Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode Fifty-Seven
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The chapter opened with the ides that there are Five Foundational Principles we must internalize to successfully develop Trust and Build our Bitachon. In this episode we are introduced to the third of five: "Trust Exclusivity"
Rabbeinu Bachaya forcefully rejects Diversity in Trust, maintaining that it diminishes Monotheism, and can even lead to outright Polytheism. His position is clear: G-d can't be "Faith-Partnered." Building Bitachon is an Exclusive 'Sum Zero' Spiritual Endeavour.
True Trust must translate itself as a constant Mindfulness of G-d being the Sole Master of Health, Wellness and Longevity. Big Tent Trust that would introduce a Combined Prescription of Reliance on G-d AND Doctors equals Less, not More as Bitachon is about Complete Reliance on Hashem ALONE!
These lessons can be learnt from a unique story about an ancient ailing Monarch's Bitachon failure, as their veracity is further underscored by the precise language of benison employed by a great Prophet.
To be sure, the story is introduced to demonstrate the clear biblical basis for this Trust Principle, yet it leads into an important discovery about the Torah True perspective on Medicine and the Art of Healing!
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan
