One of the commands in Parashat Kedoshim is לא תעוננו (19:26), which refers to a certain type of witchcraft which was common in the ancient world. The people would decide what to do based on superstitions, determinig that certain days of the week or the month were “luckier” than others. They would choose what to do, and when to do it, based on irrational factors, using various superstitious theories. We are forbidden from following these practices, because we are to make decisions sensibly, based on reason, and with emunah , recognizing that ultimately, the outcome of our decisions rests in Hashem’s hand, and He will determine whether our decisions will succeed. Many people struggle when it comes to making decisions. Whenever they need to decide, they have a very difficult time. Indecisiveness can be stifling. It consumes a great deal of time and energy, leaving us exhausted, and preventing us from being accomplished. The tendency to be indecisive, the fear of making the wrong decision, is likely what led the idolaters in the ancient world to their superstition. They came up with random systems to decide for them, so they would not have to make the decisions themselves. One thing we can do to help cure the ill of indecisiveness is to remember that everything depends on Hashem. We are of course to make the best decision we can, to think the issue through and give it our best shot. But once we recognize that the outcome is determined solely by Hashem, the process becomes so much easier, so much less stressful, and so much less time-consuming. When we have a major decision to make, such as where to live, whom to marry, which career path to take, and so on, we need to think through all the different factors, while placing our faith in Hashem, and trusting that everything is ultimately in His hands. In the 19 th century, there was an illustrious yeshiva in Lithuania that was known as the “mother” of all yeshivot. The Volozhin Yeshiva produced the greatest Torah minds of Eastern Europe, and many outstanding yeshivot were outgrowths of this yeshiva. It was a citadel of Torah learning, the crown jewel of advanced Torah scholarship at that time. In 1892, the decision was made to close the yeshiva. The Russian government wanted to exert its control over the yeshiva, and sought to impose changes to the curriculum. There was a great deal of controversy surrounding the question of what the yeshiva should do, and ultimately, the decision was made to shut its doors. Fast forward 130 years later. There is a town in New Jersey with a large yeshiva – the largest yeshiva outside Israel – that was established following the model of Volozhin. This town now has dozens upon dozens of yeshivot, and thousands of yeshiva and kollel students. This town, of course, is Lakewood. Interestingly enough, there is a sign in Lakewood that reads, “Established 1892.” The Rabbis who decided to close the Volozhin Yeshiva made the best decision they could, and left the rest in Hashem’s hands. Sure enough, He was already planting the seeds for the rebirth of the Volozhin style of learning across the ocean, in New Jersey. Making decisions can be frightening, but it becomes less difficult when we approach our decisions with emunah , recognizing that ultimately, the outcome depends on Hashem, who always does what is best for us.