Bitachon Chapter 2

We find that the Ba'al Bitachon's strength is such, that even if he goes to a place that would make the circumstances seem beyond hope, he suffers no melancholy or sadness. He remains confident that he will obtain all his needs, and he doesn't even consider the place at all to see whether it is a place of attainment or not. The Ba'al Bitachon does not trust or impose himself on the place; rather, he places his trust in Hashem and stands on his path so strong that he has already achieved everything he needs. He is so sure that he will receive everything he needs, according to his habit and won't be lacking for anything.

There is an incident concerning a pauper who came before Rava for food, and Rava asked him: "What food do you normally eat?"

The pauper responded: "I eat fattened hen and aged wine."

Rava asked back, "Are you not concerned that this puts a burden on the community?"

The pauper answered back, "Is it them who feeds me? Hashem provides me my food! For we learnt in a pasuk that says: 'All eyes look up to You, and You provide them food in his proper time'."

It doesnt say in their time but rather in his time. This teaches that Hashem provides each individual with sustenance as he needs it. In the meantime, Rava's sister -- who he didn't see for 13 years -- came to visit and brought with her fattened hen and aged wine. Rava exclaimed: "What happened here? I have spoke too much against you--arise and eat” (כתבות סז ע״ב)!

What emerges from this incident is that the power of Bitachon is Hashem is such that nothing is too extraordinary for it to accomplish. Therefore, the Ba'al Bitachon is convinced he need not live frugally. On the contrary, he may lavishly fill his needs and will fulfill them these needs through Bitachon. For after he places his trust in Hashem, he eats from Hashem. There is no reason to limit himself, because there can be no limit placed on Bitachon. And after standing his ground with a strong spirit, Hashem will order him according to his habit. Since Bitachon is more sure to him than the money sitting in his pocket--after all, who can say that his wallet won't be stolen? But he can never be deprived of what is his, no matter the circumstances.

Additionally, the Ba'al Bitachon need not worry about the burden he places on the community. Since he knows his sustenance is from Hashem, and, in reality, the community gives him nothing; everything is a gift from Hashem. As we see in the story of Rava and the pauper, originally Rava did not have the fattened hen and the aged wine to give to the pauper. Then, he received them via his sister, who he didn't see for 13 years. The same applies to the community. Their supplies swell according to the paupers' needs. It is possible, as well, that Rava himself partook in their fare together with his guest and, in fact, gained from the guest. Therefore, we see that one who trusts in Hashem is not a burden on the community since he relies on Hashem -- the community actually benefits from the pauper.

After all, it will be clear to us that we will not be called the one who trusts in Hashem with true confidence if we impose ourselves on the public. Rather, we should impose ourselves on Hashem, and the public will still benefit from it. Like Chazal said from the story of Rava that the public didn't give him anything; rather, his trusted in Hashem gave him the fattened hen -- which was proved when Rava's sister came, after not seeing him in 13 years, and brought those foods and no other foods or drinks. After all, Hashem gave him according to his customs. And by the pauper, a spirit came across the public and it is possible Rava ate from the pauper's hand.

And we come out with Bitachon being the condition for all of this. That the man be so brave and strong in his Bitachon, like the pauper that came before Rava. Besides that, the pauper was in a place where it was almost impossible for him to eat like he was accustomed to and Rava would've seen that the Bitachon didn't belong in this regard. Nevertheless, the pauper was so strong in his trust that no matter his circumstances, he would receive his needs. As the convert strengthened himself even though he was among wild animals, as we saw above in the Yershulami and he was saved because of it.

It should appear to the Ba'al Bitachon that all locales of time and place are equivalent, for particular circumstances don't bring about results. Rather, Hashem is the cause of all things. Then, Hashem becomes his trust. And to Hashem, there is no difference -- all time and places are the same. At all times and situations, he will stand in trust of Hashem and won't budge from it. For he finds himself so confident that all his needs will be assured to him and he will achieve whatever he desires in all places. After having put himself above all reason, the Ba'al Bitachon relies on Hashem in all circumstances without budging, for he is confident of his attaining his needs.

There is a well-known story about a man went to the forest to train himself in Bitachon, and therefore he didn't prepare a candle and sat in the dark with no natural method of acquiring light. And in the midst of this, a man brought him a candle -- he never saw the man from before.

The matter is simple: "Hashem is your shadow” (תהלים קכא). When you display your hand to the shadow, it displays a hand back to you. And if you display a finger, your shadow displays a finger back (מיחס למאמר חז״ל בכמה ספרים).

So too with a person's Bitachon. One who believes he is above material causes is then able to receive his needs from causes that seem far-fetched and implausible. This is like the pauper that came before Rava, who attained all that he needed with Bitachon and without Hisdalut. It is in the hand of each one to stand strong in his mind and the closeness of his heart/soul in his trust. And whatever he lacks, will come to him automatically.