The Power of Bitachon
“Then our mouths will be filled with laughter.” (Tehillim 126:2) We’ll look back at all the problems we had and say, “Baruch Attah Hashem...HaTov v’HaMeitiv.” Really, everything was wonderful, just fine. When will we do this? “Then.” In the future, in Olam HaBa. Chazal tell us that Shabbos is like Olam HaBa. This day enables us to view the world as it truly is. Shabbos Kodesh is completely good – here, in our world. Shabbos is the day on which we can appreciate what kind of a world we live in. And its primary halacha is shevisah, “cessation from work.” When we reach a state of “all your work is done,” all problems are solved.
It is important to know that Shabbos is not just another day of the week. On the contrary – all our success in this world on any day of the week depends on our closeness to Hashem. And this depends on Shabbos, as we shall explain. The Rambam writes, “The power of thought that Hashem granted us is what connects us to Him.” (Moreh Nevuchim 3:56) When we think about Hashem we are actually with Him. And when we think about something else, we simply disconnect from Hashem. In other words, if a person has Bitachon in Hashem, he’s connected to Him and lacks nothing. As it says, “even a wicked person who repents and trusts in Hashem will be surrounded by chesed.” (Vayikra Rabbah 15:3) Shabbos is a flowing fountain of bitachon. If we utilize this fountain and draw from it a generous supply of bitachon for the coming week, then the whole week will be like Shabbos, and we’ll lack nothing.
Nearly everyone worries about financial problems of some sort. But imagine someone whose father comes to him with a bank statement from his account that shows an enormous credit, with seven zeros. His father says to him, “Whenever you need, you should know there is plenty here. Just take!” This person now feels quite different. If his father has placed 10 million dollars at his disposal, he no longer has financial problems.
This is what Shabbos Kodesh is. It’s a day when the phone is disconnected, banks are closed, and it’s forbidden to think about problems. “All your work is done.” Hashem tells us, so to speak, “You should know the whole world belongs to Me.” Suddenly, the truth is revealed before our eyes, and we realize that our Heavenly Father has a tremendous fortune – the world, and all it contains – and it’s all designated for us!
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