Are small mundane things not related to Yiddishkeit Bashert from heaven? [closed]

Is it true that some Rishonim hold that when a leaf falls from a tree or a bird eats a particular worm, that it is pure chance and there is no bigger plan from Hashem.

I am used to thinking that not a single thing is not ordained from heaven and I would love if someone can point me towards these Rishonim (if they even exist).

EDIT: SEE DOV F'S ANSWER FOR THE CORRECT SOURCES ON THIS QUESTION!

Yes.

I do not believe that it is through the interference of Divine Providence that a certain leaf drops [from a tree], nor do I hold that when a certain spider catches a certain fly, that this is the direct result of a special decree and will of God in that moment; it is not by a particular Divine decree that the spittle of a certain person moved, fell on a certain gnat in a certain place, and killed it; nor is it by the direct will of God that a certain fish catches and swallows a certain worm on the surface of the water. In all these cases the action is, according to my opinion, entirely due to chance, as taught by Aristotle.

-the Rambam (Guide 3:17)

Ive also heard of such opinions existing, and never been so sure who they were..the only thing close that I have found was that the Rambam says in the eighth perek of his Shmonah Perakim that when a person throws a stone in the sky and it falls back down to the ground, or when fire goes up toward the sky, this is not a manifestation of ratzon Hashem, rather it is a natural occurance that Hashem built into the world from sheshes yimai beraishis

The everything-is-bashert belief became more prevalent after the Besht, who gave the falling leaf example. But many rishonim also made statements to the effect that absolutely everything is directed by Hashem, including Rashi, R' Avraham ben Rambam, Rabbeinu Bachya, etc. You can believe either way. I personally think that everyone should believe that everything that happens to them comes from Above, whether it's to send them hints at what they should be doing, acts of divine kindness, punishment, etc. Even if the path of a snowflake blowing in the wind just follows the laws of nature, that doesn't mean that most of the events in a person's life must be random too.

I have heard tell that the Chinuch and the Rambam hold only live species have Hashkacha Protis and all other things are just happenings and could just as well not have happened. I have to find the sources though.

Some time before the 18th of Av, 1943, The Lubavitcher Rebbe wrote a letter to R' Moshe Dov Ber Rivkin, Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva Mesivta Torah Vodaath.

That letter is translated into English in a book called "Led By G-d's Hand".

In the letter, the Lubavitcher Rebbe outlines "An overview of the different conceptions advanced by the Torah sages preceding the Baal Shem Tov, and that advanced by the Baal Shem Tov".

Some of the opinions that are similar to the Rambam include the Shomer Emunim (written by a student of the Ramaz, and cited in Shoresh Mitzvas HaTefillah, sec. 34) and the Ramak (Ein Kol Tamar 5, ch. 1)

You can read the letter for an in-depth analysis of these and other opinions on Divine Providence.

It is important to note, as the Lubavitcher Rebbe points out:

This must be said: Even according to the opinions which state that Divine providence does not control inanimate objects, plants, and animals agree that G-d knows all the minute particulars concerning these creations, as the Ikkarim, Maamar 4, ch. 7, states: "We are forced to say that His knowledge encompasses every entity found in the world and every event that takes place. Nothing -- neither small nor great -- is beyond Him. Nevertheless, He does not watch over (animals) to grant them reward or punishment for their deeds. Instead, He watches over their particulars insomuch as they are part of the general category, protecting the existence of the species, but nothing beyond that.

Menachem!