The same is felt by the ba’al bitachon regarding money. He says, “If the Ribbono shel Olam dropped so much money at my door, He probably intended for me to share it with others. The Ribbono shel Olam sent me the money so I would share it with my brother-in-law or friend who needs it.
With Bitachon, Tzedakah Becomes So Much Easier
Of course, it’s not easy, for the moment the money comes into his possession, he feels a tremendous deveikus and connection to it. Thus, says the Chovos HaLevavos, I’m not shouting at you... I’m not calling you a degenerate... I am simply telling you that if you study bitachon, you won’t need to endure so many struggles. It will be so easy and natural for you to give to others. You’ll be able to fulfill your obligations with ease—and you will do so joyfully and enjoyably.
And indeed, there are Yidden who derive tremendous pleasure from giving to others. They feel to their core that the Ribbono shel Olam gave them money so they can share it with others. They do so with a willing soul and a generous spirit.
The Poor Ba’al Bitachon Is Spared from Double Aggravation
This is all said regarding the ba’al bitachon who does have money. But the Chovos HaLevavos clearly tells us that bitachon helps those who don’t have money as well.
Someone who doesn’t have money and doesn’t possess bitachon is doubly tormented. Firstly, he is aggravated because he doesn’t have money and others do. And the second source of aggravation arises from the lack of money itself and his struggles for his daily needs.
But if one has bitachon, he won’t have the first type of aggravation—because he won’t be hurt when others have and he doesn’t. He will simply understand that Hashem has spared him from “scatteredness of the soul” and the worries that come to those who have wealth. The Chovos HaLevavos assures us that the ba’al bitachon will appreciate the fact that he doesn’t have money.
Ehrliche Yidden Never Needed More Than They Had
And regarding the second source of aggravation (not having what he needs due to lack of money), the ba’al bitachon once again avoids it—for he knows with absolute conviction that everything he needs will come to him from Hashem, and he won’t even want anything else! Because he will understand that if he doesn’t have it then he doesn’t need it!
Indeed, this is what we witnessed in ehrliche Yidden. They never wanted or needed more than what Hashem had given them. Even today, there are many Yidden who live with this emunah. “I have everything I need, and what I don’t yet have, Hashem will give me, or if not, it must not be good for me. And it’s good for me like this.”
Thus, as we have elucidated in the words of the Chovos HaLevavos, bitachon is the great tool for us all—those who do have money and those who don’t. If a people have the proper bitachon, it will take away all their problems, and they will be able to properly serve Hashem in every situation they find themselves.
