Decision Making

“for I have heard from my Master in the name of Nachmanides, who commanded his son, that if you are in doubt about a certain Mitzveh (not) {how} to perform it, when there are {opposing} ways to lean, here or there, or if you have a doubt {on} whether something is a Mitzveh or not, {i.e.} whether to do it {this particular Mitzveh in-doubt} or abstain {from doing it}. Then you shall see {to it}, before anything {else}, to remove from this matter your own enjoyment or honor, and then (see to point here and there) {think about it again} and then god will let you know the truth and you shall walk securely. And the words of the wise are charm”

BPY, Pietrkov 1884, 18b

One plausible understanding of these words can be as follows; when a person is in doubt about how to perform a mitzvah because he is going through the traditional approach to searching for the way to serve G-d I.e. through analysis of texts containing interpretation and application of the Torah laws and he is uncertain if he has reached the correct understanding, then there is a solution. The solution is not to simply to read the commentary again and again rather first you must remove all ulterior motives from you mind and heart and then read the commentary again and G-d will let you know the truth.
What this means is, either that the ulterior motives are in essence a hindrance to correct understanding because they can corrupt the straight thinking patterns or another possibility is that, the doubts are not coming directly from the selfish motives rather they are being given to you as a message from G-d to get rid of the selfish motivations. In other words, you must ask yourself why isn’t this clear to me? Maybe this is a message from G-d to correct my motivation? Now, once the motivation is pure then the correct understanding will enter your mind.

There is more to it, however: the Toldos in another version of our piece, applies this technique to not only “things of heaven” but even to business and everyday’s life activity.

“and guard {remember?} this principle as it is extremely significant and of great benefit to all needs of heaven and also to his own needs”

Toldos Eikev 4

So, a more general approach would be needed if we are to understand what the Besht is trying to tell us:

All of us are well acquainted with the trials and hardships of decision making. When we are in doubt, we tend to run in an endless circle of unproductive thoughts- leading one way this moment- while a moment later the exact opposite seems to be just the thing.

The reason why we have doubt in the first place- maybe either a lack of confidence in ourself and god who leads us, or because both options seem to be equally good and valid.

Either way, the Besht advises us to tend to this problem from our higher self- a place from where all is clear and simple.

In order for us to reach this plane- we need to first remove all of our petty motivations of “enjoyment and honor,” i.e. bring our subconscious motives out into the open field of conscious thought. Then and only then can we get a clear picture of what we have at hand. {removing our petty motivations, now meaning, exposing them}.

Once we reach this state of consciousness: decision making is quick {shouldn’t take more than a moment}: think again- you will know.

We always know what is best for us. If you don’t believe me simply ask the Besht.