosure for the women. – rosends Apr 02 '18 at 14:17
  • @rosends hmm, I think that is a very interesting suggestion; I wonder why the two words have the same root. – Moshe Steinberg Apr 02 '18 at 14:21
  • Ezrah and Azarah. – rosends Apr 02 '18 at 14:24
  • @rosends Are you trying to say that they have different roots? Both of those words are עזר – Moshe Steinberg Apr 02 '18 at 14:38
  • I don't know the relative value of this website (and my books are in storage...) but it might be that sharing 3 letters doesn't mean an inevitable etymological link http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Ezra.html#.WsJAwExFw5c – rosends Apr 02 '18 at 14:41
  • It is often used to mean "if Hashem allows it", e.g., we will meet in a week bH, i.e., if Hashem allows me and you to live until then, or to be in good health to meet, etc. – mbloch Apr 02 '18 at 15:08
  • @mbloch No, because that's what IY''H means – ezra Apr 03 '18 at 13:47
  • @ezra you are right but it doesn’t mean people don’t use it this way anyway – mbloch Apr 03 '18 at 14:00

2 Answers2

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There are two similar expressions: אם ירצה ה (אי"ה - if G-d so Desires / Wills) and בעזרת ה (בע"ה - with G-d's Help). It seems from your question that you have no problem with the former, אי"ה, as it leaves the future in G-d's "Hands" with no other factors under discussion.

Saying "בע"ה", however, brings up issues of bechirah chofshis (free will) and hashgachah peratis (personalized Divine Providence). See the question "Free choice versus the Will of G-d". (My own answer is here.) I think it is there that you will find answers to the fundamental dilemma underlying your question.

But the bottom line is "אין סומכין על הנס -- we do not rely on miracles", and even the resolutions of free will vs providence that give providence the most expansive role acknowledge that there is a role for human effort. That success and failure are in G-d's "Hands", but it is still fair to also acknowledge that we're talking about success or failure of our efforts.

בע"ה is thus a good counterfoil for taking too much credit for those successes. While leaving אי"ה a great attitude to take when the situation leaves us little to do, we don't run such risks. We can still avoiding losing hope by placing our trust in Him.

b a
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Micha Berger
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The idea behind this custom is that even when we go about our mundane daily tasks, G‑d should always be on our minds, our tongues and our pens. This is in line with the verse in Psalms “I have placed the L‑rd before me constantly; because [He is] at my right hand, I will not falter,”(Psalms 16:8) and the verse in Proverbs “Know Him in all your ways, and He will direct your paths.”(Proverbs 3:6) The habit of peppering our ordinary conversation with thankful mentions of G‑d was even displayed by our forefather Jacob. According to the Midrash, when he masqueraded as his unruly brother as a ruse to have his father, Isaac, bless him, Jacob almost blew his cover by repeatedly mentioning G‑d in his conversation with his blind father.(Chabad.org)

yosef lavi
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  • Welcome to MiYodeya Yosef. Hope to see you around! – mbloch Apr 03 '18 at 04:33
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    This post seems to be speaking past the question rather than answering it. You're answering why people pepper their speech with mentions of God. The question was how it makes sense to refer to His help, as if we were primary and He secondary. – msh210 Apr 03 '18 at 07:23