TRUST IN G-D

BS”D

TRUST IN G-D

by Rabbi Yeheskel Lebovic

Emuna and Bitachon

After Tisha B’Av we proceed into Shabbos Nachamu, leading to the great consolations to come soon.  This reflects the great trust that we Jews have in G-d orchestrating every phase of history leading to the eventual, soon to come, era of Moshiach.  Now, there is a big difference between belief and trust. Most do believe that G-d can, at any time, extricate someone from a difficult situation.

Faith in G-d is inherent in everyone's nature, although not always internalized and not necessarily a part of one’s conscious level. But faith alone in G-d's Omnipotent ability will not necessarily comfort someone confronted with a threatening situation and remove anxiety and worry.

Trust is a state of mind like to the firm reliance one has in a good friend or relative and who we know will for sure rally to our aid. The one who possesses trust in G-d implicitly trusts that G-d's help will be forthcoming in a tangible way when he needs it, no matter what.  He will therefore not worry about his situation but will  act to the best of his ability to resolve it, confident that G-d will help to pull him through. Such trust diminishes worry and generates peace of mind.

Why Does It Work?

 How can one be so assured of deliverance, there may be the possibility that the present predicament is some form of divine retribution for some past misdeeds?  Wouldn’t such a thought diminish the assurance of deliverance and raise the worry threshold? And if the possibility of such retribution for past misdeeds enters into the equation, then only the fully righteous (a very small minority) could expect complete deliverance. Everyone is enjoined to develop the trait of full trust and bitachon.

The answer is the saying of the Tzemach Tzedek: "If you think positive-- things will turn out positive".  Meaning  a positive outlook is more than merely beneficial for one's frame of mind and more than enhancing his ability to function more efficiently. The very thought itself can generate a positive outcome that will improve the situation so that "things will turn out OK".

How does this work?

This is because trust and the positive outlook and thoughts constitute a difficult divine service, a mental rigorous exercise. Spiritual stamina is needed to combat the bleakness and seeming hopelessness of a given situation. One must work arduously at maintaining the "think positive" process. Such a mental service serves as an "arousal from below" which can generate a reciprocal "arousal from Above". G-d decreed at the beginning that for every good action, word and intention there would be a reciprocal reaction from on High, resulting in many Divine blessings.

Thus G-d says: if you rely on Me against all odds and beyond all calculations, I, too, will relate to you beyond the calculation as to whether you deserve My help or not, and as to whether you still have some past misdeed to rectify and seek atonement for!!!

This explains the fact Yaakov and Moshe seemed to have lacked trust in G-d. When Yaakov left his paternal home, G-d assured him: "Behold, I will be with you" (Gen 28:15). But when he was confronted by the threat of Esau and his four hundred men "Jacob feared and was distressed"! (ibid 32:8)

 Moshe was told by G-d, "Do not fear him (King Og)." (Num. 21:34) The Midrash adds: 'one does not say "don't fear," but to one who is fearful'!!

Trust is a process of reciprocity between the spiritual service of the individual and G-d's response to it. The process of reciprocity itself is not an obligatory, automatic one, but a gift of G-d which He built into the world order. It is precisely the great righteous ones who are in an intense state of self-annulment to G-d, and who therefore don’t automatically expect G-d's reciprocity to their service of Him.

 For knowing that "there is no righteous man on earth who does only good and does not sin," they project in their mind that their "transgressions" may obstruct the fulfillment of G-d's assurances to them. But since G-d did decide on the reciprocity process, anyone and everyone who does exert himself in relying on G-d will surely merit His reciprocal response.

How Does One Do It? 

 How, indeed, does one maintain a positive attitude?

1.       The first step is to keep away from negative thoughts by keeping the mind occupied with positive thoughts and attitudes which keep unwanted negative thoughts and attitudes away: the nature of the mind is such that it  cannot simultaneously be occupied with clashing, opposite thoughts.

2.       Eventually our mental attitude will shift and be commensurate with the extent to which we habituate ourselves to think positively. One's attitude can definitely be impacted by a conscious effort to constantly "think good, think positively."

3.       And even when one tends to fall into old negative patterns, one can at any point make a conscious, determined decision to leave the old pattern behind and return to positive mental motions.

Bad Things Happening to Good People

What about those who do have strong trust and yet experience the phenomenon of "bad things happening to good people?" Though they are thoroughly positive and trusting , they do experience bad things: sickness, accidents, are laid off, etc… As a result, some do lose their trust in G-d.

The truth is that we do not fully know the absolute definition of "good and bad" since we view life within our narrow, finite terms. The true definition is much more encompassing and takes into account the spiritual, other-worldly realms. Hence, what seems to be "bad" to us may ultimately actually be good -- more so than even the usual divine atonement for misdeeds. Great men even in the bleakest moments, ascribed goodness to whatever circumstances they were confronted with. Bottom line, we can only gain by espousing a constant cheerful, positive disposition.

In addition, G-d also has trust in us! Though He gave us total freedom of choice in regards to whether we choose good or evil, He has confidence and "trust" that we will choose good and fulfill our destiny according to His will. If we live up to His trust in us and lead a decent, honest life to the utmost of our ability, G-d will no doubt "come through" on our trust in Him, and bless us and our families.