Daily Bitachon: Erev Shabbat Edition Welcome to Daily Bitachon, our Erev Shabbat edition. There is an interesting nuance in how the Torah describes Shabbat in Parashat Mishpatim (23:12) versus Parashat Vayakhel (35:2) . In Mishpatim , it says: "Six days you shall do your work ( ta'aseh ma'asecha), and on the seventh day you shall rest ( tishbot )... so that your ox and your donkey may rest." In Vayakhel , it says: "Six days work shall be done ( te'aseh melacha), and on the seventh day it shall be holy for you ( lachem kodesh ), a Sabbath of complete rest to Hashem ( Shabbat Shabbaton l'Hashem )." The Nuance of "Doing" vs. "Being Done" The first distinction is the verb. In the first verse, it says ta'aseh — you shall work. In the second, it says te'aseh —the work shall be done . The Pesikta Zutrata (a Midrash on Shemot 35:2) explains that when the Jewish people do the will of God ( osim retzono shel Makom ), their work is done by others. However, when we are not fully aligned with His will, we must perform the labor ourselves. The Two Types of Shabbat The Meshech Chochma (Shemot 31:16) offers a beautiful diyuk (insight) here. He notes that for the person working manually during the week, the Torah says tishbot —simply "take a break." Why? To give the cow and donkey a rest. There is no mention of "holiness" ( kodesh ) here; this is a physical break from a grueling week. In contrast, in Vayakhel , where the work "is done for you," the Torah describes the day as Kodesh and l'Hashem . This is a different level of Shabbat entirely. A person who experiences this Shabbat is oseh retzono shel Makom , and consequently, their worldly needs are facilitated by others. Bitachon: The "Magic Trick" What is the secret behind "doing the will of God"? Gemara Berachot 35b discusses the individual whose work is performed by others, citing the verse: "Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks." Rav Wolbe , based on Tosafot and the Maharsha , explains that osim retzono shel Makom refers to a person on a high level of Bitachon (trust in God). Shabbat is the "Bitachon charger." By refraining from work, we testify that Hashem created the world and sustains it. The more we treat Shabbat as Kodesh l'Hashem , the more Bitachon we absorb. When you truly internalize that Hashem takes care of your needs, you reach the level where "your work is done for you." Group A: Takes a day off because they are exhausted from working hard all week. Group B: Enters a holy day because they haven't been consumed by labor; their Bitachon allowed them to focus more on Avodat Hashem . Connection to the Parsha: Sefirat Haomer To connect this to our weekly Parsha, the Torah says: "And you shall count for yourselves... seven complete weeks ( sheva Shabbatot temimot )." "Complete" ( temimot ) implies being spiritually whole. The Midrash connects this completeness to being osim retzono shel Makom . Why is this linked to the Omer? Sefirat Haomer consists of seven sets of seven, mirroring the cycles of Shmita and Yovel —the ultimate expressions of Bitachon during the harvest season. This time of year is specifically designated to strengthen our trust in Hashem. By realizing that He is the one managing our success, we become osim retzono shel Makom , and we merit the blessing of te'aseh —that our work shall be done for us. Shabbat Shalom!