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Daily BitachonDaily Bitachon Podcast - Daily Bitachon By Rabbi David Sutton Author: Rabbi David Sutton
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62 Daily Dose of Gratitude
Sunday, 15 March, 2026
Welcome to our Daily Bitachon and Sha'ar HaBechina Series We have been exploring the various realms of God's wisdom as revealed in the world. So far, we have covered: The foundations of the earth. Man as a "miniature world" ( Olam Katan ). The intricate makeup of the human body. The animal kingdom. The world of plants. Today, we move on to an area most people wouldn't even think to include on a list of Divine creation: the wisdom found in human activity and invention. Divine Inspiration in the Mind of Man Whether it is a lightbulb, a car, or any modern convenience, the wisdom behind it is a gift. As the Chovot HaLevavot teaches: Asher natanan HaBorei Yitbarach be-lev ha-adam —these are thoughts that the Creator put into the heart of man. God provides these insights to help man complete his perfection in this world, allowing him to secure food and other benefits that would be impossible to achieve without such inventions. This is the deeper meaning of the verse in Job (38:36): "Who gave the Sechvi understanding?" While Rashi notes that Sechvi can mean a "rooster," he also explains that it refers to the human heart. The root Soche means "to see from afar," similar to how Sarah Imeinu was called Yiska because she could "see" with Ruach HaKodesh (Divine Spirit). The human mind is called Sechvi because it possesses the foresight to solve future problems and innovate. As the Sages say: "Who is wise? He who sees the outcome" —one who sees beyond the present. The Chafetz Chaim on Technology In his letters (Letter 45), the Chafetz Chaim discusses this at length. Writing in the early 1900s, he noted how man once had to endure weeks of difficult travel by wagon. Then, God "came up" with the train to condense that journey into a single day. Soon after came the automobile, making it even easier to reach the station. He explains that the ultimate purpose of these advancements is to allow us to serve Hashem with greater ease. He applies this same logic to the telephone and the camera—inventions that remind us that we can be heard and seen from one end of the world to the other. These tools exist to strengthen our Emunah (faith). A Point of Gratitude When we enjoy central air conditioning or drive an electric car, we shouldn't just thank the inventor; we must thank God, who placed the idea in the inventor's mind. If you ask, "Who created the iPhone?" the ultimate answer is God. People argue that technology has dangers, but so do many things in nature, like cyanide. The existence of danger doesn't mean God didn't create it. From the fax machine to recessed heating under a sidewalk, every convenience is a Divine idea. The "Accidental" Inventions To prevent human arrogance, God often allows the greatest breakthroughs to happen "accidentally." Consider these wonders: Penicillin: Alexander Fleming went on vacation and left a Petri dish uncovered. He returned to find a mold that had killed the bacteria—leading to the first antibiotic. The Microwave: Engineer Percy Spencer noticed a chocolate bar melted in his pocket while he worked on radar sets. A few kernels of popcorn later, a new way of cooking was born. Post-it Notes: 3M makes a billion dollars a year off a "failed" experiment. Dr. Spencer Silver was trying to make a super-strong glue but accidentally made a weak, reusable one instead. The Pacemaker: Wilson Greatbatch grabbed the wrong size resistor for a circuit. When he installed it, it emitted a pulse that mimicked the human heart. Teflon: Roy Plunkett was trying to create a refrigerant gas. He left a sample overnight and found a white, waxy solid instead—the slipperiest substance known to man. Conclusion From chocolate chip cookies to the Slinky, "accidents" are often just God's way of handing us a gift. Even when someone works hard to innovate, we must remember the verse: "He is the One who gives you the strength to achieve success." As the Targum explains, this doesn't just mean physical strength; it means He gives you the ideas necessary to succeed. Every bit of human progress is a direct reflection of God's ongoing kindness.
