The Host and the Guest: Insights into Bitachon The Seven Pillars of Creation Welcome to our daily Bitachon session in our Sha'ar HaBechinah series. We have previously explored seven areas of contemplation, and the Chovot HaLevavot notes that some believe this is what Shlomo HaMelech alluded to in the opening verses of Proverbs (Mishlei), Chapter 9: "With all forms of wisdom did she build her house; she carved out its seven pillars." The core point here is that these seven pillars refer to the world God built through seven areas of divine benefit. The passage continues: "She prepared her meat, mixed her wine, and also set her table. She has sent out her maidens; she announces upon the heights of the city: 'Whoever is a simpleton, let him turn here.' To the one who lacks an understanding heart, she says: 'Come, partake of my food and drink of the wine that I have mixed.'" Recognizing the Host Rashi explains that this passage refers to Creation, with the seven pillars representing the seven days of the week. Continuing this metaphor, Rashi suggests that "mixing the wine" refers to the creation of solids and liquids, while the Gemara (Sanhedrin 38a) suggests it refers to the oceans, rivers, and all the world's necessities. But who are the "fools" and those who "lack heart"? Rav Yeruchem Levovitz explains that we live in a magnificent world created by God, yet the "fools" are those who attend the party without realizing who the Host is. Our world is God's house, and God is throwing a party for everyone. Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 11:1) notes that God invited Adam and Chava to this party, yet they acted foolishly by following the snake—whose message was essentially that God didn't really create the world and isn't truly the Host. The Good Guest vs. The Bad Guest Even if we recognize God as the Host, how do we view our stay? The Gemara (Berachot 58a) describes two types of guests: The Good Guest says: "Look at all the effort the homeowner went through for me! Look at the wine, the meat, and the desserts. All of this effort was for my sake." The Bad Guest says: "What did he really do for me anyway? He had to prepare the wine, meat, and dessert for his own wife and children; I'm just a tag-along." The Chafetz Chaim (Letter 45) invokes this Gemara to emphasize that we must appreciate the modern inventions and benefits God provides. We are guests in this world, and we must maintain the right outlook. As the Gemara (Bava Kamma 92b) quips: "The wine belongs to the host, yet we give thanks to the bartender." When you're at a wedding drinking expensive Scotch, you thank the bartender—but he didn't pay for it; the host did. We receive benefits through many messengers, but the ultimate Homeowner paying the bill is God. The Divine "Housewarming" Midrash Tanchuma (Bereshit 2) takes this a step further regarding Shabbat, quoting, "And God finished (Vayechal) His work on the seventh day." The Midrash explains Vayechal can be understood as a "crowning party"—what we call a Chanukat HaBayit (housewarming). After creating the world in six days, God celebrated the completion of His home on Shabbat. At a Chanukat HaBayit, guests look around and admire the chandelier or the moldings. Similarly, the goal of Shabbat is to enter God's house and admire the wonders of Creation. This is why we recite Mizmor Shir L'Yom HaShabbat, focusing on His works. Rav Yeruchem Levovitz (Da'at Torah, Vayikra) warns that a guest can mistakenly think, "This is my party," forgetting who the "birthday boy" is. In this world, God is the Guest of Honor at His own party. He invites us and sets a place card for each of us, but we must remember our place. The Responsibility of the Wealthy Guest This leads to a famous mashal (parable). A man held a grand wedding and invited his two sons—one wealthy, one poor. He told the wealthy son, "I'll pay for your travel, but please, your brother has nothing. Go tailor fine clothes for him so he can attend the party with dignity. I will reimburse you for that, too." The wealthy brother, indifferent to his sibling, spent very little. When the poor brother arrived looking like a beggar, the father was upset. He told the wealthy son, "Why should I pay for your tickets? You only cared about yourself. If you cared about me, you would ensure your brother looked his best." An Invitation to God's Table We are all at God's party, especially during a Simchat Yom Tov. On the night of the Seder, we are sitting at God's table. Tosafot (Berachot 42a) mentions that when one eats at the house of the Resh Galuta (the Exilarch), the guests are not in charge of when the meal ends; they follow the host. We apply this to the Seder: even if one thought they were finished, they can still eat the Afikoman because they are guests at God's table. If we are truly guests at His table, it is our obligation to ensure our brothers and sisters are properly clothed for the event. This shows we recognize that God is the ultimate Boss. How You Can Help This is the time of year I hold a drive for Lev Chana and the Sefardi division, Lev Zicharya. We provide clothing cards to hundreds of families in need, including 100 widows in the Flatbush area alone. To support these families, you can: Zelle: [email protected] Credit Card: https://www.rayze.it/levchanazm/ Check: Payable to Lev Chana, 1059 East 10th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230 Pledge: Email [email protected] and we will bill you. Thank you for helping us make sure everyone is ready for the party.