“And she went and she filled the bottle with water” (Bereishis 21:19)
“She was lacking in faith” (Midrash Rabbah ch. 53)
In filling the bottle Hagar was seemingly taking the most logical course of action for one who is sick in the desert. Yet the Midrash seems to claim that Hagar filled her bottle more than she needed thus crossing the fine line distinguishing between the necessity of hishtadlus and a lack of faith.
There is a parable of a man who is traveling in a carriage together with a king who is renowned as a benevolent and generous ruler. Certainly the former has no need to worry about what he will eat and drink throughout his journey. If the man prepares for himself a large supply of food it’s clear that he does not recognize the king’s generosity. Furthermore one can also marvel at the king’s patience for bearing the man’s impudence in allowing him to board his carriage with his own food in hand. (Rav Aryeh Leib Chasman Ohr Yahel vol. 3 Lekach Tov)
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