Faith, Struggles, and Salvation: The Power of Trusting Hashem

A Single Son, a Profound Blessing

In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Vayechi, we read about Yaakov’s blessings to his sons. The Midrash recounts that when Dan came to his father for his blessing, he was despondent. He said to his father: “What blessing can you give me, when I have only one son, and even he is deaf and cannot hear?” (Sotah 13). Yaakov responded: “Let me give you some advice. ‘I wait for Your deliverance, O Hashem’ (Genesis 49:18). Hope in Him with all your heart and soul. Remember there is a Master of the palace; everything is accounted for. Believe in Him, trust in Him, and place your faith in Him. For He, and only He, has the power to save you.”

Dan took his father's blessing to heart and strengthened himself with complete faith in Hashem’s salvation. As a result, his son Chushim became the father of a tribe that multiplied to a staggering 64,400 men, making the tribe of Dan the second-largest among the tribes of Israel.

The Chafetz Chaim writes: “Anyone who examines the history will be amazed. Binyamin had ten sons, holy, healthy, and wholesome, while Dan had only one, a unique and different son. From the outside, it would seem Dan had every reason to be jealous of Binyamin. But this is only a short-sighted view. In the end, Dan’s descendants numbered 64,400, while Binyamin’s totaled only 35,000. This teaches us,” concludes the Chafetz Chaim, “that man's perception is not the correct perspective. The Creator runs His world with precise calculations. Sometimes the reason is revealed to us years later, sometimes never at all. But as children of believers, we trust that everything happens for a reason.”

Trusting Hashem with All Your Heart

The prophet Chavakuk reduced the entire Torah into one single principle: “The righteous shall live by his faith.” Rabbi Yigal Cohen calls this concept “leaning your head on your Father.” He explains King David’s words in Tehillim: “Like a weaned child in his mother’s arms, so is my soul within me.” Just as a baby in its mother’s arms doesn't worry about its next meal, a person must have absolute trust in Hashem.

Rabbi Eliyahu Shiri, a life coach, defines this work as “stopping the overthinking” and notes that it's something we need to work on every single day.

Indeed, the essence of serving Hashem is not to worry about tomorrow. The Rebbe of Peshischa explains that the verse in Parshat Vayechi, “And he blessed them on that day, saying,” means that Yaakov blessed his sons to focus only on that day, and not to be concerned with what tomorrow may bring.

Hashem’s Love in the Midst of Trials

Hashem's love for each and every Jew is infinite. We are members of the nation that He chose to maintain the connection between the world and its Creator.

Paradoxically, because of this sublime mission, the Jewish people often face difficulties and challenges. This is similar to a father who is also a doctor and must inflict pain on his beloved son to heal him, not out of cruelty, but from deep love. The hardships and difficulties we encounter come directly from Hashem. As Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto writes in Derech Hashem, “Even suffering stems from love.” Sometimes trials are meant to test a person’s faith and elevate them spiritually. Sometimes they come to purify the soul from material stain. Other times, the reasons are hidden, but all share a single root: they come from pure love and are always for the person’s ultimate good.

Understanding that life’s hardships are for our benefit, even when we can’t yet see how, can be deeply comforting in times of trouble. How many times have we looked back and realized that something we thought was bad turned out to be the greatest blessing? Like the man who missed an important flight and suffered a financial loss, only to later discover that the plane had crashed. His “bad day” became a gift of life.

The Power of Shabbat

How can we be saved from hardship? The Chida offers a tried and true approach: “If a person faces hardship or a harsh decree and refrains from thinking about it on Shabbat, removes it from his heart, and distances himself from sadness and worry, he will see salvation, miraculously and wondrously” (Metok Midvash).

The Chafetz Chaim would often nullify harsh decrees for those who accepted upon themselves to observe Shabbat properly. For those who already observed Shabbat, he would urge them to welcome Shabbat early or help others do so. Only under those conditions would he give his blessing, stating that since Shabbat is the source of all blessing, he could only give a blessing if the source was open.

Observing Shabbat properly, learning the halachot (Jewish laws) in depth, and honoring the day with special food, clothing, words of Torah, songs, and praises, is the greatest segulah (spiritual omen) for blessing and abundance.

Why? Because one who observes Shabbat with joy strengthens their emunah (faith) in Hashem and affirms Hashem’s sovereignty by welcoming the Shechinah  (Divine presence) into their home as they host the Shabbat Queen. Is it possible that someone who hosts the King of Kings with all their heart will be left empty-handed?

The more one rejoices in Shabbat, focuses on his relationship with Hashem, and looks past his personal struggles and anxieties on this special day, the more they will be blessed in every area. Shabbat is “the source of all blessing," the primary channel through which Hashem sends abundance to His creations. Shabbat is rooted in faith in Hashem Who created the world in six days and remains involved. Focusing on this belief on Shabbat triggers boundless spiritual and material blessings.

In a world filled with uncertainty, trials, and doubt, the Torah’s eternal message reminds us to trust, believe, and rejoice. Whether through unwavering emunah, proper Shabbat observance, or recognizing that all hardship comes from love, we are never abandoned. Hashem, our compassionate Father, is always guiding us.