Trust in One

I Trust in You

Words of chizuk shared on the Hashgachah Pratis phone line

Shiur by Harav Dovid Kletzkin shlit"a

Before the Chovos Halevavos tells us to trust Hashem, he first seeks to neutralize the tens of il- lusions that prevent us from trusting in Him fully.

A person may be in this world for twenty, fifty, or even seventy years, and still be living under the il- lusion that he can trust other human beings.

He has an uncle who's a millionaire and provides for him, so he knows he needn't worry much about finances. "When things get difficult," he tells himself, "I can always turn to Uncle Harry for help, and I can always expect the generous gifts he sends periodically. Hurray for Uncle Harry!"

His friend has a brother-in-law who's a renowned psychologist. Whenever he has to deal with some- thing exceptionally frustrating or difficult, he can call the famed Dr. S. to talk it out and release all his tension. He knows that his emotions and expe- riences will never really overwhelm him, because he has his brother-in-law, Dr. S.

A third person has a cousin who's an excellent pe- diatrician. He trusts that his children will always be fine so long as he can get his cousin's diagnosis and treatment for all their ailments.

There's another man whose father is a renowned askan. He feels assured of his position in society and of people's respect for him. As the son of so- and-so, he thinks, I will not be trampled or disre- spected socially under any circumstances.

This is how a person who has never learned Shaar Habitachon goes through life. He feels himself sur- rounded by all types of nedivim – patrons in whom he places his trust. For each of his needs and de- sires, he frantically thinks who's his appropriate and desired "patron" this time around.

Rabbenu Bachyai tells this unfortunate Yid: "You're working so hard for naught!" For years, you've been placing your trust in someone who is limited, someone who can give you no guarantees. He'll never be perfect, and in an instant, his power to provide for you can go up in smoke.

Any created being or thing is, by definition, limit- ed. At some point his powers will be diminished. He'll grow old. He'll lose his millions, or his social standing. And even when his power to provide is at its height, can he possibly be available for every person at all hours of the day? There is no such possibility with a human being.

Place your trust in Hashem, the Kol Yachol Him- self!