Saturday 28 May 2016

Mussar: Bitachon, P. Behar

originally posted on May 19, 2012

From the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway.

The Rosh Yeshiva,
 
"I will command My blessings upon you in the sixth year, and it will grow the produce of three years, (25:21)."  With this promise the Torah answers the question "what will we eat?"  if we observe shmitah.  The Alter of Novaradok points out that the promise of three years growth and the question "what will we eat" are surely asked during the previous years, not in the sixth year.  Because in the sixth year either it grew and you have no question "what shall we eat," or it didn't grow and then it's too late to grow.  Therefore the question "what shall we eat?" and its answer, must be a preparation for shmitah long before it comes.  It represents laying the groundwork for bitachon in order to have bitachon when needed.
 
There are many levels of bitachon.  The lowest level and the most fundamental, is knowing that everything that happens is from Hash-m. This belief is required of every Jew.  The highest level bitachon is such a deep visceral trust in Him, that we are completely calm and at ease even in the face of what appears to be, or what indeed is, a disaster, chas v'shalom.
 
It seems interesting that shmitah teaches bitachon to Klal Yisroel under the most extreme of circumstances. The whole nation may not plant at the same time.  There is simply no place for anyone to obtain food.  The whole nation faces famine and desolation.  Why is this, the most extreme of circumstances, chosen to teach bitachon? Wouldn't it be more successful if bitachon would be taught in a step by step manner?

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Shalom and Regards,
RRW

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