At a recent visit to my doctor, he cited a quote from Alexander Pope—the famous British satirist—that “Mighty contests rise from trivial things.” His admonition was to ensure that I do not neglect ensuring that I do not get an infection in the blood—because when one has complex machinery and technology implanted in the body—the machines do not deal well with infections.

This idea may also have a basis in Chumash and Navi.

Haman and Mordechai

The story of Purim began with klal Yisrael attending a party.

This seemingly small act of not listening to the advice of gedolei Torah (Mordechai told us not to go), resulted in the emergence of Haman’s horrific plans. Rav Dessler—in his Michtav m’Eliyahu—explains that this is why the Megillah begins with the party of Achashverosh.

Hashem took the world from plan “A” to plan “B” because Chava wanted to eat from a piece of fruit. Wow!

Another striking example is the story of Yosef and his brothers. The conflict began with something seemingly trivial: “Now Yaakov loved Yosef more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a coat of many colors,” (Bereishis 37:3).

A mere garment—the kesones passim (coat of many colors)—became the catalyst for jealousy that escalated to attempted murder and, ultimately, Yosef’s sale into slavery. This “trivial” act of favoritism led to the Bnei Yisrael’s descent into Mitzrayim, centuries of avdus (slavery).

The Midrash Tanchuma (Vayeishev 1) comments on this, stating: “A person should never distinguish one of his sons from among the others, for on account of the weight of two selaim of fine wool (the value of the special coat) that Yaakov gave to Yoseph, his brothers became jealous of him and the matter evolved and our forefathers descended to Mitzrayim.”

Dovid and Bas Sheva

Another example is Dovid HaMelech’s seemingly small choice to remain in Yerushalayim, rather than leading his troops in battle: “And it came to pass, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that Dovid sent Yoav, and his servants with him, and all Yisroel… But Dovid tarried in Yerushalayim,” (Shmuel Bais 11:1).

This apparently minor decision led to his seeing Bas Sheva bathing, his aveira, the death of Uriah and, ultimately, bringing divine punishment upon himself and his household. The Gemara (Sanhedrin 107a) notes that Dovid asked Hashem why this trial came upon him, suggesting that even great figures can fall through seemingly trivial beginnings.

The Egel HaZahav

The construction of the Egel HaZahav began with a seemingly minor miscalculation about Moshe Rabbeinu’s return: “And when the people saw that Moshe delayed in coming down from the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aharon … ” (Shemos 32:1).

According to the Gemara (Shabbos 89a), the Satan confused the people by showing them an image of Moshe Rabbeinu’s bier, making them believe he had died. This confusion over timing—a seemingly trivial matter—led to avodah zara, divine wrath and nearly the destruction of klal Yisroel.

Korach’s Rebellion

Korach’s rebellion against Moshe began with a dispute over leadership positions: “And they rose up before Moshe, with certain of the Bnei Yisrael… saying: ‘Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy … ’” (Bamidbar 16:3).

The midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 18:4) reveals that Korach was angered over the appointment of Elitzaphan ben Uziel as leader of Bnei Kehas. This seemingly minor administrative decision sparked a rebellion. It ended with the first schismatic movement in klal Yisrael and the death of Korach and his followers.

Pilegesh b’Givah

One of the most tragic civil wars in our history began with the mistreatment of a single pilegesh (concubine): “And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Yisrael, that there was a certain Levi sojourning on the side of Har Ephraim, who took to him a pilegesh … ” (Shoftim 19:1).

This incident with one woman led to a devastating civil war that nearly annihilated all shevet Binyamin. The Gemara (Gittin 6b) discusses how this terrible conflict grew from what might be considered a private domestic matter.

The Division of the Malchus

The split between the kingdoms of Yehuda and Yisrael—a national catastrophe that weakened the Jewish people for centuries—stemmed from Rechavam’s harsh response about taxes (April 15 is coming, rabbosai). “And the king answered the people roughly… saying: ‘My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions,’” (Melachim I, 12:13-14).

A mere tax dispute and harsh words led to the permanent division of the entire nation!

Throughout Tanach, we see the doctor’s advice validated time and again. Chazal, perhaps, alluded to this pattern as well. As stated in Pirkei Avos 2:1: “Be careful with a minor mitzvah as with a major one, for you do not know the reward given for the respective mitzvos.”

This idea extends to aveiros as well. The Gemara (Sukkah 56b) warns: “A breach in the wall calls to the thief,”—teaching that small openings can lead to major intrusions.

Nothing in Hashem’s world is truly trivial when viewed through the lens of Chazal and hashgacha pratis. It was clearly worth the hour and 15 minute drive to see him.

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