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Translator's Introduction

Part A: Letters

Part B: Talks

   78.
Why was Yosef punished for placing his trust in the royal butler,
for preparing a natural means through which he could be released from the dungeon?

79.
Regardless of everything, Yaakov Avinu went on his way
with a light heart and in high spirits, because he had trust in the One Above.

80.
Even if until that moment such a person was tainted by idolatry,
or perhaps a tinge of it, when Pesach eve arrives he can have complete trust that "now
the Omnipresent has brought us near to His service."

81.
So long as the Yeshivah is their home, students should immerse themselves in their Torah studies
and not be concerned with questions as to how they will eventually earn a living.

82.
The Rebbe Maharash answers his own question:
"People are not lacking a livelihood; they are lacking trust.
Every individual is indeed provided with a livelihood. It's only that by lacking trust,
a person sometimes turns off the tap...."

83.
"Even a little guy like me gave tzedakah to a bedraggled stranger!"

84.
The first time Adam saw nightfall,
he discovered that a man is able to diffuse light even when the world around him is dark.

85.
Before the Sea Splits: Four Responses to the Crises of This World

86.
Faith and Trust

87.
A Jewish farmer "believes in Him Who is the Life
of all the worlds - and sows."

88.
From the Mouths of Babes: Three Modes of Trust

89.
When one has trust in the One on High,
he also has trust in his fellow Jews.

90.
Once the beleaguered King Chizkiyahu heard the words of Yeshayahu,
he placed his trust so completely in the Hands of G-d that he lay down in bed...
for a sweet and tranquil slumber.

91.
Even Bread from the Earth comes from Heaven.

92.
G-d will provide him with all his needs even if he has not yet
tackled his task for the month of Elul - repentance.
Indeed, it applies because he is in that state.

93.
G-d's army - and in our context, the Israel Defense Forces,
whose privilege it is to defend Jewish towns with actual self-sacrifice...

94.
Yosef turned to the Chief Butler
as if his whole salvation depended on him - and this constituted his sin.

95.
This arousal included a heightened trust that Divine Providence
supervises the particulars of every individual's life,
and this in turn empowered the chassid to decide what to do and how to act.

96.
"In G-d we trust" means that one regards G-d as his trustee:
one hands everything over into His Hands and relies on Him in all one's affairs.

97.
When a child is born, his sustenance is born together with him.
Indeed, the birth of an additional child increases the sustenance of the entire household.

98.
The commandment to "be fruitful and multiply" should be fulfilled in a spirit in which G-d's blessings
of sons and daughters are received "with joy and a gladsome heart."

99.
Trusting in G-d does Not Contradict the Belief that Everything is for the Good.

100.
Exactly What is Meant by the Obligation to Trust in G-d?

"A Weighty Task Indeed"
A Thought from the Rebbe Rashab

"When there is still a straw to hang on to"
A Thought from the Rebbe Rayatz

In Good Hands
100 Letters and Talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
on Bitachon: Trusting in G-d
Part B: Talks
86.
Faith and Trust
Compiled and Translated by Uri Kaploun

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  85.
Before the Sea Splits: Four Responses to the Crises of This World
Search this book:
87.
A Jewish farmer "believes in Him Who is the Life
of all the worlds - and sows."  

  1. Faith relates not to practicalities but to one's Divine service.
    Trust, by contrast, has a practical consequence.

    The[525] Alter Rebbe gives two distinct explanations for the daily custom of reciting the passage from the Torah[526] that describes how G-d sustained His People in the wilderness with manna, food from Heaven. The Alter Rebbe's reason for offering two explanations was not a consideration of style, but of substance, though he did not include this reading in his Siddur (for [Kabbalistic] reasons to be found in Shaar HaKavanah by the AriZal).

    The message of the verses concerning the manna is particularly highlighted by a teaching of the Rebbe Maharash:[527] "Today, [too,] one's livelihood comes [from Heaven] like manna - except that because of the prevailing darkness and [Divine self-]concealment, people aren't aware of this."[528]

    In the later edition (Mahadura Basra) of his Shulchan Aruch,[529] the Alter Rebbe wrote that "it is proper to recite every day [...] the passage concerning the manna, [to spur] one's trust (bitachon) in G-d Who provides one with his daily bread." The person who cultivates this attribute does not merely have faith that G-d is his Provider. Beyond that, without anxiety, he relies on G-d, Who will provide him with his daily bread, certainly and constantly - or, to translate the Alter Rebbe's concluding words more literally, "Who provides one with each day's bread on its day."

    This explanation ("[to spur] one's trust in G-d") varies from the one that the Alter Rebbe had given in the first edition (Mahadura Kama) of his Shulchan Aruch:[530] "[One should also read] the passage concerning the manna, to fortify his faith (emunah) that all his provisions are granted to him by Divine Providence, for the Holy One, blessed be He, specifically provided every man with an omer [of manna] for every member of his household. As it is written, 'When they measured it by the omer, he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little was lacking nothing.' "

    In the same two contexts the Alter Rebbe writes: "It is proper to recite every day the passage of the Akeidah (the Binding of Yitzchak)." In the later edition of his Shulchan Aruch he gives only one reason for doing so - "to recall the merit of the Patriarchs." In its first edition he had given two reasons - "to recall the merit of the Patriarchs before the Holy One, blessed be He," and further, "This also serves to make one's [Evil] Inclination submit to the service of G-d, just as Yitzchak sacrificed himself."530

    It will be noted that in the edition that explains the reading of the passage concerning the manna in terms of trust, the Alter Rebbe explains the reading of the passage concerning the Akeidah in terms of the merit of the Patriarchs. By contrast, in the edition that gives two reasons for reading the passage concerning the Akeidah, he explains the reading of the passage concerning the manna in terms of faith.

    To distinguish between faith and trust: Faith relates not to practicalities but to one's Divine service. Hence, even when a man of faith makes a living, he will appreciate that it is given to him by G-d. He will not delude himself into thinking that "my strength and the might of my hand have brought me all this prosperity."[531] Trust, by contrast, has a practical consequence. A person without a livelihood could despair, thinking, "From where will my help come?"[532] Instead, despite his predicament, he places his trust in G-d. Thus, faith [merely] indicates a certain rung in a person's Divine service, whereas in response to a person's trust, G-d reciprocates "measure for measure"[533] and fulfills his needs.

    This distinction has a halachic corollary. If the reason for reading the passage concerning the manna relates to faith, one may do so not only on weekdays but also on Shabbos. If, however, the reason for reading this passage relates to trust, it should not be read on Shabbos, for the prayers of that day do not include material requests.

  2. Faith is constant.
    Trust is a sensation that is aroused
    within one when it is needed.

    Another[534] difference between faith (emunah) and trust (bitachon) is the following:

    Faith is constant. Since faith is the believer's certainty in his basic axiom, it is constantly present, even when his faith has no immediate practical application.[535] Take, for example, a man's faith that his entire livelihood comes to him through Divine Providence. It would not be appropriate to say that he believes in this only at the time that he is actually engaged in earning his livelihood. Rather, his faith is within his soul constantly.

    This is not the case with trust. A man's certainty and reliance on G-d for his livelihood is a sensation that is aroused within him when it is needed:[536] when he is working to make a living, he trusts that "the L-rd your G-d will bless you in all that you do."[537] He trusts that G-d will certainly make his activities succeed so that he will able to earn his livelihood.

    In the same way, if a person is confronted by imminent misfortune, and sees no possibility of being saved from it by natural means, he does not fall into despair (G-d forbid), [as if left with the question,] "From where will my help come?"[538] Rather, he is certain[539] - i.e., he trusts[540] - that He Who is the Master of nature, and can change it,[541] will certainly help him. As the following verse answers, "My help will come from G-d, Who makes heaven and earth."[542]

  3. The Certainty of One's Trust Elicits Salvation

    It[543] could be argued that when a Jew demonstrates his complete trust in G-d, so that it is utterly clear to him that G-d will show him kindness that is unconcealed and manifest, then regardless of the calculations and possibilities of the natural order, that trust itself elicits a reciprocal response from Above. G-d relates to him measure for measure, for this, as the Torah explicitly rules, is the Divine mode of operation.[544] G-d grants him the kind of good that is visible and manifest,[545] utterly disregarding any calculations as to whether he deserves it.[546]

  4. Food from the King's Hand, or through a Natural Conduit?

    1. R.[547] Yeissa the Elder[548] would prepare his meal every day only after first having asked that his food come from G-d. As he would say, "We will not prepare the meal until it is given by the King."[549]

      Now, this calls for explanation. Since the food for the meal was already in his possession and only needed to be prepared ("He had food for that day"[550]), what is the meaning of his request that G-d grant him his food?[551]

      This could be understood as follows.

      The Sages teach[552] that Yosef was punished for having requested of the Chief Butler, "Mention me to Pharaoh."[553] On this teaching, Rabbeinu Bachaye comments:[554] "Heaven forfend that Yosef the Righteous should make his trust depend on the Chief Butler; he trusted in G-d alone. He only meant that G-d had engineered his encounter with the Chief Butler so that He could perform a miracle through him." Why, then, was Yosef punished?[555] "Because in the Chief Butler he sought a medium, a causal link[556] (through which G-d would send him his salvation) - and it is not fitting that tzaddikim of his stature should seek a causal link. This is why he was punished. He should have trusted only that the Holy One, blessed be He - the Cause of all causes - would provide him with the appropriate causal link, without his seeking it."

      This comment has been queried:[557] Speaking of bitachon (trust), the author of Chovos HaLevavos writes that there is an obligation to be concerned with causal links, and he supports this claim with several proofs.[558] Why, then, was Yosef punished?

      In resolution, it has been explained[559] that trust exists at two levels:

      The Natural Mode: Sometimes G-d relates to [a person] in such a way that "things [such as Divinely-bestowed blessings] are elicited - and they proceed to descend - in an orderly manner according to the pattern of nature."[560] (As expressed in the language of Chassidus, this mode of descent characterizes the flow of Divine energy that is called memaleh kol almin - Divinity that is immanent in all the worlds.) When G-d relates to a person in such a way, he should seek an appropriate medium and create a natural vessel or conduit, because this particular mode of Divine influence is reaching him in a way that is vested in nature.

      The Supernatural Mode: Sometimes a person perceives that G-d is relating to him in such a way that "things [such as Divinely-bestowed blessings] are elicited and drawn downward in a manner that does not accord with the pattern of nature." (As expressed in the language of Chassidus, this mode of descent characterizes the flow of Divine energy that is called sovev kol almin - Divinity that transcends all the worlds.) When G-d relates to a person in such a way, a higher level of trust is demanded of him. He is expected to "trust in G-d's direction alone and to take no steps whatever, only to trust that G-d will certainly help him by arranging an appropriate medium."[561]

      To revert to the above question as to why Yosef the Righteous should have been punished for seeking a natural medium through which his salvation should come: Since through his avodah he was constantly connected with the latter, supernatural mode of Divine influence,[562] he ought to have conducted himself at the loftier level of trust.

    2. The distinction between the above two levels in the attribute of trust is also apparent while one is fashioning a medium.[563]

      Why, at the first level, is a person required to make a vessel? Because when G-d relates to him in such a way that "[Divinely-bestowed blessings] are elicited... according to the pattern of nature," nature and natural processes acquire a certain standing in his mind. This is why he must seek a conduit or a medium through which the Divine blessings will be conveyed.

      This is not the case with a person who trusts at a loftier level - who needs "to take no steps whatever, only to trust in G-d." In his mind, the processes of nature are of no account. (This is why he needs no medium nor vessel.) Hence, even when a natural medium or conduit for his livelihood exists, he does not consider his livelihood to be any nearer to him than if it did not exist. Because the medium or vessel in their own right are of no account in his eyes, he knows only that he receives everything directly from G-d - and indeed, the medium or vessel were created for him[564] by G-d, together with his livelihood.

      This also explains why R. Yeissa the Elder[565] would say, "We will not prepare the meal until it is given by the King," even though "he had food for that day." For his trust was such that he perceived every single activity not as his own doing, but as given by G-d.[566] Hence, even when the food was already in his home, in his possession, and needed only to be prepared, he felt that it was not his food - that he was taking his food and preparing it - but that "it was given by the King." At this present moment, G-d was giving it to him. This, too, he therefore had to request of G-d, just as he would ask G-d for his food when it was not in his possession.

    3. The above concept enables us to understand another aspect of the conduct of R. Yeissa Sava.

      From the language of the Zohar - "R. Yeissa Sava would prepare his meal every day only after first having asked..." - it would appear that this was his practice even on Shabbos.[567] Now, Shabbos is not a time for making one's material requests. How, then, did this sage ask for food even on Shabbos?

      In the light of the concept discussed in sec. (ii) above, the problem is solved. Requesting one's material needs on Shabbos is out of place when the individual is focusing on himself, when he is requesting that his needs and wants be filled. Not so the prayer of R. Yeissa Sava. What impelled his prayer was the very fact that he was utterly devoid of self-concern - to the extent that at every single step he felt that everything depended on G-d, in the spirit of the verse, "[G-d desires...] those who long for His kindness."[568] And, as the Zohar[569] comments, "These are the people who yearn and wait every single day to ask the Holy One, blessed be He, for their provisions." In other words, their prayer simply expresses the fact that they are "longing for His kindness."[570] Their prayer voices their feeling that everything comes only as an act of G-d's lovingkindness.

      And praying for food in this manner is in place even on Shabbos.

    4. True, the above-described conduct of R. Yeissa Sava is not equally appropriate to everyone. Nevertheless, "a minute portion and particle of it"[571] is applicable to everyone,[572] at least at certain times.

      And here, it could be suggested, lies the difference between weekdays and Shabbos. During the six weekdays, when a Jew lives his life as set out in the Shulchan Aruch[573] - going about his affairs, doing his business honestly, preoccupied with his livelihood - he trusts in G-d at the level at which one seeks a natural medium,[574] because he cannot be expected to utterly transcend nature and to trust at the superior level.[575] Shabbos, by contrast, is not a day of activity,[576] and at that time a Jew is elevated above and beyond workaday activities. On that day he is expected to attain, at least to some degree, the superior level of trust - the trust of "those who long for His kindness."

   

Notes:

  1. (Back to text) Abridged from a sichah delivered on Shabbos Parshas Beshalach, Tu BiShvat, 5723 (1963), and appearing in Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 26, p. 95ff.

  2. (Back to text) Known as Parshas HaMan (Shmos 16:4-36). In the Holy Tongue, the original of "manna" is מן.

  3. (Back to text) R. Shmuel Schneersohn (son and successor of the Tzemach Tzedek), the fourth Lubavitcher Rebbe.

  4. (Back to text) A graphic instance of a Sage who did retain this awareness is discussed below in section (d) of the present sichah - regarding R. Yeissa the Elder, who would say, "We will not prepare the meal until it is given by the King," even though "he had food for that day."

  5. (Back to text) See sec. 1:9 in the annotated Bilingual Edition of the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch (Kehot, N.Y., 5762/2002), Vol. 1, p. 76.

  6. (Back to text) Sec. 1:10; op. cit., p. 112.

  7. (Back to text) Devarim 8:17. Significantly, this verse appears immediately after the verse that speaks of Him "Who sustained you with manna in the wilderness."

  8. (Back to text) Tehillim 121:1.

  9. (Back to text) Nedarim 32a.

  10. (Back to text) Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 26, p. 99ff., as abridged in Shaarei Emunah, p. 115.

  11. (Back to text) As to the other side of the coin: In the teachings of Chassidus, faith is described as a ko'ach makkif - an attribute that is not numbered among the conscious (rational and emotive) faculties of the soul, but transcends them (lit., "encompasses them"). This very fact explains why, when there is a question of practical application, one can have a paradoxical situation in which "a burglar, at the mouth of his tunnel, calls upon G-d!" (Berachos 63a, as cited in Ein Yaakov).

    Now, if the burglar's belief in G-d is so strong that he pleads with Him that He make the present escapade prosper, how can he flaunt G-d's Will at the very same moment? Does he not believe in Him?! Chassidus resolves this anomaly by explaining that this individual does indeed believe in G-d - except that his faith has remained transcendent: he has never integrated it into his conscious thinking.

    This characteristic of faith (emunah) is not present in the attribute of trust (bitachon).

  12. (Back to text) Though always present, the attribute of trust is aroused when one is confronted by a question of practical application. (See Nesivos Olam by the Maharal, at the beginning of Nesiv HaBitachon.)

  13. (Back to text) Devarim 15:18.

  14. (Back to text) Tehillim 121:1.

  15. (Back to text) In the original, batuach.

  16. (Back to text) In the original, boteiach.

  17. (Back to text) Cf. Rabbeinu Yonah, cited in Kad HaKemach, s.v. Bitachon. See also the letter of the Rebbe Rayatz, which appears as Appendix B on p. 199 below.

  18. (Back to text) Tehillim 121:2.

  19. (Back to text) Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 26, p. 99ff., as abridged in Shaarei Emunah, p. 114.

  20. (Back to text) Sotah 1:7.

  21. (Back to text) And since the Divine mode of operation is "measure for measure," from the very outset one trusts that G-d will grant him that kind of good. Indeed, in defining the attribute of bitachon, Rabbeinu Bachaye writes that "one's heart is strong in his trust, as if G-d had made him a promise." (See Kad HaKemach, s.v. Bitachon.)

  22. (Back to text) This question is taken up in greater detail in Item 100 below, under subheading (c): Those who are Deserving and Those who are Not.

  23. (Back to text) Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 26, pp. 99ff., as abridged in Shaarei Emunah, p. 119.

  24. (Back to text) In the original, R. Yeissa Sava.

  25. (Back to text) Zohar II, 62b; cf. I, 199b. In several other sources the above practice is told of Rav Hamnuna Sava (see: Maamarei Admur HaZakein 5565 (1805), Vol. 2, pp. 648, 652; Siddur im Dach, p. 224; Sefer HaMitzvos - Derech Mitzvosecha, by the Tzemach Tzedek, Mitzvas Tiglachas Metzora, sec. 2; et al.). In Kuntreis U'Maayan (17:1, et al.), the same is told of R. Yeiva Sava.

  26. (Back to text) Zohar, loc. cit.

  27. (Back to text) Indeed, this practice recalls a teaching of the Sages (Shabbos 118b): "If one recites Hallel every day, [it is as if he blasphemed]." As Rashi explains there, the early prophets ordained that certain psalms of praise and thanksgiving be recited at appropriate times (Pesachim 117a). Making this a commonplace habit turns Hallel into a lighthearted song.

  28. (Back to text) Bereishis Rabbah on the beginning of Parshas Miketz; Rashi on the end of Parshas Vayeishev.

  29. (Back to text) Bereishis 40:14.

  30. (Back to text) At the end of Parshas Vayeishev.

  31. (Back to text) On this question, see also Item 78 above and Item 94 below.

  32. (Back to text) In the original, sibah.

  33. (Back to text) Or HaTorah (Yahel Or) on Tehillim 40:5; the maamarim beginning VeLo Zachar dating from 5677 (1917) and 5688 (1928). See also: Maamarei Admur HaZakein 5565 (1805), Vol. 1, p. 200; Toras Chayim, Parshas Vayechi, the maamar beginning Ben Poras Yosef, sec. 13.

  34. (Back to text) Shaar HaBitachon, in the Fifth Introduction to ch. 3, and in ch. 4, et al. See also Letter 2 above.

  35. (Back to text) See the above maamarim beginning VeLo Zachar.

  36. (Back to text) From Hemshech 5672 (1912), Vol. 1, sec. 82. The quotation there relates to the two modes of bitachon that are mystically alluded to by the verse which literally means, "Better to trust in G-d than to trust in man," and that are cited in the above-mentioned maamarim beginning VeLo Zachar. (See Item 78 above.)

  37. (Back to text) Moreover, in the words of the above-mentioned Hemshech 5672 (1912), loc. cit.: "When one sees that he should conduct himself in this manner, he does not thereby contravene the principle that 'one may not depend on a miracle' " (Pesachim 64b).

  38. (Back to text) Yosef's mode of avodah is contrasted with that of Yaakov in the sources enumerated in footnote 535 above.

  39. (Back to text) In the original - keli, i.e., a vessel or a conduit.

    On the following passage, see also Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 16, p. 174ff. (and footnote 544 below). See also Item 87 below.

  40. (Back to text) It is written, "Cast your burden on G-d and He will sustain you" (Tehillim 55:23). The latter phrase ("He will sustain you") translates yechalkelecha. Noting that the root of this word resembles the word keli ("a vessel"), our Rebbeim understand - on the non-literal level of interpretation called derush - that the verse is intimating that "He will make you a vessel" [for your sustenance]. (See the closing lines of the above-mentioned maamar beginning VeLo Zachar 5688/1928.)

  41. (Back to text) See also: the sources listed in footnote 527 above; Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 1, p. 6ff.

  42. (Back to text) On the parallel with the granting of manna in the wilderness, see the discussion in Likkutei Sichos (Vol. 16, p. 176) on the verse, "I will hereby cause bread to rain for you from the heavens" (Shmos 16:4). Manna, too, entailed some exertion on the part of its recipients.

  43. (Back to text) Cf. Zohar II, 62a, which speaks of preparing "every day's food on that day, except on erev Shabbos for Shabbos."

  44. (Back to text) Tehillim 147:11.

  45. (Back to text) Loc. cit. See also Or HaTorah on Parshas Beshalach, p. 644.

  46. (Back to text) On the concept of eating lesheim Shamayim ("for the sake of Heaven"), the Rebbe speaks of a level at which the act of eating becomes subordinate to the blessing that is recited over the food - so subordinate, in fact, that the eater's worldly pleasure derives only from the fact that it enables him to recite the blessing. (See the Rebbe's Haggadah shel Pesach im Biurim (Kehot, N.Y., 5746-7/1986-7), p. 633ff.)

  47. (Back to text) The Alter Rebbe uses these words when comparing the limited capacity of people at large to the sublime level of love of G-d experienced by Moshe Rabbeinu (Tanya, ch. 44). After noting this, the Rebbe cites sources in the Kabbalah that discuss the link between Rav Hamnuna Sava (see footnote 527 above) and Moshe Rabbeinu. (See: the Introduction to Zohar I, p. 7b, and Mikdash Melech, ad loc.; Shaar HaGilgulim, Introduction 36.)

  48. (Back to text) Cf.: Sotah 48b; Yoma 76a; Mechilta and Tanchuma on Shmos 16:4; Zohar II, 62a and 63a; Or HaTorah on Parshas Beshalach, p. 644.

  49. (Back to text) Orach Chayim, sec. 156:1.

  50. (Back to text) See the above subheading on The Natural Mode.

  51. (Back to text) See the above subheading on The Supernatural Mode.

  52. (Back to text) Cf. Yechezkel 46:1.


  85.
Before the Sea Splits: Four Responses to the Crises of This World
Search this book:
87.
A Jewish farmer "believes in Him Who is the Life
of all the worlds - and sows."  
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