In the year 5699, during World War Two, the Nazis were approaching the city of Brisk, and many people escaped to the forest, hoping to sneak across the border to another country. The Brisker Rav’s wife and children also wanted to escape, but the Rav wanted to think it over first. He wanted to put forth the right measure of hishtadlus while not letting go of his bitachon. After considering it well, he concluded that they should indeed escape, but he encouraged his family to be firm in their bitachon because their salvation would come from Hashem alone. The more bitachon they had, the greater their chance of survival. To strengthen their bitachon, the Brisker Rav told his family that they would travel without food. They would trust in Hashem that He would give them food when they needed it.
On their first day in the forest, they met a person carrying pots of food. He told them that he had prepared the food for a chasunah, but due to the war, the wedding was postponed. He brought the food to the forest to distribute to those fleeing the Nazis. The Rav inquired about the kashrus of the food, and when he was satisfied with what he heard, the Brisker Rav and his family enjoyed a nourishing meal. There was even dessert to end the meal on a happy note. Miraculously, and because of their strong emunah in Hashem, Hashem helped them and kept them from hunger.
Although there were leftovers from their meal when they finished, the Brisker Rav warned his family again that they should not take any food with them. They would trust in Hashem that tomorrow He would send them food again.
The following day, a similar story occurred. They met a person in the forest who had an entire meal prepared for a chasunah, postponed due to the war. There was a complete meal set up, including fish and meat, but there was no dessert this time. No one really cared about the missing dessert. They were happy they had a good meal that could satisfy their hunger, but the Brisker Rav was very concerned about the lack of dessert. He asked his family, "Did anyone take along food from yesterday's meal?"
One of the children admitted that he had taken along some food. He explained that he was afraid there might not be food the next day, so he took some of the dessert from yesterday's meal and stored it in a can. The Brisker Rav told his family, "We see from this the greatness of bitachon. Hashem gives to His people according to their trust in Him."
Standing Erect with Bitachon
The Gemara (Brachos 12) says that when davening Shemonah Esrei, one should bow down when saying ברוך, and stand erect when saying 'ה, as it states (Tehillim 146) כפופים זוקף 'ה, "Hashem straightens the bent." Rabbeinu Yonah (on this Gemara) explains that when one is worried, he is bent over. But when one has bitachon, he has no worries and stands erect. That is how one should appear when reciting Hashem's name in Shemonah Esrei. Hashem is taking care of him, כפופים זוקף 'ה, so he can stand erect.
