Have you ever been asked a question so surprising, it made you stop and rethink your values?
That happened to me years ago on a date when the girl said, “I hear a lot of people where you live are very wealthy.”Trying to redirect, I replied, “Like any city, there are people at all levels.”
Undeterred, she pressed on, asking about my family. Paraphrasing Pirkei Avot, I told her simply, “We are mesameach b’chelkeinu—we are happy with our lot.”
Her response caught me off guard: “That’s such a beautiful answer. One day, I want to be mesameach b’chelki, but I want to have the biggest cheilek!”
Her words made me pause. At first, I wasn’t sure how to respond. I realized she didn’t just want to be happy with her cheilek—she wanted the biggest one. And isn’t that how many of us think, even unconsciously? We focus on what we’re missing instead of celebrating what we have.
It’s easy to fall into this mindset. We dream of more, bigger, better, while overlooking the gifts Hashem has already placed in our hands. Sometimes, we completely miss the point.
That comment on the date taught me something profound: Everything Hashem gives us is exactly what we need to fulfill our purpose.
Why Your Current Challenges Are Exactly What You Need
We often daven to Hashem for more parnasa (livelihood), thinking of all the chesed we could do or the tzedaka we could give if only we had more. But do we stop to ask ourselves why we’re making these requests? Is it to bring us closer to Hashem?
The truth is, wherever we are right now is exactly where Hashem wants us to be. He has placed us in our circumstances because this is the best place for us to grow and fulfill our purpose.
It’s not that tzedaka or chesed isn’t important—of course, it is. But maybe Hashem is calling us to focus on different mitzvot right now. Perhaps your challenge isn’t about giving more money but about building your emuna and bitachon.
When I Couldn’t Give: A Lesson in Hashem’s Perfect Plan
This morning after davening, a man came into shul asking for tzedaka. I really wanted to help, but when I reached into my pocket, I realized I didn’t have any cash on me. Embarrassed, I looked up at him and said, “I’m so sorry, but I don’t have anything to give you right now. I wish you hatzlacha.”
As he walked away, I turned to Hashem and said, “Thank You, Hashem, for not letting me give this tzedaka.”
It wasn’t a natural reaction—it took effort to recognize Hashem’s plan in that moment. I reminded myself that if I didn’t have money to give, it was clearly Hashem’s will.
Perhaps my reward for wanting to give was greater than the reward for the act itself. Hashem didn’t want me to give this tzedaka, and I trusted that He had a perfect reason.
I realized then that this wasn’t just about tzedaka; it was about trusting Hashem’s plan in every moment, even when it doesn’t align with our immediate desires.
Embracing Your Mission
Each of us is here for a unique purpose. For one person, the mission might be learning to let go of greed and share their blessings. For another, it might be realizing that even the greatest generosity must stem from a desire to serve Hashem.
Imagine our lives as a business trip, with everything Hashem gives us as “business expenses.” We have money to cover essentials like food, shelter, and mitzvah-related costs. But we also have the responsibility to manage those resources wisely and with gratitude.
Every decision should come back to one central question: Is this the Ratzon Hashem? Is this Hashem’s will?
The Struggles That Help Us Fly
Life’s struggles can feel overwhelming, even unfair at times. But what if those challenges are Hashem’s greatest gift, designed not to hold us back but to help us soar? Consider the butterfly.
When a butterfly is ready to emerge from its cocoon, it must struggle to break free. This isn’t an unfortunate accident of nature—it’s essential. The effort of pushing through the cocoon strengthens the butterfly’s wings, giving it the power to fly. Without this struggle, the butterfly’s wings would remain too weak, and it would never take flight.
Now imagine someone, seeing the butterfly struggle, decides to help by gently tearing the cocoon. They may think they’re being kind, but in reality, they’re taking away the butterfly’s chance to grow. Instead of helping it fly, they’ve made it impossible for it to survive.
The same is true for us. Hashem, in His infinite kindness, gives us struggles not to harm us but to strengthen us. Each difficulty builds our “muscles” of bitachon and faith, shaping us into the people we are meant to become.
When life feels overwhelming, when we’re stuck in a situation that seems impossible, remember this: Hashem is helping us build our wings. The struggle isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a transformation. And when we emerge, we’ll discover that we can soar higher than we ever dreamed.
How Bitachon Can Transform Your Life
Imagine facing each day without the constant worry of “What will happen?” Imagine the relief of knowing that Hashem is in control, no matter what comes your way.
The mitzvah of bitachon—trusting in Hashem—is like a muscle we must exercise daily. The more we develop it, the more peaceful our lives become. Bitachon transforms how we see the world, freeing us from anxiety and regret.
As the Gemara (Ketuvot 67a) explains about a wealthy man, Nakdimon ben Guryon: “According to the camel is the load.” Hashem gives us exactly what we need and can handle. The deeper our trust, the more blessings we unlock.
This idea is encapsulated beautifully in Yirmiyahu in a pasuk we are all familiar with:
Lessons from Avraham Avinu
This week’s parsha offers a profound example of bitachon. Avraham Avinu sends Eliezer, his servant to find a wife for Yitzchak. Avraham makes Eliezer swear that he will do his mission but when Eliezer hesitates, asking, “What if she won’t come with me?”
Avraham reassures him that if that is the case, he will be absolved of his promise.
Basically, do your best, and trust Hashem with the rest. Avraham knew that all a person can do is his hishtadlut and he wouldn’t expect more of Eliezer even when he knew that this is how Yitzchak would find his wife.
This is the essence of bitachon. Our job is to try, to do our hishtadlut, and then leave the results in Hashem’s hands. In other words, “Let go and let God”.
Like Eliezer, we’re all on a mission. Whether it’s raising our families, working in our jobs, or facing daily challenges, our responsibility is to do our part with sincerity and effort. Then, we must release control and trust that Hashem will take care of the rest.
It’s a profound reminder that true success lies not in the outcome, but in the effort and faith we bring to our hishtadlut.
Why Bitachon Matters
Have you ever stayed up at night worrying about what tomorrow will bring? Bitachon gives us the power to face each day with peace of mind, knowing that every step you take and every challenge you face is part of Hashem’s perfect plan.
Trusting in Hashem is so much more than a mitzvah—it’s the key to a life of peace and purpose. When we rely on Hashem, we free ourselves from the stress of trying to control every outcome. Challenges become opportunities to grow closer to Him, and every moment, even the hard ones, becomes infused with meaning.
Bitachon changes how we live. It calms our anxieties, strengthens our emuna, and deepens our connection to Hashem. It’s not just about accepting Hashem’s plan—it’s about celebrating it.
Imagine waking up every day with a sense of calm, knowing that every detail of your life is guided by Hashem’s infinite wisdom. That’s the power of bitachon.
When has bitachon helped you find peace in a challenging moment? Share your story below and inspire others to strengthen their trust in Hashem!
A Call to Action
Working on our bitachon is transformative. It brings us closer to Hashem, deepens our emuna, and fills our lives with tranquility and purpose.
Are you ready to deepen your trust in Hashem and experience a life of calm, clarity, and connection?
My new Bitachon Course is designed to help you bring these ideas to life. In this course, you’ll not only gain a deeper understanding of bitachon but also practical tools to live it every day—like exercises to strengthen your trust, inspiring stories to keep you motivated, and insights that will transform how you see your challenges.
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