Rabbi Yigal Cohen: Verses That Strengthen the Trait of Trust

To persuade you, dear reader, of the importance and benefit of the trait of trust in Hashem, and what awaits you when you merit it, and how through it you can achieve all your heart's desires and never lack, I will present some of the verses containing these promises as well as the sayings of the sages regarding the virtue of trust.

Additionally, there is a wonderful merit brought in the holy texts, which is the recitation of verses of trust in Hashem, through which one can strengthen their trust in their Creator and be saved from all distress.

The more we internalize these verses, the stronger our sense of trust will become.

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"For Your salvation, I hope, Hashem" (Genesis 49:18).

Jacob our father, peace be upon him, said this verse when he foresaw with his holy spirit that Samson would be killed by the Philistines. He prayed to Hashem and said, "For Your salvation, I hope, Hashem," meaning that salvation comes only from Him and not through the power of any man.

In Midrash Rabbah, Parashat Vayechi (section 98, paragraph 14), Rabbi Isaac says everything is in "hope." The commentary of Etz Yosef explains that even if a person lacks merit to receive gifts from Hashem, merely because they hope and believe and trust in Him, therefore Hashem will remove their sufferings and bring them salvation.

This verse can be recited in three ways - a) "For Your salvation, I hope, Hashem." b) "I hoped, Hashem, for Your salvation" c) "Hashem, for Your salvation, I hoped." It is a great merit to say it in times of trouble, repeating it many times until one undoubtedly sees salvation.

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"And those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Hashem, have not forsaken those who seek You." (Psalms 9:11).

Anyone who knows Hashem and understands that He is the true ruler, and recognizes His name, the Tetragrammaton, which signifies mercy, naturally trusts Him completely because Hashem does not forsake those who seek Him alone.

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"But I have trusted in Your kindness, my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation; I will sing to Hashem, for He has dealt bountifully with me." (Psalms 13:6).

I have said this verse at various times, such as during difficult exams over extensive material, when I felt my wells of wisdom were blocked. I repeated this wonderful verse dozens of times and witnessed firsthand how the Creator opened for me wells of His wisdom.

Similarly, when it is time to pay the stipends to the scholars (eighty-four, may there always be abundance), and I do not have enough money, I remind myself of this verse, which teaches me that I cannot demand or rely on merit, but depend entirely on the Creator's abundant kindness, and it greatly encourages me. With Hashem's help, we have never been late in paying the scholars.

If you reflect on this verse, you will find a promise that anyone who relies on Hashem's "kindness" is assured salvation, for David ends "my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation," and then - "I will sing to Hashem, for He has dealt bountifully with me" - meaning King David was certain of Hashem's salvation because of his trust.

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"In You our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them." (Psalms 22:5).

King David testifies in this verse that our holy ancestors trusted only in Hashem, and thanks to this trust, He saved them from all their enemies.

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"Many are the pains of the wicked, but he who trusts in Hashem, kindness shall encompass him." (Psalms 32:10).

In Yalkut Shimoni (Psalms, Remez 759) a wonderful explanation of this verse is provided.

"Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Tanchum in the name of Rabbi Jeremiah, even a wicked person who trusts in Hashem, kindness shall encompass him." A person who is, Heaven forbid, wicked and suffers greatly, and of course has no merit to escape his troubles, if he only trusts in Hashem, then Hashem will encompass him with constant kindness, solely because he trusted in Him.

Another explanation - "kindness shall encompass him" in all his actions, that is, trust ensures that all his needs in life will be met with great kindness.

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"Trust in Hashem, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on truth, and you shall delight in Hashem, and He will grant you the desires of your heart." (Psalms 37:3-4).

Rashi explains these verses, trust in Hashem, and do not steal what is not yours, and give charity to the poor. And if you ask, "From what will I earn a living?" Know that you will eat and earn a living from the reward of your faith for trusting in Hashem and doing good.

Once again, David our king assures us, do not take what is not yours or not due to you; rather, give of your own to those who need help, and even if we lack merit for a comfortable living, the Creator will provide for us because of the mitzvah of faith we have in Him.

David continues his promise and says "and you shall delight in Hashem, and He will give you the desires of your heart" - indulgence, my friends! Not just basic needs, but you will be able to delight in the Creator with all your heart's desires, if indeed they are for your benefit.

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"Commit your way to Hashem, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." (Psalms 37:5).

Roll all your needs on Hashem - as Rashi interprets this verse - meaning, you need health, roll it on Hashem. Need a livelihood, roll it on Him. Children, roll them on the Creator. And in all your worldly needs. After rolling them on the Creator, by turning to Him and saying, "Father, I need healing, please solve my problem," and in everything continue and be confident in His kindness to help you, then He will surely do it. Another promise of David, if we roll our needs onto Hashem and trust Him, He will accomplish them without requiring special merit or conditions.

A person standing at the top of a hill, with a barrel that needs to be brought down, the foolish will lift the barrel onto their back and begin the descent. In contrast, the wise person lays the barrel on its side and rolls it down; likewise should a person with trust roll their worries onto the Creator.

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