Guys, here's a quick recap of what we've discussed so far outlining the sections we're going to be discussing exploring the most incredible Torah sources about Bitachon. Part one, what is Bitachon? Part two, what is the source for the mitzvah of Bitachon? Part three, how important is Bitachon? So important to understand and digest that Bitachon is the point of the whole Torah, of all the mitzvos, as we'll see in that section. Part four, does Bitachon always work? Part five, why must Hashem come through for me? Part six, what is the prerequisite for Bitachon to be effective? Part seven, can a sinner apply Bitachon? Part eight, why would Tzaddikim not always saved by their Bitachon? Part nine, what is the position of the Chazon Ish about Bitachon? Part ten, can Bitachon be applied to mundane endeavors?
Although we might have understood that Bitachon's main purpose should be for our spiritual endeavors and spiritual accomplishments, and that understanding is certainly correct because our main purpose in this world is to strive to succeed spiritually much more than just focus on our physical enjoyment. But at the same time, we all live in a world where we are exposed to physical enjoyment and desires on a constant moment-to-moment basis. And therefore, those desires and needs and wants that we have, how do we go about them? Are we allowed to rely on Hashem for those needs and wants that are physical and mundane? Or is that something Hashem would not want?
Part 11, what is my obligation of Hishtadlus? One of the main hurdles that chases people away from living a life of true Bittachon is the excuse of, but I have a mitzvah of Hishtadlus. Hishtadlus is a big topic which we need to learn about. It is a mitzvah like any other mitzvah and a great mitzvah. But if it's misunderstood, God forbid it can be very close to the great sin of idol worship. Hishtadlus is not a green card to avoid the whole mitzvah of Emunah and Bitachon. Sometimes, unfortunately, when people hear about the concepts of Emunah and Bitachon and relying on Hashem, they say, “well, I need to put food on the table”, or “well, I need to make sure that I look after my health” and the like.
Now, those statements are certainly true. We have a mitzvah of Hishtadlus and we'll explore that. But God forbid, Hishtadlus should never become something that is just an excuse to avoiding living a life of true reliance on Hashem. The Torah perspective is unanimous that Hashem exclusively runs the world. And yes, we might have a mitzvah of Hishtadlus and we'll discuss, B'ezrat Hashem, the levels of Hishtadlus that may apply to us, how far we are to take that. And there's a lot to discuss in this and we'll get there, B'ezrat Hashem.
But suffice it to say for now, our approach should head towards having the question as follows. I have a mitzvah of Bitachon. I need to rely on Hashem exclusively. How then am I supposed to reconcile and relate to the mitzvah of Hishtadlus when I have this absolute mitzvah which underscores the entire Torah and mitzvahs to rely on Hashem exclusively? There is, of course, much more to this which we'll get to, B'ezrat Hashem. But just briefly, that is the way that we should look at things rather than phrasing the question in an opposite way as in, I have a mitzvah of Hishtadlus. I've got to do my part in the world. Therefore, how can it be that I'm supposed to rely on Hashem?
The main point of our lives is to rely on Hashem as illustrated in countless Torah sources literally throughout all of Torah literature. The point of our lives, as we'll learn, is Bitachon. So nobody's saying we therefore just avoid the mitzvah of Hishtadlus. But we certainly have to gain an understanding of how do we reconcile this mitzvah of Hishtadlus which seemingly contradicts the whole mindset of Bitachon.
Part 12, perhaps one of the most important questions: How do I acquire Bittachon? It's incredible to learn all these amazing statements, again, not even having yet explored one Torah source inside itself, but rather first just outlining the concepts. But it should be clear to everyone already that Bitachon is the purpose of the entire Torah, of all the mitzvos, and the most important endeavor that we could really aim at in our lives. But how do I get it? So B'ezrat Hashem, in part 12, we'll begin the discussion about how do I acquire Bitachon.
