‫שער הבטחון‬

The Gate of Trust

XY

‫חובות הלבבות‬
Duties of the hearts
—INTRODUCTION—
‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 2

ִ ‫ַה ׁ ַש ַער ָה ְר ִב‬

‫יעי‬
Section four
‫ׁ ַש ַער ַה ִ ּב ָטחוֹ ן‬
The Gate of Trust

‫ַ ּב ִ ּב ָטחוֹ ן ַעל ָה ֱאל ִֹהים יִ ְת ָ ּב ֵר ְך לְ ַבדּוֹ‬ On Placing One’s Trust in God Alone

Overview of Introduction
‫ָא ַמר ַה ְמ ַח ֵ ּבר‬ Introduction
‫ִמ ּ ְפנֵ י ׁ ֶש ָּק ַדם ַמ ֲא ָמ ֵרנוּ ְ ּב ִחיּוּב ַק ָ ּבלַ ת‬ Having previously discussed in the previous gate -
‫יתי לְ ָה ִביא ַא ַח ָריו‬ ִ ‫ ָר ִא‬,‫ֲעבוֹ ַדת ָה ֱאל ִֹהים‬ Shaar Avodat HoElokim - the obligation to accept
‫ַמה ׁ ֶשהוּא ָצ ִריך יוֹ ֵתר ִמ ָּכל ַה ְד ָב ִרים‬ upon oneself the service of G-d, I have seen it to
‫ וְ הוּא ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹן‬,‫לַ עוֹ ֵבד ָה ֱאל ִֹהים יִ ְת ָ ּב ֵר ְך‬ be appropriate to now explain that which is most
‫ ַ ּב ֲעבוּר ַמה ׁ ֶש ֵ ּי ׁש בּוֹ ִמן‬,‫ָעלָ יו ְ ּב ָכל דְּ ָב ָריו‬ necessary for one who wishes to be a servant of
‫תּוֹרה ו ְּב ִענְ יַ ן‬ ָ ‫תּוֹעלִ יּוֹת ַה ְ ּגדוֹ לוֹ ת ְ ּב ִענְ יַ ן ַה‬
ֲ ‫ַה‬ G-d, and that is to rely on him, in all his matters;
.‫ָהעוֹ לָ ם‬ for by doing so, there will be great benefits both
in Torah matters, and in worldly matters.
, ֹ‫וְ תוֹ ֲעלוֹ ָתיו בּ וֹ ְ ּבתוֹ ָרתו‬ And its benefits insofar as Torah matters:

Benefit of Trust: Tranquility

‫ ְמנו ַּחת נַ ְפ ׁשוֹ ו ִּב ְטחוֹ נוֹ ַעל ֱאל ָֹהיו‬:‫ֵמ ֶהן‬ Among the spiritual benefits is tranquility of one’s
‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָה ֶע ֶבד ַח ָ ּיב לִ ְבטוֹ ַח ַעל‬,‫יִ ְת ָ ּב ֵר ְך‬ soul, free from worry as a result of his reliance on
,‫ֲאדוֹ נָ יו‬ G-d, just as a servant is bound to place his trust
in his master.
‫ִמ ּ ְפנֵ י ׁ ֶש ִאם ֵאינֶ ּנ ּו בּ וֹ ֵט ַח ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים בּ וֹ ֵט ַח‬ For one who does not place his trust in G-d, plac-
‫ ֵמ ִסיר‬,'‫ֹו ִּמי ׁ ֶשבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ְ ּבזוּלַ ת ה‬, ‫ְ ּבזוּלָ תו‬ es his trust in an entity other than G-d. If someone
ֹ‫יח אוֹ תו‬ַ ‫ָה ֱאל ִֹהים ַה ׁ ְש ָ ּג ָחתוֹ ֵמ ָעלָ יו ו ַּמ ִ ּנ‬ places his trust in something other than G-d, then
,‫ְ ּביַ ד ִמי ׁ ֶש ָ ּב ַטח ָעלָ יו‬ G-d removes His divine providence from him
and leaves him in the hands of the entity that he
placed his trust in.

Copyright (c) 2020 by Chayenu and Gateoftrust.org trust@gateoftrust.org

‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 3

‫"כי‬ִּ )‫ יג‬,‫וְ יִ ְהיֶ ה ְּכ ִמי ׁ ֶש ֶ ּנ ֱא ַמר בּ וֹ (יִ ְר ְמיָ ה ב‬ And he, the one who places his trust in something
‫ׁ ְש ַּתיִ ם ָרעוֹ ת ָעשָׂ ה ַע ִּמי אוֹ ִתי ָעזְ ב ּו ְמקוֹ ר‬ other than G-d, will be like one regarding which it
‫ לַ ְחצוֹ ב לָ ֶהם בּ ֹארוֹ ת בּ ֹארוֹ ת‬,‫ַמיִ ם ַח ִ ּיים‬ is said in the verse (Yirmiyahu 2:13): “For My peo-
‫ כ) "וַ ָ ּי ִמיר ּו‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (תהלים קו‬,"‫נִ ׁ ְש ָ ּב ִרים‬ ple have committed two evils; they have forsaken
,"‫ֶאת ְּכבוֹ ָדם ְ ּב ַת ְבנִ ית ׁשוֹ ר אוֹ ֵכל ֵעשֶׂ ב‬ Me, the spring of living waters, to dig for them-
‫"ברו ְּך ַה ֶ ּג ֶבר‬
ּ ָ )‫ ז‬,‫וְ ָא ַמר ַה ָּכתוּב (ירמיה יז‬ selves cisterns, broken cisterns that do not hold
‫ וְ ָא ַמר‬," ֹ‫ֲא ׁ ֶשר יִ ְב ַטח ַ ּבה' וְ ָהיָ ה ה' ִמ ְב ַטחו‬ water.” And as it says (in Tehillim 106:20): “They
‫"א ׁ ְש ֵרי ַה ֶ ּג ֶבר ֲא ׁ ֶשר שָׂ ם‬
ַ )‫ ה‬,‫(תהלים מ‬ exchanged their glory for the likeness of an ox
‫ה' ִמ ְב ַטחוֹ וְ ל ֹא ָפנָ ה ֶאל ְר ָה ִבים וְ שָׂ ֵטי‬ eating grass.” And as Scripture says (in Yirmiyahu
‫"ארוּר ַה ֶ ּג ֶבר‬ ָ )‫ ה‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (ירמיה יז‬,"‫ָכזָ ב‬ 17:7): “Blessed is the man who trusts in the L-rd;
‫ֲא ׁ ֶשר יִ ְב ַטח ָ ּב ָא ָדם וְ שָׂ ם ָ ּבשָׂ ר זְ רוֹ עוֹ ו ִּמן‬ the L-rd shall be his trust.” And as it says (in Te-
." ֹ‫ה' יָ סוּר לִ בּ ו‬ hillim 40:5): “Praiseworthy is the man who made
the L-rd his trust, and did not turn to the haughty
and those who turn to falsehood.” And as it says
(in Yirmiyahu 17:5): “Cursed is the man who trusts
in man and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart
turns away from the L-rd.”
‫וְ ִאם יִ ְב ַטח ַעל ָח ְכ ָמתוֹ וְ ַת ְחבּ וּלוֹ ָתיו וְ כ ַֹח‬ If he relies on his wisdom and his schemes, his
: ֹ‫ יַ ַעזְ ֵבה ּו ה' לְ נַ ְפ ׁשו‬, ֹ‫גּ וּפוֹ וְ ִה ׁ ְש ַּתדְּ לוּתו‬ physical strength and his own efforts, then his ef-
ֹ‫יִ יגַ ע לָ ִריק וְ יֶ ֱחלַ ׁש כּ ֹחוֹ וְ ִת ְק ַצר ַּת ְחבּ וּלָ תו‬ forts will be for naught, and he will become weak
‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָא ַמר ַה ָּכתוּב (איוב‬, ֹ‫ֵמ ַה ּ ִׂשיג ֶח ְפצו‬ and lose that physical strength, and his schemes
."‫ יג) "לוֹ ֵכד ֲח ָכ ִמים ְ ּב ָע ְר ָמם‬,‫ה‬ and wisdom will fall short of accomplishing his
goals, as Scripture says (in Iyov 5:13): “He, refer-
ring to G-d, traps clever people in their shrewd-
ness.”
‫"ש ְב ִּתי וְ ָראֹה ַת ַחת‬ ַ ׁ )‫ יא‬,‫וְ ָא ַמר (קהלת ט‬ And as it says (in Kohelet 9:11): “I returned and
‫ וְ ל ֹא‬,‫ ִּכי ל ֹא לַ ַּק ִּלים ַה ֵּמרוֹ ץ‬,‫ַה ּ ׁ ֶש ֶמ ׁש‬ saw under the sun, that the race does not belong
."‫ וְ ל ֹא לַ ֲח ָכ ִמים לֶ ֶחם‬,‫לַ ִ ּגבּ וֹ ִרים ַה ִּמלְ ָח ָמה‬ to the swift, nor the war to the mighty; neither
‫"כ ִפ ִירים ָר ׁש ּו‬
ְּ )‫ יא‬,‫וְ ָא ַמר (תהלים לד‬ do the wise have bread…” And it says (in Tehillim
."‫וְ ָר ֵעב ּו וְ דוֹ ְר ׁ ֵשי ה' ל ֹא יַ ְח ְסר ּו ָכל טוֹ ב‬ 34:11): “Young lions suffer want and are hungry,
but those who seek the L-rd lack no good.”
‫ יו ַּסר ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו וְ יִ ּ ׁ ָש ֵאר‬: ֹ‫וְ ִאם יִ ְב ַטח ְ ּבר ֹב ָע ׁ ְשרו‬ And if he relies on his abundance of wealth, it will
, ֹ‫לְ זוּלָ תו‬ be removed from him and left to someone else.

Copyright (c) 2020 by Chayenu and Gateoftrust.org trust@gateoftrust.org

‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 4

‫"ע ׁ ִשיר‬
ָ )‫ יט‬,‫ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָא ַמר ַה ָּכתוּב (איוב כז‬ As Scripture says (Iyov 27:19): “A rich man lies
,"ּ‫ ֵעינָ יו ּ ָפ ַקח וְ ֵאינֶ ּנו‬,‫יִ ׁ ְש ַּכב וְ ל ֹא יֵ ָא ֵסף‬ down with his wealth intact, he opens his eyes
,‫"אל ִּתיגַ ע לְ ַה ֲע ׁ ִשיר‬ ַ )‫ ד‬,‫וְ ָא ַמר (משלי כג‬ and it is no longer his.” Similarly, the verse says
‫"ה ָת ִעיף‬ ֲ )‫ וְ ָא ַמר (שם ה‬,"‫ִמ ִ ּבינָ ְת ָך ֲח ָדל‬ (Mishlei 23:4): “Do not toil to become wealthy,
)‫ יא‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (ירמיה יז‬,"ּ‫יך בּ וֹ וְ ֵאינֶ ּנו‬ ָ ֶ‫ֵעינ‬ from your own understanding, desist.” And the
."‫"ב ֲח ִצי יָ ָמיו יַ ַעזְ ֶב ּנ ּו ו ְּב ַא ֲח ִריתוֹ יִ ְהיֶ ה נָ ָבל‬
ַּ next verse (Mishlei 23:5) says “Before you can set
your eyes on it is gone.” Likewise, it says in Yirmi-
yahu (17:11): “At a young age, it, i.e., one’s wealth
will leave him.”
‫ ַּכ ֲא ׁ ֶשר ָא ַמר‬, ֹ‫אוֹ ִּת ָּמנַ ע ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו ֲהנָ ָאתוֹ בּ ו‬ Alternatively, even if the riches themselves are not
ֶ ִ‫ ב) "וְ ל ֹא יַ ׁ ְשל‬,‫ֶה ָח ָכם (קהלת ו‬
‫יט ּנ ּו‬ removed from him, his ability to enjoy the wealth
ּ".‫ָה ֱאל ִֹהים לֶ ֱאכוֹ ל ִמ ֶּמנּו‬ will be held back from him by G-d. As the wise
man, Shlomo Hamelech said (in Kohelet 6:2): “The
Almighty gives him no power to eat of it.”
‫וְ יִ ְהיֶ ה ֶא ְצלוֹ ּ ִפ ָּקדוֹ ן ׁ ֶש ּ ׁשוֹ ֵמר אוֹ תוֹ ִמן‬ It will be by him as a deposit, so that he will
, ֹ‫ַה ּ ְפגָ ִעים ַעד ׁ ֶש ָ ּי ׁשוּב לְ ִמי ׁ ֶשהוּא ָראוּי לו‬ guard it from harm, until the time that it will be
‫ כו) "וְ לַ חוֹ ֵטא נָ ַתן‬,‫ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָּכתוּב (שם ב‬ returned to the one who is deserving of it, and
‫ִענְ יָ ן לֶ ֱאסוֹ ף וְ לִ ְכנוֹ ס לָ ֵתת לְ טוֹ ב לִ ְפנֵ י‬ who it was meant for. As it says (in Kohelet 2:26):
‫ יז) "יָ ִכין‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (איוב כז‬,"‫ָה ֱאל ִֹהים‬ “And to the sinner he gives the urge to gather and
."‫וְ ַצדִּ יק יִ לְ ָ ּב ׁש וְ ֶכ ֶסף נָ ִקי יַ ֲחלוֹ ק‬ amass wealth, to give to one who is good in front
of the Almighty.” As it says (in Iyov 27:17): “He, the
wicked man, will prepare, and the righteous man
will use it, and the innocent will divide the money
among themselves.”
‫וְ ֶא ְפ ׁ ָשר ׁ ֶש ִ ּי ְהיֶ ה ַה ָּממוֹ ן ִס ַ ּבת ָר ָעתוֹ וְ ָא ְב ַדן‬ It is possible that his money will be the cause of
‫ יב) "יֵ ׁש‬,‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָּכתוּב (קהלת ה‬, ֹ‫נַ ְפ ׁשו‬ his misfortune as well as the cause of the destruc-
‫ עֹ ֶשׁר‬,‫יתי ַּת ַחת ַה ּ ׁ ָש ֶמ ׁש‬ ִ ‫ָר ָעה חוֹ לָ ה ָר ִא‬ tion of his soul. As Scripture says (in Kohelet 5:12):
." ֹ‫ׁ ָשמוּר לִ ְב ָעלָ יו לְ ָר ָעתו‬ “There is a sickening evil that I have seen under
the sun - riches hoarded by their owner, to his
own misfortune.”

Benefit of Trust: Independence from Other People

ֶ ‫ ׁ ֶש ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים יְ ִב‬,‫ֵמ ֶהם‬
:ּ‫יא ּנו‬ Among the spiritual benefits of bitachon, is that
ֹ,‫ַה ְב ָט ָחתוֹ ָעלָ יו ׁ ֶשלּ ֹא יַ ֲעבוֹ ד זוּלָ תו‬ trust in G-d will bring a man not to serve any oth-
er entity.
ׁ ‫וְ ׁ ֶשלּ ֹא יְ ַק ֶּוה לְ ִא‬
,‫ וְ ל ֹא יְ יַ ֵחל לִ ְבנֵ י ָא ָדם‬,‫יש‬ He won’t need to place hope in man or expect
anything from other people.

Copyright (c) 2020 by Chayenu and Gateoftrust.org trust@gateoftrust.org

‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 5

,‫יהם‬
ֶ ֵ‫וְ ל ֹא יַ ַע ְב ֵדם לְ ִה ְת ַרצּוֹ ת ֲאל‬ He won’t need to serve them so that he can find
favor in their eyes.
,‫וְ ל ֹא יַ ֲחנִ יף לָ ֶהם‬ He won’t need to be subservient to them in order
to win their favor or flatter them.
‫וְ ל ֹא יַ ְס ִּכים ִע ָּמ ֶהם ְ ּב ִבלְ ִּתי ֲעבוֹ ַדת‬ He won’t need to consent to being involved with
,‫ָה ֱאל ִֹהים‬ them in spending time with them on matters that
are not related to the service of G-d.
‫ וְ ל ֹא יִ ָירא‬,‫וְ ל ֹא יַ ְפ ִח ֵידה ּו ִענְ יָ נָ ם‬ He will not be afraid of their wicked behavior, i.e.,
,‫ִמ ַּמ ְחלְ קוֹ ָתם‬ the repercussions of not flattering them and he will
not be fearful of their arguments with him.
‫ֲא ָבל יִ ְת ּ ַפ ּ ׁ ֵשט ִמ ִ ּבגְ ֵדי טוֹ בוֹ ָתם וְ ט ַֹרח‬ Rather, he will divest himself from their favors
,‫הוֹ ָד ָא ָתם וְ חוֹ ַבת ַּתגְ מוּלָ ם‬ and from the bother of being gracious to them, as
well as from the obligation to pay them back for
any good they do to him.
,‫ ל ֹא יִ ָ ּז ֵהר ִ ּב ְכבוֹ ָדם‬,‫יח אוֹ ָתם‬ַ ‫וְ ִאם יוֹ ִכ‬ If he needs to rebuke them he will not need to be
‫ וְ ל ֹא יְ יַ ּ ֶפה‬,‫ ל ֹא יֵ בוֹ ׁש ֵמ ֶהם‬,‫ימם‬ ֵ ִ‫וְ ִאם יַ ְכל‬ careful with their honor, and if he needs to shame
.‫לָ ֶהם ַה ּ ׁ ֶש ֶקר‬ them while rebuking them, he will not be embar-
rassed by them, and he will not praise their false
ways.
'‫ ז) "וַ ה‬,‫ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָא ַמר ַה ָ ּנ ִביא (ישעיה נ‬ As the prophet said (in Yeshayahu 50:7): “But the
,‫ ַעל ֵּכן ל ֹא נִ ְכלָ ְמ ִּתי‬,‫ֱאל ִֹהים יַ ֲעזָ ר לִ י‬ L-rd, G-d helps me, therefore, I was not embar-
‫יש וָ ֵא ַדע ִּכי‬ ׁ ‫ַעל ֵּכן שַׂ ְמ ִּתי ָפנַ י ַּכ ַח ָּל ִמ‬ rassed; therefore, I made my face like flint, and I
‫"אל‬ ַ )‫ ו‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (יחזקאל ב‬,"‫ל ֹא ֵאבוֹ ׁש‬ knew that I would not be ashamed.” And as it says
‫ וְ ָא ַמר‬,"‫יהם ַאל ִּת ָירא‬ ֶ ‫ִּת ָירא ֵמ ֶהם ו ִּמדִּ ְב ֵר‬ (in Yechezkel 2:6): “fear them not, and fear not
‫יהם ַאל‬ ֶ ֵ‫יהם ַאל ִּת ָירא ו ִּמ ּ ְפנ‬ ֶ ‫"מדִּ ְב ֵר‬
ִ )‫(שם‬ their words,” and at the end of the same verse, it
‫"אל ִּת ָירא‬ ַ )‫ ח‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (ירמיה א‬,"‫ֵּת ָחת‬ says: “fear not their words, neither be dismayed
‫"אל ֵּת ַחת‬ ַ )‫ וְ ָא ַמר (שם יז‬,"‫יהם‬ ֶ ֵ‫ִמ ּ ְפנ‬ by them.” And as it says (in Yirmiyahu 1:8): “Fear
‫"כ ׁ ָש ִמיר‬ְּ )‫ ט‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (יחזקאל ג‬,"‫יהם‬ ֶ ֵ‫ִמ ּ ְפנ‬ them not” and later on in the same Chapter, it says
ָ
‫ ל ֹא ִת ָירא אוֹ ָתם‬,‫ָחזָ ק ִמ ּצ ֹר נָ ַת ִּתי ִמ ְצ ֶחך‬ (Yirmiyahu 1:17): “be not dismayed by them.” And
."‫יהם‬ ֶ ֵ‫וְ ל ֹא ֵת ַחת ִמ ּ ְפנ‬ it says (in Yechezkel 3:9): “As shamir, stronger than
flint, I have set your forehead; fear them not, nei-
ther shall you be intimidated by them.”

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 6

Benefit of Trust: Peace of Mind and Tranquility

,‫ו ֵּמ ֶהם‬ Among the spiritual benefits of having bitachon is
that:
ֵ ‫ׁ ֶש ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים יְ ִב‬
ֹ‫יאה ּו ִ ּב ְטחוֹ נו‬ One who trusts the Almighty, his trust will bring
‫ וּלְ יַ ֵחד‬,‫לְ ַפנּוֹ ת ֶאת לִ בּ וֹ ֵמ ִענְ יְ נֵ י ָהעוֹ לָ ם‬ him to turn his heart away from being occupied
,‫לְ ָבבוֹ לְ ִענְ יְ נֵ י ָה ֲעבוֹ ָדה‬ with worldly matters, and instead to dedicate
himself to matters of service of G-d.
ֹ‫וְ יִ ְהיֶ ה דוֹ ֶמה ִ ּב ְמנו ַּחת נַ ְפ ׁשוֹ וְ ר ַֹחב לִ בּ ו‬ In terms of his tranquility of his soul, peace of
‫ו ִּמעוּט דַּ ֲאגָ תוֹ לְ ִענְ יְ נֵ י עוֹ לָ מוֹ לְ ַב ַעל‬ mind, and lack of worry regarding worldly mat-
‫ וְ הוּא ַה ּיוֹ ֵד ַע לַ ֲהפוֹ ְך ַה ֶּכ ֶסף‬,‫ימ ָ ּיה‬ ִ ‫ָה ַאלְ ִּכ‬ ters, he can be compared to the alchemist. An
‫ח ֶשׁת וְ ַה ְ ּב ִדיל לְ ֶכ ֶסף ַעל יְ ֵדי‬ ֹ ‫לְ זָ ָהב וְ ַה ְ ּנ‬ alchemist is one who knows how to transform
.‫ָח ְכ ָמה ו ַּמ ֲעשֶׂ ה‬ silver to fake gold, and transform copper and iron
to fake silver, through his talents and efforts who
also has little worry regarding his livelihood.
ֹ‫וְ ִאם הוּא ָחזָ ק ְ ּב ִב ְטחוֹ נוֹ ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים יֵ ׁש לו‬ Moreover, one who has bitachon is actually supe-
:‫ָעלָ יו יִ ְתרוֹ ן ַ ּב ֲעשָׂ ָרה ְד ָב ִרים‬ rior than him in ten ways:
ְ ‫ימ ָ ּיה ָצ ִר‬
‫יך‬ ִ ‫ְּת ִח ָּל ָתם ׁ ֶש ַ ּב ַעל ָה ַאלְ ִּכ‬ 1) Firstly, the alchemist needs specific materials
ֹ‫אכה ל ֹא יֻ גְ ַמר לו‬ָ ָ‫לִ ְד ָב ִרים ְמיֻ ָח ִדים לַ ְּמל‬ in order to perform his work, and cannot com-
‫ וְ ל ֹא יִ ְמ ָצ ֵאם ְ ּב ָכל ֵעת ו ְּב ָכל‬,‫דָּ ָבר זוּלָ ָתם‬ plete his work without them. These tools are not
,‫ָמקוֹ ם‬ accessible at all times and in all places.
‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים ַט ְר ּפוֹ ֻמ ְב ָטח לוֹ ִמ ָּכל‬ However, one who trusts in the almighty has his
‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָא ַמר‬,‫ִס ָ ּבה ִמ ִּסבּ וֹ ת ָהעוֹ לָ ם‬ sustenance guaranteed from G-d, who can provide
‫יעך ִּכי‬ָ ֲ ‫ ג) "לְ ַמ ַען הוֹ ִד‬,‫ַה ָּכתוּב (דברים ח‬ him with sustenance from any one of the means
‫ל ֹא ַעל ַה ֶּל ֶחם לְ ַבדּ וֹ יִ ְחיֶ ה ָה ָא ָדם ִּכי ַעל‬ available to him in the world. As Scripture says
."‫ָּכל מוֹ ָצא ִפי ה' יִ ְחיֶ ה ָה ָא ָדם‬ (in Devarim 8:3) regarding the Manna which the
Jews ate in the desert: “so that He would make you
know that man does not live by bread alone, but
rather by, whatever comes forth from the mouth
of the L-rd does man live.”

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 7

‫ִּכי ַה ִּסבּ וֹ ת ֵאינָ ן נִ ְב ָצרוֹ ת ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו ְ ּב ָכל ֵעת‬ For no means of providing sustenance is lacking
‫ ַּכ ֲא ׁ ֶשר יָ ַד ְע ָּת ִמדְּ ַבר ֵאלִ ָ ּיה ּו‬,‫ו ְּב ָכל ָמקוֹ ם‬ from G-d at any time or at any place as you know
‫ִעם ָהעוֹ ְר ִבים וְ ִעם ָה ִא ּ ׁ ָשה ָה ַאלְ ָמנָ ה‬ from the story of Eliyohu with the ravens, and
‫ ו ְּד ַבר‬,‫וְ עוּגַ ת ְר ָצ ִפים וְ ַצ ּ ַפ ַחת ַה ַּמיִ ם‬ with the widow and from how G-d sustained him
‫יאים ׁ ֶש ָא ַמר (מלכים‬ ִ ‫עוֹ ַב ְדיָ ה ּו ִעם ַה ְ ּנ ִב‬ with the coal-baked cake and a flask of water. This
ׁ ‫יאי ה' ֵמ ָאה ִא‬
‫יש‬ ֵ ‫ יג) "וָ ַא ְח ִ ּבא ִמ ְ ּנ ִב‬,‫א' יח‬ concept can also be seen in the story of Ovadyahu
‫יש ַ ּב ְּמ ָע ָרה וָ ֲא ַכלְ ְּכלֵ ם‬ ׁ ‫ֲח ִמ ּ ׁ ִשים ֲח ִמ ּ ׁ ִשים ִא‬ with the prophets, whereby Ovadyahu said (in
,"‫לֶ ֶחם וָ ָמיִ ם‬ Melochim 1, 18:13): “I hid one hundred men of the
prophets of the L-rd, fifty men in each cave, and
provided them with bread and water.”
‫"כ ִפ ִירים ָר ׁש ּו‬
ְּ )‫ יא‬,‫וְ ָא ַמר (תהלים לד‬ And as it says (in Tehillim 34:11): “Young lions suf-
,"‫וְ ָר ֵעב ּו וְ דוֹ ְר ׁ ֵשי ה' ל ֹא יַ ְח ְסר ּו ָכל טוֹ ב‬ fer want and are hungry, but those who seek the
‫וְ ָא ַמר (שם י) "יְ רא ּו ֶאת ה' ְקדוֹ ׁ ָשיו ִּכי‬ L-rd lack no good.” And as it says in the preced-
."‫ֵאין ַמ ְחסוֹ ר לִ ֵיר ָאיו‬ ing verse, (Tehillim 34:10): “Fear the L-rd, His holy
ones; for there is no lack for those who fear Him.”
ְ ‫ימ ָ ּיה ָצ ִר‬
‫יך לְ ַמ ֲעשִׂ ים‬ ִ ‫ ִּכי ַ ּב ַעל ַה ִּכ‬:‫וְ ַה ּ ׁ ֵשנִ י‬ 2) The second manner in which one who has bita-
,‫וְ לִ ְמלָ אכוֹ ת ל ֹא יִ ׁ ְשלַ ם לוֹ ֶח ְפצוֹ זוּלָ ָתם‬ chon is superior to the alchemist is that the alche-
‫יחם וַ ֲע ׁ ָשנָ ם ִעם‬ָ ‫וְ ֶא ְפ ׁ ָשר ׁ ֶש ְ ּי ִמיתוּה ּו ֵר‬ mist needs to perform certain actions and proce-
‫יעה ָ ּב ֶהם‬ ְ
ָ ִ‫ַה ְת ָמ ַדת ָה ֲעבוֹ ָדה וְ א ֶֹרך ַהיְ ג‬ dures in order to produce the fake silver and gold
.‫לַ יְ לָ ה וְ יוֹ ָמם‬ and cannot reach his goal without them. Addi-
tionally, it is possible that the fumes of the materi-
als and the smoke which he inhales will cause him
to die, as a result of him working consistently and
spending long amounts of time toiling with them
both by day and night.
ֹ‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ָ ּב ֵאל ְ ּב ִב ְט ָחה ֵמ ַה ּ ְפגָ ִעים וְ לִ בּ ו‬ Conversely, one who relies on the Almighty, is
‫ וְ ָכל ֲא ׁ ֶשר יְ בוֹ ֶא ּנ ּו‬,‫ָ ּבטו ַּח ִמ ְּמצוֹ א ָה ָרעוֹ ת‬ secure from any mishaps in the present and also
,‫ֵמ ֵאת ָה ֱאל ִֹהים יִ ְהיֶ ה לוֹ לְ שָׂ שׂ וֹ ן וּלְ שִׂ ְמ ָחה‬ feels secure that no bad will happen to him in
,‫וְ ַט ְר ּפוֹ ָ ּבא ֵאלָ יו ִ ּב ְמנו ָּחה וְ ַה ׁ ְש ֵקט וְ ׁ ַשלְ וָ ה‬ the future. This is because he believes that any-
‫"בנְ אוֹ ת‬ ּ ִ )‫ ב‬,‫ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָּכתוּב (תהלים כג‬ thing that happens to him is from the Almighty,
."‫דֶּ ׁ ֶשא יַ ְר ִ ּב ֵיצנִ י ַעל ֵמי ְמנֻ חוֹ ת יְ נַ ֲהלֵ נִ י‬ and therefore it will be a cause of joy and happi-
ness for him. His sustenance will come to him in
a restful, calm and peaceful manner. As it says (in
Tehilim 23:2): “He causes me to lie down in green
pastures; He leads me beside still waters.”

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 8

‫ימ ָ ּיה ֵאינוֹ ַמ ֲא ִמין‬ ִ ‫ ִּכי ַ ּב ַעל ַה ִּכ‬:‫ישי‬ ִ ׁ ִ‫וְ ַה ּ ׁ ְשל‬ 3) The third manner in which one who has bita-
. ֹ‫ ִמ ִ ּי ְר ָאתוֹ ַעל נַ ְפ ׁשו‬, ֹ‫ַעל סוֹ דוֹ זוּלָ תו‬ chon is superior to the alchemist, is that the alche-
mist doesn’t trust anyone else with his secret out
of concern for himself. He is afraid that if he tells
people about his means of livelihood, he will get
punished by the king for engaging in counterfeiting.
‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים ֵאינֶ ּנ ּו יָ ֵרא ִמ ּ ׁשוּם ָא ָדם‬ Conversely, one who trusts in G-d is not afraid of
ֹ‫ ְּכמו‬, ֹ‫ ֲא ָבל הוּא ִמ ְת ּ ָפ ֵאר בּ ו‬, ֹ‫ְ ּב ִב ְטחוֹ נו‬ telling anyone about his trust in G-d. On the con-
‫ׁ ֶש ָא ַמר דָּ וִ ד ַה ֶּמלֶ ְך ָעלָ יו ַה ּ ׁ ָשלוֹ ם (תהלים‬ trary, he boasts about it, as King David, of blessed
‫"באל ִֹהים ָ ּב ַט ְח ִּתי ל ֹא ִא ָירא ַמה‬ ּ ֵ )‫ יב‬,‫נו‬ memory said (in Tehillim 56:12): In G-d I trusted, I
."‫ַ ּי ֲעשֶׂ ה ָא ָדם לִ י‬ will not fear. What can man do to me?
‫ימ ָ ּיה ֵאינוֹ נִ ְמלָ ט‬
ִ ‫ ִּכי ַ ּב ַעל ַה ִּכ‬:‫יעי‬ ִ ‫וְ ָה ְר ִב‬ 4) The fourth manner in which one who has bita-
‫ֵמ ַהזְ ִמין ֵמ ַה ָ ּז ָהב וְ ַה ֶּכ ֶסף ַה ְר ֵ ּבה לְ ֵעת‬ chon is superior to the alchemist is, that the alche-
‫ אוֹ ׁ ֶשלּ ֹא יַ זְ ִמין ֵמ ֶהם ְּכלוּם ֶא ָּלא‬, ֹ‫ָצ ְרכּ ו‬ mist must either prepare an abundance of gold
.‫ְּכ ִפי ׁ ֶש ַ ּי ְס ּ ִפיק לִ זְ ַמן מו ָּעט‬ and silver for a time when he will need it or he
might prepare just enough of it for the meantime.
‫ יִ ְהיֶ ה ָּכל יָ ָמיו‬,‫וְ ִאם יַ זְ ִמין ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו ַה ְר ֵ ּבה‬ If he prepares a lot, he will constantly be afraid
ַ ‫ְמ ַפ ֵחד ַעל נַ ְפ ׁשוֹ ׁ ֶשלּ ֹא י‬
‫ֹאבד ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו ְ ּב ִמינֵ י‬ that perhaps he will somehow lose the fake silver
‫ וְ ל ֹא יִ ׁ ְשק ֹט לִ בּ וֹ וְ ל ֹא ָתנו ַּח‬,‫ִסבּ וֹ ת ָה ֲא ֵב ָדה‬ or gold that he has already produced. He will not be
.‫נַ ְפ ׁשוֹ ִמ ּ ַפ ְחדּ וֹ ָעלָ יו ֵמ ַה ֶּמלֶ ְך וְ ָה ָעם‬ able to be calm or relaxed due to fear of the king
who might take it away from him and due to fear of
the people who may steal it from him.
‫וְ ִאם ל ֹא יַ זְ ִמין ֵמ ֶהם ֶא ָּלא לְ ַמלּ ֹאת‬ If, on the other hand, he only prepares enough
‫ ֶא ְפ ׁ ָשר ׁ ֶש ִ ּי ָ ּב ֵצר ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו‬,‫ַמ ְחסוֹ רוֹ זְ ַמן מו ָּעט‬ gold and silver to last him for a short amount of
‫ַה ַּמ ֲעשֶׂ ה ְ ּב ֵעת ַה ּצ ֶֹר ְך ַה ָ ּגדוֹ ל ֵאלָ יו ִמ ּ ְפנֵ י‬ time, then it is possible that a situation will arise
.ּ‫ִה ָּמנַ ע ִס ָ ּבה ִמ ִּסבּ וֹ ָתיו ִמ ֶּמ ּנו‬ whereby he will not be able to produce more fake
silver and fake gold, due to not having the neces-
sary materials with which to do his work, at a time
when he will be in a great need for it.
‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים ִ ּב ְטחוֹ נוֹ ָחזָ ק ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים‬ However, one who trusts the Almighty, strongly
‫ׁ ֶש ַ ּי ְט ִריף אוֹ תוֹ ִּכ ְרצוֹ נוֹ ְ ּב ֵעת ׁ ֶש ִ ּי ְר ֶצה‬ trusts that the Almighty will sustain him as He,
,‫ו ְּב ָמקוֹ ם ׁ ֶש ִ ּי ְר ֶצה‬ G-d, wishes, and at the time in which He desires to
do so, and in the place that He, G-d wishes.

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 9

ֹ‫ַּכ ֲא ׁ ֶשר יַ ְט ִריף ָה ֻע ָ ּבר ְ ּב ֶר ֶחם ִא ּמו‬ He will do so just as He, G-d, sustains a fetus in
‫וְ ָה ֶא ְפרוֹ ַח ְ ּבתוֹ ְך ַה ֵ ּב ָיצה ֲא ׁ ֶשר ֵאין ָ ּב ּה‬ its mother’s womb, and a chick inside the egg,
‫ָמקוֹ ם ְמ ֻפ ָּל ׁש לְ ִה ָּכנֵ ס ֵאלָ יו ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו דָּ ָבר‬ neither of which have an opening through which
,‫ וְ ָהעוֹ ף ָ ּב ֲאוִ יר וְ ַהדָּ גִ ים ַ ּב ַּמיִ ם‬,‫ִמחו ָּצה‬ food can enter to sustain the fetus or chick. Never-
,‫ישו ָּת ּה‬ ׁ ִ‫וְ ַה ְ ּנ ָמלָ ה ַה ְּק ַט ָ ּנה ִעם ֲחל‬ theless, G-d provides them with sustenance. Like-
wise, G-d provides sustenance for the bird which is
in the air and the fish in the water neither of which
have food readily accessible to them, and provides
for the ant and the worm despite their frailty.
‫וְ יִ ָ ּב ֵצר ַה ּ ֶט ֶרף ֵמ ָה ֲא ִרי ִעם ָּת ְק ּפוֹ ִ ּב ְק ָצת‬ Contrast this with the fact that sometimes even
)‫ יא‬,‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָּכתוּב (תהלים לד‬,‫ַה ָ ּי ִמים‬ the lion despite its strength lacks sustenance as
‫"כ ִפ ִירים ָר ׁש ּו וְ ָר ֵעב ּו וְ דוֹ ְר ׁ ֵשי ה' ל ֹא‬ ְּ it is written (in Tehillim 34:11): “Young lions suffer
‫ ג) "ל ֹא‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (משלי י‬,"‫יַ ְח ְסר ּו ָכל טוֹ ב‬ want and are hungry, but those who seek the L-rd
,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (תהלים לז‬,"‫יַ ְר ִעיב ה' נֶ ֶפ ׁש ַצדִּ יק‬ lack no good,” and as it says (in Mishlei 10:3): “The
ִ ‫יתי ַ ּגם זָ ַקנְ ִּתי וְ ל ֹא ָר ִא‬
‫יתי‬ ִ ִ‫כה) "נַ ַער ָהי‬ L-rd will not starve the soul of the righteous” and
."‫ַצדִּ יק נֶ ֱעזָ ב וְ זַ ְרעוֹ ְמ ַב ֶּק ׁש לָ ֶחם‬ as it says (in Tehillim 37:25): “I was young, I also
aged, and I have not seen a righteous man forsak-
en and his seed seeking bread.”
‫ימ ָ ּיה ֵּת ַחת יִ ְר ָאה‬ ִ ‫ ׁ ֶש ַ ּב ַעל ַה ִּכ‬:‫ישי‬
ִ ׁ ‫וְ ַה ֲח ִמ‬ 5) The fifth manner in which one who has bitachon
‫אכ ּתוֹ ִמן ַה ָ ּגדוֹ ל וְ ַעד ַה ָּק ָטן‬
ְ ַ‫וָ ַפ ַחד ַעל ְמל‬ is superior to the alchemist, is that the alchemist is
.‫ׁ ֶש ָ ּב ָעם‬ in a constant state of fear and dread as a result of
his occupation. He is afraid of all people, from the
most important man in the nation, the king, down
until the least important one.
‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים יִ ָיראוּה ּו ַה ְ ּגדוֹ לִ ים‬ However, the one who trusts in the Almighty,
‫ ַאף ַה ַח ּיוֹ ת וְ ָה ֲא ָבנִ ים‬,‫וְ נִ ְכ ַ ּבדֵּ י ְ ּבנֵ י ָא ָדם‬ even the great and respectable people will fear
‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ֶ ּנ ֱא ַמר ְ ּב ִמזְ מוֹ ר‬, ֹ‫ְמ ַב ְק ׁ ִשים ְרצוֹ נו‬ him. Even the animals and stones will seek to do
‫(תהלים צא) "י ֹ ֵשׁב ְ ּב ֵס ֶתר ֶעלְ יוֹ ן" ַעד‬ his will and will not cause him any harm, as it says
‫"ב ׁ ֵש ׁש‬
ּ ְ )‫ יט־כ‬,‫ וְ אוֹ ֵמר (איוב ה‬, ֹ‫ַא ֲח ִריתו‬ in the Psalm of “He who dwells in the covert of
,‫ָצרוֹ ת יַ ִּצילֶ ךָּ ו ְּב ׁ ֶש ַבע ל ֹא יִ ַ ּגע ְ ּב ָך ָרע‬ the Most High” (Tehillim 91), from the beginning
.‫ְ ּב ָר ָעב ּ ָפ ְד ָך ִמ ָּמוֶ ת" ַעד סוֹ ף ָה ִענְ יָ ן‬ of the Psalm, all the way until the end of the Psalm,
in which it elaborates how someone who trusts G-d
will be saved from all kinds of harm. And as it says
(in Iyov 5:19-20): “In six troubles He will save you,
and in the seventh no harm will touch you. In
famine, He redeemed you from death…,” and as it
continues until the end of the chapter.

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 10

‫ימ ָ ּיה ֵאינוֹ ָבטו ַּח‬ ִ ‫ ׁ ֶש ַ ּב ַעל ַה ִּכ‬:‫וְ ַה ּ ׁ ִש ּ ׁ ִשי‬ 6) The sixth manner in which one who has bita-
‫ֵמ ֶה ֳחלָ יִ ים וְ ַה ַּמ ְדוִ ים ׁ ֶש ְּמ ַע ְר ְ ּב ִבין ָעלָ יו‬ chon is superior to the alchemist, is that the alche-
ֹ‫יחין אוֹ תו‬ ִ ‫שִׂ ְמ ָחתוֹ ְ ּב ָע ׁ ְשרוֹ וְ ֵאינָ ם ַמ ִ ּנ‬ mist is not protected from sickness and disease,
‫לֵ ָהנוֹ ת ִמ ַּמה ּ ׁ ֶש ֵ ּי ׁש לוֹ וְ ל ֹא לְ ִה ְת ַע ֵ ּנג ְ ּב ַמה‬ which disturb his contentment with his wealth
. ֹ‫ּ ׁ ֶש ִה ּ ִׂשיגָ ה יָ דו‬ and which do not let him derive benefit from the
possessions which he has. Likewise, they stop him
from enjoying the wealth that he has amassed as
a result of his hard work.
,‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ַ ּבה' ָ ּבטו ַּח ִמן ַה ַּמ ְדוִ ים וְ ֶה ֳחלָ יִ ים‬ Conversely, one who trusts the Almighty, is pro-
‫ֶא ָּלא ַעל דֶּ ֶר ְך ַה ַּכ ּ ָפ ָרה אוֹ ַעל דֶּ ֶר ְך‬ tected from disease and sickness, except for dis-
)‫ ל‬,‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָּכתוּב (ישעיה מ‬,‫ַה ְּתמו ָּרה‬ ease and sickness which he is subject to, as a means
‫"וְ יִ ֲעפ ּו נְ ָע ִרים וְ יִ גָ ע ּו ו ַּבחו ִּרים ָּכ ׁשוֹ ל‬ of atonement for his sins, or so as to increase his
‫קוי ה' יַ ֲחלִ יפ ּו‬ ֹ ֵ ְ‫ וְ ָא ַמר (שם לא) "ו‬,"ּ‫יִ ָּכ ׁ ֵשלו‬ reward in the Next World. As it is written (in Ye-
‫"כי זְ רוֹ עוֹ ת‬ ִּ )‫ יז‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (תהלים לז‬,"‫כ ַֹח‬ shayahu 40:30): “Now youths shall become tired
."'‫ְר ׁ ָש ִעים ִּת ּ ׁ ָש ַב ְרנָ ה וְ סוֹ ֵמ ְך ַצדִּ ִיקים ה‬ and weary, and young men shall stumble.” In the
following verse (Yeshayahu 40:31), it says: “But
those who put their hope in the L-rd shall renew
their vigor,” and as it says in the verse (in Tehillim
37:17): “For the arms of the wicked shall be bro-
ken, but the L-rd supports the righteous.”
‫ימ ָ ּיה ֶא ְפ ׁ ָשר ׁ ֶשלּ ֹא‬
ִ ‫ ׁ ֶש ַ ּב ַעל ַה ִּכ‬:‫יעי‬ִ ‫וְ ַה ּ ׁ ְש ִב‬ 7) The seventh manner in which one who has bita-
‫יע ֶאל ְמזוֹ נוֹ ְ ּב ַמה ּ ׁ ֶש ֵ ּי ׁש ֶא ְצלוֹ ִמן‬ ַ ‫יַ ִ ּג‬ chon is superior to the alchemist, is that it is pos-
‫ַה ָ ּז ָהב וְ ַה ֶּכ ֶסף ִמ ּ ְפנֵ י ֶש ֹא יִ ְהיֶ ה ָהא ֶֹכל‬
ּ‫ל‬ ׁ sible that the alchemist will not be able to use the
‫ ְּכ ָמה‬,‫נִ ְמ ָצא ְ ּב ִעירוֹ ִ ּב ְק ָצת ָה ִע ִּתים‬ gold and silver that he has, to obtain his food, due
ַּ )‫ יט‬,‫ׁ ֶש ֶ ּנ ֱא ַמר (יחזקאל ז‬
‫"כ ְס ּ ָפם ַ ּבחוּצוֹ ת‬ to the fact that food may not be accessible in his
‫"גם‬ּ ַ )‫ יח‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (צפניה א‬,"ּ‫יַ ׁ ְשלִ יכו‬ city at certain times. As it says (in Yechezkel 7:19):
."‫ַּכ ְס ּ ָפם ַ ּגם זְ ָה ָבם ל ֹא יו ַּכל לְ ַה ִּצילָ ם‬ “They will cast their silver into the streets.” Simi-
larly, it says (in Tzefaniah 1:18): “Neither their sil-
ver nor their gold will be able to save them.”
ֹ‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ַ ּבה' ל ֹא יִ ָ ּב ֵצר ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו ְמזוֹ נו‬ Conversely, one who trusts in G-d will not be lack-
,‫ְ ּב ָכל ֵעת ו ְּב ָכל ָמקוֹ ם ַעד סוֹ ף יָ ָמיו‬ ing food at any time or at any place, until the end
ָ‫"ב ָר ָעב ּ ָפ ְדך‬ ּ ְ )‫ כ‬,‫ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ֶ ּנ ֱא ַמר (איוב ה‬ of his days, as it says (in Iyov 5:20): “In famine, He
‫ א) "ה' ר ִֹעי‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (תהלים כג‬,"‫ִמ ָּמוֶ ת‬ redeemed you from death,” and as it says (in Te-
‫ יט) "ל ֹא‬,‫ וְ ָא ַמר (תהלים לז‬,"‫ל ֹא ֶא ְח ָסר‬ hillim 23:1): “The L-rd is my shepherd; I shall not
."ּ‫ימי ְר ָעבוֹ ן יִ שְׂ ָ ּבעו‬ ֵ ‫יֵ בֹשׁ ּו ְ ּב ֵעת ָר ָעה ו ִּב‬ want.” Likewise, it says (in Tehillim 37:17): “They
will not be ashamed in time of calamity, and in
days of famine they shall still be satisfied.”

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 11

‫ימ ָ ּיה ֵאינֶ ּנ ּו ִמ ְת ַע ֵּכב‬

ִ ‫ ׁ ֶש ַ ּב ַעל ַה ִּכ‬:‫וְ ַה ּ ׁ ְש ִמינִ י‬ 8) The eighth manner in which one who has bita-
. ֹ‫ ִמ ִ ּי ְר ָאתוֹ ׁ ֶש ָּמא יִ ְת ַ ּג ֶּלה סוֹ דו‬,‫ְ ּב ׁשוּם ָמקוֹ ם‬ chon is superior to the alchemist, is that the alche-
mist is not able to remain in one place out of fear
that his secret will be revealed.
ֹ‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים ְ ּב ִב ְט ָחה ְ ּב ַא ְרצו‬ On the other hand, one who trusts the Almighty,
‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָּכתוּב‬, ֹ‫ו ִּב ְמנו ַּחת נֶ ֶפ ׁש ִ ּב ְמקוֹ מו‬ is secure, living in his land and has peace of mind
‫"ב ַטח ַ ּבה' וַ ֲעשֵׂ ה טוֹ ב‬ ּ ְ )‫ ג‬,‫(תהלים לז‬ living in the place in which he lives, as it is written
‫ וְ ָא ַמר (שם‬,"‫ׁ ְש ָכן ֶא ֶרץ ו ְּר ֵעה ֱאמוּנָ ה‬ (in Tehillim 37:3): “Trust in the L-rd and do good;
‫"צדִּ ִיקים יִ ְיר ׁש ּו ָא ֶרץ וְ יִ ׁ ְש ְּכנ ּו לָ ַעד‬
ַ )‫כט‬ dwell in the land and be nourished by faith.” Simi-
."‫יה‬
ָ ֶ‫ָעל‬ larly, it says (in Tehillim 37:29): “The righteous
shall inherit the land and dwell forever in it.”
‫ימ ָ ּיה ל ֹא ְתלַ ֶּו ּנ ּו‬
ִ ‫ ׁ ֶש ַ ּב ַעל ַה ִּכ‬:‫יעי‬ִ ‫וְ ַה ְּת ׁ ִש‬ 9) The ninth manner in which the one who has
‫ימ ָ ּיה ׁ ֶשלּ וֹ ְ ּב ַא ֲח ִריתוֹ וְ ל ֹא יַ ּ ִׂשיג ָ ּב ּה‬
ִ ‫ַה ִּכ‬ bitachon is superior to the alchemist, is that the al-
‫יש‬ ּ
ׁ ‫ָ ּבעוֹ לָ ם ַה ֶזה זוּלַ ת ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן ִמן ָה ִר‬ chemist’s alchemistry will not accompany him in
.‫וְ ַה ּצ ֶֹר ְך לִ ְבנֵ י ָא ָדם‬ the end of his days, in the World to Come. Even in
this world he will not gain anything from it other
than being secure from poverty and from needing
to rely on other people.
‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ַ ּבה' יְ לַ ֶּו ּנ ּו ְ ּגמוּל ִ ּב ְטחוֹ נוֹ ָ ּבעוֹ לָ ם‬ Conversely, the one who has trust in the Almighty
‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָּכתוּב (תהלים‬,‫ַה ֶ ּזה וְ לָ עוֹ לָ ם ַה ָ ּבא‬ the reward for his trust in the almighty, will ac-
,"ּ‫ י) "וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ַ ּבה' ֶח ֶסד יְ סוֹ ְב ֶב ּנו‬,‫לב‬ company him both in this world and in the world
ָ‫"מה ַרב טו ְּבך‬ ָ )‫ כ‬,‫וְ ָא ַמר (תהלים לא‬ to come, as it is written (in Tehillim 32:10): “But
."‫יך‬ ָ ‫ֲא ׁ ֶשר ָצ ַפנְ ָּת לִ ֵיר ֶא‬ one who trusts in the L-rd, kindness will encom-
pass him.” As it says (in Tehillim 31:20): “How great
is Your goodness that You have laid away for those
who fear You.”
ֹ‫ימ ָ ּיה ִאם יִ ָּו ַדע ִענְ יָ נו‬ ִ ‫ ׁ ֶש ַ ּב ַעל ַה ִּכ‬:‫וְ ָה ֲעשִׂ ִירי‬ 10) The tenth manner in which one who has bita-
‫ ִמ ּ ְפנֵ י ׁ ֶש ַּמה ּ ׁ ֶשהוּא‬, ֹ‫ִּת ְהיֶ ה ִס ַ ּבת מוֹ תו‬ chon is superior to the alchemist is that if his se-
,‫ִמ ׁ ְש ַּתדֵּ ל וְ טוֹ ֵר ַח בּ וֹ ֵה ֶפ ְך ַהנְ ָהגַ ת ָהעוֹ לָ ם‬ cret cause of his wealth, becomes known to others,
‫יתה ּו‬ֵ ‫ו ַּמנְ ִהיג ַהכּ ֹל יַ ׁ ְשלִ יט ָעלָ יו ִמי ׁ ֶש ְ ּי ִמ‬ it will be the cause of his death. For, his efforts
. ֹ‫ְּכ ׁ ֶש ֵאינוֹ יוֹ ֵד ַע לְ ַה ֲעלִ ים ֶאת סוֹ דו‬ and his labor are contrary to the rules of nature.
Therefore, G-d , the one who rules everything will
cause a ruler to rule over the alchemist, who will
kill him, in the instance in which he is not able to
conceal his secret.

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 12

‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ַ ּבה' ַּכ ֲא ׁ ֶשר יִ ָּו ַדע ִ ּב ְטחוֹ נוֹ יִ גְ דַּ ל‬ Conversely, regarding one who trusts in G-d, if
‫יכ ְ ּבדוּה ּו ְ ּבנֵ י ָא ָדם‬ ַ ִ‫ְ ּב ֵעינֵ י ַה ְ ּב ִר ּיוֹ ת ו‬ people will find out about his trust in G-d, he
‫ וְ יִ ְהיֶ ה גוֹ ֵרם‬, ֹ‫וְ יִ ְת ָ ּב ְרכ ּו ְ ּב ִק ְר ָבתוֹ ו ִּב ְר ִא ָ ּיתו‬ will become greater in the eyes of the people,
‫לְ ַת ָּקנַ ת ִעירוֹ וְ לִ ְדחוֹ ת ַה ּ ְפגָ ִעים ֵמ ַעל ַאנְ ׁ ֵשי‬ and people will honor him. Those people will be
,"‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָּכתוּב "וְ ַצדִּ יק יְ סוֹ ד עוֹ לָ ם‬, ֹ‫ְמקוֹ מו‬ blessed as a result of being close to him or even
.‫ו ְּכ ִענְ יַ ן לוֹ ט ְ ּבצוֹ ַער‬ as a result of just seeing him and will be the cause
for improvements in his city. Additionally, the one
who has bitachon will also push away harm from
the people of his place of living, as it says in the
verse (in Mishlei 10:25) “The righteous is the foun-
dation of the world.” And as we see by the story of
Lot and Tzoar (Bereshit 19:21).

Benefit of Trust: Financial Satisfaction

‫ו ִּמ ּתוֹ ֶעלֶ ת ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן ַ ּבה' ְ ּב ִענְ יַ ן ַה ּתוֹ ָרה ִּכי‬ Among the advantages of having bitachon with re-
‫ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ַ ּבה' ִאם הוּא ַ ּב ַעל ָממוֹ ן יְ ַמ ֵהר‬ gard to observing the commandments of the Torah,
‫לְ הוֹ ִציא חוֹ בוֹ ת ָה ֱאל ִֹהים וְ חוֹ בוֹ ת ְ ּבנֵ י‬ is that one who puts his trust in G-d is in a better
.‫ָא ָדם ִמ ָּממוֹ נוֹ ְ ּבנֶ ֶפ ׁש ֲח ֵפ ָצה וְ רו ַּח נְ ִד ָיבה‬ situation than one who doesn’t have bitachon. For
if he has money, he will hurry to fulfill his obliga-
tions to the Almighty, such as buying Kosher Tefil-
lin, Tzitzit, buying extra food for the Shabbos meals,
and the like, as well as fulfilling his obligations to
other people, such as fulfilling the commandment
of Charity, or giving out loans to those in need, and
so on. He will do so willingly, and generously.
‫וְ ִאם ֵאינֶ ּנ ּו ַ ּב ַעל ָממוֹ ן יִ ְר ֶאה ִּכי ֶח ְסרוֹ ן‬ If he does not have money, then he will pay atten-
,‫ַה ָּממוֹ ן טוֹ ָבה ִמ ּטוֹ בוֹ ת ַה ָּמקוֹ ם ָעלָ יו‬ tion to the fact that the lack of money is actually a
kindness from G-d upon him.
‫ִמ ּ ְפנֵ י ׁ ֶש ִ ּנ ְס ַּת ְּלק ּו ֵמ ָעלָ יו ַהחוֹ בוֹ ת ׁ ֶשהוּא‬ This is because as a result of not having money, he
, ֹ‫ַח ָ ּיב ָ ּב ֶהם לֵ אל ִֹהים וְ לִ ְבנֵ י ָא ָדם ַ ּב ֲעבוּרו‬ has been relieved from the obligations to G-d and
, ֹ‫ו ִּמעוּט ִט ְרדַּ ת לִ בּ וֹ ִ ּב ׁ ְש ִמ ָירתוֹ וְ ַהנְ ָהגָ תו‬ to other people that would have been incumbent
upon him, due to his money. And he has fewer
worries regarding guarding his money and tak-
ing care of it.

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 13

‫ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ֶ ּנ ֱא ַמר ַעל ֶא ָחד ִמן ַה ֲח ִס ִידים‬ As has been said regarding one of the pious men,
‫ ַה ָּמקוֹ ם יַ ִּצילֵ נִ י ִמ ּ ִפ ּזוּר‬:‫ׁ ֶש ָהיָ ה אוֹ ֵמר‬ that he would say the following: “G-d should save
?‫ ַמה הוּא ּ ִפ ּזוּר ַה ֶ ּנ ֶפ ׁש‬: ֹ‫ ָא ְמר ּו לו‬.‫ַה ֶ ּנ ֶפ ׁש‬ me from the ‘scattering of the mind.’” They asked
‫ֹאש ָּכל נָ ָהר‬ ׁ ‫ ׁ ֶש ִ ּי ְהיֶ ה לִ י ָממוֹ ן ְ ּבר‬:‫ָא ַמר‬ him: “What is the ‘scattering of the mind’?” He
.‫ֹאש ָּכל ִק ְריָ ה‬ׁ ‫ו ְּבר‬ responded: “Were I to have money at the port of
each river and the top of each city.”
‫וְ הוּא ַמה ּ ׁ ֶש ָא ְמר ּו זִ ְכרוֹ נָ ם לִ ְב ָר ָכה (אבות‬ This is what they - the Rabbis - of blessed mem-
,"‫"מ ְר ֶ ּבה נְ ָכ ִסים ַמ ְר ֶ ּבה ְד ָאגָ ה‬ ַ )‫ ז‬,‫ב‬ ory, meant when they said (in the Mishna, Avot
‫"איזֶ ה ּו ָע ׁ ִשיר‬
ֵ )‫ א‬,‫וְ ָא ְמר ּו (אבות ד‬ 2:7): “The more possessions the more worry”,
." ֹ‫ַה ּ ָׂש ֵמ ַח ְ ּב ֶחלְ קו‬ and when they also said (in Avot 4:1) “Who is truly
wealthy? One who is content with his lot.”
‫ ְרצוֹ נִ י‬,‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ַ ּבה' יַ ּ ִׂשיג ּתוֹ ֶעלֶ ת ַה ָּממוֹ ן‬ One who trusts in G-d, will get all the benefits of
‫ וְ ִת ָּמנַ ע ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו ִט ְרדַּ ת‬, ֹ‫לוֹ ַמר ּ ַפ ְרנָ ָסתו‬ the money, I mean to say, the benefits of his live-
‫ַה ַּמ ֲח ׁ ָש ָבה ׁ ֶשל ַ ּב ַעל ַה ָּממוֹ ן וְ ַה ְת ָמ ַדת‬ lihood, but the disturbing thoughts of a wealthy
,‫ ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָא ַמר ֶה ָח ָכם (קהלת ה‬, ֹ‫דַּ ֲאגָ תוֹ לו‬ person, and his constant worry will be withheld
‫"מתו ָּקה ׁ ְשנַ ת ָהע ֵֹבד ִאם ְמ ַעט וְ ִאם‬ ְ )‫יא‬ from him, as the Wise Man, Shlomo Hamelech,
ַ ‫ וְ ַה ּ ָׂש ָבע לֶ ָע ׁ ִשיר ֵאינֶ ּנ ּו ַמ ִ ּנ‬,‫ֹאכל‬
‫יח‬ ֵ ‫ַה ְר ֵ ּבה י‬ said (in Kohelet 5:11): “The sleep of the laborer is
."‫ישוֹ ן‬ ׁ ִ‫לוֹ ל‬ sweet, whether he eat little or much, but the sati-
ety of the rich does not allow him to sleep.”

Benefit of Trust: Financial Stability

‫ו ֵּמ ֶהן ִּכי ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ַ ּבה' ל ֹא יִ ְמנָ ֶע ּנ ּו ר ֹב‬ Among the spiritual benefits of bitachon, is that the
ְ‫ ִמ ּ ְפנֵ י ׁ ֶש ֵאינֶ ּנ ּו סוֹ ֵמך‬,'‫ַה ָּממוֹ ן ִמ ְ ּבט ַֹח ַ ּבה‬ money of the one who trusts the Almighty, will
‫ וְ הוּא ְ ּב ֵעינָ יו ְּכ ִפ ָּקדוֹ ן ֻצ ָּוה‬,‫ַעל ַה ָּממוֹ ן‬ not disturb him from trusting in the Almighty,
‫לְ ִה ׁ ְש ַּת ֵּמ ׁש בּ וֹ ַעל ּ ָפנִ ים ְמיֻ ָח ִדים ו ְּב ִענְ יָ נִ ים‬ and neither his wealth nor lack of it is cause for
.‫ְמיֻ ָח ִדים לִ זְ ַמן ָקצוּב‬ him to sin. This is because he will not rely on his
money, rather he considers it as a deposit, which
he has been instructed to use in certain ways and
for certain purposes for a designated amount of
time.
‫וְ ִאם יַ ְת ִמיד ִק ּיוּמוֹ ֶא ְצלוֹ ל ֹא יִ ְב ַעט‬ If his wealth will continue to remain with him, he
‫ וְ ל ֹא יַ זְ ִּכיר טוֹ ָבתוֹ לְ ִמי ׁ ֶש ֻּצ ָּוה‬, ֹ‫ַ ּב ֲעבוּרו‬ will not rebel as a result of it nor will he remind
‫ וְ ל ֹא יְ ַב ֵּק ׁש ָעלָ יו ְ ּגמוּל‬,ּ‫לָ ֵתת לוֹ ִמ ֶּמ ּנו‬ the one who he has been instructed to be kind
ֹ‫ ֲא ָבל הוּא מוֹ ֶדה לְ בוֹ ְראו‬,‫הוֹ ָד ָאה וְ ׁ ֶש ַבח‬ to, of his kindness, nor will he ask him to be re-
.‫יִ ְת ָ ּב ֵר ְך ֲא ׁ ֶשר שָׂ ָמה ּו ִס ָ ּבה לַ ּטוֹ בוֹ ת‬ paid for his kindness, nor will he ask to be thanked
or praised. Instead, he will thank his Creator
blessed be He, who put him in the position to be
the means for the goodness of the recipient.

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 14

‫ֹאבד ַה ָּממוֹ ן ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו ל ֹא יִ ְד ַאג וְ ל ֹא‬ ַ ‫וְ ִאם י‬ Even if he loses his money, he will not worry, nor
‫ ַא ְך הוּא מוֹ ֶדה לֵ אל ָֹהיו‬, ֹ‫יֶ ֱא ַבל לְ ֶח ְסרוֹ נו‬ will he mourn its loss. Instead he will thank G-d
‫ְ ּב ַק ְח ּתוֹ ּ ִפ ְקדוֹ נוֹ ֵמ ִא ּתוֹ ַּכ ֲא ׁ ֶשר הוֹ ָדה‬ for taking the deposit away from him, just as he
‫ וְ יִ שְׂ ַמח ְ ּב ֶחלְ קוֹ וְ ֵאינֶ ּנ ּו ְמ ַב ֵּק ׁש‬, ֹ‫ִ ּבנְ ִתינָ תוֹ לו‬ thanked him when it was given to him in the first
ֹ‫ ְּכמו‬, ֹ‫ וְ ל ֹא יַ ְחמֹד ָא ָדם ְ ּב ָממוֹ נו‬, ֹ‫ֶה ֵ ּזק זוּלָ תו‬ place. He will rejoice with his portion, will not
‫"צדִּ יק‬ ַ )‫ כה‬,‫ׁ ֶש ָא ַמר ֶה ָח ָכם (משלי יג‬ seek that others be harmed, and will not be de-
." ֹ‫אוֹ ֵכל לְ שׂ ַֹבע נַ ְפ ׁשו‬ sirous of other people’s money. As the Wise Man,
Shlomo Hamelech said (in Mishlei 13:25): “A righ-
teous man eats to sate his appetite.”

Material Benefits of having Trust

,‫ַא ְך ּתוֹ ָעלוֹ ת ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן ָ ּבעוֹ לָ ם‬ However, the benefits of bitachon in worldly mat-
ters are as follows:

Benefit of Trust: Calmness and Security

,‫ֵמ ֶהן ְמנו ַּחת ַה ֵּלב ִמן ַהדְּ ָאגוֹ ת ָהעוֹ לָ ִמ ּיוֹ ת‬ Among them, is the peace of mind from the wor-
‫וְ ַה ּ ׁ ַשלְ וָ ה ִמ ִ ּנ ְדנוּד ַה ֶ ּנ ֶפ ׁש וְ ַצ ֲע ָר ּה לְ ֶח ְסרוֹ ן‬ ries of the world and peace from the nagging of
‫ וְ הוּא ְ ּב ַה ׁ ְש ֵקט‬,‫יה ַהגּ ו ִּפ ּיוֹ ת‬
ָ ‫ַּת ֲאווֹ ֶת‬ the soul and its pain which is due to its lack of
ֹ‫ ְּכמו‬,‫ו ְּב ִב ְט ָחה ו ְּב ׁ ַשלְ וָ ה ָ ּבעוֹ לָ ם ַה ֶ ּזה‬ obtaining its physical desires. But the one who
‫"ברו ְּך ַה ֶ ּג ֶבר ֲא ׁ ֶשר‬ ּ ָ )‫ ז‬,‫ׁ ֶש ָּכתוּב (ירמיה יז‬ has bitachon is at rest, feels secure and is at peace
‫ וְ ָא ַמר (שם‬," ֹ‫יִ ְב ַטח ַ ּבה' וְ ָהיָ ה ה' ִמ ְב ַטחו‬ in this world as it is written (in Yirmiyahu 17:7):
‫ח) "וְ ָהיָ ה ְּכ ֵעץ ׁ ָשתוּל ַעל ַמיִ ם וְ ַעל יו ַּבל‬ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the L-rd; the
."‫יְ ׁ ַש ַּלח ׁ ָש ָר ׁ ָשיו‬ Lord shall be his trust.” And as it says in the follow-
ing verse (Yirmiyahu 17:8): “For he shall be like a
tree planted by the water, and by a rivulet spreads
its roots.”

Benefit of Trust: No need for Excessive Travels

‫ו ֵּמ ֶהן ְמנו ַּחת ַה ֶ ּנ ֶפ ׁש ִמ ֶּל ֶכת ִ ּב ְד ָר ִכים‬ Among the material benefits, is that having bita-
‫ ֲא ׁ ֶשר ִהיא ְמ ַכ ָּלה ַהגּ וּפוֹ ת‬,‫ָה ְרחוֹ ִקים‬ chon causes you to have peace of mind which
ֹ‫ ְּכמו‬,‫ו ְּמ ַמ ֶה ֶרת ַה ׁ ְשלָ ַמת יְ ֵמי ַה ַח ִ ּיים‬ comes from not needing to travel long distances.
ְ‫"ע ָ ּנה ַבדֶּ ֶרך‬
ִ )‫ כד‬,‫ׁ ֶש ֶ ּנ ֱא ַמר (תהלים קב‬ Such travel, which due to the excessive moving
."‫כּ ִֹחי ִק ַּצר יָ ָמי‬ around involved and change of climate one expe-
riences, can destroy people’s bodies and hastens
a person’s death. As it says (in Tehillim 102:24):
“He has afflicted my strength on the way; He has
shortened my days.”

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 15

‫וְ נֶ ֱא ַמר ַעל ֶא ָחד ִמן ַה ּ ְפרו ׁ ִּשים ִּכי ָהלַ ְך‬ And as it has been said regarding one of the ascet-
‫ֶאל ֶא ֶרץ ְרחוֹ ָקה לְ ַב ֵּק ׁש ַה ּ ֶט ֶרף ִ ּב ְת ִח ַּלת‬ ics, that he went to a far-away land to seek his sus-
‫ ו ָּפגַ ע ָא ָדם ֶא ָחד ֵמעוֹ ְב ֵדי‬, ֹ‫ישוּתו‬ ׁ ‫ּ ְפ ִר‬ tenance during the beginning of his asceticism.
‫ ָא ַמר‬.‫יה‬ ְ
ָ ֶ‫כוֹ ָכ ִבים ָ ּב ִעיר ֲא ׁ ֶשר ָהלַ ך ֵאל‬ During his travels he met a worshipper of the stars
‫ ַּכ ָּמה ַא ֶּתם ְ ּב ַת ְכלִ ית ָה ִע ָּורוֹ ן‬:‫לוֹ ַה ּ ָפרו ּׁש‬ in the city to which he had traveled. The ascetic
!‫ו ִּמעוּט ַה ֲה ָבנָ ה ַ ּב ֲעבוֹ ַד ְת ֶכם לַ כּ וֹ ָכ ִבים‬ said to the worshipper of the stars: “How much
are you in a state of ultimate blindness; and lack
of understanding in your service to the stars.”
?‫ ו ָּמה ַא ָּתה עוֹ ֵבד‬:‫ָא ַמר לוֹ ָה ַא ְמגּ וֹ ׁ ִשי‬ The idol worshipper responded by saying: “and
‫ ֲאנִ י עוֹ ֵבד ַהבּ וֹ ֵרא‬:‫ָא ַמר לוֹ ַה ּ ָפרו ּׁש‬ whom do you serve?” The Ascetic replied: “I serve
‫ ַה ַּמ ְט ִריף ֲא ׁ ֶשר‬,‫ ַה ְמ ַכלְ ֵּכל ָה ֶא ָחד‬,‫ַה ָ ּיכוֹ ל‬ the Creator who is able to do anything, who sus-
‫ ּ ָפ ָעלְ ָך‬:‫ ָא ַמר לוֹ ָה ַא ְמגּ וֹ ׁ ִשי‬.ּ‫ֵאין ָּכמוֹ הו‬ tains, who is one, who provides food for each per-
:‫ ָא ַמר לוֹ ַה ּ ָפרו ּׁש‬.‫יך‬ ָ ‫סוֹ ֵתר ֶאת דְּ ָב ֶר‬ son according to his needs and whom there is no
‫ ִאלּ ּו ָהיָ ה ַמה ּ ׁ ֶש ָא ַמ ְר ָּת‬: ֹ‫יא ְך? ָא ַמר לו‬ ַ ‫וְ ֵה‬ one like him. The idol worshipper responded by
ֹ‫ ָהיָ ה ַמ ְט ִר ְיפ ָך ְ ּב ִע ְיר ָך ְּכמו‬,‫ֱא ֶמת‬ saying “your actions contradict your words”. The
‫ית טוֹ ֵר ַח לָ בוֹ א‬ ָ ִ‫ וְ ל ֹא ָהי‬,‫ׁ ֶש ִה ְט ִר ְיפ ָך ֵה ָ ּנה‬ Ascetic said to him: “how so?” He, the idol wor-
.‫ֶאל ֶא ֶרץ ְרחוֹ ָקה ָּכזֹאת‬ shipper responded: “If what you said were to be
true, then he, G-d would provide for you in your
city just as he provided for you until now, and you
would not need to bother yourself to come to this
far away land.
, ֹ‫וְ נִ ְפ ְס ָקה ַט ֲענַ ת ַה ּ ָפרו ּׁש וְ ׁ ָשב לְ ַא ְרצו‬ With this the argument of the ascetic was sup-
‫ישוּת ִמן ָה ֵעת ַה ִהיא וְ ל ֹא יָ ָצא‬ ׁ ‫וְ ִק ֵ ּבל ַה ּ ְפ ִר‬ pressed, and as a result he returned to his land
ְ.‫ֵמ ִעירוֹ ַא ַחר ָּכך‬ and accepted upon himself to be an ascetic from
that time and on, and did not leave his city after
this at all.

Benefit of Trust: An Easy Occupation

‫ו ֵּמ ֶהן ְמנו ַּחת ַה ֶ ּנ ֶפ ׁש וְ ַהגּ וּף ִמן ַה ַּמ ֲעשִׂ ים‬ Among the material benefits is that bitachon causes
‫ַה ָּק ׁ ִשים וְ ַה ְּמלָ אכוֹ ת ַה ְמיַ ְ ּגעוֹ ת ֶאת‬ a person to have peace of mind and body, that
‫יהם‬ ֵ
ֶ ‫ וַ ֲעזוֹ ב ֲעבוֹ ַדת ַה ְּמלָ ִכים וְ ֻח ּק‬,‫ַהגּ וּפוֹ ת‬ come from not needing to perform difficult work,
.‫יהם‬ ֶ ‫וַ ֲח ַמס ַאנְ ׁ ֵש‬ nor engage in occupations that tire out the body,
and he will also be at peace due to him being able
to abandon the service of kings and their laws,
and to avoid the corruption of their servants.

Copyright (c) 2020 by Chayenu and Gateoftrust.org trust@gateoftrust.org

‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 16

‫וְ ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח ַ ּבה' הוּא ּתוֹ ֵב ַע ִמ ִּסבּ וֹ ת ַה ּ ֶט ֶרף‬ One who trusts in the Almighty chooses those
‫ַמה ּ ׁ ֶש ֵ ּי ׁש בּ וֹ יוֹ ֵתר ְמנו ָּחה לְ גוּפוֹ וְ ׁ ָשם טוֹ ב‬ means of sustenance for himself which entail
, ֹ‫לוֹ ו ְּפנַ אי לְ לִ בּ ו‬ more rest for his body, which give him a good
name and which leave his heart free from worry.
ֹ‫ו ַּמה ׁ ֶשהוּא ֵמ ִפיק יוֹ ֵתר לְ חוֹ בוֹ ת ּתוֹ ָרתו‬ He also chooses those occupations which are more
ֹ‫ ִּכי ַה ִּס ָ ּבה ל ֹא תוֹ ִס לו‬, ֹ‫ִעם יֶ ֶתר ֱאמוּנָ תו‬
‫יף‬ helpful for his Torah obligations. All this is due
‫ְ ּב ֻח ּקוֹ וְ ל ֹא ְת ַח ְּס ֵרה ּו ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו ְמאו ָּמה ֶא ָּלא‬ to his strong belief, that the means of sustenance
,‫ִ ּבגְ זֵ ַרת ָה ֱאל ִֹהים יִ ְת ָ ּב ֵר ְך‬ will not add to his amount of sustenance nor will
it cause him to lack anything. His amount of sus-
tenance will only be increased or decreased, by the
decree of the Almighty blessed be He.
‫"כי ל ֹא‬ ִּ )‫ ז־ח‬,‫ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ֶ ּנ ֱא ַמר (תהלים עה‬ As it says (in Tehillim 75:7-8): “For it is not from the
‫ ִּכי‬,‫ִמ ּמוֹ ָצא ו ִּמ ַּמ ֲע ָרב וְ ל ֹא ִמ ִּמ ְד ָ ּבר ָה ִרים‬ east or from the west, nor from the desert, that el-
‫ וְ ָא ַמר‬,"‫ֱאל ִֹהים ׁש ֵֹפט זֶ ה יַ ׁ ְש ּ ִפיל וְ זֶ ה יָ ִרים‬ evation comes. But God judges; He humbles this
‫"בנְ אוֹ ת דֶּ ׁ ֶשא יַ ְר ִ ּב ֵיצנִ י‬ּ ִ )‫ ב‬,‫(תהלים כג‬ one and elevates that one.” And as it says (in Te-
."‫ַעל ֵמי ְמנֻ חוֹ ת יְ נַ ֲהלֵ נִ י‬ hillim 23:2): “He causes me to lie down in green
pastures; He leads me beside still waters.”

Benefit of Trust: Has No Distress

‫ וְ ִאם‬, ֹ‫ו ֵּמ ֶהן ִמעוּט ַצ ַער נַ ְפ ׁשוֹ ְ ּב ִמ ְס ָחרו‬ Among the material benefits is, that a man who
‫ אוֹ ִאם ל ֹא‬,‫ִּת ְת ַע ֵּכב ֶא ְצלוֹ ּ ְפ ַר ְק ַמ ְטיָ א‬ has bitachon will have less anguish in business, if
‫ אוֹ ִאם יִ ְפ ָ ּג ֵעה ּו ֳחלִ י‬, ֹ‫יו ַּכל לִ גְ בּ וֹ ת חוֹ בו‬ for example, he cannot sell his merchandise, or if
, ֹ‫ְ ּבגוּפו‬ he is not able to collect a debt that is owed to him
or if he becomes physically ill.
‫ִמ ּ ְפנֵ י ׁ ֶשהוּא יוֹ ֵד ַע ִּכי ַהבּ וֹ ֵרא יִ ְת ָ ּב ֵר ְך‬ This is because he knows that the Creator blessed
‫ וּבוֹ ֵחר לוֹ טוֹ ב‬,ּ‫ְמ ַת ֵּקן ִענְ יָ נוֹ יוֹ ֵתר ִמ ֶּמ ּנו‬ be He, repairs his matters better than he does,
ֹ‫ ְּכמו‬, ֹ‫יוֹ ֵתר ִמ ַּמה ּ ׁ ֶשהוּא בּ וֹ ֵחר לְ ַע ְצמו‬ and chooses for him, that which is better than
‫"א ְך לֵ אל ִֹהים‬ ַ )‫ ו‬,‫ׁ ֶש ֶ ּנ ֱא ַמר (תהלים סב‬ that which he would choose for himself. As it says
."‫דּ וֹ ִּמי נַ ְפ ׁ ִשי ִּכי ִמ ֶּמ ּנ ּו ִּת ְקו ִָתי‬ (in Tehillim 62:6): “Only to G-d should you hope,
my soul, for my hope is from Him.”

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 17

Benefit of Trust: Always Happy

‫ו ֵּמ ֶהן שִׂ ְמ ָחתוֹ ְ ּב ָכל ִענְ יָ ן ׁ ֶש ֶ ּי ְע ַּתק ֵאלָ יו‬ Among the material benefits is that one who
ֹ‫ ִמ ּ ְפנֵ י ִב ְטחוֹ נו‬, ֹ‫וְ ִאם יִ ְהיֶ ה ְּכנֶ גֶ ד ִט ְבעו‬ has bitachon is happy with whatever is forced
ֹ‫ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים ׁ ֶשלּ ֹא יַ ֲעשֶׂ ה לוֹ ֶא ָּלא ַה ּטוֹ ב לו‬ upon him even if it is something difficult which is
‫ ַּכ ֲא ׁ ֶשר ַּת ֲעשֶׂ ה ָה ֵאם ַהחוֹ ֶמלֶ ת‬,‫ְ ּב ָכל ִענְ יָ ן‬ against his nature. He is able to be happy because
ֹ‫לִ ְבנָ ּה ִ ּב ְר ִח ָיצתוֹ וְ ִח ּתוּלוֹ ו ְּק ׁ ִש ָירתו‬ of his trust in the Almighty that he will only do
, ֹ‫וְ ַה ָּת ָרתוֹ ַעל ָּכ ְרחו‬ to him that which is good for him in all matters,
just as a caring mother will do to her child when
she washes him, diapers him, swaddles him and
unswaddles him, even if it is against the will of the
child.
‫ְּכמוֹ ׁ ֶש ָא ַמר דָּ וִ ד ָעלָ יו ַה ּ ׁ ָשלוֹ ם (תהלים‬ As Dovid Hamelech, of blessed memory said (in
‫יתי וְ דוֹ ַמ ְמ ִּתי נַ ְפ ׁ ִשי‬ִ ‫"אם ל ֹא ׁ ִש ִּו‬ ִ )‫ ב‬,‫קלא‬ Tehillim 131:2): “I swear that I calmed and quieted
."‫ְּכגָ ֻמל ֲעלֵ י ִא ּמוֹ ַּכ ָ ּג ֻמל ָעלַ י נַ ְפ ׁ ִשי‬ my soul like a suckling on its mother; like a suck-
ling was my soul with me.”

The seven chapters of the Gate of Trust In God

‫וְ ֵכיוָ ן ׁ ֶש ֵ ּב ַא ְר ִּתי ִמ ּתוֹ ֲעלוֹ ת ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן‬ Being that I have explained the benefits of having
‫ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים וַ ֲהנָ אוֹ ָתיו ַ ּב ּתוֹ ָרה ו ָּבעוֹ לָ ם ַמה‬ trust in the Almighty, and it’s benefits both with
‫ ֲא ָב ֵאר ַע ָּתה ֵמ ִענְ יַ ן ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן‬,‫ּ ׁ ֶש ִ ּנזְ דַּ ֵּמן לִ י‬ regard to Torah matters and with regard to mate-
.‫ׁ ִש ְב ָעה ְד ָב ִרים‬ rial pursuits, from what has occurred to me, I will
now explain seven matters pertaining to bita-
chon:
.‫ ַמה הוּא ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן‬,‫ֶא ָחד ֵמ ֶהם‬ 1) What is ‘trust’?
.‫ ְ ּב ִסבּ וֹ ת ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן ַעל ַה ְ ּברו ִּאים‬,‫ַה ּ ׁ ֵשנִ י‬ 2) The causes which enable a person to trust in
another.
‫ ְ ּב ֵבאוּר ַה ַה ְקדָּ מוֹ ת ֲא ׁ ֶשר‬,‫ישי‬ ִ ׁ ִ‫וְ ַה ּ ׁ ְשל‬ 3) Explaining the prerequisites which due to
‫ַ ּב ֲעבו ָּרן יִ ְת ַח ֵ ּיב ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים וְ ִח ּיוּב‬ them, one is obligated to have trust in the Al-
.‫ָה ֵע ֶסק ַ ּב ִּסבּ וֹ ת‬ mighty as well as explaining the obligation to en-
gage in the means to pursue a livelihood.
‫ ְ ּב ֵבאוּר ַהדְּ ָב ִרים ֲא ׁ ֶשר ָ ּב ֶהם‬,‫יעי‬ ִ ‫וְ ָה ְר ִב‬ 4) Explaining the matters regarding which one
ׁ ּ
.‫יִ ְהיֶ ה ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן וְ ִחיוּב ִש ְבחוֹ וּגְ נוּתוֹ ָ ּב ֶהם‬ should trust in G-d for them, as well as when it is a
praiseworthy thing and when it is not.
‫ ַ ּב ֶה ְפ ֵר ׁש ׁ ֶש ֵ ּי ׁש ֵ ּבין ֵע ֶסק ַהבּ וֹ ֵט ַח‬,‫ישי‬
ִ ׁ ‫וְ ַה ֲח ִמ‬ 5) The difference between how a man who has
‫ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים ְ ּב ִסבּ וֹ ת ַה ּ ֶט ֶרף ו ֵּבין ֵע ֶסק ִמי‬ trust in the Almighty engages in the means of pur-
.‫ׁ ֶש ֵאינוֹ בּ וֹ ֵט ַח ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים ָ ּב ֶהם‬ suing a livelihood and how a man who does not
have trust in the Almighty engages in them.

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‫שער הבטחון‬ Chovot Halevavot | 18

‫ ְ ּב ֵבאוּר ָא ְפנֵ י ִח ּיוּב ְ ּגנוּת דַּ ַעת‬,‫וְ ַה ּ ׁ ִש ּ ׁ ִשי‬ 6) To explain the ways in which logic dictates
,‫ָהאוֹ ְמ ִרים ַ ּב ֲא ִריכוּת ַה ַּת ֲאווֹ ת ָ ּבעוֹ לָ ם‬ that one must criticize the opinion of those who
‫ו ְּמיַ ֲחלִ ים נַ ְפ ׁשוֹ ָתם ְ ּב ַק ָ ּבלַ ת ֲעבוֹ ַדת‬ say that one should engage in pursuing the plea-
‫ וְ ֵהם ַ ּב ֲעלֵ י‬, ֹ‫ָה ֱאל ִֹהים ְּכ ׁ ֶש ַ ּי ִ ּגיע ּו לְ ֶח ְפ ָצם בּ ו‬ sures of the world, and delay accepting upon
.‫ַה ַּמ ׁ ְשכּ וֹ נוֹ ת‬ themselves the service of the Almighty, until they
obtain their materialistic desires, whom are re-
ferred to as the owners of collaterals.
,‫ ְ ּב ַמ ְפ ִס ֵידי ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן ֵ ּבאל ִֹהים‬,‫יעי‬ ִ ‫וְ ַה ּ ׁ ְש ִב‬ 7) To explain those matters which destroy a per-
ְ
,‫וְ ָכל ַמה ּ ׁ ֶש ָּצ ִריך לְ ַד ֵ ּבר ְ ּב ִענְ יַ ן ַה ִ ּב ּ ָטחוֹ ן‬ son’s capability to trust in the Almighty. Also, to
.‫וּלְ ַק ֵּצר ַ ּב ֲחלָ ָקיו‬ elaborate on all that we need to discuss regarding
the matter of trust, and to make a summary of the
levels of trust.

Copyright (c) 2020 by Chayenu and Gateoftrust.org trust@gateoftrust.org