The Powerhouse of Bitachon
Bitachon—trust in Hashem (God)—is always the call of the hour. However, now more than ever, with challenges all around us, this function remains more important than at any time in the past. Even with a new administration on the horizon in the USA, and a cease-fire in Eretz Yisrael (Israel), we must remember that it is Hashem “in the cockpit” and running the show. Let us attempt to draw some inspiration from our forefather Yaakov (Jacob)—the powerhouse of bitachon.
The Midrash states that when Yaakov Avinu left his father’s house to go to Charan, he recalled the episode of when Eliezer the servant of Avraham (Abraham) went to find a wife for Yitzchak (Isaac); he took along at least ten camels as presents. Yaakov’s father Yitzchak also sent along him with provisions and assets. However, it was all robbed from him in transit by Eliphaz, a son of Eisav (Esau). Now he was forced to go empty-handed. Yaakov then said to himself, “Will I lose my trust in my Creator? Chas v’shalom (God forbid)! I will not!” With these words of chizuk (spiritual strengthening) he continued on his way.
We understand that in those days, someone who left the enclave of close family was putting his life into great danger. Therefore, although it is indeed understandable that Yaakov was comforting himself, it is nevertheless evident from the Midrash that the words of chizuk he was giving himself added strength and momentum. Perhaps we can attempt to explain why.
Resetting the GPS
The Meshech Chochmah presents a beautiful thought on the subject. He points out that there is a change of language from the beginning of the parshah where it says that Yaakov was heading to Charan (see Seforno), to later on where it states that Yaakov headed to “the land of the men of the east (Bereishit 29:1)”.
When mentioning Charan, it implies that his “navigator” so to speak, was set to a definite destination. The reason is because he was relying on the prospective protection of his family, to be expected upon arrival. But in the interim, a major change took place. He saw in his dream the vision of a ladder with the angels going up and down. Then Hashem stood by and promised “I will guard you wherever you go”!
When Yaakov awoke, he realized that wherever he goes he is enveloped in the special protection of Hashem Himself. Yaakov thereby decided that he need not rely on human relatives. That is why, says the Meshech Chochmah, the general term “artzah bnei kedem—to the land of the men of the east“ is used. To compare it to our modern world, Yaakov was so encouraged by the vision, that he, so to speak, reset the GPS to “Anywhere”!
It’s interesting to note that Rashi points out in the beginning of that pasuk (verse) “vayisa Yaakov raglav,” which literally means that Yaakov “lifted up” his feet, that it denotes the feeling of security. When a person is happy and in a good mood, he walks with a lighter gait. According to the Meshech Chochmah, it fits in perfectly with the next part of the pasuk mentioned above, “And he went to the land of the men of the east,” because that denotes the cause and effect of Yaakov’s new-found higher level of bitachon.
The Benefits of Bitachon
We therefore see that the more a person strives in bitachon, the more he sees Hashem at his side. That in turn spurs him on to aspire further, and so on. It is similar to the term mentioned in Masechet Avot, “Mitzvah goreret mitzvah – one mitzvah leads to another.” That is why Yaakov—the paragon of trust in Hashem—was speaking to himself. Not because he was in any way deficient in bitachon. On the contrary, he was urging himself on to attain a higher level.
Navigating in our Unchartered Waters
We find ourselves nowadays in a uniquely challenging time and unchartered waters. With a very challenging year in Eretz Yisrael, and antisemitism rising exponentially across the globe at an alarming rate, we need an extra dose of emunah (faith in God) and bitachon like never before.
Hashem’s “Thoughts”
With world leaders, and especially those in the United Nations and the ICC having nothing else on their agenda besides Israel and calling for the arrest of its leaders, as if besides that, the rest of the world is all fine and dandy, they are portraying their true colors. However, the way we must view it is to realize who is truly important in the world. This is because the goings on of this world are a reflection of what Hashem is truly “thinking”. And that is only about the Am Yisrael.
Maybe it would be a good idea to do what Yidden (Jews) always did, and look back in our history as to how our forebears dealt with their very own challenges. This is the simple meaning to the famous dictum “Ma’asei Avot siman labanim—the deeds of forefathers are a sign for children,” to draw upon our great father Yaakov and how he dealt with his very own predicament of being all on his own and nevertheless, striving ahead full speed.
Compounded Interest of the Unknown
At the beginning of Parshat Lech Lecha, we read that Hashem told Avraham Avinu (our forefather Abraham) to go “to the land which I will show you”. Of course, to leave one’s homeland creates trepidation in its own right, and therefore a nisayon (challenge) of a great magnitude. However, Rabbi Fischel Schachter, a world-renowned speaker in New York, points out the following, which pairs up with the above message. The fact that Avraham Avinu went into the unknown gave the nisayon more leverage, thereby accruing Avraham Avinu additional credit.
This is the way Hashem deals with His devoted. When an opportunity of becoming great arises, more challenges are set in place to gain as much as possible from their situation. It remains for us to realize the chance and exploit it. May Hashem continue to shine His grace upon us and guide us and the entire Am Yisrael around the globe, with His “GPS” through the turbulent waters of these trying times, in good health and happiness.
By Rabbi Gavriel Lamm
