We've been discussing the Gemara in Sota 48b, which states that a person who is so short on their sustenance, that they only have sufficient provisions for today, with no idea of how they're going to obtain basic supplies for even tomorrow, one is called on to trust in Hashem, that just like He came through for us so many times before, He will once again come through and provide us with what we need.

There are many reasons to make efforts into growing in our emunah and bitachon. Most importantly, that is what the Torah commentaries teach us, is our ultimate ticket to our place in the next world. As the Ramban at the end of Parshas Bo that we've quoted many times states, that the purpose of all the mitzvos, and in fact the only reason for Hashem creating us in the first place, is that we come to have emunah in Hashem.

And besides the fact that taking the principles of emunah and applying them in a practical way using bitachon, is an outright obligation from the Torah, and Hashem blesses those who rely on Him and curses those who rely on other means, and many other things that we've learnt and discussed about emunah and bitachon, additionally, when a person moves more towards relying on Hashem sincerely, it is the greatest anti-anxiety medication that one can find.

When we rely on other things, there are so many things to be scared of, so many things that can transpire that are true reason for fear, be it other individuals who might have more power than us, or certain situations which may be unpredictable. But when we work towards relying on Hashem more and more, the less anxious and more calm we feel about anything and everything, because we know just like Hashem was the initial creator of the world, and just like Hashem continuously dictates what will happen at every single moment to the whole world at large, as well as to every single intricate detail in every single one of our lives, seeing as He is controlling, guiding, and dictating everything that will transpire in my life, what am I to worry about?

However, as we've been discussing, there are many levels to emunah, and when we read these Torah passages, our job is to internalize that yes, to truly internalize the values of emunah and bitachon is going to be a tremendous mountain to climb, and a difficult challenge, because again, that is ultimately the reason that we exist in this world, so obviously it can't come easy. But again, the only reason Hashem created us in the first place is to give to us, is to be kind to us, and Hashem does not give us impossible challenges. Hashem does not expect us to be angels or something beyond what our maximum potential would allow us to be. We are only called on to make our maximum effort to grow in our emunah and bitachon, and Hashem sees our efforts.

The more we make an effort to be more exposed to the Torah sources and inspiration about emunah and bitachon via the many platforms available in today's day and age, the more we are truly being successful in our endeavor to climb the ladder of emunah and bitachon in this world. Although we have discussed many Torah sources and passages that emphasize the great importance of emunah and bitachon, each time one learns Torah sources and inspiration about these concepts, it helps us to be constantly mindful to make an effort to grow to our maximum potential in these areas.

The Vilna Gaon in Even Shleima, chapter 3, writes that emunah and bitachon are the core of the entire Torah, and he thereafter goes on to explain that having emunah and bitachon, which is the core of the entire Torah, refers to the Gemara that we've been discussing, that one who only has provisions just for today nevertheless does not feel anxious about tomorrow's supplies due to their faith in Hashem. We've also mentioned numerous times how the Vilna Gaon in the same passage, in Even Shlema, chapter 3, writes that one who commits severe transgressions but nevertheless excels in bitachon is better than one who does not transgress but does not have bitachon. The core and source of the whole of Judaism and all of our service to Hashem is emunah.

We mentioned the Gemara in Sota 48b, which states that a person who is going through a severe financial struggle, to the point that although they do have food for today, they literally do not know how they are going to manage for tomorrow, and nevertheless the Gemara had stated that if one feels anxious in such a situation, they are considered a person of little emunah. As we've discussed many times, seeing as emunah is our ultimate purpose and main focus whilst we are alive in this world, it is easy to understand how this is going to be our life's work. The goal is not to master emunah overnight and perhaps even over many years, because there are many many levels. Our goal on a day to day basis and the way we achieve true success is by making our maximum effort in growing as high as we can in our emunah and bitachon efforts.

When the Gemara states that if I only have food for today and I have no idea what I'm going to do for tomorrow, that I'm supposed to feel calm because I know, just like Hashem has always looked after me in so many other ways, He'll come through for me again; perhaps there are only a few people that after many years of growth in their emunah and bitachon can reach such a level that were they to be in such a dire situation, they would feel completely calm with no anxiety whatsoever because they are 100% clear about the fact that their sustenance is completely independent of their job, of their efforts or anything else going on in their life, but rather is exclusively dependent on Hashem Himself and just because to my limited human eye it seems like I am in trouble, but let me remind myself, Hashem is the one that created the world and He created me and if He created me He obviously has a plan for where my sustenance is supposed to come from. If I internalize that Hashem is truly the one who is exclusively providing for me, then there is no reason to feel anxious.

Again, such a high level is probably not relevant to most of us today, but the Gemara is teaching us where to shoot at. This is the ideal level and course of living that we're supposed to aim at. Our goal is to make our maximum effort to grow higher and higher in our reliance on Hashem in feeling more calm and less anxious when troubles seem to present themselves. If there is potential reason for me to feel anxiety because of my financial situation, whether in the extreme case like the Gemara is outlining to us that I might not even have food for tomorrow, or perhaps I know what I'm doing for the next month but thereafter I feel like I might be in a bit of trouble. Even if before learning about Emunah and Bitachon my anxiety level would be at a 10 and now by learning Emunah and Bitachon and trying to take these messages to heart and apply them in a practical way, I would only have an anxiety level of 9 - that is a tremendous accomplishment.

If we are to take to heart what the many Torah commentaries write, that our main focus in this world should be directed to our Emunah and Bitachon efforts, we should certainly treat it as highest priority to make our maximum effort to be exposed to Emunah and Bitachon as much as possible. Baruch Hashem, in our day and age there are many recordings available, there are many books available, for all levels, and our effort needs to be to find what inspires us the most, to grow in our Emunah and Bitachon, and the more time, energy and effort that we put into learning about Emunah and Bitachon and thereafter taking the concepts that we might have learnt and contemplating on them, trying to take them to heart and live by their values in a practical way throughout our lives, the more we will be achieving our purpose in this world.

The Gemara in Sota 48b states that a person who has sufficient provisions for today, yet feels anxious about tomorrow's supplies, is considered a person of little faith. This passage in the Talmud is teaching us that if someone is so impoverished that he only has money for a meal tonight, with no resources to provide for tomorrow, he should nevertheless not worry nor feel anxious. Rather, he should feel calm in the belief that just like Hashem came through and provided for me today, so too He will not let me down tomorrow nor at any other time in my life.

We've discussed many times how the only absolutely true perspective that can exist is when we're looking from Hashem's viewpoint, which ultimately He has expressed to us in the Torah by the many Torah sources that we have available to us. In this passage, the Gemara is teaching us that we are called on to aim to reach a level of such faith in Hashem that even if we would only have food just for today and we have no means to get food for tomorrow, although our instinctive response might be to panic and be very anxious about where we're going to receive our future sustenance from, in this passage, Hashem's perspective is teaching us that the right approach is to aim to reach a level of feeling calm, that just like Hashem took care of me yesterday, the day before, as well as as far back as I can remember, so too Hashem will come through for me in the future and give me the sustenance that I need, even if it might seem like a very dire situation with no solution.

Let us remind ourselves about what the Torah commentaries teach us, that ultimately Hashem created this world just to be good to us and to give to us, and ultimately the true destination where we will receive that good and pleasure that Hashem has in store for us is in the next world, in Olam Haba. And as the commentaries teach, we're in this world to earn our place in the next world. And of course there are many things that we can do in this world that can contribute to how we earn our place in the next world, but ultimately if we would have to sum up into one word, the exact process of how we earn our place in the next world to the maximum degree, as the Ramban in his final commentary to Parashat Bo writes, that the purpose of all the mitzvos, and in fact the only reason for Hashem creating us, is that we come to have emunah in Hashem.

Ramban is pointing out to us that the main method that we achieve our purpose in this world, which ultimately will lead to earning us our highest possible place in the next world, is by making our maximum effort to grow in our emunah. We've also discussed previously how the Mesillas Yesharim and many others write that one of the fundamental purposes of Hashem creating us in this world is to give us the opportunity to pass the tests and challenges that He presents us, and by doing so, giving us the opportunity to earn unimaginable reward in the next world. There are many tests that we experience throughout our lives, but again, if we'd have to sum up the test of life into one word, the answer would be emunah. Because everything in the world that we live in, the way that the human eye sees it, and that the human body experiences it, seems to contradict many of the values of the Torah and of emunah.

If one were to only have money, just for today, with no idea how they will even get their next meal for tomorrow, and certainly no plan what they're going to do in a month's time, the standard approach of logic in this world, and that many people would take, would be to panic, and perhaps to justify the reason for one's panicking, but again, we are so privileged to have Hashem's perspective, that we are called on to work towards having such solid belief in Hashem, that even if we have no idea to where we're going to receive our sustenance from, our job is to have emunah, that just like Hashem has come through for me so many times before, He will come through for me again.

We've discussed some of the details and the different approaches that the Torah commentaries take when it comes to bitachon. The bottom line is that Hashem has given us the most incredible, tremendous opportunity to rely on Hashem for all of our needs. We ought to constantly remind ourselves that Hashem is continuously orchestrating every single detail to every single one of our lives, and it is absolutely absurd to place our trust in any other individual or circumstance.

Not only that, as the Beis HaLevi taught us, when one does place their trust in another individual or circumstance, or give some form of credibility to fear and anxiety that one might be experiencing, one actually attracts that fear to come about, God forbid.

Besides the tremendous benefits that we reap in this world from having bitachon in Hashem, having the protection and security and anti-anxiety stronger than any other, as well as the outright obligation we have from numerous verses in the Torah that command us to have bitachon in Hashem, as well as the tremendous sin it is to live a life without bitachon as discussed previously, when we do choose to make our maximum effort to place our bitachon in Hashem, we are fulfilling our ultimate purpose in this world, because remember, the only reason Hashem created us is to be good to us, and as Torah sources teach, that takes place in the next world, and the only reason we're in this world is to earn our place in the next world.

And as we've discussed many times, the Torah sources teach that the main way we achieve earning our place in the next world, and therefore our main focus in this world, is to have emunah and bitachon, and develop our emunah and bitachon as much as possible.

The Beis Halevi writes further that when an individual encounters some distress, God forbid, or a shortage of sustenance, his approach should not be to increase in hishtadlus, but rather, he should examine his improper deeds that have brought about the situation for him, and repent from his evil deeds. He should pour forth his supplications before Hashem, that Hashem should save him, and pray to the One who wealth and property belong to. He should fortify his heart with bitachon and place his hope in Hashem. He should confirm in his heart that there is no other one than Hashem from whom to seek help from.

There are many resources that we have available today, giving us the opportunity to make more and more of an effort to grow in our emunah and bitachon. The Beis Halevi on Bitachon by Artscroll is one fantastic example, and as mentioned previously, I highly recommend whoever is able to get a copy to do so, and reap the tremendous benefits from going through the many different examples and angles and wealth of Torah information that one will gain by doing so. The verse in Yirmiyahu states, "Cursed is a man who trusts in another individual." Whereas the other verse states, "Blessed is the individual that trusts in Hashem."

"Hashem, Master of the Universe, thank you so much for the privilege to be learning about emunah and bitachon. Thank you, Hashem, for teaching me that it is such a tremendous sin to live a life without bitachon, that you have an explicit verse cursing one who does so. Whereas the opposite is also true. Thank you, Hashem, for teaching me in your verse that when I place my trust in you, the verse calls me a blessed individual."

May we all merit to grow to our highest potential, both in emunah and bitachon. And b'ezrat Hashem, may we all merit to be in the category of the verse, "Blessed is the individual who trusts in Hashem."

We have been discussing the approach in bitachon that many Torah commentaries outline, where one can be so confident in relying on Hashem about something, to the point that according to this approach, one who is sick can have bitachon that they will get better; one who is short of money can have bitachon that they will find the sustenance they need; one who is searching for a marriage partner would be able to be confident that they will for sure find the one that they are seeking.

The question is, if bitachon is so powerful, and as we are taught - independent of our actions and available to every single one of us, then certainly when it comes to the very righteous people, the tzaddikim, why is it that so many of them do undergo suffering? If they would just practice their bitachon, then they would be able to be saved from their suffering.

There are many approaches offered by the Torah commentaries to resolve this question. The bottom line is, there is no question in the world that when one relies on Hashem, Hashem comes through for them. We will mention four approaches that are cited in the appendix of the Artscroll Beis Halevi on B'tachon.

One approach to answer this question is that of the Vilna Gaon. He writes that although one might have strong bitachon, it might not be strong enough to protect him from the suffering that he is undergoing. According to the level of danger or suffering that is present, one might need a stronger bitachon to remain calm through even this dangerous situation.

A second approach is that of the Brisker Rav, who says that many people think they have bitachon, but in truth their relaxed mood is as a result of not being aware of the seriousness of the danger they are in. Had they known how dire their situation really was, they would indeed have been very afraid.

The Leshem outlines two more approaches. In the one he explains that there are times when Hashem makes the drastic decision to suspend a person's free will in order to carry out his decree, and sometimes for reasons concealed from us, he will issue a harsh decree that needs to be executed, but if the individual would have bitachon in this situation, the decree would not be able to be executed, and therefore what Hashem does, He interferes with the individual's ability to have bitachon in order to allow this to happen.

And the Leshem offers another approach, where he says that the great sages were on such a high level of bitachon that they accepted everything Hashem did, and did not even have a desire to be relieved of any pain or suffering.

Although this approach of bitachon that we've been discussing is less conventional and perhaps less well known, it is certainly worth learning about it, as many Torah commentaries do bring it down as a valid approach, and it can certainly be relevant at different times to our lives.

However, what is super vital to remember and internalize is that having bitachon in Hashem should never turn into a test to see if Hashem will come through for me, then I will decide to continue in the path of serving Hashem. If that is the level that one is holding on, then this path of bitachon would certainly not be relevant to my current spiritual level. One's approach needs to be that before the fact, one davens to Hashem, one hopes to Hashem, and one might at times even be able to practice bitachon - reliance on Hashem, to the point that they are confident Hashem will come through for them in the way they desire.

However, after the fact, whether I received what I was requesting, or also if I didn't receive it, it is so vital to always live with the understanding that everything Hashem does is for the best, and if He did not come through for us in the way that we desired, it is nevertheless for sure for the best for us, because Hashem always does only what is best for us. In fact, one of the great early commentators, the Smag, followed by the Aruch HaShulchan, writes that just like there is a mitzvah to judge another Jew favorably, and if you see somebody else doing something that might appear suspicious, we have a mitzvah in the Torah to judge them favorably, in the same vein, we are obligated to judge Hashem favorably.

When things transpire throughout our lives, we have a mitzvah to try to find reason why Hashem would do that for us, and even though we of course can't understand Hashem's reason for doing things, nevertheless we certainly can give ourselves reason to justify that everything Hashem would do for us will always only be for our best.

As mentioned many times, Torah sources teach, "HaShem Tzilcha" - HaShem is your shadow. Just like if one puts out one finger into the sun, the shadow that you'll see is that of one finger, whereas if you put five fingers out, then you'll see a shadow of five fingers, in the same way, when it comes to reliance on HaShem, the more one relies on HaShem, the more one will see HaShem come through for them.

We've mentioned the approach of bitachon that many Torah commentaries bring, that one relies on HaShem about something that they might be lacking, to the point that they are absolutely certain that HaShem will give them exactly what they have requested. And again, there are many levels. There might be times where it is more appropriate to say, "HaShem, I know You can do anything, but I don't expect anything in particular. Whatever You decide, that's what I want to go with."

And at other times, one might feel it more appropriate to say, "HaShem, I really need this job opportunity to come through. Until now we've really struggled and I'm not even able to perform mitzvos in the ideal way because of our lack of funds. HaShem, I really would like to be able to rely on You, that You will come through for me because I really believe that there is no other force in the world except for You. You exclusively orchestrate every single detail in my life. HaShem, I know You will come through for me."

Whichever approach of bitachon one is taking, it is absolutely vital to do our best to work towards being sincere in our reliance on HaShem and in what we are requesting from Him. There is a story told about Rav Yisrael Salanter. He was once sitting with another great Torah leader and they were having the following argument. Rav Yisrael Selanter insisted that with bitachon one can obtain anything he wants, while the other great Torah leader argued that this is not the case. To prove his point, Rav Yisrael said that he will have bitachon to receive a gold watch. And at that moment, there was a knock at the door; a man walked in and handed his watch to Rav Yisrael.

There is no question in the world that bitachon works, and there is no question in the world that we believe what the Torah sources say - that bitachon is not related to our deeds. It is available to every single one of us. Yes, we might not all be on the level of Rav Yisrael Salanter to need a watch and be able to rely on Hashem to the point that we receive it a few minutes later, but there are many levels in between where we might currently be and where our maximum potential might be at.

"Thank you Hashem for teaching me that relying on You is so powerful that it works to the point that many Torah authorities write, that if I rely on You for something, I will for sure receive that item. Now Hashem, I know that there are many levels and there may be many reasons why I might not receive something that I choose to rely on You for. If I am fully sincere in my reliance, maybe at times I might be able to be in this category, but maybe sometimes I am insincere. Please Hashem help me to move towards a bitachon where I am able to rely on You with absolute sincerity, with absolute reliance, that You exclusively provide for me, can send me everything and always have my best interest in mind.

And Hashem, even though You've taught me that bitachon is completely independent of my actions, and if I rely on You, You will come through for me even if I have a messy scorecard, however, at the same time, please help me to remember my priorities. It's not about what I want and then using the power of bitachon to live life in the way that I would like, but rather first setting my priorities right. What is important in life? Is it just about making efforts to rely on You to get the new car that I want? Sometimes there is a place for that, but much more important than that, my priorities should always be to receive things that I need in order to enhance my service to You.

Hashem, You know the reason that I would like more money. I would like to fulfill the tremendous mitzvah to be able to give more charity. And I'm going to have bitachon in you, that this particular venture that I'm exploring, that You are going to make it successful so that I should be able to get more money in order to fulfill Your mitzvah of giving charity in the best way possible. Thank You Hashem for the incredible gift of bitachon and the incredible gift to talk to You on a constant basis."

We've been discussing the two approaches the commentaries outline with regards to bitachon. Although the conventional understanding is to rely on Hashem that He will always take care of us and do what is best for us, the other approach to bitachon that many Torah authorities outline is to rely on Hashem so heavily and confidently that He will give me exactly what I have asked for.

As we mentioned in the words of the Beis HaLevi, "Bevadai yasig ma shechaser mehitztarchuto" - that one who places their reliance on Hashem will for sure receive what they have requested. And as mentioned, many Torah sources teach that this applies regardless to one's spiritual level and scorecard; even if one has performed many sins, the power of bitachon is so great that when one relies on Hashem, Hashem will come through for them.

We mentioned the Gemara which states that there was a poor man who came over to Rava and requested a more extravagant meal than would usually be suitable for a poor man. And although initially Rava had suggested that when asking other people for funds it would not be appropriate to ask for anything more than the bare minimum, after the episode, the Gemara concluded that it was not out of place for the pauper to ask for the type of meal that he was used to, because ultimately all of our sustenance comes exclusively from Hashem.

This idea can be illustrated further by another passage in the Talmud. The Gemara in Brachos 60a states that once as Hillel was on his way home, he heard cries of anguish from his neighborhood and he stated with confidence that these cries were not coming from his house. And the Gemara questions how was Hillel able to be so confident that the tragedy that had befallen was not coming from his own family? And the Vilna Gaon explains that the reason was because exceedingly righteous people live with full confidence that they will never suffer any harm.

And one more passage in the Talmud to highlight this idea. The Gemara in Taanis 19a tells the story of Nakdimon ben Gurion, a wealthy Jew who lived in the time of the second Beis Hamikdash and who during a time of severe drought wanted to provide water for the Jews traveling to Yerushalayim for Yom Tov. He borrowed wells of water from a Roman individual promising that they would be refilled by a certain time and if not then he would fill them with gold. Nakdimon took a very big risk yet he remained fully confident that Hashem would enable him to fulfill his promise. Sure enough, at the last moment heavy rain began to fall and the wells were all filled.

Although some might argue that being so confident that Hashem will come through for an individual might be saved for the righteous, we see from many Torah commentaries that that is not the case and that this mode of thought may at times be applicable to many of us even during our times. And as always in any area of doubt, after trying our best to learn Torah passages and seek guidance from Torah leaders, the most advisable thing to do is to talk to Hashem and ask for clarity.

"Hashem you have taught me this most precious information about bitachon. Thank you so much for teaching me that the opportunity to have bitachon is available to every single one of us regardless of our actions and how we are doing in terms of our spiritual scorecard. Hashem thank you also for teaching me the different types of bitachon that the Torah authorities offer us. Of course always praying to you and hoping to you for the best the way we see it in our eyes, but sometimes thereafter letting go and accepting that whatever you do will for sure be the best, whilst at the same time appreciating the other mode of bitachon, that the power of relying on you is so strong that at times it might be appropriate for us to rely on you to such an extent that we are sure that what we need and what we are asking you for will come about. Please Hashem will you guide me to be able to apply the bitachon that I am learning and truly rely on you under every and all circumstances throughout my life."

We mentioned that the Torah commentaries cite two different approaches to bitachon. The first, more well-known and conventional approach to bitachon is that we are all called on to rely on Hashem exclusively, expressing to Hashem that we know that He is the exclusive orchestrator to every happening in our lives, and we are called on to hope and pray that Hashem will provide us with the things that we need, whilst at the same time we accept that not necessarily will Hashem come through for us in the way that we desire, but rather that whatever He does decide to do, we trust that that is for sure the best for us.

The second approach to bitachon is where one is so confident in what they are hoping and asking Hashem for, to the point that they are now asking Hashem in the form that they will for sure receive what they are asking for. We are taught by many Torah commentaries, such as Rav Chaim Vital, the Beis HaLevi, Rav Dessler, the Steipler and many others, that the power of bitachon is so strong that relying on Hashem causes Hashem to give us what we are relying on Him for.

Not only that, the Midrash teaches that even a wicked individual who relies on Hashem reaps all the benefits of bitachon and following suit to this Midrash is the Ramban and others who again teach that even a thief or some other wicked individual who chooses to rely on Hashem, Hashem will come through for that individual. The bottom line is that bitachon is completely independent of our scorecard. Although we are of course called on to make every effort to stay away from sin and do as many mitzvos as we can, nevertheless, the power of bitachon is something completely independent to our scorecard. Even if a person is tainted with tremendous impurity from many transgressions and sin, of course as the Torah sources teach us, there will always be consequences for those actions unless a person repents for them; nevertheless, when one chooses to practice bitachon and rely on Hashem, it does not matter anymore what one's scorecard is, in terms of the bitachon being able to work and Hashem coming through for the individual.

The many Torah commentaries that mention this type of bitachon where one is able to rely on Hashem to the point that they are certain Hashem will give them what they are asking for can be illustrated further by some passages we find in the Talmud. The Gemara in Kesubos 67b cites a story about Rava who was once approached by a needy person asking for food from the communal charity fund. "What do you like to eat?" Rava asked. "Fattened chicken and aged wine", the man said. "But you're taking from the public charity fund", Rava replied. "Do you really expect to receive such extravagant food and wine when you're relying on charity?" "What do you mean?" The man said. "I get what I need from Hashem." And the needy man quoted a verse to support his statement that it is not Rava who is providing for him, but rather Hashem exclusively is his sole provider.

The needy man said, "Hashem does not provide sustenance in a general manner, but rather provides each individual with his needs. If so, if one relies on Hashem, he will receive everything exactly how he wants it." And the Gemara goes on to say that just then Rava's sister, who he had not seen in many years came to visit him and she brought him as a gift - fattened chicken and aged wine. Rava then gave over the chicken and wine to the pauper and acknowledged that the pauper was right and it was now absolutely clear that the sustenance that was due for the pauper was not even slightly coming from Rava, but rather exclusively from Hashem, and therefore Rava acknowledged that the pauper was correct in that although he was seeking funds from others, it was proper to still consider his own self-worth and dignity.

When one is not living a life of bitachon and one has to take a favor from another individual, the Torah approach is to always be appreciative. But if one feels like this individual is my provider, that sometimes leads to flattery and other sins which the Torah prohibits us from committing because again, that is not my provider, that is just the messenger; the only provider for every single thing in my life is Hashem Himself.