Stories of Bitachon

Sixteenth century Tzfas.

The Alshich, surrounded by his many students, is expounding upon the limitless powers of Bitachon. “One who has true bitachon needs nothing else, not even a job or any other means of sustenance. Even if he stays home all day, if his Bitachon is complete, Hashem will bring all of his needs directly to his door.”

There is a story told about Reb Yisroel Salanter, one of the great Torah leaders in Europe and the leader of the Mussar Movement. This story teaches the lesson that unwavering trust in Hashem, Bitachon, holds the power to manifest one’s deepest desires—on the condition that this trust remains steadfast, devoid of any lingering doubt.

Rav Mordechai Pogramansky (one of the great geonim of the yeshiva world of prewar Europe) was so engrossed in discussion with his fellow train passenger, a shochet and mohel, that they missed the stop that they were supposed to disembark at. It was Friday afternoon and they realized they would not be able to reach their destination before Shabbos. “What will we do for Shabbos? Where will we stay? What will we eat?” the shochet asked worriedly. “A Jew never ‘gets lost’! Wherever he ends up is due to Hashgacha Pratis. Only regarding a gentile does the Torah state (regarding Hagar): She went and got lost, and Rashi comments: She returned to the idolatry of her fathers. However, a Jew never ‘gets lost’.” At the next stop, a village of gentiles, the two disembarked. After some searching and inquiries, they were told that there indeed lived one Jew in the village. They knocked on the door and it was answered by a Jew who burst into tears upon seeing them

“Please, tell me what’s bothering you?” said R’ Eliyahu Lopian to the talmid who had asked to meet with him. “I would like to leave the yeshiva to find a job that can provide me with a decent parnasah,” said the talmid hesitantly. “I understand,” replied R’ Eliyahu, “but why now? Why the sudden worry regarding parnasah?” “Well,” said the bachur, with worry etched upon his face, “I’m getting older and will soon have to get married, I must begin to worry how I’ll be able to support my family.” “And who says you’ll find a shidduch?” asked R’ Eliyahu. “What does Rebbe mean? The Gemara says that forty days before a child is formed in his mother’s womb Hashem already arranges who he will marry,” replied the bachur with conviction.

Mid nineteenth century in Vilna. Two giants of their generation were engrossed in heated debate. “I concede to you, R’ Yisroel, that one who truly has Bitachon is guaranteed that Hashem will not let him down. However, I believe that this is only in regard to one’s necessities, regarding luxuries there is no such guarantee.” R’ Yisroel Salanter responds to the Rashash: “No R’ Shmuel, you are mistaken. The overwhelming power of the trust we place in our Father in Heaven, just as His love for us, has no limitations. Be it necessity or luxury, one who places his trust in Him will not be let down. In fact, I’ll prove it! I will right now have Bitachon that I’ll receive a gold watch. You will see, Hashem won’t let me down. The following day, as the Rashash was engrossed in his learning, he heard a knock at the door. Upon opening the door, he saw a tall man in seaman’s clothes with a look of determination on his face. “I assume you are the Rabbi,” he says. “That is correct, how can I be of assistance to you?”

The surrounding Arab nations declared war on the fledgling state, making their intentions perfectly clear: to drive all of the Jews into the sea. Vastly outnumbered, Jews throughout the country feared for their lives. As the home of the Brisker Rav, Rav Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik zt”l, was located in the center of Yerushalayim, the threat to the Gadol Hador’s life was very real. He continued his learning and davening day and night, begging the only One Who would decide the fate of the Jewish people to have mercy on His children. As the bombs fell in the distance, the worry on the Rav’s holy face was noticeable to all those around him. However, as the bombing increased, and the bombs began falling in the immediate vicinity of the Rav’s home, a sudden calm enveloped his holy countenance.