Daas Torah for Gashmius

This was a machlokes between chasidishe rebbes early on. The baal hatanya was against it, but relented after many chasidim begged for it. Others advocated it outright.

As a source, the mishnah says that when one learns Torah properly, they have “ruach aitzah,” a spirit of advice.

Chazal also talk about how to invest money; putting a third in movable property, etc… So if chazal are giving you advice on how to be successful in business, it seems that this is something in the purview of a tzadik/rebbe/rosh Yeshiva

But everyone agrees on the importance of having a rebbe for life decisions, such as when and how to go to work, college, shiduchim, etc..

Perhaps in earlier times the “ruach HaEitzah was stronger than it is today. My experience with such issues with well-known Rebbes is spotty at best. While I have occasionally received valuable, to-the-point advice on minor matters. I have also received an egregiously wrong eitza on a serious medical matter. If on has a serious issue it’s best to consult with a a real expert. (N.B. Some Rebbes are, indeed, expert in some secular matters, but not all Rebbes on all such matters.)

You might want to consult a Rav who also may have some academic/professional credentials in addition to semicha on your overall financial plan and risk tolerance BUT clearly you don’t want someone with no financial training or experience in financial markets to be doing your asset allocations or selecting individual funds/stocks for your portfolio. Your Rav may also be aware of someone in the tzibur or who davens at your shul who does have the requisite skills who you might want to consider as your financial advisor.

The above does not mean that no hishtadlus is necessary but after doing it, we should rely on the RBSO (Hashem).

I understand Da’as Torah a bit differently and I think there are two related points when seeking Torah advice for non halachic issues:

1- the Torah can give a perspective on all areas of life, not just halacha and psak. Hafoch bah vehafoch bah dekula bah. However, that assumes that the Da’as Torah giving advice is also knowledgeable in that area. Da’as Torah is like a calculator- it will give you the right answer but only if you input the right information. If the Rav does not understand financial matters (for example), then his Torah perspective on the subject will be flawed because the “input” is incorrect.

2- I think there are two aspects of Avodas Hashem- objective and subjective. Objective is halacha- we have to follow halacha and we have to follow the psak of our Rabbonim. But so many aspects of our life are not directly and explicitly dictated by halacha- that doesn’t mean we are exempt from trying to do ratzon Hashem in those areas as well. But what ratzon Hashem is in those areas are affected by each person- his personality, situation in life, challenges, family, etc… Two people can be engaged in the same situation, and the Ratzon Hashem will be different. Getting a Torah perspective from Da’as Torah in these areas is crucial, but the Da’as Torah is still lacking the personal subjective side that only each individual person knows. Ultimately, even after getting a Torah perspective, the decision rests on the individual himself how to apply that to his situation and ensure he is doing Ratzon Hashem. No Rav can tell him that.

As an addendum to number 2- I think there is a great risk to relying on Da’as Torah blindly without factoring in our individuality. Oftentimes, when someone who doesn’t consult Rabbonim on serious, complex, and controversial issues… that person will make whatever decision he feels is best, but will usually feel some sort of guilt as there will be consequences to that decision. Nothing is ever black and white, and they will accept accountability for their decision. But I find that oftentimes, when someone blindly follows Daas Torah, they will view every situation as black and white, and they will ignore the repercussions of their decision. Even correct decisions come with consequences, and part of healthy growth is accepting responsibility and accountability for those decisions. I sometimes feel that relying on Daas Torah is a crutch for many people to dump the accountability to the Rav who is advising them, so they can mentally ignore any adverse consequences to their decision.

If you read Shaylos v’Teshuvos of some Acharonim, they mention asking experts on subjects about certain questions. I believe both Rav Moshe and the Steipler ZT”L have well known teshuvos where they give the answer as “I asked a doctor and he said…”.

Never take advice about money (or anything else) from someone that has nothing to lose if wrong.