We're now moving forward to the Sefer Charedim in the section Mitzvos Hateluyos Balev, section 21, where the Sefer Charedim writes that attaining the level of complete bitachon, of complete reliance on Hashem, is a biblical mitzvah based on the Pasuk in Devarim (18:13), where the Torah states “Tamim Tihyeh Im Hashem Elokecha”. And as the Meforishim explain, this Pasuk is referring to living with simple emunah according to the things that Hashem sends in our lives. We are not to look at other avenues such as trying to look into the future to work things out for ourselves, but rather to live with simple faith, accepting and trusting that what Hashem will do for us will certainly only be for our best, because Hashem loves us more than we even love ourselves.

We've mentioned previously a beautiful example where the verse states that the Jewish people are compared to a baby being held by its mother. And as the Meforishim explain, just like a baby never feels worried because he knows that his mother is going to take care of all his needs, and even when he's finished his current meal, he doesn't cry anymore. When the baby's fed, he stops crying. Why? Is he not concerned what's going to be in a few hours time when I'm hungry again? No, because he knows that his mother will always take care of him, and she will do anything to make sure that he's taken care of.

And when we are working on our Bitachon journey, we are to make an effort to aim to get to a place of such reliance on Hashem that is actually much greater than a baby relying on his mother. Because again, as great as the extent that a mother would go to even put her life on the line to make sure that her baby is okay and taken care of, however a mother is still a human being and limited, and sometimes as well-meaning and loving as she might be, her resources might be limited, which could be detrimental for the baby. Whereas Hashem is the all-powerful, the one who created the world, the one whose source of resources can never run out, and whose love for us knows no bounds, way more than a mother has for a child. And again, although there are countless pesukim in the Torah itself as well as throughout Tanach and throughout all of Torah literature that have similar messages to this verse. The Sefer Charedim is teaching us that this particular verse is the source of the command to have Bitachon. We are commanded to walk wholeheartedly with Hashem in everything that we do.

Before we continue B’ezrat Hashem to the next Torah source, which we'll do in the next session, let's just take a few moments, each one of us in our own way. I'm going to use my own words, and the point is just to inspire and give a little bit of direction to those who are looking for an idea of how to apply bitachon practically. But ultimately it's your own personal relationship with Hashem. Hashem desires that you talk to Him in your own way. So take this as an example, as inspiration, but B’ezrat Hashem, the real work and the real point is you in your own way, finding your own time to be with Hashem and take this bitachon journey, not just to be something theoretical, but rather something truly practical that can be with us and walk with us wherever we go in our lives.

“Hashem, my dear Father, thank You so much for teaching me these incredible sources about bitachon. But Abba, it's really, actually, really, really, really difficult in this world that we're living in to apply bitachon truthfully and sincerely. There's just so much distraction all around us. In the Western world philosophy, it seems absurd to live according to the values of bitachon. Everyone's just running around trying to make things happen. And in fact, You have actually given us a mitzvah of hishtadlus, which makes it even more complicated, because I'm also called on to run around and try and make things happen. But at the same time, much more important than any hishtadlus, than any of that, is to truly digest that it's not any of that that makes things happen. Abba, it's only You that calls all the shots, that runs every single detail in my life.

And Abba, if You are commanding me that the source and foundation of the whole Torah is to have bitachon in You, this is the point of the Torah, this is the point of the mitzvah, this is the point of my life, please, Hashem, help me to succeed in this journey, not just to know this information in my head as theoretical information, but rather, Abba, I'm asking You, please help me to truly digest bitachon, me in my own life. Help me to find things that speak to me, to inspire me to have more bitachon and more emunah in my life.” And in this way, B’ezrat Hashem, let me move forward in a deep, sincere way in my journey of bitachon. B’ezrat Hashem, let's move forward together in this incredible journey and transform our bitachon.