Bitachon — How to Build It

BY Rabbi Moshe Krieger, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah

In Parshas B’shalach, the Bnei Yisrael found themselves trapped in the desert. The Egyptian army was pursuing them, before them was the sea, and on either side were snakes and scorpions. Many began calling out to Hashem, as did Moshe Rabbeinu. Hashem told Moshe: “What are you crying out to Me for? Speak to the Bnei Yisrael that they should advance [i.e., into the sea]” (Shemos 14:15).

Many meforshim ask: What was wrong with praying to Hashem at this time? There is a mitzvah to pray to Hashem in times of trouble.

Rather, the Nefesh Hachaim (1:9) answers that the nation was in need of a miracle that would change the entire course of nature. To merit such a miracle, they needed more than just prayer. They needed some special act of emuna and bitachon that would elevate them to a much higher spiritual level. Their moving ahead into the sea was the act of trust in Hashem needed to raise their level and merit the miracle of the Splitting of the Red Sea.

Only, we see that the nation did not remain at this higher spiritual level. A short time later, they began complaining to Moshe in harsh terms that they did not have water (ibid. 15:24). Where was the level of bitachon they had reached at the sea?

Rav Shlomo Wolbe answers that to truly acquire bitachon, a one-time action is not enough, even an action as great as jumping into the Red Sea. Bitachon can only become part of a person by making small acts of bitachon on a daily basis over time. Therefore, just afterwards, Hashem gave the nation the manna. For the next 40 years, they subsisted on a diet that left them uncertain what they would eat the following day. Moreover, no one could amass more manna than he needed. To make sure that bitachon would become an integral part of their lives, Hashem inculcated this lesson of trust in Him through the manna on a daily basis for 40 years.

That was then, but in our times, what can we do on a daily basis to build up our bitachon in Hashem?

Rav Wolbe directs us to Rabbeinu Yonah’s (Brachos 2b in Rif pages) explanation of the Sages, who state that one who connects Redemption to his Amida prayer is a ben olam haba. Rabbeinu Yonah, in the name of his Rebbe, explains that preceding the Amida prayer, we mention the miracles of the Exodus and the Splitting of the Red Sea. Not only do we mention these events, we should make sure to picture them before our eyes, as if we are actually witnessing them. When we behold Hashem’s mighty hand and His limitless power, we now enter the Amida prayer full of bitachon that Hashem can surely provide us with all that we need as well. When we ask Hashem for forgiveness, health, livelihood, the ingathering of the exiles, etc., we are asking this with full and utter faith that He is capable of providing them. We feel that we can turn to Him and speak out all of our needs. Such tefillos, said day after day, will build our bitachon in Hashem.

We find another way to strengthen our bitachon from a statement of the sages (Brachos 6b): “One who goes regularly to pray with a minyan and does not come one time, Hashem asks this of him.” Hashem wants to know: “Why didn’t you come to daven with a minyan? If you were busy with a mitzvah, you are excused, but if it was for some personal matter, why didn’t you trust in Me that I would take care of it?”

Rav Wolbe notes that the sages’ example is about davening with a minyan, but this applies to all regular performance of mitzvos. When we stick to our schedule, not letting so-called “urgent” matters (which could really be postponed) get in the way, this builds our bitachon in Hashem.

Any mitzvah you do on a daily basis merits for you a certain measure of hashgacha pratis, thus enabling you to keep doing this mitzvah. You are in the process of building your level of trust in Hashem. If you decide that one day you will do something else, you are stopping this process in the middle. Hashem “asks” about such a person — why didn’t he rely on Me today as well?

One who strengthens his bitachon gets an added benefit—peace of mind. The Chovos Halevavos (introduction to Shaar Habitachon) states that when a person lacks bitachon, he lives in a constant state of tension, always worrying: “What will be?” It’s hard for such a person to focus on his avodas Hashem. On the other hand, a person who works daily to acquire bitachon in Hashem begins to see how Hashem is with him and enabling him to serve Him. This gives him peace of mind. He appreciates Hashem’s blessings and channels all of his energy into Torah and mitzvos, undeterred. Even when difficulties arise and things seem not to be going his way, he knows that this too is coming from Hashem, accepts his lot and remains tranquil.

Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel lived with this peace of mind. Even after he began suffering from Parkinson’s disease, he remained undeterred in his role as rosh yeshiva and a prime builder of Torah. Constructing the vast campus of the Mir Yeshiva demanded dealing with contractors and covering vast expenses, in addition to the ongoing expenses involved in running one of the largest yeshivos in the world. Despite the untold vicissitudes of Parkinson’s disease and financial responsibilities that would have been a challenge for a team of fundraisers, Rav Nosson Tzvi’s bitachon never wavered. Despite everything, he was always calm and happy, and often gave chizuk to others.

Once, a man who was suffering from many difficulties in life came to Rav Nosson Tzvi. He felt that his pain was too much to bear and was on the brink of depression.

“But don’t you see that Hashem is with you all the time?” Rav Nosson Tzvi asked. He then advised him to begin writing down examples of Hashem’s hashgacha in his life, and to review what he writes on a regular basis.

“By recognizing how much Hashem watches over you and takes care of you, you’ll be able to feel happy again,” Rav Nosson Tzvi concluded.

The man followed his advice and said that it helped him enormously.

May we grow daily in bitachon!