We've been looking at this Torah passage from Rabbeinu Bechayei, which is a nice summary, an introduction to what Bitachon is all about. Again, as mentioned, Bitachon is all over the Torah in countless Torah sources and encompasses many concepts. But I'd like to focus on this passage from Rabbeinu Bechayei, which goes through many of the different aspects of what Bitachon leads to, and the ins and outs of what Bitachon is really all about.
So we discussed previously that Rabbeinu ...
We've been looking at this Torah passage from Rabbeinu Bechayei, which is a nice summary, an introduction to what Bitachon is all about. Again, as mentioned, Bitachon is all over the Torah in countless Torah sources and encompasses many concepts. But I'd like to focus on this passage from Rabbeinu Bechayei, which goes through many of the different aspects of what Bitachon leads to, and the ins and outs of what Bitachon is really all about.
So we discussed previously that Rabbeinu Bechayei mentions that Bitachon is about knowing that Hashem is beyond all nature, and there is absolutely nothing stopping Hashem from sending our salvation. Not only that, but when a distressing and challenging situation does arrive, we are to know that Hashem's salvation is imminent. Because again, it is no such thing as nature, Hashem is beyond nature.
And although usually we expect to live under the limitations of nature, we need to know that Hashem is behind all of that, and in truth, I am certainly not limited by nature, but rather I am exclusively dependent on Hashem Himself. Rabbeinu Bechayei then goes on to say, “And what does it mean to have Bitachon? That you should have no doubt whatsoever in your reliance on Hashem.”
What Rabbeinu Bechaye is alluding to here is a very important fundamental of Bitachon. When Hashem says, in the verse in Tehillim, “hashlech al hashem yehavecha vehu yechalkelecha” - Does that mean to say, tell me your problems, and then accept and realize that whatever happens is for the best? Or does it mean to say, throw your problem onto me, and realize I will take care of you and send your salvation - salvation in the language that you understand is a salvation.
So let's give an example. I might be struggling financially. Of course, this can apply on both a large scale as well as on a small scale. If a person has just lost their job and has no alternative, and now their whole future is at stake, that is a major salvation that one needs to reach out to Hashem for and say, “Hashem, I have no idea what I'm going to do. I had this job which seemed to be stable, which out of the blue now disappeared, and I have no backup plan. Where am I going to go? This is not just about tomorrow. This is about my whole future. But Hashem, I know that you are completely beyond any form of natural limitations, and in one second, you can send my salvation. And Hashem, as I'm learning here in Bitachon, I am relying on you to send my salvation with such conviction that I have no doubt that you are going to sort this out for me. This problem is actually a little bit too heavy for me to carry. It's causing me a lot of anxiety and panic, and I actually don't know what to do. I'm throwing this problem into your court. I will, of course, do my part of Hishtadlus, whatever that entails, as we'll discuss further b'ezrat Hashem. But as a whole, Hashem, I am giving the problem over to you. I cannot take care of this problem. It is too big for me, too heavy for me to carry. Please, Hashem, you send my salvation.”
And the more one speaks this way and tries to internalize what one is saying, the more one will feel, as the Chovos Halevavos taught us right at the beginning, “menuchas ha-nefesh” - tranquility of the soul. I might have no idea what my future has in store for me. But that's okay, because it's not in my hands, it's in Hashem's hands, and I'm giving the problem over to Him to such a degree that I am able to feel a complete sense of tranquility and inner peace.
And similarly, let's say my problem is not to that large of an extent, but still certainly a challenge for me. Let's say on a general basis I have quite a stable parnassah, but with gratitude to Hashem, I am making a simcha in my family now, which requires a large expense, and that is causing me quite a bit of stress and anxiety. Or perhaps, let's say this month, financially, I might need something over and above the norm, something even very minor, an extra $50, which usually I wouldn't need to provide for. And although that might not seem like such a problem to bother Hashem with, God forbid we should never think that way. Hashem desires that we should lean on Him and rely on Him through any and every situation. B'ezrat Hashem, let's move forward together in our Bitachon journey and transform our Bitachon.
